Groves, John  

Statistics

0.66/4.00

36 evaluations


FNR 101


Sophomore
D
General Ed
Jan 2001
This class sucks my ass. But it's easy. Yes, despite my D-, it was easy. I just didn't do the work. Class is boring and useless. The tests are pretty much common sense but go to class so you know what kind of answers he wants. Do all the work ahead of time and you won't have to worry about it later. You won't really learn anything but you can pass a class.

CE 156


Sophomore
A
Elective
Nov 2016
Fuck this guy. Id like to stick my tounge up his ass.

STAT 217


Junior
B
Required (Support)
Mar 2001
I really had to get through the lack of people skills in order to get anything out of this class. Luckly I am a pretty tolerant person. On numerous occassions if a student asked a question regarding the lecture he would be-little them in front of everyone. He does teach the material acurrately, however his personal skills definatly create a learning barrier. If you can take another teacher I would. Otherwise if you have to take him be ready to suck it up for 10 weeks.


Junior
B
Required (Support)
Mar 2004
take KAREN MC GAUGHEY. she is a very excellent teacher. do not take any other. MCGAUGHEY will save you!

STAT 221


Sophomore
C
Required (Support)
Dec 2000
Stat 221 is probably a much easier class than whatever the people above were taking. Sure the material isn't fun and does require some studying - and Liberal Arts majors like myself dread this type of stuff, but hey, if you actually do your homework, it ain't that bad. The only reason I got a C was because I was a fool, didn't study, and bombed one of my midterms. As for Groves, he isn't that bad at explaining things, which spaired me from doing homework until halfway through the course. He definitely isn't the nicest guy though. I thought it was funny how he lectures his students about not showing up for class. Hello! We're the ones who show up every day, call the ones who don't come! Anyways, you get a fair opportunity to redeem yourself if you do badly on any one test, since there are 3 midterms and a final. Homework is not collected or graded, and I didn't think he tests were all that tricky. He does give occasionaly quizes which you can't retake if you miss class.


Sophomore
D
Required (Support)
Jul 2001
Dr. Groves is by far the least compassionate professor I have ever had. I was a straight A math student, and yet got a D in Dr. Groves class. When I asked to meet with him outside his regular office hours because I work full time he said "that's your choice". When I hired a tutor he belittle me in front of the entire class, since "none of them are any good". From my section there were at least four fomal grievences filed. I didn't bother-he has tenure. Dr. Groves should definately retire, if he's still here when you register, take another section. He's rude, demoralizes students in the classroom, and plainly, just doesn't give a damn!

STAT 251


Junior
C
Required (Major)
Aug 2001
If you want to learn something about statistics from the basic, take another professor. Dr. Groves may be a good statistician but definitely a poor lecturer. He looks like he assumes the students in class know most of the stuff already. His exams are superhard-I've got all A's from all math classes I've taken so far, still I got a C+ from this course. I would not recommend this professor, especially you have difficulties in math.`


Junior
B
Required (Support)
Feb 2000
The only reason I got this grade was that Groves was recieving so many complaints to his department head that he had to curve the scores in order to pass many of his students. He is an aggroant prick, who believes that everyone should already have a basic understanding for stats, even before they walk into the room. He needs to wake up and realize that he is a TEACHER, in a downward spiraling life, who has really nothing else to look forward to. DO NOT TAKE HIM.


Freshman
D
Required (Support)
Feb 2000
Groves is without a doubt the worst teacher I have experienced in my life. He thinks every student of his already has a solid grasp on statistics and he makes you feel like an idiot if you an ask a question in class because you don't understand a concept. He is the type of teacher that lectures so poorly that you sit in class crying, watching the minutes pass dreadfully slow. He gives you all these "suggested problems" which help you get a really good understanding of the book, but he asks questions on his test about material he has NEVER covered so how is one to do well on the tests? I "suggest" he put problems on the test like the ones he gives us to practice. I suffered a quarter to tell all of you do NOT take him, anyone else will save your GPA and patience.


Junior
F
Required (Support)
Feb 2000
Dr. groves is the worst teacher I have ever taken in my three years of college. He has no concern for any of his students and his main goal is to prove how smart he is and make the students feel inferior to him. His tests are absolutely impossible and even if you do finish it (which you won't) he'll make sure you miss points for spelling just so you don't pass the test. He does not curve the tests and you are expected to know the material better than he does. DO NOT TAKE THIS TEACHER!!!


Freshman
C
Required (Support)
Feb 2000
This is the poorest math teacher i have ever had to work under. he not only lacks the ability to prepare his students for test but also gives outragiously difficult exams for this level of statistics. DO NOT TAKE STATS BEFORE YOU ARE FORCED TO TAKE IT WITH GROVES!!! wait a quarter and get a different teacher, trust me on that one. THE WORST MATH TEACHER I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!!!!!!!


Freshman
C
Required (Support)
Mar 2000
Ok first off, this guy is an arrogant jerk. He is a poor teacher and a poor lecturer. He has no life outside of trying to flunk as many statistics students as possible. His Tests are very hard and cover material never explained well in class. It is also virtually impossible to finish the tests by the end of the period. And although he is a STATISTICS TEACHER!!! the asinine prick will take off points for mispelling. He gives no assignments or quizes worth any points. The only thing you will be graded on are the two mid terms and the final. Although, it has been said in each of the other evaluations, I will repeat it in capital letters: *** DO NOT!!! TAKE THIS TEACHER!!! *** It will ruin your quarter and your GPA as well.


Freshman
D
Required (Support)
Mar 2000
His test were so hard! I even took AP statistics, and still got a D! His tests had nothing to do with any problems in our text. DO NOT TAKE GROVES! Three girls on my floor took it and failed it, too. He is really tough, and the quarter was so frustrating. He needs to make his tests more objective, so as they can actually be studied for.


Freshman
D
Required (Support)
Aug 2000
Alright. Where do I start? I followed the whole concept of office hours, and the man even knew my name. I did all homework and never missed one day! Pretty good for a Business Major, eh? Well anyway, I thought I was set until I recieved a score of 26 on one of my midterms. I really must say that although pompas, the man wasn't that bad. Whatever, his tests were hell and myself along with other left crying on more than one occasion. Take another professor, because in my stat 251 round 2 I actually learned something, or I should say was taught something.


Freshman
C
Required (Support)
Aug 2000
I definitely don't recommend Groves for Stat 251. He knows what he's talking about but is awful when it comes to explaining it to students and most of the time people who ask questions never get there questions actually answered but just get told how dumb they are for not knowing the answer already. This teacher will just add more stress to an already subject.


Junior
D
Required (Support)
Oct 2000
If you want to take a class where you leave every exam either crying or hitting walls, this is the class for you. I've never once in my entire college career had a professor that made students cry. Groves brings out the worst in every student. He had 2 tests thrown in his face in my class. The worst experience of my life. Take my advice, wait to get another teacher.


Sophomore
D
Required (Support)
Nov 2000
Since I received a D, or earned a D as Groves likes to put it, I had to repeat this class the next quarter. Since I already knew all the material I didn't even need to study for the class the second time around and I easily got an A. Yes, I knew the material quite well, yet I got a D in Groves... he does not test you on the material. He pulls some shit out of his ass and tries to test you on that. The tests are impossible and he curves them by adding 5 whole points to your grade. That brought my grade up to a wonderful 31 on that first midterm. Gee, thanks for those 5 points! I hear he failed more than half the class and that he is now banned from teaching 251 anymore. Asshole.


Sophomore
D
Required (Support)
Jan 2001
I think he might hate all students. He must have been picked on in school and thought becoming a proffesor was a good way to get back at the world. I took the class over again and got a b+ if that tells you anything. Don't try and beat the odds. I you do end up taking his class for some reason punch him in is mouth for me.


Freshman
C
Required (Support)
Mar 2003
he is a horrible teacher, do not take him. he skips steps and expects you to know everything going on. he gets irritated with questions. i hate his class


Freshman
D
Required (Support)
Apr 2003
DO NOT TAKE GROVES. He can give decent lectures but the tests were extremely difficult.


Sophomore
B
Required (Support)
Apr 2003
first just let me say that I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THESE OTHER STUDENTS ARE TALKING ABOUT. I took Dr. Groves winter quarter of 2003 and i thought he was a GREAT teacher. I think I would have recieved an A in the class had i done all of my homework. I recomend that students do ALL of the homework and go over the problems that are shown in class. The practice tests he gives out are a big help, make sure you practice all of those problems. I admit, his tests are a little tricky, but if you have spent a sufficient amount of time studying you shouldnt have that big of a problem. Lastly, if you have any questions just go to his office hours and he will be more than willing to help you.


Junior
F
Required (Support)
Apr 2003
At fist Groves seemed to be a cool guy. As time passed you realized that he is a horrible teacher. He gives the notes to you by you Cal Poly e-mail, which is nice to follow along with. But, when he does an example, he just does it. He doesn't say were the formula came from or where the number values came from. When you ask a question, he turns it around onto you so you feel stupid. I asked him, "can you do review problem #4?" he replied with, "yeah, can you?" He was serious. I didn't know how to start the problem, and he said the point of a review is for you to struggle and figure something out, and then ask questions. He isn't good with one on one either. I was unable to attend the office hours, so I tried to make an appointment with him, and he couldn't find time to see me. Avoid this professor if possible.


Freshman
B
Required (Support)
Apr 2003
If you can get another Stat teacher then do it, this will save you a lot of anxiety and time. He is supposed to be retired but apparently likes to come back every now and then and torture kids. If you are unfortunate to have him here are some tips: 1)Even though he says he won't collect homework all the time he does; You have to go to class and sit through really boring, pointless lectures; 2) His test are hard. They are nothing like the homework. Understand the concepts from the book. 3) If you need help go to his office hours. By the end of the quarter he wouldn't answer questions in class or belittled you for asking such a "stupid question." Beware and Good luck!


Freshman
B
Required (Major)
Apr 2003
Groves is an ass. He is the worst teacher ever. His tests are hard and nothing like his practice tests. The final is impossible. The only thing good about the class is the way he curves the grades. I would highly recomend not taking him. He is just a grumpy, fat, old bastard.


Junior
F
Required (Support)
Nov 2003
He once told me he wanted to suck my dick, i told him i wasnt down for that, so he failed me. What a cunt.


Freshman
B
Required (Support)
Nov 2003
Extreamly hard class! Stay away from this teacher at all costs. I worked my ass off and failed most everything. The only good thing is that he had a huge curve which bumped me from a C- to a B-.


Freshman
N/A
Required (Support)
Mar 2004
I initially had a heart attack, thinking this was going to be the worst quarter in my short academic life at Poly. Overall, my fears never manifested themselves. Professor Groves, while not the greatest lecturer at Poly, is not that bad. Of course, to the uninitiated, this class is rather difficult, and his teaching style can be rough at best. Anyone looking to receive a good grade should be prepared to work. He is, however, more than willing to help you in his office hours, and thoroughly review the exam should you have an issue with it. Try not to ask for rescheduling on office hours unless you have a damn good reason for doing so, he is not open for people with frivolous reasons. Tests are tricky and lectures can be bland, but not an evil professor, nor the worst I will most likely encounter at Poly.


Freshman
B
Required (Support)
Mar 2004
This man should not be allowed out of his house, much less allowed to teach people anything. He is a mean, bitter old bastard that should be forcefully retired. He has a major need to be superior and will do anything to make sure that your answer to a question is wrong. If you are forced to have him as a teacher, remain silent in class, do not let him know what your name is and do your homework, cause that's the only time you'lllearn anything from this class.


Junior
C
Required (Support)
Mar 2004
Groves started out the semester with the aura of a fair but tough professor. Turns out he is just an ass. Don't ask him to change his office hours, he will check your scheduel to see if you are lying to him. I watched him belittle a girl for 10 minutes because of that. Unless you have boobs, dont ask him questions in class. I asked a question before class and he spent the first 15 minutes of class talking directly to me and asking me questions. Hey dumbass, if I knew the answer I wouldn't have asked the question. Don't do shoddy work on the homework, it will come back looking like a red pen committed suicide on your paper. tests are tough and don't look for any sympathy on grading. I managed a C and I have no idea how, my mantra for the last few weeks of class was "D's get degrees" If you cant get another Prof, have fun.


Sophomore
N/A
Required (Support)
Apr 2004
This teacher was by far the worst teacher I have ever had my entire life. He tells the class that there is no right answer to one of his questions. When a student answers the question, he gets irritated because that wasn't the answer he wanted so he threatens to throw the student's quiz away. This guy hates questions and takes our questions as a challenge to his "teacher authority." Whatever you do, don't take this teacher. And if you have to, my apologies to you and good luck to the worst 10 weeks of your Cal Poly life.

STAT 252


Sophomore
B
Required (Support)
Apr 2000
Yes Groves is a very tough teacher but not impossible. He is more then willing to work with you if you come to office hours. Maybe people would do better if they actually showed up to class, in my section we were lucky to get 20 people to attend when the class was supposed to be around 30. Do i recommend this teacher, yes if you are willing to bust your butt and do all the homework even though it is not collected and go to office hours when you don't understand something.

STAT 312


Junior
A
Required (Support)
Aug 2000
The people above made the right choice by not going into engineering if they think this guy is tough. I though he was pretty easy. I was forced to take Groves and was stressing it because of what I read on this page. The comments above are wrong. My guess is the lot of em spent their nights drinking beer with the rest of their business major flunkie friends or were too lazy to get out of bed to go to class. Groves will challenge you but he is not that bad. This is the 1st A I have gotten in the last 3 1/4's and it wasn't even a major class (all I was shooting for was a C since it doesn't mean anything). My advice for him is to go to class and do the homework and you'll get at least a B.


Junior
C
Required (Support)
Oct 2000
He is the Anti-Christ. I thought they fired his ass?


Freshman
N/A
Required (Support)
Apr 2004
Arsehole. Totally inconsiderate, jumps to conclusions about students' difficulties, decent at presenting the material so long as you don't have to confront him.

STAT 321


Sophomore
D
Required (Support)
Jan 2000
First of all if you are a transfer CSC major take CSC 141 first it should be a prerequisite for this course if you are CSC. If he put's a proof up on the board, know it, it will probably be on a test. His test are hard!! Do the problems that you know well first.


Junior
C
Required (Support)
Sep 2000
Avoid if possible. His test are very tricky. He is not straight forward at all. Very boring class.