MATH 33B
Differential Equations
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Enforced requisite: course 31B with grade of C- or better. Highly recommended: course 33A. First-order, linear differential equations; second-order, linear differential equations with constant coefficients; power series solutions; linear systems. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
5 of 8
Most Helpful Review
Aliki was one of the best professors I've ever had. She's part of some professional tutoring group, so I think that's part of the reason she's so good at making the material easy to understand. Her lectures are crystal clear with plenty of examples, and they are incredibly organized. She also doesn't use the textbook at all, so there's no need for it. However, she uploads detailed lecture notes online which has pretty much what she does in lecture, minus the examples, so it's still worth it to show up. Her grading scheme was 10% homework, 25% midterms and a 50% final, but she has an alternate one that takes the higher midterm score and makes it 35% and the final worth 55%. The first midterm was fairly easy, with mostly computational problems. The average was pretty high, at about 86%. However, the second midterm was pretty hard, as she put some conceptual problems in there, not to mention the grading was kind of skewed with the conceptual problems being worth more than half of the midterm. The average was about a 63%. However, one of the things that makes Aliki such a good professor is that she genuinely wants you to learn the material. She goes out of her way to make it alot easier for you. Aside from uploading detailed lecture notes, she also uploads practice examples for each topic she covers, practice problems for the exams, and homework solutions (after they're due of course). Some might view it as catering to her students, which I admit it kinda is, but it's still nice and it does help you immensely. Also, since the second midterm average was low and alot of people complained apparently, she offered a replacement midterm where you can get up to 80% and have it replace the second one. If you score lower, then nothing will happen. However, this was right before finals week so it was up to you whether to take it or not. Her final was pretty hard, almost everyone took the whole 3 hours, but it was manageable. She throws in some long computational problems and very conceptual problems where you have to think and do some tricks to get the right answer. Although you should definitely take Aliki if she teaches again (although I heard she might be leaving after this year), you do have to put in the effort in the class to get a good grade. So regardless of what course she's teaching, you should take her class.
Aliki was one of the best professors I've ever had. She's part of some professional tutoring group, so I think that's part of the reason she's so good at making the material easy to understand. Her lectures are crystal clear with plenty of examples, and they are incredibly organized. She also doesn't use the textbook at all, so there's no need for it. However, she uploads detailed lecture notes online which has pretty much what she does in lecture, minus the examples, so it's still worth it to show up. Her grading scheme was 10% homework, 25% midterms and a 50% final, but she has an alternate one that takes the higher midterm score and makes it 35% and the final worth 55%. The first midterm was fairly easy, with mostly computational problems. The average was pretty high, at about 86%. However, the second midterm was pretty hard, as she put some conceptual problems in there, not to mention the grading was kind of skewed with the conceptual problems being worth more than half of the midterm. The average was about a 63%. However, one of the things that makes Aliki such a good professor is that she genuinely wants you to learn the material. She goes out of her way to make it alot easier for you. Aside from uploading detailed lecture notes, she also uploads practice examples for each topic she covers, practice problems for the exams, and homework solutions (after they're due of course). Some might view it as catering to her students, which I admit it kinda is, but it's still nice and it does help you immensely. Also, since the second midterm average was low and alot of people complained apparently, she offered a replacement midterm where you can get up to 80% and have it replace the second one. If you score lower, then nothing will happen. However, this was right before finals week so it was up to you whether to take it or not. Her final was pretty hard, almost everyone took the whole 3 hours, but it was manageable. She throws in some long computational problems and very conceptual problems where you have to think and do some tricks to get the right answer. Although you should definitely take Aliki if she teaches again (although I heard she might be leaving after this year), you do have to put in the effort in the class to get a good grade. So regardless of what course she's teaching, you should take her class.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2020 - I took MATH 33B during my freshman year. To be honest, it was not a wise decision. Please take 33B at least along with 33A. Otherwise, you would miss out on the linear algebra part and it can be dangerous (I didn't know what dimension was when I was taking the final. Fortunately, the exam was open book and 24 hours due to the pandemic. But imagine what would happen if it's a 3-hour exam in a lecture hall). But the living legend, Adam Moreno, made it possible for me to get that solid "A". Please don't hesitate if you have an opportunity to take any MATH class with him. He's definitely the best Math professor you could expect. I got to know him when I was still taking MATH 31B and struggling with the guy named Brizolis in Fall 2019. Moreno was teaching the previous MATH 31B session and I went to one of his classes as an audition. I remembered that he was able to explain everything so clearly that I immediately made up my mind to sign up for his class in Winter 2020. About the class itself, fair grading methods and really fair exams, weekly assigned homework but with doable amount of workload, and the best part is that Moreno does not expect you to know anything before you come to class. But when you are leaving the classroom 50 minutes later, you might have already established a decent understanding of the materials. Then a little bit of study every week and some revision before the exam will help you succeed. By the way, to anyone who's planning to take Moreno's class in the future, please help me count how many Disney T-shirts he has. He's an interesting guy and that's probably something that drives me to go to every single one of his classes lol.
Winter 2020 - I took MATH 33B during my freshman year. To be honest, it was not a wise decision. Please take 33B at least along with 33A. Otherwise, you would miss out on the linear algebra part and it can be dangerous (I didn't know what dimension was when I was taking the final. Fortunately, the exam was open book and 24 hours due to the pandemic. But imagine what would happen if it's a 3-hour exam in a lecture hall). But the living legend, Adam Moreno, made it possible for me to get that solid "A". Please don't hesitate if you have an opportunity to take any MATH class with him. He's definitely the best Math professor you could expect. I got to know him when I was still taking MATH 31B and struggling with the guy named Brizolis in Fall 2019. Moreno was teaching the previous MATH 31B session and I went to one of his classes as an audition. I remembered that he was able to explain everything so clearly that I immediately made up my mind to sign up for his class in Winter 2020. About the class itself, fair grading methods and really fair exams, weekly assigned homework but with doable amount of workload, and the best part is that Moreno does not expect you to know anything before you come to class. But when you are leaving the classroom 50 minutes later, you might have already established a decent understanding of the materials. Then a little bit of study every week and some revision before the exam will help you succeed. By the way, to anyone who's planning to take Moreno's class in the future, please help me count how many Disney T-shirts he has. He's an interesting guy and that's probably something that drives me to go to every single one of his classes lol.
Most Helpful Review
Professor Murfet is quite dedicated in his teaching. I mean, he spends a lot of time taking material from the book and rewriting them into more readable lecture notes for every lecture. That being said, he follows the book very closely and he puts his lecture notes online anyway so if you read through the book, you can get a decent grade without going to any of his lectures.
Professor Murfet is quite dedicated in his teaching. I mean, he spends a lot of time taking material from the book and rewriting them into more readable lecture notes for every lecture. That being said, he follows the book very closely and he puts his lecture notes online anyway so if you read through the book, you can get a decent grade without going to any of his lectures.
Most Helpful Review
After taking Oberlin's class for Math 33B, it's pretty obvious he's a 3 series professor (no offense to those who take the 3 series). His tests were extremely easy (averages ranged between 85% to 95%), and all of the tests are pretty much straightforward. If you're taking him for the Math 31,32,33 series, be prepared for an extremely high average.
After taking Oberlin's class for Math 33B, it's pretty obvious he's a 3 series professor (no offense to those who take the 3 series). His tests were extremely easy (averages ranged between 85% to 95%), and all of the tests are pretty much straightforward. If you're taking him for the Math 31,32,33 series, be prepared for an extremely high average.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2023 - The reviews for Professor Palmer do not give him justice. He is an excellent professor and I would recommend anybody take him for Math 33b. To start, his lectures do not go very fast and he does example problems, so if you struggle with math he is your guy. The homework is 5-6 problems from the textbook per week, very easy. He posts his detailed typed lecture notes onto bruinwalk so if you did not understand how to do something in lecture you can read them there. In terms of exams, he is very fair and easy. There are no trick questions; everything is similar to homework. He posts a practice test and practice problems as well which are very similar to the actual test. His grading scheme is generous as well, so if you do bad on one exam you can recover and still receive an A in the class. On top of all of this, Professor Palmer gives you 5 percent extra credit on your final grade if you complete a basic coding project. As a math major who has taken a decent amount of both upper divs and lower div math (this is my last lower div), I can say I have never had a professor give this much extra credit. He honestly did not have to give any extra credit, everything was completely fair and easy without it. The reviews on this sub (as I am writing this review he has a 2.0), are just frankly ridiculous. Do not judge this man, he does his best to students and you can tell he cares. He answers emails, questions, and teaches you applications in coding and math. Great Professor would take again.
Fall 2023 - The reviews for Professor Palmer do not give him justice. He is an excellent professor and I would recommend anybody take him for Math 33b. To start, his lectures do not go very fast and he does example problems, so if you struggle with math he is your guy. The homework is 5-6 problems from the textbook per week, very easy. He posts his detailed typed lecture notes onto bruinwalk so if you did not understand how to do something in lecture you can read them there. In terms of exams, he is very fair and easy. There are no trick questions; everything is similar to homework. He posts a practice test and practice problems as well which are very similar to the actual test. His grading scheme is generous as well, so if you do bad on one exam you can recover and still receive an A in the class. On top of all of this, Professor Palmer gives you 5 percent extra credit on your final grade if you complete a basic coding project. As a math major who has taken a decent amount of both upper divs and lower div math (this is my last lower div), I can say I have never had a professor give this much extra credit. He honestly did not have to give any extra credit, everything was completely fair and easy without it. The reviews on this sub (as I am writing this review he has a 2.0), are just frankly ridiculous. Do not judge this man, he does his best to students and you can tell he cares. He answers emails, questions, and teaches you applications in coding and math. Great Professor would take again.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2015 - Very chill professor I am selling my textbook Differential Equations by Polking in a binder in excellent condition. No notes or highlights, and in mint condition. Text me at ********** I can meet on or around campus. Selling for $65 with price negotiable. I used it for Math 33B
Fall 2015 - Very chill professor I am selling my textbook Differential Equations by Polking in a binder in excellent condition. No notes or highlights, and in mint condition. Text me at ********** I can meet on or around campus. Selling for $65 with price negotiable. I used it for Math 33B
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2021 - He assigns a LOT of homework. It's going to take you a while. He's funny in lecture, but you're better off reading the textbook if you want to actually understand the material and not just know the computation portion. Exams are on the easier side where many problems are directly covered in lecture.
Spring 2021 - He assigns a LOT of homework. It's going to take you a while. He's funny in lecture, but you're better off reading the textbook if you want to actually understand the material and not just know the computation portion. Exams are on the easier side where many problems are directly covered in lecture.
AD
5 of 8
