UC Berkeley Statistics Courses, Fall 2008
Statistics 2, Introduction to Statistics
Hank Ibser (3.8 out of 5)
TuTh 2-330, 155 Dwinelle
“Professor Ibser gives really good notes, but if you’re not into stats, the class is pretty boring. Make sure you keep up with the work because his midterms get harder…Some of the tests/quizzes were challenging but you can drop your lowest quiz, which was really nice…Hank is chill and clear prof. But somehow I just couldn’t stay awake in his lectures, partially was due to the reason that he writes EVERYTHING down. By the time he finishes, I’m already asleep… competent and helpful. due to subject matter, the lectures were inevitably dry. but studying was occasionally interesting.”
Text: Statistics, 4th Edition by David Freedman, Robert Pisani, and Roger Purves
Howard D’Abrera (4.5 out of 5)
TuTh 1230-2, F295 Haas
“Professor DAbrera is australian and his really chill and super nice. Lectures can sometimes get a bit boring, but its generally an easy class. if your gonna take stats take it with him…The class is not too bad, just keep up with the practice problems and reading. The quizzes are a little tricky, go in prepared and don’t underestimate them…Dr. D’Abrera is an incredibly clear speaker—he makes it his goal for you to understand him, and he puts everything in very concrete terms. His quizzes can be a little tough—his lectures may make you falsely confident—but if you study, you’re golden…Very helpful and compassionate to students. He is especially helpful if students get to know him outside of class. Go to his office hours, and don’t fall behind on the recommended exercises!”
Text: Statistics, 4th Edition by David Freedman, Robert Pisani, and Roger Purves
Statistics 20, Intro to Probability and Statistics
Emilia Huerta-Sanchez, no teaching ratings (here’s her picture)
TuTh 11-1230, 390 Hearst Mining
Text: Statistics, 4th Edition by David Freedman, Robert Pisani, and Roger Purves
Ani Adhikari (see ratings above)
MWF 10-11, 106 Stanley
“Adhikari is the reason I stayed in school and didn’t drop out. Enthusiastic, passionate, caring, witty, super intelligent, friendly, challenging, clever, funny, and a pleasure to wake up early for an intriguing lecture… many trick questions not covered in class. graded on the curve, every point counts…As always, Adhikari shows her enthusiasm for teaching through her clarity and concern for students. Quizzes are easy; STUDY for the midterm and final, especially the tricky, subtle points she makes in class. You might learn about 85% from just reading the book, but her lectures are DEFINITELY worth going to.”
Text: Statistics, 4th Edition by David Freedman, Robert Pisani, and Roger Purves
Statistics 21, Intro for Prob and Stat for Business
Roger Purves (2.9 out of 5)
MWF 11-12, 155 Dwinelle
“This class is known for the absurd bell curve. The material is not that hard, but be aware that all business students come through this class, and a lot of students get bad grades not because of the material/tests, but because of the competition in the course…His quizzes and MT’s are alright and can get the score in the 80th %ille. But on the final he had me going WTF is that and where did he pull it out…He’s ridiculously nice… but beware: this is a weeder class for Haas wannabes…Lectures are pretty much useless. I went to a few of them but they didn’t help. The rest of the time I just read the book, did the optional exercise sets, and did the practice midterm & final questions before each test.”
Text: Statistics, 4th Edition by David Freedman, Robert Pisani, and Roger Purves
Statistics 131A, Statistical Inferences for Social and Life Scientists
Hank Ibser (3.8 out of 5)
TuTh 11-1230, 3108 Etcheverry
“Exams are hard, you need every minute for the exam. if you have to stop to think, its over for you. Overall, he is a good instructor and explains things very well. you always know where you stand in the class. Do the practice problem- very similar to the types of problems on the exam. his exams are hard, but fair. He’s alright…He’ll write EVERYTHING he says on the board and is always available if you need help. Midterm’s are extremely difficult compared to homework and quizzes (study guide packets he provides are about the same difficulty however, usually slightly easier) but you cant fault him for that.”
Text: Statistics, 4th Edition by David Freedman, Robert Pisani, and Roger Purves
Ching-Shui Cheng (1.9 out of 5)
TuTh 2-330, 180 Tan
“The class was very easy, however, lectures were absolutely pointless since he teaches STRAIGHT out of the book (same diagrams/examples)…If you’re comfortable with math and attentive to detail you’ll do fine in this class, even if you find stats boring in the first place..This is one of the hardest classes I have ever taken, and for no good reason. Homework was graded, material was unclear, lecture was pointless, GSIs were useless. Impossible class to do well in, professor has no clue about how to teach statistics. What should have been an easy A turned into my hardest class…THE WORST PROFESSOR YOU WILL EVER HAVE IN YOUR LIFE. THE MAN CANNOT SPEAK ENGLISH LET ALONE TEACH… AVOID HIM.”
Text: Introduction to the Practice of Statistics w/CD-ROM by David S. Moore, George P. McCabe, and Bruce Craig
Statistics 134, Concepts of Probability
Ani Adhikari (see above)
MWF 12-1, 60 Evans
“Still taking class. She is tough, but very good. Fair grading scheme. Good amount of HW. Go to the SLC. Definitely recommended. She has a good sense of humor. Very serious, does not waste your time…Attend her office hours if you have trouble with homework and I guarantee that you’ll come away with many insights. She has very clear-cut expectations, so just do what she asks and you’ll be fine. She also has a wicked sense of humor…This was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken, and she does not slow down. However, that just meant I had to find ways to keep up. If you’re committed and go to her office hours, you’ll learn a lot and will be proud of your final grade, no matter what it is.”
Text: Probability by Jim Pitman
Nayantara Bhatnagar (one rating)
MWF 9-10, 3108 Etcheverry
“Her lectures are pretty dull and hard to listen (she speaks softly). Go to section, it’s pretty useful, makes HW be 30% of grade. Her test are not that hard, but her probability one was HARD, just read the book, and go to section and you’ll be fine.”
Text: Probability by Jim Pitman
Michael Klass (2.5 out of 5)
TuTh 1230-2, 332 Evans
“The textbook is excellent if you are a math major and are good at series manipulation and various techniques; but it lacks clear examples…Can’t write, can’t teach, the book sucks. Most people in our class got another book and learned the material somewhere else. The tests were really easy though…be prepared to teach yourself. Lectures two weeks behind homework; 10+ min. late to class; poor writing. Test have little to do with hw/lec, and hard (easy if you study a different text). Extra credit on test. HW is hard; flexible on due dates; goes over some of it in class…Kind hearted man of intellect. Can teach you how to think!”
Text: Introduction to Probability Theory (Norton Critical Edition) by Paul G. Hoel, Sidney C. Port, and Charles J. Stone
Statistics 135, Concepts of Statistics
John Rice (2.5 out of 5)
TuTh 2-330, 2 LeConte
“Makes you pay $130 for the horrible book he wrote. Then he insults you for not understanding it. This man should be fired, his books should be burned, and a refund should be given to all stat students…His textbook is excellent, easy to follow, with many examples. I also like how he uses R examples in class. I felt I’ve learned alot, highly recommended…I highly recommend both him and this class. The book is amazing (his book) and lectures involve illuminating examples not from the book, which are great…his exams are incredibly fair– he doesn’t “try” to be tricky, and tells you explicitly what he thinks is important (i.e. what will be on the exam). my favorite part of this class were the labs– never had any experience with R before, so good introduction…He may not be best lecturer; but certainly an excellent mentor. His monotone makes it hard to stay focused on lectures.
Text: Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis (with CD Data Sets) (Duxbury Advanced) by John A. Rice
