Clark Wells - Grand Valley State University

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Clark Wells - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Clark Wells

Department: Mathematics

College: Grand Valley State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: MATH210
Grade Received: WD
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I had to drop of out this class. He never gave any examples, never gave us extra material to help us understand concepts. He didn't explain things very well. If you didn't go to any of his lectures, you'd have to watch the recording, but it didn't help at all. He grades a portfolio on a program he didn't show us how to use. Take someone else.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: MATH312
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

All English Literature and Linguistics students should take this course. Yes, it's a math class, but its focus (cryptography) gives a look into language from a different perspective. Wells' teaching style walks you through some difficult problems; he is always available for help. Just don't jump into this course without reviewing old math skills.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: MA312
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

His teaching is subpar; but I enjoyed the portfolio method of grading. It took the emphasis off of memorization and turned it onto learning. That being said, actual learning can be difficult with his lecturing style, but he will always clarify and meet during office hours to help.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: MTH325
Grade Received: C+
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Wells is average. The classes are all lectures and the grades come from the work done outside of class. Homework is about 5-10 hours a week. He mixes up his vocabulary sometimes which may confuse you. Each portfolio meeting determines your grade but the final meeting grade on that is all that matters. Focus on the portfolio.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: MTH302
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This professor is not good at explaining concepts. If anything, his explanations left students more confused than they were originally. Some days he gave handouts that were not very informative, and other days students watched as he typed problems into a math program and didn't explain what he was doing.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: MTH360
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Wells' class had extremely inconsistent structure. Some days we were given handouts to work through and other days we stared at him running Maple code all class. Your entire grade depends on a portfolio at the end of the semester and to get an A you have to do your own project outside of class. The grading to me feels extremely subjective.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: CALC201
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Super nice guy and wants you to do well. However, his class structure is awful. You will be graded over one paper for the entire year. He gives no homework so you never understand the algebra involved and forget what he taught in lecture. Do not take this class if you plan on taking higher math courses!

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: MATH201
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Wells is a pretty awesome dude. He is a very smart professor, funny and quirky, and dedicated to teaching. He tells you everything you will learn at the beginning of the semester, and by the end you just have to prove you've learned it with a portfolio of work. I'm not normally good at math, but Dr. Wells made it enjoyable and I learned a ton.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: MTH360
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great Prof. The man's got style and flair. Class entirely based of a semester long Portfolio, that is supposed to show mastery of course learning goals out lined in the syllabus. He knows his material and answers questions by asking follow up questions. Some people hate that but if you are studying math you should be used to it. Would recommend.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: MTH210
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The entire class is based on proof's so you can imagine it's not very fun. You are graded entirely on your portfolio that you build throughout the year and that he helps you correct along the way. If you read the book a little and put in work early in the semester it's not that bad. He is better than the other 210 Prof's though. Take him for 210!

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: MTH210
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is helpful IF you go in and tell him what you need help with and where you are at with a problem. If you go in for office hours and just say I don't know how to do this, be prepared for him to get frustrated with you. You need to put effort in and he will gladly help. His lectures are all over though.. Very confusing lectures. I didn't go often.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: MTH310
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

No help. Lectures are boring and useless. Worst class I've ever taken, and I'm a math major.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: MTH201
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Does not help at all even if you go to office hours...

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: 201
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

If you are looking for a normal math class, this is not what you want. He wants you to explain everything you are doing and if you do not he will not give you a good score. He grades in numbers and not letters, you have to show mastery on the math targets which in most cases means you have to write a paragraph on every answer. Never know your grade

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: MTH325
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Wells is a fantastic professor! He really knows his stuff, and will answer any and all of your questions. He will take time out of his day to look up your questions and present it at the next class meeting. His tests are fair and there really isn't much homework. He is now one of my favourite professors!

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: MTH210
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This professor is very approachable, and in order to do well in this class you must come to his office hours and discuss proofs with him multiple times per week. Otherwise your effort in this class will be meaningless. His expectations are very high for the final portfolio. Grade is based on proofs almost entirely.Okay professor, difficult class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: MTH201
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Explains the concepts clearly and thoroughly. The portfolios are a bit tricky at first, but you get used to them if you ask for enough feedback.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: MTH210
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I defintely didn't like his class at the beginning of the semester, but it grew on me. Classes are very process-oriented (rather than "here's a problem. Find the solution"). He will help you if you need it. If you're looking for an easy A, look elsewhere. If you want a better understanding of math, he is way better than his rating on here.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: MTH201
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor provides no feedback on grades and takes very little interest in how his students are doing.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: MTH201
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof does a very good job at explaining the material with examples and knows how to teach the material very well. But he does these dumb portfolio's that are a huge waste of time and way to formal for anyone not interested in a math major. I would much rather have assigned homework and more quizes then these pointless portfolios.

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