Phyllis Curtiss - Grand Valley State University

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Phyllis Curtiss - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Phyllis Curtiss

Department: Statistics

College: Grand Valley State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: STA415
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Curtiss is an outstanding instructor for STA412/15. This goes to say that the material is no joke. There will be HOURS going over lecture and material. New material is constant and it is crucial to stay on course. Dr. Curtiss helps explains any questions concisely and takes her own time for those struggling - including myself. A real gem.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: STA412
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Curtiss does not mess around. This content is difficult and she works it. She keeps everything well organized and teaches thoroughly. She genuinely cares whether or not EVERY student is understanding the material. Had a classmate fall behind and SHE reached out to all of us to support said student. Warms my heart. She is exemplary. Nothing but good

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: STA215
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This woman is an angel. I always looked forward to her class. I only have good things to say. She loves her students and is clearly passionate about educating and is not authoritarian like a lot of the professors I had this year. She really wants to make sure her students understand the material. She is very personable and engaging.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: STA312
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

As a math major, I have encountered many good and bad professors. Specifically in the stats department, there are mostly bad. However, if you want a great professor that teaches the material well, cares for her students, and offers lots of extra credit(TAKE HER)! You do need to attend class regularly to do well, but that is like any other class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: STA312
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tough material for this class but she does a good job of explaining things. She can be kind of boring at times but yet again it is stats. Very particular on her grading but if you put the effort in you should be okay. I'd recommend her

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: STA312
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There was a lot of material covered each class so it would be tough to skip any classes. Prof Curtiss is a tough grader but she does a good job explaining everything. The class was fairly tough as a whole but I would recommend

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: STA412
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Curtiss will do her best to help you succeed. You can tell she really has a passion for teaching.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: STA412
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class! The median grade for our class at the end was a 90%. This class was very challenging, but she provides every possible opportunity to help you succeed. Expect to get a similar grade that you have in most tough math classes like Calc 1 and 2. Go to the study sessions! Start your HW early! You will be fine, I promise.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: STA215
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I enjoyed having Dr. Curtiss as a professor. She knows statistics like the back of her hand. She can be a bit of a tough grader but once you understand what she wants, then you should be able to meet her criteria. She offers A LOT of extra credit so take advantage. As long as you go to class, pay attention, & make an effort, you will succeed.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: STA315
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Curtiss is a wonderful stats teacher and always willing to help out if you're stuck, but she teaches like a grizzled vet of some stats-based war. She is VERY tough and expects you to put in the effort. She is strict when it comes to homework and effort.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: STA315
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Curtiss is an excellent professor. She knows the material inside and out and will do everything to ensure you get as much from the class as possible. She expects you to work for your grade- which I appreciate. Tough grading and high expectations are what have shaped me into the statistician I am. I have had her for STA315 & STA317.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: STA215
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor is an extremely hard grader. Although she may be very knowledgeable of statistics, she is very particular and grades harshly. Expect a lot of homework. There are a few quizzes and a few tests; however, they are tough. I really worked hard for my grade in this class. I was not a fan of this prof, and would not choose her again.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: 312
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is a very nice professor but makes the work very confusing at times if you don't have a background in Statistics. I highly recommend going to class everyday because she goes over a lot of material in every lecture. Very knowledgeable in statistics, great for stats majors.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: STA312
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She knows stats in and out and can teach it really well. She expects you do know it really well too and due to that she can be a very strict and picky grader. She has an open door policy - stop by and she'll give you all the help you need. Expect to work really hard and do all the extra credit opportunities because she doesn't curve anything.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: STA317
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Curtiss definitely makes you work for an A, doesn't cut much slack. She's a VERY picky grader, so your grade might suffer at first until you get used to it. Cheat sheets for the exams, but exams are LONG so you have to know what you're doing. Homework takes hours. If you don't have any real interest in stats, don't take her. You learn a lot.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: STA317
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Curtiss is a really confident professor, but is a very picky grader. I'm an A student and had to work for this grade. Weekly hw assignments using SAS and SPSS take a few hours and must be very specific. Her tests are tough but she lets you bring a cheat sheet. DON'T SKIP; you won't pass.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: STA315
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very confident and challenging professor. STA 315 is challenging class so be prepared to put some work in and attend class. Professor Curtiss is a tough,picky grader but thoroughly teaches the material. Weekly assignments are just like handouts and tests are reasonable if you prepare. WOULD TAKE HER AGAIN!

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: STA215
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I feel that Professor Curtiss is a very underrated professor, she is very helpful, offers a ton of extra credit and really wants you to do well in the class. The class was really not that hard, I would recommend her again.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: STA215
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof Curtiss is extremely under-rated. She is a great prof. She is very helpful and want to see her students succeed. As long as you show up to class on a consistent basis, there is no excuse to get less than an A.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: STA315
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She grades pretty strict. However, she gives out a ton of extra credit because she is very aware of how rigid her grading is. Try not to skip because even though she gives out a lot of handouts, they're almost always incomplete because she writes notes on the board. You get a note sheet for each exam(3 sheets for final).

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