Chuck gets a bad rap because his lectures are absolutely useless, but he's a really nice guy. I don't think I ever went to lecture after the first week and I don't think I missed anything. There is a LOT of homework but he literally just recycles homework problems on the test so if you know how to do the homework the tests are a breeze.
I took calculus my senior year of high school and passed that with an A. This man made a complicated subject somehow more complicated & the TAs have strict grading guidelines. He maybe teaches 15 minutes and then rambles for the rest and tries to relate it back to the question 5 minutes later. Good luck in the 34 series.
TERRIBLE!!! DOES NOT PREPARE YOU AT ALL!!! DONT TAKE WITH CHUCK!!
This is by far the worst professor (or teacher in general) that I have ever had in my entire academic career. He is literally incapable of teaching the most basic concepts in calculus (and math in general). His lessons aren't cohesive and don't have any kind of topics building upon each other trend. His lectures don't help with the homework either!
He does not know how to teach. He goes off topic a lot so be prepared for that. Definitely recommend taking CLAS; Take Lee DeAnda. Chuck will not teach you how to do a problem he just shows you the steps and makes everything seem so confusing and makes you question your math abilities.
Chuck is a really nice dude; a real sweet old man. He's usually really available and is happy to go over anything you want as much as you want. BUT, his lectures have little to no direction and confuse a large majority of his students. His homeworks are insanely difficult. The entire grade rides on homework and the final 50/50. good luck with Chuck
Everyone says bad things about him and I feel bad. He genuinely cares about his students and he is a cool guy if you get to know him in office hours. Lectures are pointless, he isn't the greatest lecturer but he does try. Easy class if you go to CLAS and do the homework. Tests are VERY fair and straightforward. Put in the work and youre fine
DONT TAKE CHUCK! He is a terrible teacher! I had taken AP Calc in high school, and the material he taught in 34B made me confused on how to do topics i had already been taught in high school. Tests are hard, and he is a terrible lecturer
Chuck is by far the absolute worst professor I have ever had, and will ever have. The amount of homework he gave was absolutely ridiculous and his lectures were pointless. Starting at UCSB with this class was awful. I ended up acing both midterms and the final, but that was because I took CLAS and would go to drop-in too. AVOID CHUCK IF YOU CAN.
Chuck is a nice guy who genuinely cares about the success of students. His grading is fair, and test problems are from homework, so do the homework. However, he is not a good teacher. He knows the subject very well, but does not know how to teach it. The class is extremely difficult. Concepts are skipped and lectures are confusing. TA helpsuccess.
I took this class because I needed to complete the 34A/B series or 3A/B series. I was told that 34 series would be easier. While this may be true normally, this man is the worst and most confusing prof EVER. The only reason I got a decent grade was bc I took calc in high school. Just do yourself a favor and wait for another prof. I regret it.
Akemann is great at math, but not so great at explaining topics in a way that everyone can easily comprehend, which means you have to go over reading yourself or with your TA. Class isn't hard at all if you keep up with coursework.
People give him a bad rap but he really isnt that bad. Yes, of course the class is hard but its very predictable. He only uses homework problems as test questions and youre allowed a notecard cheatsheet on tests. Lots of homework, clas is a must. Overall, he does care about his students and wants to see everybody succeed.
I made this account solely because its a saturday night and we have an inhuman amount of homework due but couldnt start earlier because we had a midterm friday that does not cover material on this homework. If you are looking for the worst professor you could possibly choose, then youre in the right place. Dont go to lecture, and pick the Head TA
If you can take this class with another professor PLEASE do so, do not ignore his very low rates. His lectures are basic calculus that hardly relate to the hw. Each week he assigns 40-80 math problems and the level of difficulty is ridiculous at the rate he teaches. He's a nice man, but highly do not recommend if you already struggle in math.
Dont take him if you dont have to! He assigns a lot of homework, doesnt know how to teach. Just reads the PowerPoints but doesnt explain how he got the answer. Skips steps and assumes you know what your doing. No need to show to lecture because all he talks about is losing weight and goes off topic.
Totally doable A! Attend lectures & print out lectures slides before lecture! Go to CLAS it's a lifesaver! Extensive hw but DO IT it helps I promise. GO TO HIS OFFICE HOURS! He will literally gladly spend his time helping you understand the hw problems on his chalkboard! Really nice guy he's there to help. Can use notecard for midterms & final.
Chuck gets a bad rep from a lot of people taking 34A/B because they aren't serious about math in the first place. He is an extremely knowledgeable guy with a funny sense of humor, and makes himself very available outside of class. More than happy to help students out with HW or concepts, as HW can be quite hard. Makes the math fun and interesting!
Took his class my first quarter at UCSB. Kind of regret it. He sucks. Wait for another professor to teach this class, if you can. I did alright, but only because I took calculus in high school. If you have never taken a calculus class before, I really don't recommend!!!!!!!!!!!
WORST professor at UCSB. He is an abomination to this university. Don't go to lectures, just go to CLAS. He does not explain anything fully in class. Chuck makes the math so much harder than it's supposed to be. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
don't go to lecture if it isnt helpful to u! use that time to work on hw. if u want to do well all you need to do is sign up for CLAS, and actually try to understand all the homework problems the best you can. He puts all the hard problems from homework on the tests, but if you know that and study them it is ez. you also get an index card for exams
If you like struggling to understand the words coming out of a persons mouth youll love Chuck. The worst teacher Ive had in my life. If you like doing 80 plus word problems for homework a week while every other math class has 25 be my guest. Even worse taking this at the same time as chem. This man has to leave teaching
Anyone who wants to take this guy... dont your gpa will tank. Ive literally heard from other professors that hes one of the worst teachers on campus. Went to all the lectures and CLAS workshops and still didnt pass. He honestly made me consider dropping out from the stress my first quarter. This man shouldnt have a teaching degree.
Came into this course really excited. The very first the whole lecture hall has no idea what hes even trying to explain. This man literally shouldnt have a teaching license for how little he actually teaches. Showed up to almost ever lecture. The only upside is you can laugh at the velcro shoes he wears. Literally the worst teach Ive ever had.