Karen Novotny - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Karen Novotny
Department: Mathematics
College: Grand Valley State University
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: MTH210
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
She plays it fast and loose with her lesson plan, but we always learn a lot.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: MTH315
  • Grade Received: C+
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Taught more about whats wrong with her life than math. Gives hw to do before discussing the topics. Get an outline before unfair & hard tests that don't resemble outline. Destroys your proofs and never returns them after promising for over a month, yet continues to have you turn in another one?? Excuse after excuse, very maddening and unhelpful.
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: MTH345
  • Grade Received: C-
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Discreet math is abstract and she keeps it abstract, you and I mean you have to relate the material you are trying to learn to new things all the time, I don't recommend her, my first C ever. You feel like your on island. It's a sink or swim mentality with no scaffolding whatsoever. She is teaching 210 in January, beware.
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: MTH310
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Karen is a great professor. She definitely wants you to excel in the language of mathematics and will make sure you get there. I couldn't score above a C on any of my proofs in any math class until my last proof for Karen. I think all Math students should take Karen at least once at GVSU. The class wasn't too bad with HW but take it seriously.
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: MTH310
  • Grade Received: A-
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Karen is great. Had her for 210 as well, both very challenging classes. She will make you work hard and earn your grade, but it's totally worth it. She can be intimidating at first, but is always willing to help you as long as you are trying.
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: MTH310
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
I had her for 345 as well and... you either love or hate her. She's SO smart that you initially feel dumb, but she's just weeding out the people who truly care about their education. She's not even close to easy, but she appreciates effort even after she turns you down the first (or second) time. You really learn from her! I highly recommend her!
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: MTH310
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Dr. Novotny is a very intelligent woman. So intelligent, that she makes her students feel stupid. She spends the first few minutes of class complaining about her life. She expects you to remember everything from 210. She makes you feel even more stupid for coming to her office hours. I would never recommend her to anyone.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: MTH341
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
One of the toughest professors I've ever had. That being said, I learned more about how to write mathematical argument than in any other class. Had very high expectations, and - if you went to her office - would help you to meet them. If you take Euclidean or Non-Euclidean Geometry, take her section.
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: MTH310
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Oh Karen. She is an awesome professor. She assigns a LOT of pre-class homework, but usually it can get done in about 15 minutes. She gets a little overwhelmed with all of her classes, so you'll never have all of the homework the syllabus says. She really cares about your education. I would DEF recommend her! Don't assume she doesn't know something.
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: MTH341
  • 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:
She was fantastic. I've never had a teacher that genuinely cared about me learning until I took her. It is a LOT of work, and a pretty tough course, but you will be a better student because of her.
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: MTH310
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
She is so helpful during office hours but make sure you put in an honest effort and know what questions you want to ask. Also get a study group together because it is very helpful. Do the "homework". She is a fair person and while can sometimes make you feel bad, you just improve from her criticisms.
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: MTH210
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
One of the better math profs at GV. I really enjoyed this class because of her. Be prepared for a pretty heavy workload but overall, it has helped me in my other math classes. She is very approachable and willing to meet with people out of class. Make sure not to skip this class!
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: MTH221
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
I hated this class. It was long and hard to listen to her for 2 hours. However, she got me to learn the material. She didn't give back graded work in a timely fashion and was not really approachable at all. But if you need to take this class she isn't the worst prof you could take.
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: MTH341
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
If you would like assignments graded and returned to you do not take Karen. She NEVER returns or grades anything and doesn't respond to emails. She's helpful and explains material in class, but expects you to know a lot before entering class. Overall, shes average, just don't expect to ever have your work graded.
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: MTH221
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Prof. Novotny is very helpful and knowledgeable. She is passionate about the material and passes that passion on to her students. I've never enjoyed math, but her class was fun! Provides a lot of useful information and materials for your future. Material isn't too hard, but there's a lot of it. Go to class and put forth effort and you'll do fine.
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: MTH345
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Novotny is wonderful. She is always willing to help and will look over any homework that you have before you have to turn it in to her. She is always prepared and really enjoys teaching. I would take any course from Karen without any reservations. Expect to do work, but that is a given with any upper level math course. Novotny makes it worth it.
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: MTH221
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
At the beginning I'd have to say I was a little intimidated. Although the workload can be heavy at times, none of it is impossible. Dr. Novotny is very knowledgable, clear, and organized. The exams are reasonable as long as you go to class. I came out of this class knowing so much more. I highly recommend this prof!
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: MATH210
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Dr. Novotny obviously loves to teach, and will do anything to help you do well. All the good things you read about her on this website are true. Highly recommended!
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: MTH210
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Novotny was very helpful, you can go to her with any questions that you have. The Proof Portfolio is very hard, but you can meet with her and she will help clear things up. She makes class fun...
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: MTH221
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Dreaded this class like a beating every day. Its a hard class but Dr. N is so helpful and really cares about her students. I was at her office at least twice a week and she was always always happy to help. She is a really caring and understanding prof.
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