Samuel Ballas - Florida State University

Professor: Samuel Ballas
Department: Mathematics
College: Florida State University
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: MAC2313
  • Grade Received: B-
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
A cool guy and he loves the math he teaches. My favorite thing is his teaching style: the geometric interpretation and the mathematical interpretation. I like math, so I was able to understand the concepts. He can be a tough grader, and my first exam was rough because I also worked full time. He gives a curve if the overall class needs it.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: MAC2313
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
I truly liked Professor Ballas, who is very awkward in the small class of about 20 people. The class is only lectures, but I still found myself interested in the calculus. If you don't like math, you're not gonna like this class and will most likely never show up, but as long as someone sends you the lecture notes you should be alright.
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: MAC2313
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Lectures were boring and hard to follow, given he didn't provide enough examples to help us understand. A substitute teacher helped more but we're stuck with him. The tests were reasonable but the final was extremely hard and 75% were on the last chapter (all abstract) that he rushed through during the last week or so. Study guide not helpful.
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: MAC2313
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
This class for me was manageable at first. Yes, it was a hard class but the tests seemed to be reasonable throughout the year. Ballas, however, is a very boring person and a terrible professor too with a bad attitude. I went to office hours a few times and they did not help at all. The final was ridiculously hard, but at least he curved the class.
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: MAC2313
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Lectures are more based on proofs of concepts (ya I had no clue) rather than on helpful examples. The three exams were straight forward but the final was the most abstract and ridiculous thing I've ever taken in my life. Just stick to reading the textbook and watch Professor Leonard on Youtube. Great thing is that he ended up curving the class 10%!
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: MAC2313
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
The guy is a robot. Very monotone, explains things in a manner that is more difficult that it has to be. This guy put me to sleep about half the classes. Very into asking 'trick' questions on exams, like it will look like a really hard problem but if you know the shortcut its really rather easy.
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: MAC2313
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Ive never had to read a textbook for a math class. Everything this guy says is so conceptual and advanced its difficult to understand all these abstract concepts. You also have to guess on what to study on the weekly quizzes. Quizzes are two questions. Super difficult tests. Unless youre really really smart I would not recommend.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: MAP2302
  • Grade Received: A-
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Dr. Ballas helped me actually understand differential equations instead of just regurgitating information for tests. If you attend class, take notes, DO THE HOMEWORK (no chegg), and do plenty of practice problems you'll do fine. He really tests you on concepts so understand what you are doing and why.
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: MAC2313
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Dr. Ballas was a good professor. He has some trouble explaining very abstract concepts, especially at the end of the course, but he tries and makes it easy. All exams had some type of extra credit question on them and were graded easily. The average class grade before the final was something around an 80%. You should have no problem getting an A.
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