Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Benedek is kind of intimidating and can be a jerk at times, although he has consistent lecture material and helpful lecture notes. He isn't as tough as a grader as might be expected, since grading isn't quite as test-heavy and it's based on a maximum of several weights.Rate My Professors ↗
Valko's Lecture notes would be a good material if you have prepared a huge amount of time to study it. But I do not think anyone should have time to do it as an undergrad unless you have only 2 Major courses and are not doing research. To get an Homework and quiz extension/drops are possible, and homeworks are gigantic.Rate My Professors ↗
I don't get the criticism Valko gets. He gives detailed explanation in class, is happy to help everyone who comes to his OH and once spent 50 min doing review with me. When I had personal diffculties, he gave me extension or drop that HW. He adjusted the exam weights to award gradual improvements. You can get an A without being a math genius.Rate My Professors ↗
If you are not a MATH major student, don't take this course. BV is indeed an understanding prof but his lecture only focused on the textbook. Also gave tough grading and hard questions on exams.Rate My Professors ↗
He only likes to help you if you are a top student in the class.Rate My Professors ↗
Valko is very good. As all math teachers, he may seem a little abrasive, but he is genuinely nice and understanding. Each lecture is dense, and covers the topics from the book. There is HW and a quiz due every week. Tests aren't bad if you do practice problems, but you NEED to understand them and do them, tests arent harder than homework.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Introduction to stochastic processes covering Markov chains, point processes, and renewal theory with applications to queueing and branching models.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Benedek Valko provides consistent lecture material and helpful notes, though he can be intimidating and occasionally rude. His grading is not overly harsh, relying on weighted assignments rather than just tests.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Covers axioms, distributions, expectation, inequalities, and limit theorems.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2009: 2.63 GPA, 46.7% A/AB (n=15 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2024–Spring 2026MATH 681 is an individual study course for honors math majors to write a thesis in mathematics.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
MATH 990 offers independent reading and research opportunities across all areas of Mathematics.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | ISYE/MATH/OTM/STAT 632 | Introduction to Stochastic Processes |
| Fall 2026 | MATH 331 | Introductory Probability |
| Fall 2026 | MATH 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | MATH 990 | Reading and Research |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
{
"instructor_uid": "instructor_81b19386639c1eb68bbb4ae0",
"source": "enrollment",
"source_instructor_id": "valko",
"identity_basis": "netid",
"identity_status": "source_identified",
"name": "Benedek Valko",
"email": "VALKO@MATH.WISC.EDU",
"first_observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
"last_observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
"ratings": {
"review_count": 28,
"quality": 4.07,
"difficulty": 3.25,
"quality_count": 28,
"difficulty_count": 28,
"profile_id": "rmp:1566085",
"source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1566085",
"match_basis": "exact_name",
"observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:52:13.892497+00:00",
"courses": {
"course_c602622d732dbbc9aceeeddf": {
"review_count": 1,
"quality": 4,
"difficulty": 3,
"quality_count": 1,
"difficulty_count": 1
},
"course_dcdb624e3fb8cbaf9a557ab9": {
"review_count": 13,
"quality": 4.08,
"difficulty": 3.46,
"quality_count": 13,
"difficulty_count": 13
},
"course_436b4b4087325a19ccd87bd6": {
"review_count": 3,
"quality": 4.67,
"difficulty": 2.33,
"quality_count": 3,
"difficulty_count": 3
},
"course_e0a93fa3466c39b6802e52a7": {
"review_count": 2,
"quality": 5,
"difficulty": 2,
"quality_count": 2,
"difficulty_count": 2
},
"course_8634dde81cc95f6c58014087": {
"review_count": 3,
"quality": 4,
"difficulty": 3.33,
"quality_count": 3,
"difficulty_count": 3
}
},
"bayesian_quality": 3.899035743144415,
"prior_mean": 3.6596857835465957,
"prior_weight": 20
},
"current": true,
"courses": [
{
"course_uid": "course_01a16b5311010cfe0f48754c",
"course_id": "MATH 990",
"title": "READING AND RESEARCH",
"credits_min": 1,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": null
},
{
"course_uid": "course_5d5f3a3f185baf9eaaa98221",
"course_id": "MATH 331",
"title": "INTRODUCTORY PROBABILITY",
"credits_min": 3,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": 2.992
},
{
"course_uid": "course_64d13a0af427315fce8f2740",
"course_id": "MATH 681",
"title": "SENIOR HONORS THESIS",
"credits_min": 3,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": null
},
{
"course_uid": "course_c602622d732dbbc9aceeeddf",
"course_id": "ISYE/MATH/OTM/STAT 632",
"title": "INTRODUCTION TO STOCHASTIC PROCESSES",
"credits_min": 3,
"credits_max": 3,
"gpa": 3.155
}
],
"revision": "e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349",
"instructor_url": "/instructors/BENEDEK_VALKO"
}