Jack Shapiro
4 courses · 95 reviews
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Prof Shapiro's class is very straight-forward. You can easily understand the material because he gives very clear definitions and a bunch of examples. Webwork was helpful and practice exams are very similar to the real exam. Very kind and accessible.
6/19/2019
Shapiro explained everything in a simple and easy-to-understand manner and I feel like I learned a lot. However, lectures were pretty boring. Tests were not hard, but were worth a lot and contained only multiple choice questions. Overall, the class was pretty straight-forward.
5/10/2019
Professor Shapiro gives boring lectures, but he does cover everything. He is helpful in office hours. His tests are fair. I would not avoid him, but I would not go out of your way to take his class.
4/7/2019
Great GPA booster. Although class can be boring most of the times, he merely recites what are written on the paper but if you make the effort to stay awake and listen, you will learn plenty of things. He gives easy tests and the final was not cumulative, one of best things in the word when you have 5 other finals to take meanwhile.
4/7/2018
Easy to get an A: The practice tests he provides are almost identical to the tests he gives (only the numbers are changed). The 3rd test is slightly different but still fairly similar. Attendance is not mandatory and I showed up maybe 3 times during the semester. As a teacher he is good but not great; eager to help students yet is very monotone.
10/27/2017
Dr. Shapiro is the most boring lecturer in the world, truly. But! He is a fair, consistent, teacher who is straightforward and will never shock you with his tests. If you go to class at least 2/3 of the time, you'll likely get at least a B.
10/18/2017
The most average professor around, but you gotta love him. His strength is the straightforwardness of his lectures/tests - tests are easy to prep for. Lectures can be a bit dull but they're well organized. HW is reasonable and consistent. Given how poor the math department is here, Shap is a good choice, and matrix is pretty cool.
6/15/2017
Took this class and 309 with Shapiro. The tests are basically the practice tests, so getting a good grade isn't too difficult. That being said, he flies through material really quickly and isn't super exciting in lecture. I found going to his office hours really helpful and he's really flexible in making time for students outside of class.
5/21/2017
Super boring lectures, but gets the point across. You could easily get away with just reading the textbook and not going to class. He's a super sweet guy, and you can tell he really loves math, but his lectures are just really dull. He's better during office hours though. Also, his tests are pretty similar to his reviews.
5/1/2017
Honestly love Jack so much; I also took MATH233 with him. Sometimes makes mistakes during lectures, but is always cheerful when amending his mistakes. Tests are never hard and always Very similar to the practice tests. If you have a chance to take a math class with Jack do it!
3/7/2017
Honestly Shapiro's Calc 3 class was pretty easy. His tests are VERY similar to the practice test he distributes the week before the test. Much easier than Calc 2.
12/27/2016
Not much homework, so your whole grade is basically exams. Not very good at explaining the material and makes mistakes in class, but the tests are relatively easy so it's not to bad. Test difficulty can be really volatile though.
12/25/2016
Oh, Shappy-J. Between the Indiana Jones hat and his "sweet old Jewish man" demeanor, you wouldn't guess that he had it in him to finesse a few hundred students TWICE in a semester. His notes are fine, but you'll learn better from the internet. The first two exams are the same as the practice, after that, you're on your own.
12/20/2016
Professor Shapiro is a great professor whose lectures can get drab but have tons of useful examples. Overall he is very friendly and his practice exams are a good way to prepare for the actual test.
12/11/2016
Professor Shapiro is very friendly, and though he speaks at you in lectures, if you go to his office hours once or talk to him after class he really will go out of his way to help you. People usually skipped his class which I DO NOT RECOMMEND. The book will not answer everything. Oh, and practice exams are identical to the exam. EASY A.
12/9/2016
Professor Shapiro is a friendly professor who dives straight into the contrent, without wasting time on remedial matters. His teaching style is affective and his practice tests are actually like the final exam, which makes them very useful in revision.
11/20/2016
Easy class, clear notes, and clear grading criteria. The exams focus on the concepts that he went over in the class so it's not a problem as long as you study for it.
11/16/2016
Shapiro is a boss. His lectures aren't the most interesting, but his cowboy hat and cargo shorts make up for that. His examples are actually really helpful, so going to class helps. His tests questions come directly from past tests and practice problems, so if you work through those you'll be fine in the class.
11/2/2016
He is so nice and his lectures are clear and easy. He usually gives examples after each theorem, so I can understand the theorem quite well. Also, his midterms and final exams are very similar to the practice exam given. Don't hesitate to take the class!
10/27/2016
Great teacher, gives you a practice test before the actual test, and they're very similar. Don't need to go to class, but the optional homework is helpful.
9/27/2016
Shapiro is an easy and fair teacher. His lectures are boring but he clearly shows you how to do the problems. You don't really need the textbook since he emails out the homework problems, but I liked having it for reference. The practice tests are super similar to the actual tests (so the tests aren't hard or tricky). It's a pretty cookbook class
5/2/2016
He is far better than people give him credit for. He has the knack for explaining a topic simply and doing enough examples so that this technique becomes second nature. Yes, his lectures can be boring, but his tests are hella easy (pretty much the practice exams) and seeing him walk in with the cowboy hat just makes my day. This man is a god.
4/20/2016
Shapiro is extremely nice and really cares about his students. In addition, he provides great lecture notes and practice exams to prepare students for the actual exams.
2/25/2016
Shapiro is an all right guy and a decent professor. His teaching style is very traditional such that he explains a topic, does a small proof, and then does several examples (most important part) explaining every part in gory detail. Some people think he's boring, but the important part is that he explains what you need to know well.
12/6/2015
He's an awesome guy who genuinely loves what he does. His lectures are generally very interesting, and they are essential to doing well in the class. I know that some other students don't love his teaching style as much as I do, but I think he's pretty awesome. Tests are basically the practice tests with different numbers.
11/11/2015
He's so nice and cute! And if you actually go to class, you learn things, and you can do well on tests. Also, the practice test is basically the real test. If you can do the practice exam, you can ace the test. Also I didn't even buy the textbook.
11/9/2015
Lectures are a bit boring but also useful. All the quiz questions come from the suggested problem sets and 17-1820 questions on the exams and final come directly from past exams, which are all posted online. Just work through the problems and you'll be fine
12/12/2014
This class is not so hard if you just study the practice tests before every exam. Shapiro's exams are essentially replicas of the practice tests, so study with those and you'll be OK. He's not very good at explaining the concepts in lecture though, nor was my TA.
6/23/2014
not the best professor but not the worst. material was easy, going to class not necessary. do the practice problems and exams and you'll easily ace this class.
3/7/2014
The practice exams are IDENTICAL to the real exams. Just go to the old calc tests and take a few. Quiz questions come directly from the suggested practice book problems. Prepare and you'll be fine.
1/2/2014
If you don't have a background in Calc, Jack is the WRONG professor for you; I know from experience. All I do is the practice exams before each real exam, and have a friend explain how to do each problem. Otherwise, his lectures are pointless and boring, and if you don't know much Calculus, you'll be quite lost.
11/13/2013
Stopped going to class after the first month. His lectures are terrible, he doesnt go over any of the basics at all, basically justs lists down problems and spits out generic ways to do them that dont end up helping out when you see harder problems come test time. and his exams are very difficult, especially for people who are not strong in calc.
10/13/2013
Very prepared and organized. Good in class -- great at office hours.
3/4/2013
Pretty boring class. I recommend reading the textbook before going to lecture since he only goes over examples without really teaching the material. Try to do at least some of the recommended problems everyday, and the practice exams are similar to the actual exams so do them! maybe even twice! Shapiro is nice, just not the best at explaining.
12/30/2012
I normally dont write on these but felt compelled to this time. JShaps gets way too bad of a rep than he deserves. Yeah, he's kinda boring and I might have needed the occasional coffee to stay awake, but his examples are crystal clear and his exams, especially the final, are very similar to the practice ones. Besides, could you teach it any better?
12/23/2012
Shapiro's lectures are the most boring I have ever sat through. I fell asleep at least once, and I wonder why I attended every class. He is not very good at teaching. Thank god for the guy on my floor who taught me everything I needed to know before each quiz.
12/19/2012
Jack is not quite the best teacher... or not quite a good teacher. His lectures are completely pointless and I'm not sure why I go. It is possible to do well in the class with a lot of outside work and the material is not hard but the fact that we learn NOTHING makes it hard! P.S. dont email him.. his response will be less than friendly!
11/9/2012
Exams are just like the practice exams. he does a lot of examples and is always willing to explain things outside of class. Can be a boring lecturer but makes the material accessible.
6/20/2012
He's an ok lecturer, but his notes are really helpful and clear. He makes sure to walk you through the problem and be able to go back and look it over later. Also his tests are exactly like his practice exams so do them! Attendance isn't 'mandatory' but I'd suggest it for the notes.
4/4/2012
Shapiro is an ok lecturer. If you have no foundation it will be hard to understand him. He does have lots of office hours, and if you utilize RPM's and cornerstone you should do fine. His tests are nearly identical to the practice exams, and many MANY problems come from old tests, which are online. Study those and you should do fine
1/9/2012
Not a bad professor, but one could learn plenty by just reading the book, although some of the examples are helpful. Outside of class, Jack Shaps has plenty of office hours and is very willing to meet with students and he also allows a notecard on the exams and practically identical practice exams.
1/5/2012
If you're fairly inexperienced in calculus (i.e., no AP/BC calc), his explanations for various topics in the class may leave you extremely confused at first. However, you should do fine if you look over the textbook sections and do the suggested practice problems. He has plenty of office hours if you need help. The exams weren't overly difficult.
12/21/2011
He lectures the book, and he doesn't clarify anything. He expects every student to just understand. If you are good at Calc II you'll love it bc you'll never have to go to class. If you are bad, prepare to read every page of that book and to take full advantage of the internet's ability to teach you Calculus.
12/16/2011
He teaches the material well if you go to class. His practice tests are pretty much exactly the same as the real tests with different numbers. If you just use your notecard well this class is pretty easy.
12/11/2011
He's a boss. Not good at teaching... at all. But a super swell guy. He has a great 'stache as well.
12/5/2011
Awesome professor! Never understood why people didn't like him. He basically teaches the book and is very clear. His exams are the walk in the park. Plus he's a nice guy and willing to help you out anytime.
11/9/2011
I liked Calculus before I took him as a teacher; he only confused me when I had known Calc two last year. He seems like a nice enough guy, but he doesn't explain well. At all.
12/16/2010
Prof. Shapiro is a very nice guy and a great professor. Always prepared for class with lots of practice problems, presents material quite clearly. If he ever made a mistake and someone pointed it out, he'd immediately realize what he did wrong--knows his stuff. Didn't like test format (multiple choice--can screw you over). Good prof, nice guy.
12/6/2010
Going to class isn't mandatory since the lecture basically comes out of the book, but he explains the examples in greater detail than the short line or two given in the book. If you don't like his teaching style, there are always office hours where he's very willing to give you his time and attention to go through things step by step. Great guy!
11/19/2010
unintelligible and while he does prove new concepts he doesn't go over them in any other way. also his examples in class do not reflect his hw. cant stand him.
11/2/2010
For the first few weeks of class, I was turned off by the guy's ultra dry teaching style . However, as the semester continued - after most of the class stopped going - his lectures became more and more thorough. If you understood the examples he worked through in class, you could definitely grasp the material without reading through the textbook.
1/10/2010
Great class for anyone actually interested in/with a talent for math. He doesn't explain, he proves. Gives key examples in class that come back on exams, so even though it's tempting to skip, don't. Good preparation and light review will get you through exams, and the grading's fair. He's super approachable and easy to talk to. Really good class.
1/3/2010
He doesn't explain, but he proves - which is great if you're really interested in math. The course material is easy but his lectures are worth going to for his toothy grin, sharp wit, and, of course, his striped sweater.
12/22/2009
He clearly cares about his student's grades- he has extra sessions even when not required, etc. However, he unbelievably boring. If I haven't slept for at least 8 hours, the moment he starts talking, I'll struggle to stay awake. Frankly, I didn't learn much from him. Rather, take advantage of his generous office hours- you'll learn much more.
12/8/2009
Terrible, simply awful at teaching. I completely seriously could've done a better job
12/6/2009
Does not explain things clearly and is generally not very helpful.
11/19/2009
He's pretty bad at explaining things in class. Sitting through classes is a chore and eventually people stop going to them.
12/27/2008
After about a week of going to lectures, I realized that Shapiro's lectures were totally useless. Really nice guy, but this class honestly would have been no different if there had been no teacher and everyone learned from the textbook.
12/19/2008
Shapiro is friendly enough, but very dry. Tests are easy, though, and going to class is optional, especially if you've taken any calc before.
2/8/2007
He is ok but not great. Luckily this was a review for me. He didn't seem to emphasize important concepts.
12/16/2005
Very nice man, good teacher who makes things clear. Tests are usually easy.
11/29/2005
Pretty good teacher, but classes are boring. You have to do a lot of work on your own if you want to understand it. Tests can be hard, but homework and quizzes help.
11/23/2005
Shapiro gives off the idea that he has spent his whole life perfecting the art of being completely and utterly boring while making his subject matter dry and seemingly worthless. This class is hard to attend, and takes greater motivation to sit through than to do the actual work.
9/18/2005
This class was just ridiculous. Shapiro skips around, and isn't focused at all. He's perfectly willing to help, but that doesn't mean you'll get much out of it. He "explained" something to me three times without actually telling me what was going on. He treats his students like the class if merely a review and not intro level. Just bad karma.
9/11/2005
He used classtime very well so if you just paid attention in class and understood your notes you would do fine in the class.
5/21/2005
A solid lecturer. Makes many small mistakes on the board, but they are easy to spot and correct. His good-natured personality makes his sometimes dry lectures more bearable. Exams are pretty easy, but not a total cakewalk.
5/17/2005
He is a very nice guy. He sincerely wants to help out any struggling students. Make sure to take advantage of the office hours. If you can't make them, he is flexible. Material is easy if you are strong at math, difficult if you are not. Lectures don't help all too much
5/3/2005
Can't get much better for teaching mathematics. Clear and helpful. Somewhat funny and witty.
1/17/2005
Class wasn't too hard, but was pretty boring. Really helpful in and outside of class, overall nice guy. Clear and sticks to the syllabus and the textbook.
1/13/2005
makes lots of tiny errors in class while giving examples, but does a good job of building up to the next point, so that it makes sense
1/8/2005
Don't even bother going to class, just teach yourself out of the book - it takes less time and is easier than Shapiro's teaching.
1/6/2005
Pretty clear in explaining exactly what you need to know. Tests are easy, with no tricks or extra difficult problems, especially the final where he eliminated a huge chunk of the harder material and told us what we didn't need to study.
1/1/2005
This class was do-able, but not that enjoyable. Professor Shapiro means well and seems like a very sweet guy, but he makes a lot of mistakes on the board in class which makes things rather confusing. He is generous with his time in help sessions, but they didn't really clarify things for me.
1/1/2005
Easy, but a boring class. You don't need to attend every single class. 3rd exam was hard.
12/29/2004
Jack teaches straight out of the book and going to the class is unnecessary
12/27/2004
no sweat. this class is easy if you can stay awake! shapiro's a good guy who is human afterall. he doesn't give any tricks and the tests are just carbon copies of the ones year's before. easy to get an A if you have the motivation to go to class!
12/27/2004
he understood the material but could put you to sleep trying to explain it. The tests were doable if you study the past ones online.
12/26/2004
don't take out your anger with calculus on him. he is one of the best teachers i have ever had here, even if it was a huge lecture hall. very approachable for office hours, but only if you are prepared with specific questions
12/21/2004
He's not that bad, and his sense of humor is pretty amusing. Don't take the morning section. He's especially prone to little mistakes during lecture, so remember, "I could be wrong, or you could be wrong!"
12/10/2004
BORING! If you absolutely MUST take a class from him, don't take it in the morning. You'll have no motivation to wake up for it.
12/8/2004
Ridiculously boring, small handwriting (for a huge lecture class) and unclear in his explanations of abstract concepts. His tests can be very difficult too, just adding to the fun.
12/5/2004
Very boring. Everything is taken directly from the book, but every once in a while I feel like I learn something from going to class. Don't sit in the back row because his handwriting is small, don't sit in the front because he's a spitter.
12/3/2004
Typical math lecturer, but has a sense of humor. Very helpful in replying emails.
10/15/2004
So boring. His New York accent grinds on my nerves after awhile too.
10/12/2004