Great professor! I am not a math genius, to the contrary, I suck, but still passed. He keeps the class interesting and fun. Very generous.

This guy is a great teacher!I wish there were more math teachers like him he is well organized, gives great notes that you can understand when you go back and study, and he answers any questions you may have. His quizzes and tests are fair just be sure to study the notes and examples and you will do fine.

Best I ever had indeed for Math. Cembellin keeps it very simple, very presentable notes in class, all you need to do is show up, pay attention, take notes and review the material at home as well as do the online homework and you will get an A. He makes the subject very understandable unlike many other professors, and plus he's a real laid back guy.

I am typing this 3 days into the course. I LOVE THIS TEACHER!! His love for math shows and he makes the classroom very very interesting and fun. I have never seen a teacher so young and so smart. I wish I could have him teach all the classes I need to take.

Highly recomended. He is such an inteligent in his age. Take advantage of his office hour at the PSMC center. He will help from his heart and he is the best one if compare with other teachers. He knows the material very well.Unfortunately,he is not easy grader but he is fair. Take with him.

He is so cool, and funney, but he teaches very well, he goes over everything. The quiz sometimes was challenging but I realized as you learn the quiz and the notes from his class , and homework, that is all you need to do really well in his class.I took his class got a B more than I expected, I only wanted to pass, he's great.

I took him for STATS and this teacher gets it. He is fair and teaches the basic fundamentals and then some but at the same time he keeps it simple. I highly recommend him for STATS and look forward to taking another one of his classes.

Very helpful and knows his stuff. I'm not the most math literate person on campus. In fact, I've taken this class 4 times prior to Cembellin's class and each time I ended up dropping. Once I was in Cembellin's class I was able to understand the material and walked away with a A- by the end of the quarter. Not too shabby!

He clearly loves what he does. Some of the lecture material is irrelevant to homework assignments. If you don't like it, the lectures aren't required anyway. Relative to other math teachers he isn't that hard. He'll make you laugh too. I aced his 1A and 1B without having taken Pre-cal. Maybe that says something about his teaching ability.

After taking Zach's 1A and 1B classes, I should say he is the best! He teaches difficult things in an easy way, and makes the class understandable and interesting. He is really helpful. Even during weekends, he always replies students' questions. His quiz, exams, and final are easier than hw, so you can get a perfect grade if you study.

He goes pretty fast, but work is doable if you keep yourself on track. His quizzes and tests aren't too easy, but not hard either. Do many practice problems and pay attention in class, you will do well! He's hilarious at some points during class and pretty cute too. Definitely recommend.

Pretty decent teacher, but takes off a lot of points on exams and quizzes for simple mistakes. hard grader.

Cembellin is awesome! He really loves what he does and is one of the best math lecturers I've seen, he actually makes the class laugh all the time! You need to do homework and study hard but class is realistic. One would need to WORK VERY HARD to get an A. Tip: USE WORKSHOPS

Good Professor! easy one and very helpful. Also funny during class

He is super funny, great on teaching and he actually knows what he is talking about, he knows what he is doing and make the class fun specially night classes which are boring but this guy is awesome! Funny, Funny!!

Great professor. If you want to succeed he will help you and he is fair. Take him! Funny dude too.

I failed this class. To be honest, he is a great teacher, so helpful and dedicate, but his teaching method is not suitable for me. I prefer to show work rather than take a lot of notes. I did put a lot of time and work really hare, I still fail this class. Quizzes and exams are kinda tricky and not really related to homework online.

He's a pretty good teacher. Calculus workshops definitely help a lot! He's funny and makes math somewhat bearable ;). Pay attention to your little mistakes because those could cost you a few points on quizzes, but overall he's a fair grader. So don't expect to talk him into changing your grade any of you attractive ladies out there, it won't work.

funny but difficult to get an A

He's very nice and willing to help but his grading is very fair. He usually deducts points for silly mistakes. However, to get A you really need to work hard unless you're really smart. The final is common and pretty easy. Come to workshops and do all the workshop sheets coz most of the time, the questions are from there.

He is a really good teacher to take if your looking for a challenge in math, extremely helpful to students who genuinely who show their efforts. if you dont study for his class you will drop.I cant stress it enough but study his handouts until they are redundant, definitely not an easy A class but taking his class strengthens your math foundation

He's a very good teacher and comedian at the same time! The way he grades is also pretty generous. So if you made a huge mistake yet what you're trying to do is right, you'll get lots of partial credits. Be aware that his exams (mid and finals) are usually a lot harder than his quizzes. Not an easy A class, but you won't regret taking his class!

This professor is strict but friendly, it's interesting to take his class, he has a sense of humor.

Very helpful teacher but quite a tough teacher. Recommend for everyone.

This guy got his stuff together. Yea he's tough, but its calculus so what do you expect? He will help you anytime you ask and even responds to email questions very fast. His lectures are in depth and he iz funny too. haha.

Zach's a very good teacher, but not an easy A one. He actually wants you to be math "thinkers" and not "robots". His exams really show it. He can be very funny and nice (yet strict) in class but he's VERY helpful during office hours and he will work with you at your level. Do textbook problems and keep asking questions about any of the material.

He was a great teacher. His tests were difficult, but it challenges you. He is really interested in the student learning the material, not just doing the work. If he sees that you know the material then he will adjust the grade toward the end of the class. Take if you expect to learn material, not for an easy A. I got an A, but it wasn't easy.

Funny and intelligent teacher, but his tests and quizzes are difficult. If you're up to the challenge then take his class but heres what you should really do. as SOON as you get the chapters/sections covered, MAKE A "CHEAT SHEET" of all formulas he'll go over and bring to class. I SWEAR IT WILL HELP! Really need to study if you want at least a B.

Take this class if you want to actually learn about math. You will be challenged for those who are used to easy teachers. If you study hard enough, you will pass this class! This teacher was very fun. GL and study hard for those of you who decided to take this class!

He was very clear about what was on tests and only material gone over was ever on the tests. Don't need the textbook if attend class. He went over 48A concepts that people were confused about, so great for those who did not take 48A at foothill. Good sense of humor as well. I took this in the summer and survived.

Great teacher. Very big personality. brings lots of energy to class. He is not an easy A if that's what you're looking for. But he explains all the material very well and expects you to do your part in grasping it. Make sure you utilize you're time/resources/ get your face out of your phone & become aware what you're in class for and you'll do ok

He's a good teacher and runs a chill class. If you do everything, especially master all the handouts you will learn the the material. Quizzes and midterms are ok if you study like hell, but the final is ridiculously long. Be prepared not finish so pick out the questions you know first to get the most out of it.

-will give help for specifics, if u miss stuff will refer other resource -very clear but when it comes to go deep into the concept and spin stuff around he goes to fast for me, I have to take notes and think about it after class. -All my friends say he gives VERY VERY tough tests but I find all his test is from HW

This professor is organized and has clear expectations. He may come off as intimidating, but he's actually quite funny if you don't take things personally. Honestly, I think he's bored when students don't participate so he humors himself. Just be sure to participate and don't skip class!

One of the best math professors I have ever had. The material in this class is tough but his teaching style and his passion for the subject really make the material easy to understand. Don't expect an easy A because you definitely won't get it by slacking off. If you practice every day, like he recommends, and you ask him questions you will succeed

I really liked him, a very in-depth teacher! He stretches your mind and gets you to think critically. Tests and quizzes are all things he's taught, you just need to think how to apply it. I think if I take more classes with him, I will be really well-prepared for grad school. He is always willing to help and answers email questions quickly, too.

Zach is a great teacher, he presents calc in a clear and direct way. If you want to know calc or are going on to 1b I would highly recommend taking him. If your looking for a teacher where you could skip class, not have to study very hard, and get an A, don't even think about him. He'll make you work for it, his tests and grading are very tough.

This class is not easy. His instruction is very clear & he has a deep understanding of the concepts he teaches. Practicing problems DAILY is your best bet to doing well in this course. Last-minute efforts will not work in this class. If you are willing to put in time & regular, daily effort, I recommend taking his class. If not, look elsewhere.

Zach is the best but also the hardest math teacher I've ever had. If you're looking for a way to half-ass through calc1, you're in the wrong place. Show up to class, spend a stupid amount of time doing practice problems, use him as a resource when material doesn't make sense, ask questionsbe engaged in class, and you will be fine in his class.

Exams are very hard. Quizzes are manageable. Class average for tests was in the high 60%'s which is apparently "pretty good" because one student got 100%. Good teacher, badly made tests. Difficulty varies tremendously between exams. Tests you more on algebra and trig than actual calculus.

Really good professor. He walks you through all steps, answers all questions, posts all lectures online. Very clear about what's on the tests, but like any college level course you still need to study. Practice the problems, check your work, and you're bound to get an A or B. He gives you several opportunities to redeem bad exam/quiz grades.

posted in class notes online making it viewable to students without the hassle of paper, quizzes are straight forward but midterms and tests were tough. He threw curveballs with the same concept but with a much higher difficulty level. definitely makes your work hard for your grade.

His exams are way too hard.

He's a great guy and for a math professor, he's very cool. His tests are hard, but after all, what matters is how much you learn and you definitely learn the material. I still dislike math but I'll miss his class. By the way, no homework required for his Math 1b class so.. thats another thing to consider...

Cembellin is a tough teacher, but also a good teacher. He expects you to do work. So, if you are the person who doesnt expect to do work outside of class and really really learn the material, then you should try and find the easy teacher instead where you won't learn much, but you may get an A in that other class.

One of my best experiences at Foothill. His Honors class is difficult but I never regret that I registered for it. You can learn too much from him and he is a cool guy in general. Never got bored of his lectures as well.

TL;DR: He's a really hard professor but he's a really good lecturer. Explains the concepts in a concise way, and slows down to make sure every question is answered. He's down to earth and hilarious, but his tests are HARD. I mean really hard. Homework and quizzes will help you get a B but doing well on the tests is essential for getting an A.

He's a great guy, one of the best professor's I've ever had for math, amazing lectures and really enjoyed learning from him. Organized notes and explain things really well. Something helpful would be doing all the in class problems in addition to asking questions and do problems he suggests on the book. Exams are fair if you know the material.

He is an awesome professor, great lecture and easygoing. He has high expect on your study and make sure you really understand the class material. Best teacher I have ever had. Take his 1AH class if you can, you won't regret.

Great clear lectures and as someone else has mentioned before, he has high expectations. However is will make sure you understand the material and is open for help. Having prior knowledge of calculus helped but for the most part, 48a was algebra heavy. Just be sure to do all of the homework and go over the sample problems for extra practice.

Professor Cembellin seems to be a tough love type of Teacher. He can come off as intimidating, but deep down he really just wants his students to excel and succeed. If you are not gifted in math then you will have to work HARD for your grade, but when and if you pass it feels amazing. If you like and welcome a challenge take Professor Cembellin.

A fair grader, expects punctuality, may dock points for tardy homework. May go on tangents, but lectures are clear if you do the (ungraded and optional) textbook homework. The optional online homework can add up to 10% to your grade. This honors course has two required group or solo projects, your choice. Begin them immediately, don't wait!

Best teacher

Hes a funny guy and a good professor but expects students to have a good foundation on Trig/pre-cal or you will probably die in his classes

Fantastic teacher, fair, caring, judgemental of your questions. He is a tough love kind of guy and will hammer everything you need to know into your head. Although you have to self-study a lot it is to be expected with a math course. Don't take him if you want an easy A

An excellent professor. Lectures were interesting (for math courses), due dates were made clear, and he posted his in-class notes on Canvas which made it easy to double-check what was taught. Seems to care about teaching and giving his students the tools to succeed. Highly recommended.

He actually made an 8AM class enjoyable, hes fun to talk to. You need to work for your grade, the extra practice problems are extremely helpful. Exam averages were very low but only a few people did the online HW, which helps a lot with preparing for exams. Use every resource he gives you, do the HW and you will be fine.

Best teacher Ive ever had, but dont think its easy, you need to put in the work. This class will challenge you, you might get frustrated but the fundementals you learn only further you in your future, and create a solid foundation of understanding pre-cal and calculus. So show up, give maximum effort and enjoy some good humor while your in class

The class is very intuitive and he explains many concepts well. However, the exams are what he is well known for

take him!!!! amazing lectures

Professor Cembellin is a great and really funny. His class was enjoyable but very difficult. You must study a lot and do many, many problems if you want to truly understand the material and perform well on the exams. He explains concepts well and answers questions well. He is approachable and helps you in office hours. Also posts lecture notes.

Zach is one of the best professors at Foothill. His classes are straight forward, if you don't do well in his class it is your fault. He has a lot of office hours, tells well ahead of time what sections are coming on the test and gives recommended homework problems. Take him and you will be well prepared after you transfer.

He does well in explaining concepts, but never goes deeply into applying them. The level of difficulty between the problems he goes over and those on his tests is wildly different. I did better in 2A and 2B than in his class. He's nice in office hours though

Take his class only if you are willing & can put in the effort to preview materials before class and learn more in-depth about the topic outside since his lectures can go pretty fast. Do the online homework and textbook problems. Challenging class, but it all comes down to work ethic. Lectures are engaging, and don't be afraid to ask for help!

Cembellin is one of the best math professors I have ever taken to this day. His class is challenging, however he makes up for it with his lecturing. He formats it so it is easy to follow along and he doesn't mind answering any questions! Overall I would say he's a great professor, don't shy away from this class due to the difficuly, worth the time!

ZACH IS THE MAN!!! he's honestly so funny and makes random noises all the time which makes me laugh so hard... why does he say meep? idk. he's a good teacher, but you have to do a lot of practice, because calc is freaking hard!! do the math lab. it helps so much. seriously. do it. only like 5% of the class does it and they all wonder why they fail.

Zach expects top tier work from students. You will have to put in a lot of effort to excel in his class. He's well organized and provides plenty of resources to help you master the material. He is a chill, friendly guy who cares deeply about teaching and preparing his students for success. Take him if you want the most thorough instruction at FH.

For anyone who wants to major in Math, I think his class is a must. He does hold his students to high standards, that's for sure! Glad I went thro' his rigorous curriculum.

One of my favorite professors on campus! He teaches every concept in depth, creates extremely organized lecture note templates, and is incredibly generous with partial credit on quizzes/tests. Come to class, do the homework, ask questions when you're confused, and you'll ace this class. No curve balls, he just expects that students do their part.

An amazing professor who doesn't get the deserved credit. His class is hard but it is interesting, engaging and you won't learn nearly as much with a different professor.

Best mathematics professor. His lectures are interesting and make calculus/precalculus an enjoyable class to take. He is funny in lecture and truly cares about his students. His class is difficult you have to put the time in and study and do the homework and go to every lecture because his lectures are really good and he doesn't waste your time.

Mr. Cembellin does not hold your hand in his classes; you have to put in a decent amount of studying to understand the more difficult material. That said, he lectures extremely well so you truly learn the material and posts the recordings of them to his canvas site to be watched later, which is extremely helpful.

My favorite math professor at Foothill; I've taken him for 1B,1C, & 2A. You have many opportunities to improve your grade and he is very generous with partial credit. Yes, his classes & exam are challenging, but they will prepare you well for future math courses. Go to lectures and do online practice problems and you can ace his class!

This was the first Math that I did not get an A but I still loved Zach class. He is the most organized math professor that I have ever had. He really cares about each student and do his best to teach. I wish I could have him for 2B, cause he made me love math even more. The only problem with his class is his exams that are hard and Time consuming.

I bombed the final in his class. I was positive I was going to fail and have my offer from Cal rescinded because I couldn't pass his Spring Calc 1C class. But professor Cembellin is an incredibly compassionate and great human being. Meet with your professors early and often, the majority of them want you to succeed.

The class is test heavy, so if that is not a format that you are not comfortable or familiar with, then this class might end up being difficult. His lectures are very clear, straight forward, and he does answer questions well. Algebra/Pre-Calc foundations are a must for this class. The online homework may be your saving grace, so do them!

Professor Cembellin is a great math teacher and his love for math really shows. The lessons in class are straight forward, but expect to need to study outside of class in order to do well. His quizzes and exams definitely require understanding and not just recitation of the material. He wants students to learn math - not just to get an A.

Professor Cembellin is a great professor, and sets you up well for success for later math classes. The class certainly isn't easy, and definitely takes diligence and hard work to understand the concepts taught. Quizzes/Exams are open note/ open internet, so the questions focus more on application and un-googlable answers.

The best math teacher I have ever had. He has a good sense of humor! He is really here for the students to do well! Yes, he does give a lot of homework and you have to be ready to study. However, I definitely recommend him!

Do not take this class if you're looking for an easy A. Very harsh grader. Cares a lot about his students. Lots of homework and extra credit opportunities. Rarely responds to emails, but is accessible after class.

Lectures were always engaging and he knew how to answer any questions students had. He was always happy to explain specific questions in detail and wants you to succeed. Take-home tests (sometimes) Gives a lot of extra credit opportunities but they aren't necessarily announced so keep an eye out for them on canvas. Lots of homework (completion).

cool guy and fun class. open note quizzes and several take home quizzes/exams

Clear teacher with a sense of humor. Pay attention on details which is good for learning. Very accessible after class and always ready to help.

Completely changed his teaching style if you have him now. Super nice and easy-to-understand lectures. Most exams and quizzes were take-home and weren't too tricky. Really interesting and engaging group projects. Instead of a final exam, we had to make a cheat sheet of everything we learned.

The professor is chill and engaging, with manageable exams. Quizzes and group projects are fun. Use Unstuck ai to help with study prep alongside the free textbook.