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
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He is one of the better math professors that I have had at UCLA. His lectures are clear most of the time. I wouldn't suggest asking questions because half of the time he doesn't understand what you are asking. The other half of the time he gives a good explanation. His homework assignments are a bit tedious and are difficult. There are many resources online to help you gain points on the homework. The exams are much easier than the homework and are on the easier side compared to other math midterms/finals at UCLA.He doesn't ask for anything too complicated on his tests. The lectures are a good supplement to the book. I never went to office hours, so I can't comment on how helpful he was there. He spends 1 lecture before the midterm and 2 lectures before the final reviewing. This is helpful and the example problems he gives are similar to test questions. Not a bad class w/ this prof at all. Grade received: A
He is one of the better math professors that I have had at UCLA. His lectures are clear most of the time. I wouldn't suggest asking questions because half of the time he doesn't understand what you are asking. The other half of the time he gives a good explanation. His homework assignments are a bit tedious and are difficult. There are many resources online to help you gain points on the homework. The exams are much easier than the homework and are on the easier side compared to other math midterms/finals at UCLA.He doesn't ask for anything too complicated on his tests. The lectures are a good supplement to the book. I never went to office hours, so I can't comment on how helpful he was there. He spends 1 lecture before the midterm and 2 lectures before the final reviewing. This is helpful and the example problems he gives are similar to test questions. Not a bad class w/ this prof at all. Grade received: A
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Spring 2022 - NEVER NEVER take his class in person! Otherwise, your life will be ruined and this very first proof-based math course will become your nightmare throughout the quarter. ALL components in his class prevent you to genuinely from learning some math and gaining a good grade. You cannot understand his awkward accent at all since he speaks with mumbling and at least half of the words cannot be correctly pronounced. He just rushes through the course content so fast as if we have learned the course prior to his "reviewing style" teaching. When you find yourself lost in the class, you will feel so distressed and frustrated. Also, it is so difficult to understand his chaotic and obscure handwriting on board. The grading schemes are one of the toughest I've ever seen: 60% for final, 25% for the mere midterm, and 15% for HW. Oh, if you bomb your midterm, then your final weighs 85% of your entire grade! :) Great huh? No lecture recordings in this course. Only provide course notes which are also hard to read. Only around 20%-30% can gain an A or A-, and this course is totally curved (you need to beat others). This course is thus suitable for those who have learned it before and would like to retake it. Last but not least, save your life and stay away from this course! (you really have many choices with different instructors tbh)
Spring 2022 - NEVER NEVER take his class in person! Otherwise, your life will be ruined and this very first proof-based math course will become your nightmare throughout the quarter. ALL components in his class prevent you to genuinely from learning some math and gaining a good grade. You cannot understand his awkward accent at all since he speaks with mumbling and at least half of the words cannot be correctly pronounced. He just rushes through the course content so fast as if we have learned the course prior to his "reviewing style" teaching. When you find yourself lost in the class, you will feel so distressed and frustrated. Also, it is so difficult to understand his chaotic and obscure handwriting on board. The grading schemes are one of the toughest I've ever seen: 60% for final, 25% for the mere midterm, and 15% for HW. Oh, if you bomb your midterm, then your final weighs 85% of your entire grade! :) Great huh? No lecture recordings in this course. Only provide course notes which are also hard to read. Only around 20%-30% can gain an A or A-, and this course is totally curved (you need to beat others). This course is thus suitable for those who have learned it before and would like to retake it. Last but not least, save your life and stay away from this course! (you really have many choices with different instructors tbh)
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2023 - At least at the time I took this course, Jerry was a graduate student teaching in lieu of a professor due to the school's insufficiency of 115A professors. But Jerry has been one of the best lecturers in Math I have had, along with our TA Josh. He would sometimes make mistakes on the board that could go on for a while, but those were rare and he was VERY invested in teaching 115A. Going to his office hours is essential because he goes over homework problems in detail. Of course, you should attempt the homework yourself before going, but he does a great job working through and being attentive to all students' questions. Grading for our quarter had several schemes: HW was always 20%. Then, either: - Midterm 1 20%, Midterm 2 20%, Final 40% - Midterm 2 20%, Final 60% - Midterm 2 40%, Final 40% - Midterm 1 20%, Final 60% - Final 80% You can just see here that there are a lot of opportunities to pick yourself back up if you mess up one or even both of the midterms. I did worse than I wanted on Midterm 1 but eventually got used to the class structure and did way better than I anticipated going forward. His syllabus is extremely clear and explicit; his instructions on logistics in general are very specific and to the point, which was very helpful and I wish more professors would do that. It was a somewhat challenging intro to upper-division mathematics (as you'd expect it to be) but it was not stressful and I felt my educational experience and performance were very well cared for. I have hardly any complaints about his class. I'm going to miss Jerry; I hope he considers lecturing or becoming a professor beyond this point. If he teaches another quarter, take him!
Winter 2023 - At least at the time I took this course, Jerry was a graduate student teaching in lieu of a professor due to the school's insufficiency of 115A professors. But Jerry has been one of the best lecturers in Math I have had, along with our TA Josh. He would sometimes make mistakes on the board that could go on for a while, but those were rare and he was VERY invested in teaching 115A. Going to his office hours is essential because he goes over homework problems in detail. Of course, you should attempt the homework yourself before going, but he does a great job working through and being attentive to all students' questions. Grading for our quarter had several schemes: HW was always 20%. Then, either: - Midterm 1 20%, Midterm 2 20%, Final 40% - Midterm 2 20%, Final 60% - Midterm 2 40%, Final 40% - Midterm 1 20%, Final 60% - Final 80% You can just see here that there are a lot of opportunities to pick yourself back up if you mess up one or even both of the midterms. I did worse than I wanted on Midterm 1 but eventually got used to the class structure and did way better than I anticipated going forward. His syllabus is extremely clear and explicit; his instructions on logistics in general are very specific and to the point, which was very helpful and I wish more professors would do that. It was a somewhat challenging intro to upper-division mathematics (as you'd expect it to be) but it was not stressful and I felt my educational experience and performance were very well cared for. I have hardly any complaints about his class. I'm going to miss Jerry; I hope he considers lecturing or becoming a professor beyond this point. If he teaches another quarter, take him!
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