Western Kentucky University / B / Barry Brunson
Averages:
Overall Rating
OKv
Grade Received
Bv
Course Difficulty
Difficultv
Quantity of Notes
Moderatev
Tag Summary:
Multiple Choice: 1
Fill in the Blank: 4
Essays: 3
Problem Solving: 36
Mandatory Final: 31
Cumulative Final: 25
Textbook Required: 21
Extra Credit: 27
Attendance Required: 26
36 Total Evaluations
MATH-117 : Trigonometry - Posted 5/5/2014
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
Professor Brunson spends more time trying to make jokes that don't make any sense and rambling on about random things than he does actually teaching. If you aren't really good at math and need someone to actually teach you or answer your questions, then Brunson is NOT for you. He's a nice guy, but does not know how to teach and will often make you feel like you're incompetent.
MATH-109 : - Posted 5/10/2012
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
He is NEVER prepared for class. He takes forever to respond to students, and post grades. He assigns homework the night before it is due. His excuse is always "I didn't have time". He words everything awkwardly, and makes simple tings incredibly difficult. He offers extra credit, but it is nearly impossible to understand. Take anyone but Brunson. I am speaking on behalf of myself and 4 other students from my class.
MATH-109 : General Math - Posted 9/19/2011
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
OMG!!!!! DONT TAKE THIS CLASS!!!!!!! Thats all i can tell you besides good luck :)
MATH-126 : Calc 1 - Posted 4/14/2010
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Your success in his course will depend on one particular thing - are you willing to learn what is REALLY happening when you are doing the math, or are you just wanting to discover the rules and plug&chug? I have never truly known the significance of the "actuality" of the math until this course. You don't just calculate sin x, you discuss what is actually occurring. Homework, quiz and exam problems often require a written explanation of what is occurring and rather than just answering some using traditional math short hand, sometimes you're expected to write out what that short-hand is saying. This has been troublesome to many, but only to those who resist learning math this way. Excellent course to build off of for future calcs!
CS-121 : Computational Problem Solving - Posted 11/11/2008
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
This class should not be considered a computer science class. It's a class full of random information that, as far as I can tell, will never be useful. Barry Brunson is a hilarious man. He has a habit of asking "Why?" after everything you answer. You absolutely HAVE to give reasons for everything, and that can sometimes get annoying. He is actually very helpful, though, when you ask him to explain something. Good Luck with Dr. Brunson, because if you have to take CS 121, you're more than likely going to have Brunson.
MATH-109 : General Math - Posted 6/29/2008
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
This cat is not so kookie. He'll give you twenty problems for homework then only grade three of them. If you miss one, you're in Screwsville. He's not very good at explaining it, either. I check the option that said "poor", but I really wanted one that said "Piss Poor."
MATH-227 : Calculus/analytical Geometry Ii - Posted 6/7/2008
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
I had Brunson for Calculus I also, so going in I had an idea of what the class would be like. I hated him when he taught Calc I since he used Mathematica so damn much, but for this class he had an actual whiteboard that he used more than anything. Once you get used to him he's a very effective teacher. I barely managed to get a B in Calc I, but having him for Calc II as well really helped me understand the topics. I got an A in this class with little to no effort. As long as you get him in a class where he has a whiteboard, you should be fine.
MATH-126 : Calculus/analytical Geometry I - Posted 6/7/2008
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
I thought this class was extremely difficult, though I think that might just be because it was my first calculus class. Brunson relies (too) heavily on a program called Mathematica. I agree that it is a good tool for doing calculus, but he used it WAY too much. He even required us to know syntax and such for the tests. He's a good professor when he doesn't use Mathematica so much.
MATH-227 : Calculus 2 - Posted 10/26/2007
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
F
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
This class is a waste of time. He makes you believe that if you work hard and attend class and meet with him that you will be fine, but you won't because you won't have a clue what is going on ever! He complicates everything! Don't bother taking this class!!!
MATH-118 : College Alg/trig - Posted 1/2/2007
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
This is the worst math teacher on earth and believe me I have had several. He goes on about pointless things that have nothing at all to do with the topics at hand. If you want to learn something and have a good great find someone else to take. You will hate yourself if you don't!!!!!!
MATH-118 : College Algebra And Trig - Posted 12/20/2006
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Brunson is what any math professor should be. He invites you to learn the math and the methods behind it. He invites you to question what you read in the book and presents many ideas in ways that are easy to understand. Keep in mind by nature this is a more accelerated course than say 116 or 117 and as such you must be willing to apply yourself. However Dr. Brunson has a good way of focusing on the major things while you still learn the smaller concepts.
MATH-118 : Algebra & Trig - Posted 7/23/2005
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
MATH-118 : Alg/trig - Posted 1/10/2005
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!!! I did not like Dr. Brunson at all. This class is very difficult because it is on a computer and it is all word problems. I worked my butt off to get a B. Dr. Brunson is very corny I felt like I was in 2nd grade.VERY DIFFICULT
MATH-118 : College Algebra And Trig - Posted 1/9/2005
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
This class is taught by two teachers, Claus Ernst and Barry Brunson. Your homework and the main part of the lessons are all on the computer on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Many of the questions are very hard to follow, you must give an approximate answer and an exact answer to each and explain each problem. Tuesday and Thursday is a lecture. Barry Brunson is very confusing in his teaching style and runs in circles with his explanations. Claus Ernst, I'm sure, would be a very good teacher in a normal lecture. However I would not recommend to take Math 118 that is taught with Mathematica (AT&M) unless you have a VERY STRONG background in Algebra and Trigonometry beforehand
MATH-126 : Calculus - Posted 12/28/2004
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
If you are independent and like to learn on your own then this is the class you should take...Brunson often gives you homework on a subject that he has not yet covered in class, therefore you are on your own to read and figure it out yourself. Also I had a problem with him not recording my homework grades (you have homework that he takes up almost everyday)....he does give a grade report after every test, but most of the time I had zeros on homework that I had turned in, he graded, and handed back, therefor I never really knew what my true grade was. Almost everytime, including after my final grade was posted I found that he had still not given me all my credit and I had to send several emails to him to get my grade fixed. Good luck in this class.
MATH-126 : Calc I - Posted 12/15/2004
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
If you are want to learn calculus and have had no prior classes in the subject, I would most definately take someone else! I made an A only because I had this in high school. He is willing to help and gives a little bit of extra credit. But if you have had any recent experience in this subject, you will do fine and make an easy A.
MATH-118 : College Alg & Trig - Posted 12/10/2004
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
Mr Brunson should be fired!!! He does no teaching. He and this class are poor excuses for continuing education. He tries to be a perfectionist but fails competely. The demands he places on you are impossible. He may offer help, but never an answer to anything, you only get a why. Every problem must be solved with exact and approx answers along with a paragraph about it. If you do not do all, or do not explain in the exact words that he does, it is wrong. This class is so far beyond bad. If you want to take 118, make sure that it is not this one. All of your homework is done on the computer and then they expect the test to be done by hand. But they fail to teach you how to do it by hand.
MATH-203 : Statistics - Posted 12/1/2004
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Brunson is a goofy guy. He's all about his humming and such. It's not that bad, kinda funny actually. Anyway, this class can be fairly difficult at times. For homework, he will assign it one day, then the next day, he will go over it in class and somewhat go over the material necessary for it. He will either take it up that day or the next. His homework grading, however, is very tough. There is a very specific answer he is looking for on each question and he will not hesitate to dock points everywhere. Tests aren't bad at all. The homework is the biggest problem. Anytime you catch him making a typo or mistake, though, you can possibly pick up an extra credit point so be on your toes on that, theres one or two on every test. Overall, not too bad, just prepare to teach yourself a lot.
MATH-118 : - Posted 11/4/2004
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Not Specified
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
He is so kind and respect all of us. If you donn;t understand. he is going to explain until you get that. however the class was damn hard and you have to the "Mathemetica" which is a computer program. you have to handle math and a computer program at the same time. I don't know how I could make that. I also have a really hard time to slove the handreds...... handreds of problems. BUT if you like Math and Love MATH. Go For It~
MATH-126 : Calculus I - Posted 10/28/2004
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
Brunson relies heavily on the computer program Mathematica. He requires you to use it on several assignments, and he also uses it to teach. He also requires his students to thoroughly explain all matters of calculus in English. Instead of always using numbers, he often likes to annoy students by making them completely explain something. He is also guilty of asking why after every answer you give him. It sounds as if he is a five-year-old asking about life. He is very eccentric and whistles and hums to himself constantly. He also likes to give out homework that he never fully explains and likes to leave you guessing about how to solve the problems. He also has a very low quality of humor. The one thing that probably go me the most was the homework that was collected and graded everyday.
MATH-227 : Calc 2 - Posted 10/28/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
EASILY the craziest professor I've had. but thats a good thing.
First off, any time he makes a mistake on the board (like 1+1=1) and you catch it before he does or anyone else in the class does, you get 1 point extra credit. and theres no limit to the amount you can get.
Second, he is VERY helpful. if you have any questions about the stuff in class, you can ask him and he'll explain it to you.
Third, he tells you which homework assignments he will grade and which ones he will grade for extra credit and which ones he'll look at and tell you if somethings wrong. all you have to do is the ones he circles.
quizess, are frequently take-home and sometimes theres parts to the test which are take home.
Overall Brunson's is one of the most enjoyable math classes ive had
MATH-126 : Calculus - Posted 1/6/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
For those of you who would like to understand the real world meaning behind the concepts discussed in Calculus, Brunson is the professor for you. He is goofy and eccentric at times, but his intellegence and enthusiasm for Calculus allows me to highly recommend him. Surprisingly we had homework that was taken up, so if you are the kind of person who refuses to work outside of the classroom dont take Calculus with this professor. We had many quizzes and 4 exams. The final was cumulative, so be sure you understand the beginning concepts as well.
MATH-126 : Calculas Ii - Posted 11/8/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
He really cares about the class and what they are learning, not the syllabus. He will slow down if the class is having difficulty with a subject. He hums a lot and has a sense of humor. His tests are straight forward from his reviews. he is always willing to help in his office and in class. he knows his stuff and if you catch a mistake he gives extra credit.
i would definetly recommend
MATH-109 : General Mathmatics 109 - Posted 11/6/2003
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Mr. Brunson it a very cheerful, sometimes overkill but he means well. He's not very explanitory with math and he always lets you out late for class which was a hassle. You wonder how is math class relates to everyday life. I recomend him if you need to brighten up your day by him singing weird tunes throughout class, his "not so funny" jokes, and his horrible sense of style :P
MATH- : Math 118 - Posted 11/6/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
First, I only recommend this class if you have a strong math background. If you don't, go with 116. I had calculus in high school so much of the information I had been exposed to. If I had not, I would have struggled with the class a lot. Brunson sounds like Kermit the Frog but when you have a question, he sits down and talks you through it. He made me laugh with his example i.e. f(pig)=2(pig)-7 He teaches it with Ernst. They complement each other well. However, little of the information is taught, it is a self-teaching course on the computer. You also have to explain how you did each problem
MATH-118 : Coll. Alg/trig - Posted 10/4/2003
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
This is probably the worst class I have taken in my career at wku. The class was taught by barry brunson and some guy named ernst. Now, Ernst is very very smart. Brunson is as well but the way he teaches is awful. He wants everything done his way on the Mathematica program. He loves to hum stupid songs and he is really weird! Don't take the class. ill take a c and move on.
MATH-126 : Calc / Analy Geo I - Posted 12/13/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
This course is moderately easy if you have a strong Algebra/Trigonometry background. Dr. Brunson has to be one of the best instructors I have ever sit under. If you can fit him in your schedule, take him!!
MATH-126 : - Posted 11/6/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
he is really a great teacher a little odd in his ways but good. he is trying to help the students not teach a course.
MATH-118 : Trig & Alg. - Posted 1/10/2002
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
If you can find a way around this course with Brunson DO IT. This is the worst class I have ever taken. He will not teach anything. He has the computer program do all the work. If I had to do it over I would have rather taken 116 and 117.
MATH- : 118: College Algebra And Trig. - Posted 1/8/2002
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
I urge you if you are considering taking the course 118 College Algebra and Trig, to withdraw before it's too late. My class started with 26 people and 6 people were left by the end of the semester. It was a horrible experience. EVERYTHING was on the computer with the Mathematica program. If you don't know the math or need to review the math problems...you are screwed basically. The whole class is based on learning this program which in essence replaces the instructor. Only you spend your whole life in the math lab trying to get 20 problems done (when it takes an hour for each problem), just to do it again in a couple of days. And with each problem you have to write a paragraph. Not to mention you had to do that on the TIMED tests when there are 20-30 problems! One girl left the lab crying and never came back. The homework, the quizzes and the tests were impossible...not to mention the instructor who never gave anyone a break, much less extra credit. I'm just glad it's over. And the comment from someone else on the panel about the incessant whistling...he still does it and it drove me crazy! All you have to do is meet Mr. Brunson on the first day and know something is not right. I'm just sorry I didn't let my pride go and get out of the class when I could.
MATH-126 : Calculus and Analytical Geometry - Posted 12/8/2000
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
If you take this class be prepared for a lot of work. It really helps to have taken a previous Calculus class before this one, because it is assumed that you already know at least something about most of the concepts. Also, if you have a hard time expressing math concepts in English DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. This is required on all homework, quizzes, and tests, and you are expected to do it in class as well. If math is easier for you when the ideas are explained in English, then this class is perfect for you.
MATH-118 : College Algebra - Posted 10/17/2000
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
I hated every second of this class. Even though I got an A; the only reason was because I busted my ass. Dr. Brunson is so annoying. He is always humming some dumb tune. He does act like he cares about you and wants you to learn but every question I had he did everything but answer it. He told me over and over to read from Mathematica, which is hard to do. He doesn't teach any, he just has you work off the computer. And he expects you to read and learn the material, which was hard for me to do. You also have to write a paragraph for every problem you have, which gets old.
MATH-203 : Probablility and Statistics - Posted 8/31/2000
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Brunson is a fair teacher. He
really helps you understand. I would recommend him to anyone.
MATH-109 : Math 109 - Posted 4/28/2000
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Ok...This is the most annoying professor I have ever had, constantly humming random pitches. As for his teaching, he's enthusiastic BUT he doesn't answer your questions very well and if he doesn't know the answer he'll try to B.S. his way through it. Doesn't always get the point acroos. He also requires you to give a paragraph (in English) about how you came to the answer of 2+2. It's a really lame attempt to make us think, I believe it to be a waste of time, as is this class with Brunson
MATH-109 : General Mathematics - Posted 4/14/2000
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Very straightforward course in general math. Brunson motivates you through lively lectures.
MATH-227 : Calculus II - Posted 3/28/2000
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Lectures are a little spastic, but good review sheet for tests. Tests are very straight forward, no surprises.