Joshua Sack at California State University Long Beach | Rate My Professors (2024)

Joshua Sack

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Participation mattersGives good feedbackLots of homeworkCaringClear grading criteria

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• 5.10Luke Wukmer
• 5.00Andrea Johnson
• 5.00Andy YU

• MATH122

  Feb 23rd, 2023

  Quality

  3.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  MATH122

  Feb 23rd, 2023

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Grade

  : C

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Over half the class dropped this class before the end of the semester. The tests are incredibly hard and unrelated to the lectures. During the activities, the problems given don't make any sense. He is very hard to talk to but somewhat reasonable. He does know what he's talking about during lectures and the material is easy to understand.

  Participation mattersGives good feedbackTest heavy

  Helpful

  

  

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• MATH122

  Jan 19th, 2023

  Quality

  2.0

  Difficulty

  4.0

  MATH122

  Jan 19th, 2023

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Grade

  : B

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Joshua Sack is a very hard professor and grader. His tests are much more difficult that other calc 1 classes and his office hours are unhelpful. Try to take another professor if you can. He is a very intelligent man but not good at teaching basic concepts that calc 1 is full of

  Tough graderLots of homeworkTest heavy

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• MATH122

  Dec 13th, 2022

  Quality

  4.0

  Difficulty

  4.0

  MATH122

  Dec 13th, 2022

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Not Mandatory

  Grade

  : Rather not say

  Textbook

  : Yes

  He is very smart, caring and funny and probably too smart to teach Math 122. This class isn't easy, exams being very challenging. I enjoyed going to his class regardless because it felt like a family. Get ready to study a lot on your own. If math isn't your best subject don't take this class with him. Weekly webassign and not too much homework.

  CaringRespectedTest heavy

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• MATH122

  Oct 16th, 2022

  Quality

  2.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  MATH122

  Oct 16th, 2022

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Grade

  : A-

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Dry lectures have little students engaged, resulting in the class failing the first midterm. No study guides or review lectures. He is caring, but his work is mainly theoretical and confusing to follow on the white board. Many students ask for clarity. Lots of Webassign with content sometimes not reviewed in class. 4 Exams make 52% of grade.

  Participation mattersLecture heavyTest heavy

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• MATH444

  Jul 5th, 2021

  Quality

  5.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  MATH444

  Jul 5th, 2021

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Not Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Grade

  : B+

  Textbook

  : Yes

  He is great at explaining the material and his homework and tests were fair. Don't skip class and make sure that you do the homework. Like the usual math class, make sure you know your proofs and definitions well. He is a little picky with proofs, but it is well within reason so no complaints there. He's a little monotone but still fun overall.

  Gives good feedbackClear grading criteriaLecture heavy

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  See Also

  Leslie Rodriguez at California State University Long Beach | Rate My ProfessorsBen Smith at California State University Long Beach | Rate My ProfessorsAndrea Calabrese at California State University Long Beach | Rate My ProfessorsSubhash Rajpoot at California State University Long Beach | Rate My Professors

• MATH224

  May 3rd, 2021

  Quality

  3.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  MATH224

  May 3rd, 2021

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Textbook

  : Yes

  He is a nice person and helps out students when asked. I felt like his lectures were too dry and sometimes didnt provide enough examples. He definitely is more theoretical and some examples you see wont even show up in exams or homework. Webassign due weekly and average of 25 questions. Lots of group and final project that I thought was unnecessary

  Gives good feedbackParticipation mattersLecture heavy

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  MATH341

  Dec 24th, 2020

  Quality

  4.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  

  MATH341

  Dec 24th, 2020

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Grade

  : B

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Online Class

  : Yes

  Dr. Sack was probably my most tech savvy prof & always used his time wisely. His notes can be hard to read on his iPad, but he records lectures every week. We took two timed midterms & a cumulative final. He assigned homework every week & we took three quizzes. He does use breakout rooms occasionally, but the course is lecture heavy.

  Lots of homeworkParticipation mattersLecture heavy

  Helpful

  

  

• MATH444

  Dec 23rd, 2020

  Quality

  5.0

  Difficulty

  4.0

  MATH444

  Dec 23rd, 2020

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Grade

  : A

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Lots of definitions and theorems. Hw is graded based on a few problems. Tests were straightforward. Don't skip class, do the hw/quizzes, and participate during lecture. His writing can get hard to read, but he's patient and will answer any question.

  Lots of homeworkParticipation mattersLecture heavy

  Helpful

  

  

• 

  MATH341

  Dec 23rd, 2020

  Quality

  4.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  

  MATH341

  Dec 23rd, 2020

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Grade

  : A

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Online Class

  : Yes

  Very organized as an instructor. His personality is a little awkward. Expectations were for the most part clear. 25% of the grade was participation (freebie!). Homework was often ridiculously long and/or difficult without him realizing, but he would extend due dates to meet students' needs. Exams were comparatively short and straightfoward.

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  MATH224

  Nov 24th, 2020

  Quality

  1.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  

  MATH224

  Nov 24th, 2020

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Not Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : No

  Grade

  : Incomplete

  Textbook

  : No

  Online Class

  : Yes

  Participation points are worth as much as Activities. Extremely unclear with the balance of points given during class. Participation should help your grade out, not bring it down.

  Participation matters

  Helpful

  

  

• MATH364A

  May 14th, 2020

  Quality

  5.0

  Difficulty

  4.0

  MATH364A

  May 14th, 2020

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Not Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Grade

  : B

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Dr. Sack is probably one of the best math professors at csulb. Clear lectures, fair amount of homework, challenging exams, but his grading is more than fair. He also cares about his students. After I did poorly on my 2nd midterm (around the time of the outbreak) he said he would always be available if i needed more help. Take him. 10/10.

  Gives good feedbackClear grading criteriaCaring

  Helpful

  

  

• MATH224

  Oct 28th, 2019

  Quality

  5.0

  Difficulty

  4.0

  MATH224

  Oct 28th, 2019

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Grade

  : Not sure yet

  Textbook

  : Yes

  This professor truly cares about students and their understanding about the subject. If you email questions or ask for additional work related to questions you have issues with, he will try to help you. Overall, one of the best calc 3 professors. Does give awesome study guides, nice lectures, presentations for activities, attendance requirement.

  Lots of homeworkParticipation mattersSkip class? You won't pass.

  Helpful

  

  

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• MATH224

  Oct 19th, 2019

  Quality

  1.0

  Difficulty

  4.0

  MATH224

  Oct 19th, 2019

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : No

  Grade

  : Not sure yet

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Proof-based and only shows you one example. The one example shown is sometimes not done completely. ALOT of webassign. Takes attendance. Terrible writing must ask what is written on board. Curves depending on average and gives study guides. If you are a slow learner, I recommend looking for another teacher. Group presentation for activities.

  Lots of homeworkAccessible outside classSkip class? You won't pass.

  Helpful

  

  

• MATH341

  Dec 24th, 2018

  Quality

  5.0

  Difficulty

  4.0

  MATH341

  Dec 24th, 2018

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Grade

  : B

  Textbook

  : Yes

  He is one of the few professors that lectures complicated material in slight layman terms. Grading can be harsh when it comes to HW but is more forgiving on exams(slight curve). Gives study guides and, though it may seem like a lot, they prep you well for exams. He's a tad awkward, but is a very kind person. Tough class made doable by a great prof!

  Gives good feedbackRespectedCaring

  Helpful

  

  5

  

  1

• MATH247

  Mar 23rd, 2018

  Quality

  5.0

  Difficulty

  4.0

  MATH247

  Mar 23rd, 2018

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Great professor, very good at explaining concepts! Assigns homework but helps learn the material. Study guides are given before exams and also has study sessions.

  Skip class? You won't pass.Amazing lecturesCaring

  Helpful

  

  1

  

  1

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• MATH224

  Oct 5th, 2017

  Quality

  4.0

  Difficulty

  2.0

  MATH224

  Oct 5th, 2017

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Textbook

  : Yes

  there are many mixed opinions about him. He is very theoretical when he teaches and it seems to confuse ppl. However i think he's a solid professor and his test was relatively easy. it's EXACTLY like the hw with diff numbers so just make sure you understand it. his writing is terrible so sit in front. don't ditch, he will ask where you were.

  Gives good feedbackSkip class? You won't pass.Caring

  Helpful

  

  7

  

• MATH444

  May 22nd, 2017

  Quality

  4.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  MATH444

  May 22nd, 2017

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Great professor. Class is proof heavy but he does them if you ask and provides study guides for all exams. Wants students to succeed and it's clear. He tells pretty funny jokes. Goes by the book. Available and helpful during office hours. Would highly recommend and definitely would take again. Only real negative: small writing

  Tough GraderClear grading criteriaCaring

  Helpful

  

  2

  

• MATH444

  May 18th, 2017

  Quality

  4.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  MATH444

  May 18th, 2017

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Not Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Grade

  : A

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Dr. Sack assigns many proofs for Abstract Algebra and is very picky with your suppositions and claims. Exams were fairly easy as long as you study the study guide and homework problems. The biggest piece of advice is to know you theorems and properties. Class structured well. Taking him for the third time next semester

  Clear grading criteriaGROUP PROJECTS

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• MATH247

  Nov 22nd, 2016

  Quality

  5.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  MATH247

  Nov 22nd, 2016

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Attendance

  : Not Mandatory

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Dr. Sack is an amazing teacher. He is passionate about the material and truly cares about his students. Once you get used to his monotone voice, you'll learn a lot. His lectures are super quick, but very concise. I would recommend him.

  Skip class? You won't pass.Clear grading criteriaLECTURE HEAVY

  Helpful

  

  3

  

  2

• MATH364A

  Jun 12th, 2016

  Quality

  5.0

  Difficulty

  3.0

  MATH364A

  Jun 12th, 2016

  For Credit

  : Yes

  Would Take Again

  : Yes

  Grade

  : A

  Textbook

  : Yes

  Attendance is pretty important since hwk/quizzes are 20% of the grade (easy points). His tests are pretty straightforward and very similar to the homework. Test grades are pretty much a reflection of how well you understood the homework. There's also a 5% group project but it's really easy. If you're confused his office hours are helpful.

  Helpful

  

  6