I had a lot of difficulty with his class, but I am not very good in math. Although he is hard, he is very concerned about student progress and seems genuinely disappointed and hurt when they do not perform. Do not take him if you plan to slack.

If you don't want to work; don't take his classes. You get out of his classes exactly what you put into them. He is always available outside of class for help. I learned a lot in his class.

This is the only math class that taught me math and not how to do math. This is the class where everything *clicked*. When we were having trouble he actually drove 1 hour (it was a night class) on his own free time to give us study groups. This guy CARES!

Van's "no questions, no class" method was the best part of our Foundations course. We were responsible for the lecture topics, which proved most helpful. He is also available for extra help, and is fun to socialize with.

You can learn a lot from him if you are willing to work. Nice guy outside of class but not so nice in the classroom.

This class was great, especially since we had only four capable people in it. Van's teaching style is inspiring and motivating.

he is a teacher that makes sure you understand before you leave everyday. Very helpful and really enjoyed the class

He is very methodical and systematic, therefore an excellent teacher. He doesn't answer questions on review days though. I thought that was a bummer.Make sure you show your work, he gives partial credit.

Great guy. Awesome teacher. He cares and wants you to learn. If you ask question, he will answer them. But be prepared to go to the board. He wants to see what you are doing. He will go over the subject as many times as you need him to. As long as you try

I can describe Van in one word: "Genius". He is very systematic and explains concepts with ease. Do the homework and you will pass. He will go out of his way to help anyone. Note (I took him during the summer and it was a remedial class)

Very awesome!!!

He realy knows his stuff ~ BUT DAMN HE CAN BE A REAL **** SOMETIMES. Expect "trick" test. U never know exactly what he is asking. There are very few, but long porbs on test. He will thouroughly test ur knowledge and understanding.

Ma is the best math teacher you'll ever have. No other math teacher I've had can break it down so well. You actually learn if you do your part. The more mature you are as a student, the more you'll appreciate his way of teaching. He is what every professional math teacher should be -someone TEACHES!

Lets the students determine the direction of the class. Doesn't prepare for lectures. Very smart. Not as tough as he tries to act. Wants you to understand the material and think for yourself. Do the problems in the book and come prepared with questions.

Van Ma was an awesome professor. I took his class in the summer of 2004. He will never move on to another subject until you (the whole class) understands the material. You have to do the homework and pay attention. I reccomend to take him if possible.

this guy is the smartest math teacher i've ever had. if kids were taught the way this guy does through grade school and high school, they would not have as much trouble with college maths as they do.

Smartest math professor I've ever had. Seems unapproachable but really helps students if he sees any effort from them. He knows his material like no one else so he can seem cocky but isn't. His tests can be rough(DO NOT ask for a take home test) so you do need to keep up with the work.

An innovator of what math is and should be, he challenges you and forces you to learn the theory behind the math. His theory is if you now the reasons behind problems, any problem he gives you is easy. Great teacher get ready to work. Thank you for a great semester.

He helps you if he sees you are trying. if you do not put forth an effort he will not give you the time of day.I think he is a geeat teacher. HE was extreamly helpful to me...

He is an excellent teacher! He will help you as long as you show that you are putting forth your best effort. He tries to be as fair as he can to the ones who are trying. You will not find a better math teacher. He has a way of teaching math, you will be AMAZED. I recommend him for any math class. He is an AWESOME teacher.

advice, ask questions if you dont know something, if you dont, u will never learn. he is not ur normal teacher that has a lesson plan. its based on questions. learn what he teaches, its gonna be on the test. you do that, and ull make an A in the course like i did. his tests can make you think.

People who don't live Van Ma don't like him because they don't try. I made my first A in math EVER in his class. You have to try and ask questions. But this is college, and we are adult, so we should want to learn right?? I loved him soo soo much. Take him, ask questions and DO THE HOMEWORK!!!

Very good, but very demanding. If you do the homework and put in a decent amount of effort, you should have no problem.

It may seem like that he hates you, but he is really pouring knowledge into u. very very clear and helpful teacher

I enjoyed taking Van Ma's class. This was my third attempt at taking math 101. I took intersession with Van Ma and he was amazing. For some reason I totally understood every concept he explained. He is a wonderful teacher. He isn't an easy teacher but I promise if you have him you will learn MATH! I made an A in his class. THANK YOU VAN MA!

i really liked van ma. he is a good teacher and gives good lecture notes. the only way you will do well is if you do your homework assignments. i would take him again if i had the chance. he comes off as a hardass but is willing to help you if you ask for it

Van Ma is a very good teacher and wants you to do your best in the class, in return he wants you to do your homework, participate in class, and ask any question you may have. Simply put, you get out whatever you put in.

UGH, didn't care for him -- AT ALL. Althouh I'm not much of a math person, I'm sure math majors love him. He's too argumentative for me. He wants to know WHY math problems are worked a certain way. Make sure you ask questions.

He is a very good teacher but his tests are hard. He really makes you think.

Has real interest in helping people that help themselves. If you put some effort forth and show him that you are trying your best he will do all he can to help you. TESTS ARE HARD.

Most fun class I've EVER taken! Tests are challenging and you definitely need to study! But the class wasn't tedious with a lot of definitions and useless examples. You basically control the flow of the class. If you're confused ASK QUESTIONS!!! Van Ma is not as scary as he might seem. I LOVED Van's class!

Okay, Van Ma is NOT that bad. He does try to intimidate you and make you feel really stupid when you ask a question, but don't let it get to you because he WILL help you if you show that you are sincerely trying. I'm terrible at math, but I took him for Trig., did my homework, and got an A.

he was awesome we had so much fun in that class

Extremely smart man & can still bring it down to such a simple level for students to understand. If he sees you struggling and trying your best he will help you out in any way possible. By far, my favorite professor at NSU thus far!

Okay, Mr Ma is not a bad teacher. Yeah at first he tries to scare you and make you want to drop, but he isn't like that at all. He is more than willing to help as long as you do your part. Great teacher!

i hate math im not a math major and i made an A in his class. he explains things very well but he is mean.

Everyone had me scared to go to his class but when I went it was great. I had Van Ma for intersession in '07 and he was very helpful. But if you don't ask questions he will leave you in the dust. ASK QUESTIONS!!! I wish he was teaching Math 108 this semester I would drop my professor in a heartbeat.

Since math 101 is on the computer now, you only see your teacher for focus group. You have to go to class or you get kicked out, it's like that for every math 101. If you need an actual teacher, then don't take him because he only answers questions you ask him. But that was cool with me because the computer teaches you everything.

I had heard many things about Van Ma and was scared when I first started his class this semester.He tries to make you think that he is really tough and hard but he really works with you to help you better understand the material. He also helps you out if you participate and show that you are trying. Overall I think he is great and really enjoyed it

I don't understand why people say he's so hard. My worst subject is math and I pulled an A in this class. He is an EXCELLENT teacher. Always willing to help. All you need to do is ask questions. Very willing to change test dates if the class needs more time to study. I've never been more pleased with a class than this one. Take him !

Van Ma knows what he's math. Take notes, read over them & ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS! He's only hard if you're not willing to put forth the effort. He teaches you to understand material, not memorize. Tell him if you don't understand something (have examples). Passed his class, but I put in a lot of extra studying!!

Very good professor hard but challenging really cares about students

He has a bad reputation, and it seems to bother him. Other than that, he seems to really care about his students and their success in his class. He breaks the math down so you actually understand it instead of just memorizing formulas. The only way you can fail this class is if you don't come to class or don't pay attention to his lectures.

don't do it! take someone else

He was very helpful. I was interested in class. Take attendance every other day. Knows his stuff, ask questions because he is willing to help.

ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS!! Will answer anything! He is extremely willing to help as long as you actually show up in class. Do your homework and ask questions on it - he will remember who asks and he isn't afraid to admit that he's partial to those who participate in class.

Van Ma is a very helpful instructor that will make you fall in love with learning Math. Attendance is of the utmost importance. His knowledge of Math and his teaching style is "tops" at Nicholls.

Very helpful. Attendance is mandatory. He wanted you to learn and stressed asking questions.

Very good instructor. Attendance is mandatory, also ask lots of questions. He works with you. I liked the class, learned things I need in life.

Great teacher.. Ddnt do so great in his class, but he works wth you if he sees your trying a coming to class..answers all questions and explians well..material is hard but he will do his best to help

He is very helpful and willing to answer questions if he sees that you are putting in the effort.I took Math 101 twice and I was able to pass Math 117 with a C on the first try. Pay attention, take notes, ask questions and go to class.

I can see that he is partial to students that participate in class. He is typically only 'mean' to the students that talk back to him. I had one girl in my class he made a fool of a few times because she would yell at him in class. Otherwise, great teacher and would recommend you take him.

This class is only hard if you make it that way. If you pay attention in class and ask lots of questions you will be fine. The more questions you ask the better! If you ask questions and respond during lecture, he will be more easy on your grades. He doesn't use a textbook and does like to joke around.

I don't understand the bad comments! His class was my favorite! He is extremely smart and knows his subject well. He is also really funny, especially with the kids that don't try very hard or show up to class. If you have trouble, work problems from the book and ask in class. He'll love you! He wants you to do well! Highly recommend!

Be prepared for a different experience! He wants you to pretty much make the class. He'll teach you the basics of what you need to know and you NEED to ask questions if you don't understand something while he is teaching or right after he finishes so that he doesn't go onto the next topic. He will help you succeed but you have to meet him half way!

van ma will wok with you to get the grade you deserve. i made an F on my first text, had an excused absence for the second test which i never made up, and made a B on my third test. he dropped my lowest test grade and doubled my final for the missed exam. i ended up making a B because i went talk to him and showed improvement. very helpful.

You earn your grade and he guides you to accomplish that. Help is there when needed, teaching style is different but effective. Would definitely recommend and take a class with him again.

Everyone says that he is not a good teacher, but, and, please trust me when I say this, he is.