MATH 115A
Linear Algebra
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, two hours. Requisite: course 33A. Techniques of proof, abstract vector spaces, linear transformations, and matrices; determinants; inner product spaces; eigenvector theory. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
5 of 15
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - Professor Hazel is a great instructor. She makes everything super clear at the beginning of the quarter so there's no confusion about grading. Math 115A is no piece of cake. You are expected to have weekly quizzes that are graded harshly. However, if you could stick to the end, you will find yourself much more precise and logical in mathematical reasoning. It is not an easy A course for sure, but you will love this course.
Fall 2020 - Professor Hazel is a great instructor. She makes everything super clear at the beginning of the quarter so there's no confusion about grading. Math 115A is no piece of cake. You are expected to have weekly quizzes that are graded harshly. However, if you could stick to the end, you will find yourself much more precise and logical in mathematical reasoning. It is not an easy A course for sure, but you will love this course.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2015 - Math 115A is the UCLA introductory course in proof-based mathematics. This class is a very well thought out introduction of a simple topic, with rigorous proofs of mathematical theorems. Professor Heilman is an organized and engaging teacher, as far as math professors go at UCLA. All of the lecture notes will be provided before the first day of class, so students can keep up with where lecture material is going. The homework is also posted well in advance of its due date. All lecture material is carefully explained and paced during the quarter. In office-hours, Professor Heilman is always willing to walk through class notes and homework problems. He'll even give advice outside of lecture material about further study in mathematics, such as graduate school and research opportunities. It's very clear that Professor Heilman is concerned with his student and a phenomenal teacher. I would highly recommend taking any upper division math class with him.
Spring 2015 - Math 115A is the UCLA introductory course in proof-based mathematics. This class is a very well thought out introduction of a simple topic, with rigorous proofs of mathematical theorems. Professor Heilman is an organized and engaging teacher, as far as math professors go at UCLA. All of the lecture notes will be provided before the first day of class, so students can keep up with where lecture material is going. The homework is also posted well in advance of its due date. All lecture material is carefully explained and paced during the quarter. In office-hours, Professor Heilman is always willing to walk through class notes and homework problems. He'll even give advice outside of lecture material about further study in mathematics, such as graduate school and research opportunities. It's very clear that Professor Heilman is concerned with his student and a phenomenal teacher. I would highly recommend taking any upper division math class with him.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2020 - I was originally intimidated by the harsh comments here about Prof. Hempel, but they are not true. (Which I think is partly because she’s also changed since first several quarters here?) Prof. Hempel gives engaging lectures, though we didn’t get to finish the last part due to UCLA canceling classes. But her notes are neatly arranged and provide you full guidance in the process. She is a ‘magician’ who demonstrates complicated theorems and proofs in a straightforward, clear and sometimes novel way. She’s also very helpful through the course, and you can tell she has so much passion about the subject. The homework grading policy has changed since this quarter: if you get 50% more on the homework, she will give you full credit for the homework, which accounts for 10% of the course in total. The two midterms are, to be honest, a bit hurry for majority of the people, having an average around 70%. But it’s bearable and somehow trivial if you do the homework diligently and have a clear understanding of the subject. I can’t speak of the final because it’s take home this quarter due to the corona virus situation, but it’s by no means hard given the time limit is not enforced and you have access to everything you want. Above all, this is my personal experience. If you are considering taking 115A, Prof. Hempel is a good teacher who can lead you through. But I definitely recommend auditing different lectures before you make the decision. Experiences vary for different people.
Winter 2020 - I was originally intimidated by the harsh comments here about Prof. Hempel, but they are not true. (Which I think is partly because she’s also changed since first several quarters here?) Prof. Hempel gives engaging lectures, though we didn’t get to finish the last part due to UCLA canceling classes. But her notes are neatly arranged and provide you full guidance in the process. She is a ‘magician’ who demonstrates complicated theorems and proofs in a straightforward, clear and sometimes novel way. She’s also very helpful through the course, and you can tell she has so much passion about the subject. The homework grading policy has changed since this quarter: if you get 50% more on the homework, she will give you full credit for the homework, which accounts for 10% of the course in total. The two midterms are, to be honest, a bit hurry for majority of the people, having an average around 70%. But it’s bearable and somehow trivial if you do the homework diligently and have a clear understanding of the subject. I can’t speak of the final because it’s take home this quarter due to the corona virus situation, but it’s by no means hard given the time limit is not enforced and you have access to everything you want. Above all, this is my personal experience. If you are considering taking 115A, Prof. Hempel is a good teacher who can lead you through. But I definitely recommend auditing different lectures before you make the decision. Experiences vary for different people.
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Most Helpful Review
Math 115A is indeed one of the hardest undergrad math course. But, Professor Hida has been done everything very well, and all his notes are incredibly useful. His hand writing is very nice and his notes are very easy to follow. He does everything through steps. When we ask kind of "dumb" question, he never makes us embarrassed or lack of confident, instead he will patiently explain again and again. I never wrote a review on bruin walk, and ever since this professor is very impressive to me, I really appreciate all his work. He always holds extra office hour 1-2 hours before the exam starts, and therefore that is a good time to ask. Of course, we have to come with a question (and again, he never makes you feel dumb or foolish). This is one of the best Math professor at UCLA. Two thumbs up for HIDA !!!
Math 115A is indeed one of the hardest undergrad math course. But, Professor Hida has been done everything very well, and all his notes are incredibly useful. His hand writing is very nice and his notes are very easy to follow. He does everything through steps. When we ask kind of "dumb" question, he never makes us embarrassed or lack of confident, instead he will patiently explain again and again. I never wrote a review on bruin walk, and ever since this professor is very impressive to me, I really appreciate all his work. He always holds extra office hour 1-2 hours before the exam starts, and therefore that is a good time to ask. Of course, we have to come with a question (and again, he never makes you feel dumb or foolish). This is one of the best Math professor at UCLA. Two thumbs up for HIDA !!!
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2018 - I had him for 115A in fall 18 and 170B in winter 19. One warning: he goes VERY fast. He barely gives you enough time to write notes, then expects you to have digested it quickly enough to ask thoughtful questions (which almost no one has). One time he got mad because he said the notes are online and we should be paying more attention in the moment instead of writing. He wants to be engaged but may get lowkey irritated if you ask a dumb question. He definitely has an accent (Belarus) , but after a couple weeks you can get past it and understand him pretty well. His homeworks are usually due on fridays, and the homeworks are generally difficult, so make sure to put some time in. He likes to include bonus extra credit hw problems. The midterms are toughish but not as tough as the weekly lecture and homework (he's a somewhat generous grader actually). Cheat sheet allowed. One thing for sure though, is that i feel like i learn a LOT more in his classes than i do with the other adjunct professors ive had so far. He really makes sure that you understand the subject. And despite his intimidating eastern european energy, he really does want to help you and he is very nice (but blunt) in office hours. For that reason, I would take him again.
Fall 2018 - I had him for 115A in fall 18 and 170B in winter 19. One warning: he goes VERY fast. He barely gives you enough time to write notes, then expects you to have digested it quickly enough to ask thoughtful questions (which almost no one has). One time he got mad because he said the notes are online and we should be paying more attention in the moment instead of writing. He wants to be engaged but may get lowkey irritated if you ask a dumb question. He definitely has an accent (Belarus) , but after a couple weeks you can get past it and understand him pretty well. His homeworks are usually due on fridays, and the homeworks are generally difficult, so make sure to put some time in. He likes to include bonus extra credit hw problems. The midterms are toughish but not as tough as the weekly lecture and homework (he's a somewhat generous grader actually). Cheat sheet allowed. One thing for sure though, is that i feel like i learn a LOT more in his classes than i do with the other adjunct professors ive had so far. He really makes sure that you understand the subject. And despite his intimidating eastern european energy, he really does want to help you and he is very nice (but blunt) in office hours. For that reason, I would take him again.
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2020 - DISCLAIMER: I TOOK THIS CLASS DURING THE FIRST FULL-TIME ONLINE QUARTER SO EXPERIENCES MAY VARY. Professor Honda is super approachable and a nice guy. He is always looking for questions and is happy to clarify something if you ask. However, his lectures are a hit or miss. Sometimes, he gives good lectures, but other times, he just reads off his slides. He often says things like "you know, this would be clear if I fully wrote it out" but never actually fully writes things out. He is not intimidating at all or anything like that, but I still didn't find his office hours to be that helpful. He knows his material but just has a hard time explaining at times. Grading: Since this was the COVID quarter, grading was weird. We had 8 weekly quizzes and they summed up 68 percent of your grade. The midterm and the final made up the other 32 percent (16 percent each). The quizzes are often from the homework he doesn't collect. However, he did have a few quiz questions that were too difficult. Otherwise, the quizzes aren't that bad. The midterm was also reasonable, but the final was a bit on the harder side. However, we had 24 hours to do it, so people did well. His curve, even though he said it would be generous, was a bit weird. I think his curve helps those who are doing badly than those who are doing well. His gaps between B+ and A- is too much, but getting an overall way below the median still pretty much gives you a B or B+. I didn't like the curve, but it is what it is. Overall, Honda isn't a bad professor, but there are definitely better. I wouldn't avoid Honda, but if there are better option, please go with those. As for the material of 115A, this is the first class you will probably see proofs, but it is honestly doable if you just stick to the definitions. Read the book and ask your TA all the questions you have. Good luck.
Spring 2020 - DISCLAIMER: I TOOK THIS CLASS DURING THE FIRST FULL-TIME ONLINE QUARTER SO EXPERIENCES MAY VARY. Professor Honda is super approachable and a nice guy. He is always looking for questions and is happy to clarify something if you ask. However, his lectures are a hit or miss. Sometimes, he gives good lectures, but other times, he just reads off his slides. He often says things like "you know, this would be clear if I fully wrote it out" but never actually fully writes things out. He is not intimidating at all or anything like that, but I still didn't find his office hours to be that helpful. He knows his material but just has a hard time explaining at times. Grading: Since this was the COVID quarter, grading was weird. We had 8 weekly quizzes and they summed up 68 percent of your grade. The midterm and the final made up the other 32 percent (16 percent each). The quizzes are often from the homework he doesn't collect. However, he did have a few quiz questions that were too difficult. Otherwise, the quizzes aren't that bad. The midterm was also reasonable, but the final was a bit on the harder side. However, we had 24 hours to do it, so people did well. His curve, even though he said it would be generous, was a bit weird. I think his curve helps those who are doing badly than those who are doing well. His gaps between B+ and A- is too much, but getting an overall way below the median still pretty much gives you a B or B+. I didn't like the curve, but it is what it is. Overall, Honda isn't a bad professor, but there are definitely better. I wouldn't avoid Honda, but if there are better option, please go with those. As for the material of 115A, this is the first class you will probably see proofs, but it is honestly doable if you just stick to the definitions. Read the book and ask your TA all the questions you have. Good luck.
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