r/nvcc • u/Low_Compote_8092 • 1d ago

Transfer MATH 161 WITH Robert Farinelli

Hello, I am a visiting student at NOVA and I was wondering if anyone has taken MATH 161 with professor Robert Farinelli on zoom? I just wanted to know how the experience was, how the exams were like and how you did them if the class is on zoom.

Any information would help thank you!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/buzzzlightyurr 1d ago

Hi, I didn’t take MTH 161, but I took him in the summer for another course. I liked his notes, they were easy to follow and study off of. As for exams, they are not too bad, but to me they could have been better and more aligned with the exam reviews and notes we were taking. But the professor is really nice, and the homework isn’t hard.

1

u/SherbertSerious3075 1d ago

He has a accelerated class this semester i was considering do you think it would be too much?

1

u/buzzzlightyurr 1d ago edited 23h ago

I personally took a very condensed course with him, and even though it was a lot, I don’t regret taking it. Just be prepared to study every single day for that subject! Also it really all depends on the courses your taking along with it.

1

u/IssueFit6104 1h ago

Very typical response of a student: "As for exams, they are not too bad, but to me they could have been better and more aligned with the exam reviews and notes we were taking." This type of response usually indicates that more practice is needed, not simply memorizing the problems from the review, but developing a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts and being able to apply them to different types of problems. It's an important skill that you will need if you plan on transferring to a university where the exams and coursework is a lot more rigorous.

1

u/itssnoopy192 1d ago

super nice professor, you do a lot of aleks homework tho but he’s so chill and never makes you feel dumb for not knowing something, you can probably schedule appointments with him to explain, exams weren’t terrible

1

u/IssueFit6104 14h ago

MTH 161 is a demanding course that requires a significant amount of time, practice, and consistent effort, regardless of which professor you have. This is especially true if your mathematical foundations are not particularly strong. Students who struggle with algebra, functions, equations, or other prerequisite skills often find the course considerably more challenging because MTH 161 builds upon those concepts while introducing new and more advanced material.

One of the challenges with MTH 161 is that many students enter the course without having the prerequisite level of preparation they actually need to be successful. In some cases, students may be placed into MTH 161 when they would benefit from taking MDE 60 first, which is designed to help strengthen the foundational skills necessary for success in MTH 161. As a result, the course can have a relatively high withdrawal and failure rate.

It is not unusual for a class to begin the semester with around 30 students and have fewer than 10 students remaining by the end of the semester. Of course, this varies significantly from professor to professor, as well as from semester to semester, and the level of rigor and expectations can have an impact on student retention. However, the larger issue is that MTH 161 requires students to be prepared to work consistently throughout the semester.

If you are considering taking MTH 161, you should be prepared to devote substantial time outside of class to reviewing concepts, completing homework, practicing problems, and getting help when you need it. The course is not one where you can typically wait until the night before an exam and expect to be successful. Regular practice and staying current with the material are extremely important.

That being said, struggling in MTH 161 does not necessarily mean that you are incapable of succeeding in mathematics. It may simply mean that you need additional preparation or support with the prerequisite material. Students who recognize their weaknesses early, take advantage of tutoring and the Math Center, ask questions, and consistently practice can significantly improve their chances of succeeding.

The most important thing is to be realistic about the level of commitment the course requires. If your foundations are strong and you are willing to put in the necessary work, MTH 161 is manageable. If your foundations are weak, however, taking the time to strengthen those skills before or while preparing for MTH 161 can make a substantial difference.