The course is rated as moderately difficult. Negative perceptions may stem from students encountering a hard math class for the first time rather than the instructor's teaching.
“Used by” includes alternatives; linked courses may have other requirements. This is a best-effort interpretation; check the catalog requirements above.
Raw average: 3.14/5 from 44 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.
For this course: 5.0/5 raw quality · 3.0/5 difficulty · 1
reviews
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
Mikhail Ivanov is described as an excellent professor who makes material clear and follows the textbook's pacing. Reviewers note his clarity during office hours, though one suggests negative perceptions may stem from students encountering difficult math for the first time.
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2023: 3.17 GPA, 51.5% A/AB (n=33 letter grades).
Historical instructors & teaching patterns
Historical reviews of Botong Wang: Mikhail Ivanov is the current instructor, but reviews for Botong Wang highlight his ability to break down advanced concepts and motivate them with examples, making understanding easier. Wang's lectures are engaging and homework prepares students for straightforward exams, though one review notes he may be too busy with research.
ANANTH SHANKAR is recorded teaching in Fall 2022. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
BOTONG WANG is recorded teaching in Fall 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
DANIEL ERMAN is recorded teaching in Fall 2021. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
MIKHAIL IVANOV is recorded teaching in Fall 2023. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
MITCH KELLER is recorded teaching in Fall 2024. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future
schedule.
Calendar & sections
Fall 2026
Schedule loads here as you scroll.
Section
Mode
Enrolled / capacity
Waitlist
LEC 001
Classroom Instruction
40 / 40
6
LEC 002
Classroom Instruction
38 / 40
3
Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections. Enrollment reflects scan time.
Mikhail Ivanov is an excellent professor who makes the material very clear and follows the textbook's pacing. He provides clear explanations at office hours, making the course accessible despite its difficulty.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 2.97 GPA, 44.1% A/AB (n=34 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.34 GPA, 58.8% A/AB (n=68 letter grades); Spring 2026: 2.48 GPA, 35.5% A/AB (n=31 letter grades).
difficulty & workload
The course is rated as moderately difficult. Negative perceptions may stem from students encountering a hard math class for the first time rather than the instructor's teaching.
Students find the professor's explanations and office hour support very helpful. The teaching style aligns well with the textbook, providing a structured learning experience.
Topics
Divisibility and prime properties
Congruences
Fermat's theorem
Skills
Proof writing techniques
Elementary number theory concepts
Grades
Latest available · Spring 2026— not enough history to project Fall 2026.
average GPA
A / AB grades
letter grades
Instructor
Grade distribution · % of letter grades
A22.6%22.6%
AB12.9%12.9%
B12.9%12.9%
BC6.5%6.5%
C22.6%22.6%
D12.9%12.9%
F9.7%9.7%
Grades over time
Through Spring 2026
More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data
Where this course fits relative to
Latest available grades · Spring 2026 · all course levels
2.482.48GPA
Higher than 00% of other courses
in this group.
Course GPAs · red marks this course’s range
3131letter grades
More recorded grades than 22% of other courses in this group.
Typical course in this group: 66.066.0 letter grades.
About this comparison
1283 courses over the same term, each with at least 30
recorded letter grades. Cross-listed courses count once. GPA is not a measure
of difficulty or teaching quality. The typical course is the median by recorded
grade count; tied values are not counted as lower. Grade counts describe course scale, not unique students or typical section size.
Descriptions compare GPA with this group’s average: at least 0.20 higher or lower; otherwise close to average. Section size uses median recorded enrollment: small up to 30, mid-sized 31–99, large 100+. Lectures and discussion/lab sections are described separately.
Sources & history
UW–Madison
Catalog & offerings
Descriptions, prerequisites, and recorded course offerings.
Catalog observation history
Observations at scan time; dates do not imply when a catalog change took effect.