John Howat

If you learn the problems and the concepts on the powerpoints, and occasionally dip into the book, you'll do fine in securities analysis. Professor Howat knows what he's talking about, but it's difficult to take in what he teaches in lecture for a few reasons: he's a bit boring, he teaches everything as if we've learned it (which we have, but I always like a little review), we have a computer in front of our faces, and the notes are already written out. The tests are difficult, but the review sheets cover it all. The project seemed a bit unclear as to what he expected. At the end of the class he curves your whole grade, so it all depends on how you do compared to the class. I wouldnt take him again unless I had to, but he's not a bad teacher in any means

Professor Howat has Parkinsons Disease, he doesn't have to teach. He teaches because he loves to teach and loves his students. He has the BEST teaching style. Be in class, take notes. That stupid powerpoint sleep style or internet style sucks. You learn more when you actually listen. People who do badly are just retarted because they are LAZY. You don't even need to study that hard. Ask for a bigger notecard and half the time he'll say yes. You can put every page of notes on that card, I've done it many times. Tests are easy if you work on putting your notecard together. AND "NO". I am NOT in FA, so this is NOT a kiss up post. He really is the best professor I've had hands down. He requires easy projects that can be done in a day and it's worth 1/4 of your grade. Plus he has a really good curve. People who do badly just don't pay attention.

Professor Howat is pretty decent overall. He clearly loves his job, and his door is always open if you have questions. The major downfall is that the exams suck. They cover a lot of material, and they are tough. You get a notecard, but that doesn't help too much. The good news is that there is usually a large curve in place. There is a big term project with Harley Davidson, but it isn't too bad overall. Due dates for the exams and the paper are negotiable. He tends to let class out a little early on a regular basis. Dry teaching style, and there is a ton of note taking. He is a really nice guy overall and is worth taking for that reason.

Heavy use of old technology, i.e. overhead projector. Speaks in monotone. Teaches pre-calculator/computer methods which are worthless in todays world. All you do in class is try to decipher his sloppy graphs and handwriting while trying to write it all down in your notes and keep up. He seriously made me question my interest in the finance field, but luckily he wasn't my only prof. Anyone who says he is great must know him outside of the classroom setting, because it is far from the truth in the classroom.

Good professor - lecture is somewhat boring but his tests are just like his class examples