Amazing professor. He teaches out of his own book, which is kinda weird but its available for free through the library and you have basically an outline of the entire class content. The material is really tough, but his exams are at least 50% just taken from the homeworks, so get familiar with them. Don't expect a good grade, even with the curve.

One of the smartest and best profs I have had at UW Madison. You will get a good grade if you GO TO CLASS, DO ALL THE HOMEWORK, and READ THE TEXTBOOK. A lot of people hear that this class is bad and then just accept that they will do poorly. Office hours were very helpful, and hardly anyone ever went there; go to them!! Class is 80% Exam, 20% HW

He doesn't really understand the content very well. He makes small mistakes often or struggles to convey concepts because he gets confused by their complexity. I am only doing well in this class is because my mother is a math professor and ive learned a lot from her. no solutions to his practice problems bc he doesn't actually know how to do them.

This is the worst professor I have ever had. If you do not have to take him don't. His lectures are not well organized and he writes on a chalk board all lecture and erases important things very quickly. He goes through material so fast and doesn't like to repeat himself even when it is obviously the whole class is not understanding the concepts.

took a semester off but then decided to enroll in just this one class and try so so hard to get an A to maintain my 4.0 bc I have someone sponsoring my tuition costs for as long as i maintain a 4.0. This is my only class and I treat it like a full time job but I think I will slip and end with an AB even though I understand it all very well.

No practice problems, no answers to textbook problems, the textbook might as well have been written in code it was so impossible to understand. Homework is insanely difficult to the point where you don't learn from it. Exams are the hardest I have ever taken. AVOID THIS MAN LIKE THE PLAGUE YOU WILL SUFFER IF YOU ARE IN HIS CLASS.

Reflecting on Math 321, it's crazy how unnecessarily hard he made it. The concepts aren't that difficult. I learned most of them again in physics and they are easy. He made the class miserable just to watch students suffer. Also the grading on exams is ridiculous. I genuinely hate him for making my semester a nightmare for no reason.

Dr. Waleffe has a reputation for being a very difficult professor, but this isn't totally justified. While the material can be tough at times, Dr. Waleffe was a talented lecturer, helpful in office hours, and the class was well organized in general. In my opinion, the class was no harder than 300 level physics classes or 400 level math classes.

I actually didn't dislike his lectures. I think he did a great job actually teaching the material. But my god the exams are impossible. Theres also 0 partial credit. Small things too, like forgetting a negative make the whole thing wrong. Exam averages were in the 40s. I shouldn't be studying for 5 weeks before the exam and still get a 27%.

Professer Waleffe is not a monster, but his class has oddities: 1 He assumes that you have mastery of vector geometry and proofs. If you take this class in fall, study these in summer 2 His example problems do not have solutions; you must ask him for them yourself 3 He is very busy. This causes problems with issue 2 Do not fear him, but be ready

This guy absolutely is rated by a data science project as the worst class in the history of wisconsin. The worst class in the country and in the world. he married the other department chair, which was what cause the chief of police to get fired. protest his class like protesting trump. dont let them make money from him. he needs to be trmnated

He doesnt post answers to homework, doesnt record lectures, and isnt very helpful to students who are trying to learn. I felt very much on my own in this class to figure everything out.

He does not seem to care about the well-being of his students

Very difficult but if you put in the requisite work you will learn a lot. It helps if one is contemporaneously enrolled in some of the 300 level physics classes.

Gives a wretched curve, got top 20% in the class and barely scathed away with a B. All assignments are group homeworks so pray you get a good group, exams are fair and based off the textbook problems. Solid lecturer and professor. Also grade distribution is scuffed by the group homework because slackers get carried and still make away.

He is very smart, but he teaches like everyone is him. He wrote his own textbook with no solutions anywhere to the practice problems. For an applied math class there is almost 0 application. Homework solutions suck and no practice exams. Not even my TA liked him, and couldn't understand some of his problems. The average on every exam is failing.

One of the best professors I've ever had; he has truly mastered the art of lecturing. He knows the content extremely well, and is great at explaining it. Likely the hardest math class I've taken, but also the most rewarding. It is a lot of work, exams are tough but fair, and he does use a generous curve for those who stick it out. Highly recommend.

Real tough class, but he knows the content extremely well. You'll learn more by taking his class than 320 regular, however, I'd advise against it if you're trying to meet CoE progression. Huge stress on reading the textbook in addition to his lectures. He teaches for general systems and applications, so expect to only use variables in class.

Professor Waleffe has mastered the material he teaches better than any other professor, but, we had basically no practice for the exams (5 homework assignments TOTAL, 2-10 questions each) which were VERY hard. Most of the lectures are proving things "In general" and deriving massive formulas. Low workload but hardest math class you will ever take.

Fabian is tough. Averages on exams and homeworks are below 50%. Doesnt tell you the curve until the end of the year. You will do OK if you read the textbook and the notes he hands out. Dont waste time trying to derive it. Just know the basic concept and use his notes/the textbook.

Math 321 with Waleffe is a brutal class. He gives very few examples and never gives students the answers to the optional textbook questions. But if you don't understand the textbook questions, you won't understand the quizzes or exams. He assigns group homework assignments which is a mess because they are very hard and no one understands them.

Don't understand why there are group work this semester, which is ridiculous. This content class is not as hard as I expected, but the final is way beyond my expectation. Quiz are fine if you read the book carefully. GO READ THE BOOK! GO READ THE BOOK! Everything in his lecture is covered in his book though a few exceptions

DON'T TAKE THIS PROFESSOR IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY AND NEED ACCOMMODATIONS (Unless you want a traumatic experience). Waleffe is brilliant, & expects that you work your ass off to pass this class. The curve is significant, though. No answers to HW problems, book is written by him. EVERYTHING IS PROOF BASED. Treat this class as 5 credits.

I think he's a nice professor. He is very helpful, and good at teaching. Sometimes I get confused, but his notes are very clear. Open-book quiz once a week, sometimes tough sometimes okay. He curved F from 60% to 30%, and BC from 78% to 58%, WHICH IS AMAZING, so the letter grade is up to everyone's test grade. 320H with him is very recommended.

Avoid taking math 320 with this professor. I wouldnt take any courses taught by him. Tough grader, rarely goes through examples, and is prof heavy. He is a terrible lecturer, goes way to fast and doesnt explain material well at all. I took the course online during COVID he blamed students for technical difficulties when the problem was on his end

I had to drop the course because I felt like there was absolutely no way to get better/learn better in the class. He did not assign proper homework, there weren't laid out explanations for the problems he did assign, and the textbook was full of mistakes. I couldn't even find anything that would help online since the class was so obscure.

Waleffe is brilliant, but moves at a breakneck pace. Unless you understand the homework and read the textbook, you're going to be lost. This is moderated by co-teacher Matt Allen. Responds to questions, but often gets impatient when we don't understand something. You essentially need mastery - which takes a significant amount of time, but is doable

I imagine he's a fantastic math teacher for people that can teach themselves, but passing his 320 as a non-math major felt undoable. Gilbert Strang's free curriculum and lectures have more to offer and don't needlessly complicate the subject.

He is the kind of professor I am always looking for on maths. Lectures are extremely involving. He really is really a master at what he is teaching. Easily one of the most intelligent people. His way of doing math will make you feel the beauty of it. If confident in your math skill, then take his course and you will get the most out of your money.

No homework. No practice for exams. No solution to any problem in the textbook. He gives detailed lectures and explains concepts very well. Exams are extremely hard. The highest for a midterm is like 25/40 and the average is 8/40. You will learn a lot. But you will still get BC for it.

Professor Waleffe is easily one of the most intelligent people that I have ever met. But, that did not transition well to teaching. He went through extremely complicated material very quickly. Very proof heavy, and extremely difficult exams. I do not recommend him for 320 honors or 320 based on class. If you want to be confused, take his class.

So hard, no resources to learn. funny and nice but bad at teaching

Proffessor Waleffe is easily one of the smartest people I have ever met. However, this makes him come across as very blatant and dull. This class required upwards of 15 hours per week on self teaching, alongside showing up to lectures. DO NOT take this course if you want to improve your GPA. If you must take this course, you will HAVE to study.

Excellent professor, really teaches you how to learn. By far the hardest class I have taken, but it will prove to be worthwhile down the road.

He is a hard professor but not in understanding but in what he expects from you. If you are looking for a easy class this is not the class to take but if you are ready to put work into the class it is an amazing class and you will learn a lot. He will answer questions if they are appropriate and thought out. Quote from him: "Are you happy."

This class is tough, and Waleffe does and doesn't help. He's kind of a jerk, and thinks he is very smart (which, to be fair, he is), but he is very cold and rude about it. His lectures are good, and they really do help, but the exams and homework is tougher. Grading is brutal "This exam is tough, it's all easy to me but not for you" -Waleffe

Math 321 is a tough class and that isn't Waleffe's fault. However his explanations were not clear and his attitude was abrasive and egocentric. He treated me like a burden when I asked him for the disability accommodations set for me by the university. I will NOT be taking another of his classes.I did much better taking the class with another prof.

He is undoubtedly one of the smartest professors I've ever had. He explains things very clearly in the lectures. My only problem was retaining that understanding once I left class. This is a very hard course, but at the same time, very rewarding once you get though it. It teaches you to not memorize formulas, but learn how to analyze problems.

This guy is one of the smartest professors I've had hands down. That being said, he teaches the class at an EXTREMELY high level. This class is absolutely BRUTAL. I would not recommend unless you want to really challenge yourself. This class will lower your GPA guaranteed.

A real treat taking an Engineering class from a genius like Waleffe, very rigorous mathematician, but incredibly engaging and deep understanding of the materials makes any class with Waleffe worthwhile for a passionate student. Would recommend every time.

Excellent. Lectures are crystal clear, homework is completely fair, exams are tough. I had him for both Math 321 and EMA 521, both classes had exam averages of about 40%. He is not the professor to take if you want an easy A, or an A at all. If you want to learn, take his class and WORK. He's also probably the funniest professor I've ever had.

Waleffe is the type of professor other professors should look to mimic. This isn't highschool, and your taking one of the most complex math classes (no pun intended) available. He's here to make you work and actually learn this material. I recommend this class becuase Waleffe is one of the few true teachers left in the University system

Lives up to its difficulty. Very very intense. He does not follow a published structure rather he teaches purely based on his expertise on the subject (which is extremely extensive). Smart man, but very blunt and difficult. 60% of the class dropped by the drop deadline.

(Fall 2010) This class completely lived up to its notoriety. Ridiculously and unbearably difficult. Grades are based solely on exams. No homework solutions posted. He even made fun of me in the comments when correcting my exams. Stay away, if at all possible.

The best teacher I have ever seen, but also the hardest class in the entire world. No one gets above 50's on the exams, but he is a great teacher

Unbelievably hard class, but a fantastic professor. This guy is easily the best I've ever had. That said, his tests DESTROY everyone who isn't totally on top of their game, so STUDY HARD and this class may be the most rewarding you'll take.

Professor Waleffe is a great lecturer and you will learn a lot in his class. However, his exams and homework are extremely difficult and he does not post solutions. The exams average in the 50's, the average is a BC, and the entire grade is based off exams, so lots of people get screwed. Don't take this class unless you want to lower your GPA.

Absolutely brutal. Lived up to the reputation of being the hardest class an undergraduate engineer will take. Lectures were ridiculously hard to follow and exams were... unfair. The entire premise of the class is messed up since all you're supposed to learn is how to derive a bunch of pointless crap, with no practical applications whatsoever.

Do NOT take this class. It is absolutely brutal. He's a funny guy, but way way too tough. And yes, I studied hard and did all the homeworks.

Helpful, but extremely difficult. You will put more work into this class then into any math or physics course I have taken. Believe the hype on this one, this class is brutal.

The hype is real, and then it's complex.

Extremely difficult. There's no book or homework but instead just guided questions. One must learn solely from lecture notes.

His humor references how difficult his class and exams are, and how poorly students do on them. One student emailed him a question and he forwarded to the class with the response "your questions worry me." AVOID IF POSSIBLE!

Best professor I've ever had. This class reminded me how much I love math. But this was the hardest class I've ever taken by far. As everyone else said, hw has to be done multiple times to do well. Waleffe is a phenomenal professor, but don't take too many credits when you take math 321, cause you will spend way more than 3 credits worth of time.

Absolutely incredible professor; makes the class hard. Great guy to just talk to, keeps class interesting, you MUST do the optional homework

Great Professor. Hard Class. He probably expects too much but if you do the work, you are guaranteed to learn way more than you ever wanted to about vector calculus. Wildly entertaining, easy to sit through lecture and pay attention which is important to do since there is no text book.

Best math professor I've ever had. If you don't do the homework, you are screwed. Make sure that you can do every homework problem backwards and forwards, and you should be fine in the class. You will KNOW vector calc afterwards.

Tough, but incredibly insightful and clear. You must do the homework to learn the material. Without that added practice and insight, the class can be a nightmare.

There is a reason Math 321 has the lowest average grade of ALL classes on campus. When I took it, he only gave 1 A. I got lucky and scraped out an AB. That being said, he is an excellent professor and you will really learn a lot from him if you listen in class. GO TO THE DISCUSSION SECTION AND PUT IN THE TIME TO DO THE HOMEWORK. You MUST do the hw

Too many people blame the teacher when they don't put in the effort. Sure he's tough, but he's good, not boring, and you'll learn alot (if you put in the effort). Half of the questions on exams are straight from homework, so if you make the effort to understand them through the TA or office hours, you should get at least 50% (which is not bad)

Hardest Math class you will ever take. Never collects homework, so it's up to you to learn on your own. (Good luck) DO THE HOMEWORK, as it will show up on the test. If you can't get the homework, he is helpful in office hours. Oh and tests are very very very hard!

This guy is the master of math. If you do the homework his tests will seem easy. You will get a good grade and wonder what everyone is complaining about. He tells you exactly what will be on the test. So listen, then laugh as most people screw it all up anyway.

Difficult, intimidating, interesting class. Funny guy. Pretty helpful and friendly in office hours (he scared me initially though) and essentially wants students to understand the stuff. Needs to be more in tune with students understanding of his class though - exams too hard. Dropped, however I learnt a lot.

Extraordinarily demanding of the students in his class. The amount learned though is also incredible. The tests are very difficult but manageable if you stay on top of the material and work as many problems as you can. This class is unlike any previous math class I have ever taken, much more based on understanding instead of regurgitation.

Absolutely Miserable. I wish I had checked here prior to registration. Arguably the worst class I've ever had. He does not teach at the level of the class. Average test score is a 42%. Over half the class has dropped and the majority are engineers. We are not stupid people, but this class makes us feel as such. DO NOT EVER TAKE HIS CLASS!

Absolutely horrible. No textbook, no graded homework, 3 exams including final. What is he thinking? He claimed 5% grade would be given for class participation, but he didn't ever record students' names. He teaches off the top of his head, far too arrogant to be helpful. Send him back to MIT for research so he can't ruin anyone else's GPA.

By far the worst professor I've ever had. Very arrogant and unforgiving. The book that we used was for grad students and was of little help when studying. Made up practice problems for us but didn't give us the answers. Avoid this guy if you can.

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Worst math professor I've ever had. He single handedly made me decide I didn't want to finish up having math as my second major if only to completely remove myself from his area of the campus.

Exams are practically for a different even harder class. The professor assumes since he knows it then you do too. He isn't helpful, isn't friendly, and isn't a good teacher.

Very unorthodox style.... Very amusing to him that none of his students are learning and very unamusing to the students that no one is comprehending his broken english and terrible teaching style. One of the worst profs at UW, on par with Scheub

This "French Canadien" has a terrible accent and the material covered was unintelligable. I learned a lot more from my TA then him. The University should export this sorry excuse of a professor. Also he was very very pompous and had a bad att

He's one cocky SOB. Heavy accent to add to it.

He was extremely hard to follow and his exams did not reflect the material that was taught in the class.