she's probably the best teacher, for just the reason she's actually understandible. she's the head of the math department, or at least mth103, so she knows what she's talking about. BUT SHE'S MEAN, usually. she is so weird, ask her a question in clas...
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she's probably the best teacher, for just the reason she's actually understandible. she's the head of the math department, or at least mth103, so she knows what she's talking about. BUT SHE'S MEAN, usually. she is so weird, ask her a question in class it's like you just asked her if she's a retard, you get a response like "who the hell are you" kinda attitude. yet if you go to her office hours, she's the nicest woman. send her an email, and you get one back thinking honestly this can't be the same teacher. it's just math sucks for most everyone, and if you ask a question in class (i was in the biggest 103 class, like 150 kids) she bites your head off, and acts like you're retarded. also, her grading is HARD on exams. she doesn't give you points for anything, wrong work and wrong answer is a ZERO, you don't even get a point for trying! i had a 4.0 in the class, then i do bad on the last exam and it killed my grade, which sucked. overall, if you have to take mth103, it's worth taking with her, even though she's mean usually.
Professor rated by: Student on 12/12/05
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
+2 Helpful
3
MTH 110 - Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
Standard math class. She speaks English, is VERY passionate about math and tries to make sure people can understand it. It goes by fast though because its a 5 credit course.
Professor rated by: Telecommunication Student on 12/11/09
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
+2 Helpful
Student Ratings 1 - 20 of 104
MTH 103
College Algebra
4
she's probably the best teacher, for just the reason she's actually understandible. she's the head of the math department, or at least mth103, so she knows what she's talking about. BUT SHE'S MEAN, usually. she is so weird, ask her a question in class it's like you just asked her if she's a retard, you get a response like "who the hell are you" kinda attitude. yet if you go to her office hours, she's the nicest woman. send her an email, and you get one back thinking honestly this can't be the same teacher. it's just math sucks for most everyone, and if you ask a question in class (i was in the biggest 103 class, like 150 kids) she bites your head off, and acts like you're retarded. also, her grading is HARD on exams. she doesn't give you points for anything, wrong work and wrong answer is a ZERO, you don't even get a point for trying! i had a 4.0 in the class, then i do bad on the last exam and it killed my grade, which sucked. overall, if you have to take mth103, it's worth taking with her, even though she's mean usually.
Professor rated by: Student on December 12, 2005
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
3
Standard math class. She speaks English, is VERY passionate about math and tries to make sure people can understand it. It goes by fast though because its a 5 credit course.
Professor rated by: Telecommunication Student on December 11, 2009
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
3
For the days I actually go to lecture, I play a game to see how long it takes until I can't stand to hear her talk anymore. I usually make it 20 minutes, but some days her methods of "helping us understand" are unbearable. She repeats certain parts of what she writes over and over and over; it's ridiculously insulting to our chimpanzee intelligence. Her frantic madwoman approach to life gets me nervous to be in that class.
And her sweaters are ugly.
Professor rated by: Student on November 9, 2008
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 103
College Algebra
5
I think that people are being a bit harsh. Powers is not a bitch. I also would get tired of answering people's dumb questions. More often than not, the questions were not valid and it was just because people weren't paying attention. In such a large lecture class, it is best to wait AFTER class and not waste everyone's time. I personally found it nice that she knew my name. At least she takes the time to know people's names. In order to be successful, I would recommend doing homework with a few friends so you can compare answers and get all the homework points possible and do the book work. While it's not required, it helped me immensely. She does a good job of explaining things and cleared up things I had trouble with in high school. I highly recommend her. People who do not succeed in this only fail because they don't do the optional homework problems and probably put in minimal effort.
Professor rated by: Student on January 11, 2008
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
4
Ok, she's kind of crazy, but she's super nice and explains everything with lots of examples. I'm not good at math (and personally hated the class), but Powers sure does know how to wake you up at 9:10 AM. She literally explains how excited she is to teach a new math subject and always tells us how much "fun" we'll have doing the optional homework problems; "they're like little puzzles!" no i'm not kidding, she does say this. However, her enthusiasm makes for a nice laugh that early in the morning. My biggest problem was that you were really never allowed to ask questions on anything during lecture because it's a really fast paced course. You have either a quiz/lab/exam every week. Overall, nice teacher (kind of crazy), hated the class, but definitely recommend it if you only have to take one math class... it's definitely better than taking 103 and stats or something.
Professor rated by: Student on December 17, 2009
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 103
College Algebra
5
Powers is a good professor who knows her stuff and can explain the subject VERY well. She is one of the few math professors here at MSU who speaks English as a first language and is easy to understand. She is strict and does get upset when people try to leave her class early, but deal with it. She sometimes get irritated if you ask her questions while she's trying to speak, but she does ask students at the end of class if they have questions and is very helpful then. Powers is a good, organized professor. As far as the level of difficulty in this class, I have a strong background in math, but I can say that this class is hard-core considering it's a lower-level math class. But, if you have to take this class, get Powers-- she explains the subject well.
Professor rated by: Student on April 7, 2005
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 103
College Algebra
5
I believe she taught the class very well. Yes, it was creepy that she knew all our names. But it shows that she puts an effort to know her students a little more than most professors. I did very well in the class. I got a 3pt because I messed up on the final. The final is not written by your teacher so it makes a difference on how you study. I would have 4 pointed the class if it wasn't for the final. She can be snappy at times, but that is because that student is being disrepresentful while teaching the class. It is rude to just walk up & leave the class or walk in during the middle of one & turn in your hw. I thought she was a great & logical teacher.
Professor rated by: Student on January 8, 2007
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
5
I had to work my ass off the entire semester, but ended with a 4.0. It wasn't easy at all, but Powers is great. The class is extremely fast paced and if you don't have to take it, then i wouldn't recommend it. If you do have to take it like me, I would take it with her. She is super sweet and loves teaching. But the class is really tough, and I even took calc in high school. I did not feel like my high school prepared at all for this class and many of the concepts were new. It was really hard and I had to spend a lot of time each week just to barely keep up. But one exam does get dropped. You can do well if you try!
Professor rated by: Student on April 26, 2010
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
5
This is an extremely easy class and she is a great professor. Go to the lectures, study her notes for the tests and quizzes, and you will do great. She doesn't include any surprise questions on her quizzes or tests, all of the types of problems she has covered in the lectures. You take 7 VERY VERY easy quizzes that are each 20 points and you are able to drop 2 of them at the end of the semester. You take 5 exams each worth 100 points, and they aren't too bad. You have 12 online assignments of homework and are able to drop two of them. Take this class, it's pretty easy and she is a good professor.
Professor rated by: Student on December 6, 2010
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 103
College Algebra
4
well, reguardless of who you have, math 103 is not the best. Sure, its easy math, but the teachers try and make it hard to pass. Im really glad i had powers, because shes ENGLISH speaking, goes REALLY slow, and gives you a lot of great examples in class. She HATED answering questions, and didn't know how to communicate with people, but she did know her stuff. I would stick with powers. Just put some effort into the class, do the practice problems and study! The final is exactly like the practice exam they give you....that helps alot! Take her, but watch out! you're gonna have to study alot.
Professor rated by: Student on December 24, 2005
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 103
College Algebra
5
Okay before I had Mrs. Powers I went on all msu to see what everyone said about her, and I got all intimidated because everyone said she was this and this, and never wanted you to ask questions, and blah blah blah. But seriously she is by far the best Math prof at msu. I haven't had a lot, but I know she is a great one. Just give her a chance. She will make sure you know the material, and she will help you when you make an appointment, just don't be an ass in class and you will be fine. Everyone makes fun of her-but she's not bad. I loved her, so just give her a shot
Professor rated by: Student on January 7, 2005
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
5
She explains the material you need to know to be sucuessful in the class. Instead of making us waste time taking our own notes, she writes them for us to take and to study from. Its not bad at all, study those notes ask questions you will do fine. I do find the supplemental and online reviews by the other math professor to be really annoying and usually not helpful for tests. Instead mosts of Power's notes are what the test are made up of which is a good thing. She does repeat phrases a lot but in my opinion it provides more comic relief then anything else.
Professor rated by: Student on December 2, 2008
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 103
College Algebra
5
Prof Powers was did an awesome job. You don't go to class to love your teacher, you go to learn the material!! She was so thorough and really could not have explained anything any better. Her patience is short, but who cares, you are only in there for 50 minutes and then you can leave. She is by far the best math prof I have had so far. The subject material is extremely easy to follow and she oversees much of the MLC so I would suggest going there if you get stuck. If you want to 4 point mth 103 and aren't afraid to ask questions take Powers : )
Professor rated by: Student on July 31, 2006
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
5
I am really bad at math and this is the only math class I needed to take in college- Prof Powers was GREAT! She does goes really fast, but if you take notes and pay attention for the 50 minutes you are in class, you will do fine. The information she gives you is the information in the exam. Also, make sure that you go to your section on Tuesday and thursday, it's a great time to ask questions. I ended up getting a 3.5 and was just hoping to get a 2.5. If you can, take this class with her.
Professor rated by: Student on April 20, 2010
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
3
I give this class an average rating because the class was hard, and she does move fast. But if you go to her office hours she will definitely make sure you understand the material, and she moves way slower than she does in class. She said that she doesn't like to be interrupted because there isn't a lot of time for lecture. I ended up getting a 1.5 in the course, but I suck at math. If you have a good base you should be fine. She doesn't curve or drop exams just two homeworks and two quizzes.
Professor rated by: Student on December 15, 2010
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 103
College Algebra
5
I actually hate math and I enjoyed and understood this class. Powers is sometimes rude when someone asks a question but when you yell out in class what do you expect? she is just trying to get through the material. she is the best math teacher you could get. her native language is english so you can understand her and she explains everything very well. she is always willing to help before or after class or at her office hours. if you have this class i would deifnitely take her.
Professor rated by: Student on December 16, 2007
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
5
I despise math, but this class wasn't nearly as painful as I expected. Powers is very meticulous about giving examples of every sort of problem you'll run into in the book. Then her quizzes and exams follow these exactly. Her native language is English too - bonus! Just make sure to go to class - it's 50 minutes and it'll save you two hours of trying to figure it out on your own. I 4pted easily by going to class and doing about 20 minutes of work at home three days a week.
Professor rated by: Student on March 15, 2010
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 103
College Algebra
5
I thought Mrs. Powers was a good instructor. Sure she could get a little pissy if you ask questions when she was teaching, but she was always willing to help after class. The Final Exam was a killer, but if you study, then you should do fine. Take Mrs. Powers, I see nothing wrong with her or her teaching. And make sure you are there when she takes attendance, because she will bump your grade up at the end of the semester if you were present when she took attendance. :)
Professor rated by: Student on July 25, 2005
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 103
College Algebra
5
Jen Powers is a pretty good professor. She is very straight forward, by means she will teach you everything you need to know for tests and exams. She can be a bitch sometimes, if people leave her class early or whatnot, but for the most part she's a nice lady. I skipped her class at least 1 or her 3 classes a week, and I pulled out with a 3.5 in her class. If you attend her class regularly you should have no problem getting a 4.0 in her class.
Professor rated by: Student on December 19, 2006
Helpful Rating?
YES
NO
MTH 110
Finite Math and Elts Coll Alg
4
She is good at explaining what she is doing. She went a little too fast for me, personally. She also refuses to slow down. But she gets the material and is good at explaining it.
As long as you go to the MLC from time to time and maybe go to your TAs office hours, you'll do OK. If you are bad at math, you will definitely have to do those things.
Overall I'd say she's decent. It's not her fault that math isn't very fun/useful for some of us.
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