3.4

Madlena Tomova

Mathematics - University of Iowa

3.4
Quality
3.5
Difficulty
63%
Would Retake
86
Reviews
3.4
Quality
3.5
Difficulty
3.5
Helpful
3.4
Clarity

63%

Would Retake

86

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

35

4

19

3

6

2

5

1

21

What Students Say

Superficial coverage of syllabus and deceptive grading

MATH132 - 1.0 rating

Also, she won't change your grade or curve

MATH2700 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

76%

Textbook Required

0%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B-

95% confidence
Based on 21 grades
Most common grades:
C+ (7)
C (4)
Incomplete (4)
Grade Distribution
A(4)B(2)C(11)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(4)
Based on 29 reported grades
C+: 7
C: 4
Incomplete: 4
Not sure yet: 4
Common Tags
Hilarious (20)
Caring (13)
Accessible outside class (13)
Gives good feedback (10)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (9)
Respected (7)
Participation matters (7)
Skip class? You won't pass. (6)
Rating Trend

Declining

-1.47 avg change
Nov
Jan
Apr
Jun
Aug
Jun
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

2580

5.0

(1)

CALCI

5.0

(1)

MATH201

5.0

(1)

MATH55

5.0

(1)

MATH070

5.0

(1)
+16 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CALC1

5.0

MATH132

5.0

MATH5400

5.0

22M055

4.5

CALC025

4.0

Reviews (86)
1.0
4.0
22M055
May 7, 2006

Every class there is either homework do or a quiz. Never have a day without one of them. Has to be done her way and her format or no credit. Tests are hard. Lectures are boring. Too much material covered to quickly in a short time

5.0
2.0
CALCI
Jan 23, 2007

I absolutely loved Maggy and her class! She created a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. We were able to interact with our classmates as well as with her. She stresses important points and gives good examples. We also got cookies once in awhile. :) I learned a lot from her.

2.0
5.0
CALC025
Nov 20, 2008

Her teachings were unclear and not concise. she did not explain enough how she got from one step to another. Far too much material covered too quickly. Not very enthusiastic when i attended her office hours to get help. Tests were very difficult and usually had nothing to do with the work done in class. Do not take her class.

4.0
4.0
CALC025
Dec 11, 2008

I had Maggie for Calc I. Though her lesson plans usually cram too much stuff into one lecture, she does present things somewhat clearly. She makes up for this pace with lots of extra credit opportunities, and also makes class somewhat fun.

4.0
5.0
CALC1
Apr 8, 2009

She is a very passionate teacher, but sometimes gets ahead of herself in teaching. She answers questions well and will explain if you ask. However, she does a lot of "partner" activities, personally I hate working with others, so it was a difficult task for me.

5.0
4.0
MATH201
Aug 4, 2010

It was great to have an algebraic topology class taught by someone who did not like algebra. It put the emphasis on the pictures where it belongs! Turn your homework in on time!

5.0
3.0
CALC025
Dec 15, 2010

I really liked Maggy as a professor. She made class interesting and made the information clear. I felt comfortable asking her questions and she was very helpful during office hours. At first there was a lot of partner work but when the class made it clear we didn't like it she toned it down. Definitely take her class!

5.0
4.0
MATH55
Apr 12, 2011

Maggy is a wonderful prof! She presents topics clearly. Sometimes she says things in a funny way but when you ask, she clarifies really well! Maggy has a great sense of humor, lots of extra credit opportunities, and prepares you well for thes tests! Lots of partner activities in class but they are helpful in meeting classmates. Take her class!

5.0
3.0
MATH070
Mar 30, 2012

Maggy is a great professor! She really cares about her students and will go out of her way to help you on a certain topic. You can also decide at the beginning of the semester if you want attendance to effect your grade. She offers plenty of extra credit and is great in office hours. She's really fun and my fave math professor so far!

5.0
3.0
MATH50
Apr 4, 2012

My only complaint is graded attendance, but it's a tough class so I'll take the free points. My first Math class involving proofs, and was decent for getting used to writing proofs. Has a genuine enthusiasm for Mathematics that makes the class interesting and even fun.

5.0
2.0
MATH50
Apr 24, 2012

SO ATTRACTIVE!

5.0
3.0
MATH50
Apr 24, 2012

Maggie is a great professor!

5.0
1.0
MATH50
Apr 24, 2012

This class was the best ever, take any class possible with her.

5.0
3.0
MATH50
Apr 24, 2012

She's really helpful, and a great professor!!

5.0
3.0
ABSTR1
May 4, 2012

She was amazing and a great teacher

5.0
3.0
MATH50
May 7, 2012

I gave her a thumbs up at the end of the semester. Literally. I felt stupid afterwards because no one does thumbs up anymore, but I guess she really deserved a thumbs up. Great teacher.

5.0
3.0
ABALG001
May 11, 2012

Great professor for proofs class!

5.0
3.0
MATHFORBIO
Apr 21, 2013

She is a good teacher and makes going to lecture enjoyable. She gives out extra credit in lecture so be sure to attend. She is very easy going. If you are willing to work, you will see a good grade at the end of the semester.

5.0
2.0
MATH15
May 8, 2013

Maggy makes lectures entertaining. Make sure you go to them as she gives out a lot of extra credit points just for attending.

5.0
4.0
22M25AAA
May 7, 2014

Maggy has been one of my favorite professors. I was terrified taking Calc 1 as a social science major. She has a quirky humor and helpful tone when teaching. I highly recommend.

5.0
1.0
MATH2700
Grade: A+
Feb 28, 2015

Maggy is absolutely amazing. Best teacher I've had yet. Also we get candy every week or two so that's another plus

1.0
5.0
MATH2700
Grade: C
May 21, 2015

Yes, she cracks jokes and gives away candies. But that is hardly a criteria to judge the academic side of the class. She never goes through the entire proof. If the lecture time is over, then she would just leave the proof midway and begin a new section in next lecture. Very tough grading and no partial credits. Generously gives C to grad students.

5.0
3.0
2580
May 21, 2015

Great teacher.

1.0
5.0
MATH2700
Grade: C
May 27, 2015

She is amazingly obsessed with some "1 sectionlecture" rule (irrespective of the lengthdifficulty of the section). If she is unable to complete a particular section in the lecture, she just skips the entire section and moves on to a new one in the next lecture. In her worldview, she has covered the section, and it will well be on your exam!

1.0
5.0
MATH2700
May 30, 2015

The class lectures could be enjoyable as she would be casually joking around. But I found her very unenthusiastic and strict during office hours. Also, she won't change your grade or curve. She will come up with a reason not to change the grade. On the surface, it may look like your class participation would count, but it really does not.

1.0
5.0
MATH132
Grade: B
Jun 14, 2015

Superficial coverage of syllabus and deceptive grading. I didn't know what grade I would get until final grades were posted. The TA for the class was a bore, self-righteous person who went on a rant about students copying solutions, but then herself presented solutions that she had lifted from internet word-to-word.

1.0
5.0
MATH132
Grade: C+
Oct 8, 2015

Not a good class for non-Math students (irrespective of assurances given by Maggy). Non-math students are sitting ducks for the lowest grades in the class. Maggy may claim that she will give points for the sketch of the proof. That's false. She is a tough grader. There will be tons of homework but it will count little in the final grade.

5.0
4.0
CALC025
Grade: A
Dec 22, 2015

Loved her! Great professor. Material is presented clearly, and as long as you do your homework, you will get an A in Calculus I. Exams are based on homework, so a lot of the questions are repeats of homework questions just with different numbers. Funny professor who wants to help students learn! Good class for non-math majors.

1.0
5.0
MATH5400
Feb 13, 2016

This is a hard class. Add unclear, non-rigorous teaching, and you have a recipe for bad grades. Maggy is a tough grader and the exams are unusually harder than the homework and class examples. Irrespective of Maggy's assurances, you should drop it, if you are not doing well.

5.0
3.0
MATH2550
Grade: B+
Jun 13, 2016
Would take again

Maggy is a wonderful professor that cares about her students. Took her Linear Algebra class during the summer semester and it was the best decision I ever made. She may give a lot of work, but it is important to complete her assigned work and her exams reflect the type of problems from her homework. Extremely helpful inside and outside of class.

1.0
5.0
MATH132
Grade: C+
Jun 14, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Enormous amounts of homework with no bearing towards your final grade. The exams are super-hard and have no relation with the homeworks. She laughs through the tough problems in the class giving an indication that they will not appear in the exams. Drop the class if you aren't doing well. Doesn't provide real help but would pretend to help.

1.0
5.0
MATH132
Grade: C+
Jul 21, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Maggy is a nice person, but not a very good teacher. If you are taking her class, don't mistake her jovial nature for her teaching skills. She is a very hard grader. Don't take this class if you are not a math major. She will give you a C with a big smile, even if you are a grad student.

1.0
5.0
MATH132
Grade: C+
Aug 20, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Does not teach what is on the tests and her study guides are completely pointless. Irrespective of what she says, you should attend all the lectures. Otherwise she will give you a nice C.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
1.0
5.0
MATH132
Aug 23, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Maggy is fun to talk with. She has a good sense for humor. But you would be so wrong to mistake her personality for her teaching traits. She is absolutely terribly harsh in grading. She will throw the most difficult test and smilingly tell you not to worry about the grades. Well, you should worry! She goes purely by your score on tests.

Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
5.0
MATH132
Aug 27, 2016
Wouldn't take again

She is very nice during her lectures, but is sarcastic and unenthusiastic during office hours. Grades very strictly and there is no room for negotiation on grades.

Tough Grader
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
1.0
5.0
MATH132
Grade: C+
Oct 9, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Jokes and candies apart, there aren't many academic tangibles in her course . Exams are super tough, almost from outer space. You will wonder when did she cover any of those things. Notwithstanding that the class is a mix of different majors, the grading is hardly curved. Grad students getting Cs is very common.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
1.0
5.0
MATH1340
Nov 8, 2016
Wouldn't take again

she goes way to fast and i do not have time to catchup. she also doesn't explain her reasoning ever. she just assumes we know what we are doing

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
3.0
4.0
MATH1340
Grade: B-
Dec 6, 2016
Wouldn't take again

DO NOT TAKE A MATH LECTURE WITH 400+ PEOPLE. Maggy is hilarious in class, but come the test- you realize that you know literally nothing. She assigns way too much homework, to the point of redundancy- and bases her tests completely off of it. I would not take a class this big again, nor would I take one with Maggy. I'm surprised I even passed.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
2.0
3.0
MATH1340
Grade: B+
Dec 13, 2016
Wouldn't take again

So lectures were practically useless considering there were so many students taking the class and you could not ask any questions. Discussion was way more beneficial. Attendance was not taken at lecture. Extra credit was given on every weekly quiz (don't worry, easiest quizzes of your life). She is very nice and caring and wants you do well.

Clear grading criteria
Caring
EXTRA CREDIT
5.0
3.0
MATH1340
Dec 14, 2016
Would take again

Maggy is such a nice professor! She is very sarcastic and adds a little humor into math. The tests weight for about 80% of your grade, so I would look over homework! I really enjoyed Maggy.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Hilarious
TEST HEAVY
3.0
4.0
MATH1340
Grade: C
Dec 17, 2016
Wouldn't take again

She's your (mom)-type professor. Very caring of each and everyone of her students, but her tests are only worth 18 points, so missing just 2 of those questions puts you in the B range. I do admit, some of the questions of the test were not fair. Questions were all from the homework, but the answers were so weird. Although it was multiple choice..

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
5.0
MATH132
Dec 19, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Maggy's sole aim is to do as many sections from the textbook as she can. This implies a lot of proofs are not discussed in the class or treated superficially. She make no efforts in explaining difficult concepts. The exams are in-class, super-hard, completely tangential to class/home works, and graded very harshly. She doesn't curve either.

1.0
5.0
22M055
Grade: C+
Jan 1, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Had her thrice. All classes follow the pattern where students are tricked in exams. Maggie throws stuff that appears completely out of the textbook material or even syllabus. She doesn;t curve. Don't mistake her personality for her teaching methods.

1.0
5.0
MATH132
Jan 3, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Don't take this class with Maggie if you are a non-Math major. She tries to be nice by giving extra problems in order to bring your grade up. Don't be fooled by this 'kind gesture'. She will give you super-tough problems beyond the syllabus that you can't solve. She is just dragging the process of giving you a bad grade.

1.0
5.0
MATH132
Grade: C
Feb 17, 2017
Wouldn't take again

I have spent so much time outside of class in office hours, tutors, and on my own to get a C. I think her grading scale is skewed. The extra points she claims to give are not really helpful. Ready to pay for a tutor.

5.0
3.0
MATH1340
Mar 3, 2017
Would take again

Simply put -- awesome!

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Hilarious
TEST HEAVY
5.0
2.0
MATH1340
Apr 17, 2017
Would take again

Awesome

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Clear grading criteria
Caring
1.0
5.0
MATH132
Oct 22, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Appearances can be deceptive. Maggy may smile, joke around and even appear caring. But that in no way masks the fact she grades very harshly and is a very strict academic. Her exams are from outer space ... totally disconnected to the homework (which is a lot!) and class exercises.

5.0
2.0
MATH2700
Grade: A-
Nov 29, 2018
Would take again

Awesome!

Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
MATH50
Grade: B+
Nov 29, 2018
Would take again

My favorite Professor

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
Caring
1.0
5.0
MATH132
Jan 9, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Says nice things but rarely means them. Don't take her class unless you want your grades messed up.

5.0
3.0
MATH2850
Jan 25, 2019
Would take again

Her class was really fun. Do the HW!

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
2.0
5.0
MATH132
Grade: C+
Apr 9, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Easy and a lot of homework, very difficult exams. Extra credit for everyone. So, it's not really extra credit. Appears very relaxed and funny, but actually a strict grader. Very unenthusiastic during office hours.

2.0
5.0
MATH132
Jun 11, 2019
Wouldn't take again

This class is tricky. Maggy is a fun person but a strict prof. Never assume she would not fault you for not attending her lectures; pretty sure you are heading for a C or B-. Never use office hours, she will be most unhelpful. You have a better shot if you ask a question in class. Beware of her exam questions. They could be from future chapters.

4.0
3.0
MATH2700
Grade: Incomplete
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Well we just started but she seems pretty cool so far. The students in her class seem rather rude and hostile but thats not really any reflection on her.

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
4.0
4.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Fun class, hope the pace slows down just a little bit

Respected
Accessible outside class
Hilarious
5.0
2.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Very entertaining, nice and helpful

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
4.0
3.0
ABALG001
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Shes very nice and funny

Respected
Accessible outside class
Hilarious
4.0
4.0
MATH1005
Grade: Not sure yet
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Seems nice and knows what she is doing. Could give more time to work on some things, I sometimes feel rushed when doing class practice problems.

Respected
Hilarious
Caring
4.0
3.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Only in the first week of the semester but were going at a good pace. There is one homework assignment per week and one quiz per week on Friday.

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
3.0
3.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

She makes sure that a majority of the class understands the material before moving on. She also makes the class as enjoyable as a math class can be.

3.0
3.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Good so far, goes kind of quickly.

Respected
Accessible outside class
Participation matters
5.0
3.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

she is a great professor and is very easy to come to with questions. she works through the information fast, but is always willing to slow down and give extra examples.

Accessible outside class
Participation matters
Group projects
4.0
2.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Makes the class enjoyable by giving jokes and having a good attitude. She also never moves on to another subject until everyone understands the material that was given.

Gives good feedback
Respected
Inspirational
5.0
3.0
MATH1005
Grade: Not sure yet
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

She works fast, but gives many examples of the material. The class is non-stressful and she makes the environment very relaxing.

Participation matters
Hilarious
Caring
5.0
2.0
MATH1005
Grade: Incomplete
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

She makes class funny which is nice. Im not that great at mental math which scares me because I will understand the content but might miss things because of basic computation (no calcs allowed). Overall she is my best professor.

Accessible outside class
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
4.0
4.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Class is a little bit fast, but very caring and funny and makes class enjoyable.

Accessible outside class
Hilarious
Caring
4.0
1.0
MATH1005
Grade: Incomplete
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

This is a good class with a good teacher. The class itself is pretty easy but the teacher is always good about helping anyone with questions.

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Caring
4.0
3.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Maggy is a very nice, and outgoing teacher and really knows how to engage with the class. Things are going at a good pace and I am picking up the information she is teaching us quickly.

3.0
2.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Maggy is outgoing and goes out of her way to make her students feel comfortable however does teach in a very fast matter that may be difficult for certain students. Her class flies by even for those who don't enjoy math.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Hilarious
Beware of pop quizzes
3.0
3.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Seems good so far, and like she wants you to succeed. It is slightly difficult to understand what is expected of you and what the proper due dates are, but it seems as though it will get better with time.

Respected
Accessible outside class
Participation matters
4.0
3.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

The classroom is funny but sometimes goes very slowly. Good at explaining and reviewing basic math and understanding when more explanation is needed.

Test heavy
Hilarious
5.0
1.0
MATH1005
Grade: Not sure yet
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

I am really enjoying this class already!

Gives good feedback
Respected
Hilarious
5.0
2.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

I enjoy Tomovas humor and pressure to encourage participation. As of now the work seems simple as if its review or the base of what we will be learning. Nonetheless I am excited for the future of the class.

Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
Caring
4.0
2.0
MATH1005
Grade: Incomplete
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Lectures too quickly

Hilarious
Lecture heavy
4.0
2.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

She does a good job of trying to simplify things and as long as you ask questions things don't seem too overly hard

Gives good feedback
Inspirational
Caring
5.0
3.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Its only my third day of class and I already know that I am going to thoroughly enjoy having Maggy as my professor!

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Caring
4.0
4.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

So far I like the class. I think she's able to lighten the mood in class with some jokes to make us laugh. I think we are going a little too quick right now but it is not too overwhelming at the moment

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
5.0
4.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Kinda fast paced

Gives good feedback
Hilarious
Caring
4.0
3.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Havent been in class long and I love her style of teaching. My favorite way to learn is by seeing one problem and then going and doing problems as groups and as a whole. She is super friendly and it is very easy to pay attention in class.

Accessible outside class
Caring
4.0
4.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

Very funny and kind.

Hilarious
5.0
3.0
MATH1005
Grade: A
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

The only things Id give feedback on critically is if she could be more specific on some questions instead of just going right through them. Other than that a great teacher overall!

Gives good feedback
Hilarious
Caring
4.0
3.0
MATH1005
Grade: A
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

She brings a good attitude to class and allows her students to do their homework online, and gives them the opportunity to fix their mistakes.

Graded by few things
Test heavy
Hilarious
4.0
3.0
MATH1005
Grade: Not sure yet
Aug 30, 2019
Would take again

This professor makes class less boring by inserting weird jokes every now and then. I find that pace at which we are learning right now to be good not too fast or too slow. As of right now I wouldn't mind having this professor again at some point.

Participation matters
Test heavy
Hilarious
2.0
1.0
MATH1005
Aug 30, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Funny, but the class moves very slowly and appears to be very elementary at times.

Hilarious
1.0
5.0
MATH132
Jun 13, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Maggie appears extremely nice and the proverbial prof-that-you-can-talk with. She does have a nice sense of humor. But, if you are not from Math major, do not take her classes. Extra credit does not help because everyone gets it. She would not forewarn you that she has marked you to be the casualty in the final grades. Math majors may do ok.

Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

76%

Textbook Required

0%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B-

95% confidence
Based on 21 grades
Most common grades:
C+ (7)
C (4)
Incomplete (4)
Grade Distribution
A(4)B(2)C(11)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(4)
Based on 29 reported grades
C+: 7
C: 4
Incomplete: 4
Not sure yet: 4
Common Tags
Hilarious (20)
Caring (13)
Accessible outside class (13)
Gives good feedback (10)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (9)
Respected (7)
Participation matters (7)
Skip class? You won't pass. (6)
Rating Trend

Declining

-1.47 avg change
Nov
Jan
Apr
Jun
Aug
Jun
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

2580

5.0

(1)

CALCI

5.0

(1)

MATH201

5.0

(1)

MATH55

5.0

(1)

MATH070

5.0

(1)
+16 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CALC1

5.0

MATH132

5.0

MATH5400

5.0

22M055

4.5

CALC025

4.0

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