2.2
Quality3.7
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake91
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
91
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
9
4
10
3
14
2
35
1
23
What Students Say
“AVOID AT ALL COSTS, very confusing”
MATH211 - 2.0 rating“Hand writing is illegible, clarity is obsolete”
MATH211 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
30%
Textbook Required
67%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.42 avg changeRatings by Course
PMAT431
4.0
(1)MATH349
4.0
(1)PMAT315
3.5
(8)MATH221
2.9
(21)MATH211
2.2
(42)Difficulty by Course
MATH
5.0
MAT
5.0
PMAT431
5.0
LINEARALGEBRA
4.5
MATH311
4.2
Reviews (91)
Great teacher. Not exciting, but clear and understandable!!
Very clear, except when he gets TOTALLY lost...
the greatest!
Great prof, he's really enthusiastic about the material. Quizzes and exams are hard, but notes are really good. His textbooks complement his notes well.
Hated this class, and hated this prof even more. You can't read what he writes, and his ramblings don't make much sense. Had to learn from the textbook myself.
He wrote the damn textbook!
This guy needs to be taken down a notch. He is so arrogant it stinks. And absolutely no help at all, any questions he just refers you to the textbook, which he wrote. Even worse, the textbook is totally cryptic. And others use his book..booo.
This guy writes ugly, teaches terrible, and gives little to no help for tests. His course requires you to finish the online labs, but they are 0 help for the midterms. He is a terrible prof and the textbook is written by him, AND IT IS ALSO TERRIBLE.
Nicholson is a decent prof, he's clearly really at the uni for research. Since he's really in to his field, it does mean you get a guy that can't be confused by the material, but, he can be a bit too quick at teaching stuff. If I could go back, I'd have him again.
great prof. knows his stuff inside and out. good class too. he seems to enjoy teaching it alot.
CRAPPY TEACHER, WRITING SUCKS, IS A HUGE JERK!
No Comments
Very messy writing Knows his stuff Not much help if you get lost Quizzes and exams are relatively difficult Great if you are interested in learning Not so great if you want to boost your GPA
Wrote the worst ever math textbook!
The linear algebra textbook that he wrote was the ***WORST*** math textbook I read in my entire life. Thanks to him. I failed because of his textbook which is INCREDIBLY UNCLEAR
I just wanna comment on his "book". I would have found easier deciphering hieroglyphs by myself than understanding the flow of material in his book. Was he trying to save paper or something because throughout his text he kept leaving out the explanations. There are much more better books in the market but somehow in canada we use this one?!
He is clear and knows what he is talking about. My boss took a class with him over 10 years ago and said he was just as good then. He's not overly enthusiastic but emphasizes on what you need to know. His tests are predictable so if you know what is happening in the lectures you'll do excellent. Practice your proof techniques.
Ok, first of all, he is a really smart guy. He knows his stuff, but he CANT TEACH! And he is like zero help for the midterm and final exam. And his textbook is terrible, you might understand half of the matrial, but the proofs will totally confuse you! Dont bother goin to the lectures, they are a waste. Again, smart guy but sucks at teaching!!
This teacher should be avoided at all costs. If you want to learn the course on your own, take this guy. He regurgitates everything exactly the way it is in the textbook and doesn't explain anything. If you can't understand the textbook, just image the same thing but as your prof.
WORST PROF. EVER
Very tough, his text is his bible... will not answer any questions regarding what will be on quizes, midterms, or the final.
i dont even know what to say. he makes u feel like a tard if u go ask for help. i stopped going to lecs because he assumed we knew way more that we did and he went super fast. i just read the book and practice myself and that seems to work. he goes over stuff that he didnt even put in the course outline (probably because he goes too fast). AVOID HI
You'd think after so many complaints about this professor that the university would do something. To pay +$500 to have someone mumble is just ludicrous. Avoid him, because his notes, textbook(which he wrote) are almost word for word, and if the notes make no sense, then...
worst teacher ever. i can understanding not wanting to teach but when we pay so much money you would think he would at least have a conscience and not be so rude!!! avoid at all costs!!!!!!!!
worst prof ever. EVER.
He just copies out of the textbook that he wrote. But he does do a good job of explaining the material, even if he doesn't care about the students or teaching.
I took him for 311 and since i did well in 211 i thought this class would be easy, considering this prof wrote the textbook. But to my surprise he was soo all over the place and unclear and i didnt like the fact that he didnt draw diagrams. And his notes loked like chicken scratch that i could barely see even when i sat at the front of the class.
AVOID HIM AT ALL COSTS!!!!! His exams are brutal and he strongly believes that it is his job to fail half the class. He walked into class and said that any class average on an exam higher than 50% is way to high. He can't even add two numbers! He's a horrible professor and should be banned from ever teaching any course, ever again!!!
No Comments
I've had some profs that people generally didn't like, but I did. So, I took this class figuring most of the ratings were just blowing things out of proportion. Looks like I was wrong. Lectures are useless. So is the text. Thankfully, this course has nothing to do with my intended degree. And I thought stats was boring. I miss calculus.
Math 221 is not meant for business and kines majors. If you couldn't get through the class with Nicholson, you wouldn't be able to get through it with another professor. Attend all the lectures, ask questions, google "Pauls online notes" and go to Linear Algebra and you will pass.
horrible prof
every1 is rite! he sux at teaching, his notes suck, but the text book is awesome!!! his tests are extremely predictable (he gives u last yr's exam prior to urs), so you just need to teach urself the course, which is NOT that hard. if i ever had to do this course again, i'd do it with him even tho he sux at teaching just 'cause his tests are EZ!
This class was amazing IF you are a strong math student. I got an A+ by skipping or walking out of every class except for the two before the midterm and final and going through the text book. Basically, its a couple days of cramming before the midterm and final for a great mark. His grading scale makes it easy to get an A. DO THE ONLINE QUESTIONS
He was interested in the topic but didn't teach (explain, make good examples, etc.) very well. The textbook didn't help at all either because he wrote it. Textbooks should be used to find explanations worded differently but the lecture was directly out of the text.
If you want to work hard and learn a ton, this is your man. I loved the class and learned more in it than any other I have taken. Dr.Nicholson is a gem in the U of C math department. He is one of the few professors that challenges students and gives grades not just based on percentages, but also in effort put into the class. Highly recommended!!!
I loved him as a prof. Since he wrote the textbook he knows his stuff. A lot of peo ple dont like him because its not the easiest class in the world. You can get an A if you go to class and do the work. He provides many examples, many of which are the ones used on tests. Just go over your notes and you wi ll get an A. I recommend him.
The worst prof ever
cant see his writting....messy and small
You're in for a rough semester, but all hope is not lost. Make sure you sit in the front of the room, otherwise it's going to be very hard to see his small writing and sometimes to even hear his voice when he trails off. ABSOLUTELY make sure you do the practice problems that are given online, they are repeated almost exactly on the final.
Very hard to read his notes, or even understand him at times. He yelled at our class a few times for asking questions because he had "already shown us how to do it". Worst prof for any of the sciences I've taken for my BSc.
Notoriously teaches directly out of the textbooks he authors. If you are bright or incredibly diligent, you will enjoy his classes. Otherwise it will be a lame semester. Hard to understand his writing or follow his train of thought.
If you want to learn a lot this is the guy to take it with. The course is a lot of work, but the prof is very knowledgeable. A lot of people don't like him because he forces you to actually understand material instead of just memorizing.
One of the hardest courses I've ever taken. Assignments suck, they're about 300% tougher than the tests. The only thing keeping me from saying he sucks is that I somehow passed the course.
He makes the course so difficult to understand, only does proofs/theory and doesn't actually show how to do the questions. Textbook is bad for explaining because he wrote it, only makes sense if you have previous knowledge. Take Csaba Toth, way better professor
Nicholson is extremely knowledge on the subject he is teaching but is a classic case of knowledge not translating to teaching ability. He often rambles on with excessive proofs and details his notes with theory. He however doesn't take the time to do many examples or explain how to do questions that you might see on the final or midterm exams Avoid
Terrible teaching method, he does proofs all class every class, rarely does examples. He is a true classic though, lays down atleast 3 massive voice cracks per lecture. He also says the most random words and sentences you will ever hear. You will hate him so much but will eventually end up missing the guy. True beuaty. That being said, terribleProf
He's obviously a master of the subject, but I extremely dislike his teaching methods. I haven't written the final yet, but his midterm was extremely easy. However, studying for the midterm was difficult because it isn't very clear on what he expects of us. Also, he does proofs way too much for an introductory math course.
Avoid at all costs. I did fine in the class but math is an incredibly easy subject for me. The material in this class is very abstract and Nicholson presents it in a very poor way. Proofs dominate his lectures and he rarely does examples. Avoid
Worst prof ever... Can't read his tiny writing, you don't learn anything in class. He doesn't explain his examples clearly by scribbling it and talking super fast and low. I would NOT recommend him at all.
WORST PROF EVER! Lectures consist of him mumbling and writing things so small ants need magnifying glasses to read it. The textbook will be your BEST FRIEND (for MATH211)! The material isn't hard, he just has no idea how to teach it. AVOID HIM AT ALL COSTS!
Dont take this course with this prof. Its the worst experience at uni ive had so far. No help, arrogant, brutal teaching method and writes at about font size 2. about 50 people have given him an awful rating... this guy is painfully bad
I found this course to be both extremely abstract and challenging. It was very hard to read his tiny writing and he would often mumble and talk quietly. His lectures consist mainly of proofs, as does the text. Not open to helpIng students outside of classtime. Avoid, but if you have him, the final is based on blackboard practice problems.
He's writing is super tiny, and he handwrites too. Sit at the front of the classroom if you can. His exams were pretty easy. If you're serious, you'll do well in his class. Do his practice problems before your exams, and you should be fine. I'm not good at math, but I managed to get a B in his class.
EASY CLASS
This class isnt hard but he made it HARD! Lectures are narration of his book, which is the most useless book ever written! Go to the better prof's lecture like Holland, Greenberg, etc. LINEAR ALGEBRA IS SUPPOSED TO BE EASY! This guy made the class impossible!
I can understand why people wouldn't like his teaching methods, but after you get used to him he's really not that bad. He talks rather quietly, but everything was explained well enough to get a decent grade in the class. The course is really easy, and he knows what he's talking about, seeing as he wrote the textbook.
I've taken two senior classes with him; he takes some getting used to. He just copies from his textbook (that he wrote), and doesn't explain things much because he thinks they're obvious. He makes you work, but that's not a bad thing. But, don't take a first year class with him if you can avoid it. Generous marking makes up for his teaching.
Most difficult class I've ever taken. This is NOT your average first year course (at least if you take it with this prof, I don't know otherwise). I'd advise not taking this course unless it's required. If it's required wait until you can take it with someone else.
I thought he was a very good teacher, clear and gets to the point.
Right from Day 1, this guy scared the life out of me. Due to this, I was really scared to ask him about anything we talked about in class. When I finally mustered up the courage to ask him something, his response was very condescending. His writing and talking is also impossible to comprehend. Whatever you do, DON'T take his class.
I've since taken a higher level course with Dr. Nicholson. I can see why people in his Math 211 course find him difficult, but for me, he is one of the nicest and helpful profs I've had at the U of C. His style of teaching is a little odd in that he often overlooks small but important details. His lectures may be a bit boring, but his book is good
This guy is so incredibly smart it makes me ill. However, he never told us what to expect to be on the quizzes, never told us what the format of our midterm and final exam would be, and never offered himself up for students during office hours as he never had any! This class nearly killed me....thank goodness I'm taking calculus next semester!
The only way you will ever manage to survive the web assignments is to make a facebook study group....seriously, this guy was not helpful at all and make the concepts that I now look back on to be so easy, so freaking difficult! Avoid this guy or you will be attending other profs lectures during the week just to survive :S
I thought he was a very good teach, he teaches from the text book (which he wrote), his writing is small, so you should sit at the front. Pretty helpful, smiles when you ask him a question. Tests are super easy, make sure you study your proofs. I would recommend this professor.
very bad teacher
Dr. Nicholson really loves his proofs and theory, so the majority of his notes and assignments aren't as computational as perhaps 211 or any AMAT course. However, his test(s) are reasonable. Attend the lectures and keep up with him via his textbook and do the questions. The course is challenging, and he can only do so much himself.
RUNNN. do not take linear algebra with this prof. on midterm a large portion of the class answered a question incorrectly (in the same way) and he started giving 1 out of 4 and then got so tired of seeing the mistake, he started giving zeros...and had the nerve to tell us that! way too many proofs and nearly no examples
DO NOT GO INTO HIS CLASS. He does not do many examples, pretty much all proofs. His writing is extremely difficult to read, and he struggles in answering questions.
He doesn't do a lot of examples, and his writing is hard to understand. BUT once you get the hang of how he teaches you'll be fine. He's a really sweet guy! And he love what he does.
Would be a better prof if I was a smarter math student. This man is incredibly smart but obviously not meant to be a teacher. Lectures where exactly what was in the text book and when it came to exams all hope was lost. Would not recommend this class unless absolutely needed.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS, very confusing. His notes are all over the place, had to teach myself from the textbook he wrote and the textbook was equally confusing. Learned more from 3 hour review session than I did the whole semester from him. Doesnt keep students connected through blackboard, had to use my friends to view slides and other relevant info.
Hand writing is illegible, clarity is obsolete. Examples? Once in a blue moon. Urges you to ask questions, but does an inadequate job of answering. If you want to take math 211, take it with another prof.
I sat near the front and showed up every class. Never cracked the text book. He does make many mistakes in his lecture notes but if you pay attention you can figure it out. He is a nice prof and lots of examples from lectures were similar to midterms and final, however if you already struggle with the subject of math, find a different professor.
DONT enroll in his section he is by far the worst prof i have ever seen in my life he is unclear unhelpful and just doesn't know how to teach i could get better knowledge on youtube.....
I thought he would be an okay teacher since he wrote the textbook, but oh my goodness, his teaching is just horrible! His writing is so messy and small you can't understand anything, he makes many mistakes which confuses you like no other, and honestly he is friendly but I do not recommend him if you can't learn the course on your own.
Good prof. He thoroughly understands his stuff and tries his best to get the rest of the class to understand as well. Bit of a quiet speaker with messy notes, but if you sit near the front and follow along the class becomes quite enjoyable.
His notes are quite useless, his explanations either makes no sense, or is overly detailed on the useless parts.
Too many mistakes during lectures lead to confusion. Very unfriendly if you ask him a question, and had a hard time keeping up with his own schedule. Expects student to teach themselves, as "it's not his job to teach the students everything". This should attest to the qualities of the lectures. Very intelligent, but terrible at teaching.
His slides were organized but his microscopic handwriting and mumbling made it difficult to follow in class. He's too detailed when it comes to explanation + rude. We skipped the last two sections because he couldn't keep up with the schedule. The assignments are challenging and your answers are scrutinized. Just read the book and solve examples.
So long as you've done some proofs before, the class isn't too hard. Nicholson is no help though, if you're having trouble. He said "no comment" when asked about what would be on the midterm or final. Assignments can be tough,but the midterm and final were a lot easier. He posts all his notes and doesn't cover anything not posted in lecture.
He gets a lot of hate. I can understand why, coming into this class I had never done proofs before and I was struggling to follow in lecture. However, once I got the hang of how proofs work the class became easier. I started the semester thinking this was my hardest class, left thinking it was my easiest. The tests are easier than the assignments.
No help at all. Doesn't post lecture notes until a few days after class. When I have gone to office hours he was no help and just tried to get me to leave as quickly as possible. Not prepared for class and rude to students that have difficulty with the course
Speaks very softly, try to sit in the front for his lecture. The lecture notes were posted either 5 minutes before class or after class and he gets down to business right when class starts and goes very fast so reading the textbook before class is helpful. Exams were fair, there won't be anything on the exam that he didn't cover in class
He is experienced prof, but does not teach well. Lectures too hard to understand. Speaks very softly, you have to sit in front to hear him. You have to work on your own, as his lectures are not that helpful.
Not a bad prof, knew his stuff and really cared about teaching, the only problem was with his small messy handwriting
I am unwilling to say that he is a bad Prof however there are things that may lend that opinion. His lecture slides are borderline over detailed and are rarely well explained. He speaks quietly and at times seems to ramble however he appears to be knowledgeable and passionate. Most of the course will require you to do many hours of extra reading.
Not a terrible prof but I would recommend look elsewhere. His lectures are almost entirely proofs and are resemble a textbook. If possible try and different prof if not, then to do well you are better off doing the homework alongside looking at his posted notes and studying practice exams before the midterm and final.
After taking MATH211 with him, I found his lecture slides incredibly over-detailed. He clearly understands the material and is passionate about it. He can be entertaining at times, but this doesn't make up for his somewhat poor teaching methods. I recommend taking it with another prof unless you are up for achallenge. Tests/assignments were fair.
He cares a lot and you know he knows what he's talking about but it's very difficult to learn in his lectures. Don't fall behind! It is possible to teach the course to yourself!
Although he is very passionate about mathematics and his research in the field, his ability to communicate course material on a beginner level is in need of improvement. If you are able to learn course material on your own with next to no help needed from a professor, then you will probably be fine in his class. If you are not, then avoid.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
30%
Textbook Required
67%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.42 avg changeRatings by Course
PMAT431
4.0
(1)MATH349
4.0
(1)PMAT315
3.5
(8)MATH221
2.9
(21)MATH211
2.2
(42)Difficulty by Course
MATH
5.0
MAT
5.0
PMAT431
5.0
LINEARALGEBRA
4.5
MATH311
4.2