Professor
Jared Weinstein
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Most Helpful Review
The class was pretty simple since I'd taken AP Calc, but seriously, if I hadn't, I would not have done well in the class. I felt that Professor Weinstein made everything MUCH more complicated than it needed to be. He's also a little passive aggressive, so watch out for that. Overall, it's a pretty simple class material-wise; just don't rely on the the prof or the TA to actually 'teach' you.
The class was pretty simple since I'd taken AP Calc, but seriously, if I hadn't, I would not have done well in the class. I felt that Professor Weinstein made everything MUCH more complicated than it needed to be. He's also a little passive aggressive, so watch out for that. Overall, it's a pretty simple class material-wise; just don't rely on the the prof or the TA to actually 'teach' you.
Most Helpful Review
Weinstein knows his material, but there is No partial credit on grading tests, when we took our test he quickly graded the tests with the TAs in the testing room as soon as all the students left. The homework is worth 10pts each, also, his first test was not so bad, but the second one caused many students to drop because apparently he teaches material that is not required, that other 3B teacher don't teach but he does, so you get to learn extra stuff, if you like that. Overall, he was nice but it was akward talking to him when I had questions.
Weinstein knows his material, but there is No partial credit on grading tests, when we took our test he quickly graded the tests with the TAs in the testing room as soon as all the students left. The homework is worth 10pts each, also, his first test was not so bad, but the second one caused many students to drop because apparently he teaches material that is not required, that other 3B teacher don't teach but he does, so you get to learn extra stuff, if you like that. Overall, he was nice but it was akward talking to him when I had questions.
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Most Helpful Review
In my opinion, the class was pretty easy. All that it requires is that you know what you're doing and the material - he can honestly make this class much harder, but he doesn't. You also have to make sure you review your notes and stuff, since what he does somewhat stress is the lecture is what in the midterms and final. If you want to do well, just make sure you practice by doing extra problems in the book. If you do it over a routine, it seriously doesn't take that much time. And, even though it may seem like a hassle or chore at first, it really does help. Also, if you need help with anything, go to office hours - I went to my TA's office hours only. I heard that Weinstein can seem a bit demeaning if you go to him, but regardless I never felt the need to go to his OH since my TA was pretty good. This class isn't that hard as long as you understand the material and practice.
In my opinion, the class was pretty easy. All that it requires is that you know what you're doing and the material - he can honestly make this class much harder, but he doesn't. You also have to make sure you review your notes and stuff, since what he does somewhat stress is the lecture is what in the midterms and final. If you want to do well, just make sure you practice by doing extra problems in the book. If you do it over a routine, it seriously doesn't take that much time. And, even though it may seem like a hassle or chore at first, it really does help. Also, if you need help with anything, go to office hours - I went to my TA's office hours only. I heard that Weinstein can seem a bit demeaning if you go to him, but regardless I never felt the need to go to his OH since my TA was pretty good. This class isn't that hard as long as you understand the material and practice.
Most Helpful Review
I took both 32a and 32b with Jared over a year ago. (I would have submitted a review earlier, but he wasn't listed in bruinwalk last year.) I can't compare him to other professors since I have not taken any other math classes at UCLA, but from my previous experience with math taechers (only high school math teachers) that he teaches well and his tests aren't too difficult. His teaching style is very much out of the book, but he explains the notation well. Certainly, the book is enough to get you through the class, but if you don't like reading the book word for word and deciphering the notation that is used by those versed in math, you can go to lecture and get the same information provided in the book with similarly simple examples. Of course, the simple examples aren't very much like the tests and homework problems, but that's the way math classes are. If the most difficult problems were explained, then there would be very little challenge in a test, and the curve would work against everybody instead of only against those who are very very bad at reasoning through math problesm. His tests in 32a were much easier than the homework with problems covering only basic concepts, and his tests in 32b were more in line with other university level tests consisting of problems that force you to think hard about exceptional situations that you may not have encountered frequently in the homework or previous classes. I would provide examples, but it's been a year and I have already forgotten most of multivariable calculus. (Obviously, if you cannot understand the math book very well, you probably will not get as much out of his teaching. I would recommend asking questions in class if something is confusing you. If you don't understand the basics, don't worry about feeling stupid if he laughs a little at your simple questions. You're only stupid if you think you're stupid. Or if others think you're stupid. You don't need to be too self-conscious.) I assume the reason for the jump in difficulty between quarters is that he was still new to teaching when he taught 32a (it was his first time teaching here) and he was unsure about the ability of students here. After he ascertained the general ability of students here (meaning he realized that we can all understand the basics) he started making challenging tests to create more of the bell curve in test scores that are the norm for competitive classes. While some of the life science majors that reviewed him think he was hard, he really isn't too hard. They are just not as good at math, which is okay because they are life science majors. I am a life science major too, and I did fine in a class of engineers, physics, and math students that are all probably much more accustomed to working with integrals. If you have yet to take math and you're a life science major, I would recommend taking 32a over 3c if you are actually interested in math. If you just want a good grade and are competent in math, then you can take 3c and have less of a challenge competing with less math-oriented people. After 3c or 32a, I recommend taking 32b even though it's not required. Understanding how to solve slightly more complex integrals might be beneficial when taking physics B.
I took both 32a and 32b with Jared over a year ago. (I would have submitted a review earlier, but he wasn't listed in bruinwalk last year.) I can't compare him to other professors since I have not taken any other math classes at UCLA, but from my previous experience with math taechers (only high school math teachers) that he teaches well and his tests aren't too difficult. His teaching style is very much out of the book, but he explains the notation well. Certainly, the book is enough to get you through the class, but if you don't like reading the book word for word and deciphering the notation that is used by those versed in math, you can go to lecture and get the same information provided in the book with similarly simple examples. Of course, the simple examples aren't very much like the tests and homework problems, but that's the way math classes are. If the most difficult problems were explained, then there would be very little challenge in a test, and the curve would work against everybody instead of only against those who are very very bad at reasoning through math problesm. His tests in 32a were much easier than the homework with problems covering only basic concepts, and his tests in 32b were more in line with other university level tests consisting of problems that force you to think hard about exceptional situations that you may not have encountered frequently in the homework or previous classes. I would provide examples, but it's been a year and I have already forgotten most of multivariable calculus. (Obviously, if you cannot understand the math book very well, you probably will not get as much out of his teaching. I would recommend asking questions in class if something is confusing you. If you don't understand the basics, don't worry about feeling stupid if he laughs a little at your simple questions. You're only stupid if you think you're stupid. Or if others think you're stupid. You don't need to be too self-conscious.) I assume the reason for the jump in difficulty between quarters is that he was still new to teaching when he taught 32a (it was his first time teaching here) and he was unsure about the ability of students here. After he ascertained the general ability of students here (meaning he realized that we can all understand the basics) he started making challenging tests to create more of the bell curve in test scores that are the norm for competitive classes. While some of the life science majors that reviewed him think he was hard, he really isn't too hard. They are just not as good at math, which is okay because they are life science majors. I am a life science major too, and I did fine in a class of engineers, physics, and math students that are all probably much more accustomed to working with integrals. If you have yet to take math and you're a life science major, I would recommend taking 32a over 3c if you are actually interested in math. If you just want a good grade and are competent in math, then you can take 3c and have less of a challenge competing with less math-oriented people. After 3c or 32a, I recommend taking 32b even though it's not required. Understanding how to solve slightly more complex integrals might be beneficial when taking physics B.
Most Helpful Review
I took MATH 3B in Fall 08 I’m not a fan of this guy. I’ve tried to go to office hours one time, and he was very cocky with his approach to explaining a problem. He subtly implies that you are stupid if you don’t understand him. I’ve taken AP Calculus BC and got a 5 on the exam. However, with this professor’s lecturing style I had no clue on how to do problems. At some point I went to the math tutoring room, but it didn’t really help for his exams. His first two midterms were pretty okay. But when I took the final, I tried my best in the logarithm problems he gave us. Trying my best to finish but wasn’t able to solve it. So even with my extra page of work, he gave me a 0 and gave me a B+ in the class. That I believed to be quite unfair, not even to give me partial credit for attempting it. But even though he’s a cocky professor, his class is not that bad. The TA’s know what he’s going to test on, and help you out. But the professor sure doesn’t.
I took MATH 3B in Fall 08 I’m not a fan of this guy. I’ve tried to go to office hours one time, and he was very cocky with his approach to explaining a problem. He subtly implies that you are stupid if you don’t understand him. I’ve taken AP Calculus BC and got a 5 on the exam. However, with this professor’s lecturing style I had no clue on how to do problems. At some point I went to the math tutoring room, but it didn’t really help for his exams. His first two midterms were pretty okay. But when I took the final, I tried my best in the logarithm problems he gave us. Trying my best to finish but wasn’t able to solve it. So even with my extra page of work, he gave me a 0 and gave me a B+ in the class. That I believed to be quite unfair, not even to give me partial credit for attempting it. But even though he’s a cocky professor, his class is not that bad. The TA’s know what he’s going to test on, and help you out. But the professor sure doesn’t.
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Most Helpful Review
Great professor with thorough and clear lectures. There are professors that seem intimidating. Although he may seem it at first, he clearly conveys the material eloquently enough and breaks everything down for you. During the course, he was readily available for office hours in person or online, and will help you think about how to solve and approach the problems sets. His passion for mathematics and insightful lectures made me think about going into a pure mathematics major.
Great professor with thorough and clear lectures. There are professors that seem intimidating. Although he may seem it at first, he clearly conveys the material eloquently enough and breaks everything down for you. During the course, he was readily available for office hours in person or online, and will help you think about how to solve and approach the problems sets. His passion for mathematics and insightful lectures made me think about going into a pure mathematics major.
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