Professor: Buche Course format: Lecture w/ Section Number of respondents: 16 Total Enrollment: 17 Class Composition: Froshs: 0 Sophs: 11 Jrs: 4 Srs: 1 Concs: 2 Non-Concs: 13 Don't Know: 1

Instructor Average: 3.67 Course Average: 2.89

"Methods of Applied Mathematics II" seems to rival the enjoyment level of visiting the dentist. This was the second semester continuation of AM 33 with requirements of MA 10 and MA 18. The purpose of the course was to learn more mathematical methods in problem solving.

AM 34 was taught by Professor Buche, who most felt was a terrible professor. Students felt that questions made him nervous and thus even less effective. Some also noted that he often forgot that he was lecturing to the students and not the blackboard. Students felt compelled to log complaints against him for the poor quality of his teaching!

Respondents spent between two and five hours a week on work.for this class. When asked about the effort required, one student remarked, "ummmmm, none." There were weekly ungraded homeworks, two midterms, and a final. Students felt that the tests were very poorly worded and others complained that the only way they learned was by reading the textbook.

Reviewers more or less felt that the hours spent in lecture was time that they will never get back in life. People were miserable in the class and seemed convinced that they could teach more effectively than their own Professor. Students also said they might have enjoyed the course had someone other than Buche taught it.

Basically, don"t take this course with Professor Buche unless you"re an engineering student who has to or if you"re a sadist. This course was a painful experience that these students will never forget.

View AM/0034 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.