James A (Jim) Barby - University of Waterloo

Professor: James A (Jim) Barby
Department: Electrical Engineering
College: University of Waterloo
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: ECE200
  • Grade Received: A-
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
by far the worst prof i've had in all of my undergrad and graduate career. he doesn't care about students, he doesn't care about teaching. he cares about showing how smart he is. instead of explaining material clearly, he will give you the most convoluted content to figure out on your own. and he will call you out for your mistakes publicly.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: ECE200
  • Grade Received: D+
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: No
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Thought you retired, but you are like the energizer bunny, I shall wait to see the battery run out. OK lets Try 1V instead of 3.3V. Surprising You can function with 0V too.
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: NE307
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Terrible professor
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: A-
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
One of the few courses I finished and actually felt like I learned something useful. Barby has some issues in his methods (flies through notes yet somehow has time for four lectures of "Q/A"), and you'll hate him during the term. That is, until you realize he cares more about making us good engineers than passing us with high grades.
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Puts all other professors i considered bad to shame. Will not hesitate to fail an entire class and will do absolutely nothing to prepare you for the exam. If you manage to pass, be ready to move on from his course having gained zero useful knowledge other than how to deal with incredible stress.
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Pretty bad
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
One of the best professors. He will motivate you to study. He knows the material really well. It was hard to follow his lectures but he gives you a lot of practice problems. This course will prepare you well for future circuit courses. Make sure to do all the assignments, attend tutorials and ask him for help during office hours.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
One of the best professors I have ever had. At first glance he may seem rough and rude. But it took me a co-op term after the course to understand the worth of what he teaches and why he goes hard on the students. His grading scheme may seem gargantuan but irl, it lets you get 90s easily. Real gem, knows how to make his students good at EE design.
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: B-
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: No
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
"Who let him in the college!? While is he still in the college? When will he leave the college?Why would he let anyone be taught by him in the college? Why would he grade anyone in the college!? " These are the questions that pop out In my head more than the semester questions....
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: B-
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: No
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Not a good person. Mocks a lot!! Should be give resignation ASAP!
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: NE307
  • Grade Received: INC
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
I'm sorry but I don't understand why the department in nano eng. dont see why this guy shouldn't be a professor. Maybe he's good at a researcher, but as a lecturer, he's terrible.
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: NE307
  • Grade Received: Audit/No Grade
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Arrogant, prone to shouting if mad, simply does not care if you fail. In fact, seems as though he WANTS you to. If you can avoid him, don't just walk away - RUN.
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: ECE100E
  • Grade Received: C+
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
RUN
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: ECE332
  • Grade Received: B-
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Avoid
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Can't teach anything. None of the students can follow his lectures.
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: ECE332
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
so useless
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: GENE123
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Associate Professor, Senior Associate Chair Ha Ha Learn to get your self out of a paper bag Ha Ha
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
James Barby is a total sick baller OG.
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Difficult course and hard exams but I guarantee you will know how to design circuits after taking this course. Very well taught.
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: MTE220
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.5
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Best professor in my opinion. Lectures are challenging but very practical. They guy teaches you stuff which will make your star in the industry. Very approachable. Always help, never says no. Had many office hours to help students. HONEST, SIMPLE and STRAIGHT FORWARD professor. Cares about Students.
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