Professor
Peter Lamberson
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2016 - Lamberson is arguably one of the most intelligent individuals on campus. He primarily taught PhD students at MIT and other top-tier universities. His studies on social networks are complex and very noteworthy. At first, I didn't care for him, mostly because his tests are pretty difficult and are meant to trick you. But this class seems too basic for him to teach, as you can tell when he tries to explain the basics of statistics. There is a group project that requires you to do your own "experiment," coming up with a hypothesis and elaborating on your fake results. There are a few homework assignments, as well as a midterm and final. If you have a good TA, then the grading is pretty fair. Lamberson cares about his students. He's willing to help people outside of his office hours, which I respect. It just requires more studying than other Comm classes to obtain a good grade.
Fall 2016 - Lamberson is arguably one of the most intelligent individuals on campus. He primarily taught PhD students at MIT and other top-tier universities. His studies on social networks are complex and very noteworthy. At first, I didn't care for him, mostly because his tests are pretty difficult and are meant to trick you. But this class seems too basic for him to teach, as you can tell when he tries to explain the basics of statistics. There is a group project that requires you to do your own "experiment," coming up with a hypothesis and elaborating on your fake results. There are a few homework assignments, as well as a midterm and final. If you have a good TA, then the grading is pretty fair. Lamberson cares about his students. He's willing to help people outside of his office hours, which I respect. It just requires more studying than other Comm classes to obtain a good grade.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2016 - PJ is a great professor overall. While I would not consider Comm 150 easy in comparison to the other upper division Comm classes for the reasons that this class is more logic, procedures, and numbers-based, the class is at an appropriate difficulty level for the topics we are covering. I would recommend refreshing on some basic stats material as the latter half of the course focuses on this. However, PJ is aware that most Comm majors aren't too familiar with heavy stats so he makes sure to go over the more confusing concepts thoroughly and answers your questions in the clearest of ways to the best of his abilities. The homework is a combination of book exercises and his own personal questions, but again, they are not too overwhelming and the amount is fair for the material covered and time given. If at any time the students express that the homework is too much, he is willing to negotiate the due date. There is a large group research project due at the end of the quarter but he goes over this well in advance and you will have plenty of time to finish. Tests are a combination of multiple choice and free response, but are subject to change. Tests are fair. If you are willing to put in the work, you should be alright. PJ is a great professor who prioritizes student learning and I would recommend others to take his course.
Winter 2016 - PJ is a great professor overall. While I would not consider Comm 150 easy in comparison to the other upper division Comm classes for the reasons that this class is more logic, procedures, and numbers-based, the class is at an appropriate difficulty level for the topics we are covering. I would recommend refreshing on some basic stats material as the latter half of the course focuses on this. However, PJ is aware that most Comm majors aren't too familiar with heavy stats so he makes sure to go over the more confusing concepts thoroughly and answers your questions in the clearest of ways to the best of his abilities. The homework is a combination of book exercises and his own personal questions, but again, they are not too overwhelming and the amount is fair for the material covered and time given. If at any time the students express that the homework is too much, he is willing to negotiate the due date. There is a large group research project due at the end of the quarter but he goes over this well in advance and you will have plenty of time to finish. Tests are a combination of multiple choice and free response, but are subject to change. Tests are fair. If you are willing to put in the work, you should be alright. PJ is a great professor who prioritizes student learning and I would recommend others to take his course.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2019 - I had very mixed feelings about this class throughout the quarter. In the beginning I loved it, the professor was super passionate about what he was teaching, the slides were well organized, lectures were thorough. But then the class took a turn with some very simple but unexpected math and the use of a software program that made me hate it for a bit. At the end however, I am back to really enjoying the class, I mastered the use of the software and found out some information that I think is relevant beyond the class. Midterm exam was very easy if you study, all multiple choice and True/False. There are quizzes every Monday, the lowest one is dropped, but that means attendance is pretty necessary. The professor was willing to clear up any questions and really elaborate if the class was confused. There are no TA sections but the TA was readily available to help if need be. This class is about real social networks in life, not about social networking sites, just FYI.
Spring 2019 - I had very mixed feelings about this class throughout the quarter. In the beginning I loved it, the professor was super passionate about what he was teaching, the slides were well organized, lectures were thorough. But then the class took a turn with some very simple but unexpected math and the use of a software program that made me hate it for a bit. At the end however, I am back to really enjoying the class, I mastered the use of the software and found out some information that I think is relevant beyond the class. Midterm exam was very easy if you study, all multiple choice and True/False. There are quizzes every Monday, the lowest one is dropped, but that means attendance is pretty necessary. The professor was willing to clear up any questions and really elaborate if the class was confused. There are no TA sections but the TA was readily available to help if need be. This class is about real social networks in life, not about social networking sites, just FYI.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2019 - Class was ok. This class is on virology and contagion, then tied into social networking. For example, you'll learn math formulas and topics surrounding the concept of contagion, then it's applied to social networks. Topics are interesting but quizzes will be very random and on the smallest things (in a three hours class the entire quiz we had was on a chart that was only shown and not discussed) Midterm was difficult but final was a little easier. All exams and quizzes are intentionally wordy and confusing to help you learn, but it is ineffective and leaves you feeling unprepared for the final. Homework assignments are cool but take many hours to complete. I wouldn't really recommend this class because it can be frustrating. Being asked questions on exams that are so left field is disappointing, coming from someone that studied rigorously. Utilize the TA cause Professor doesn't show up for most office hours without notice. Do any extra credit if offered. Do the homework early, it takes hours, literally 15 hours per assignment for me. Buggy software and complex structure makes the assignments long. This class has so much potential, but fails to meet the mark. Spent all quarter overwhelmingly stressed about my grade.
Winter 2019 - Class was ok. This class is on virology and contagion, then tied into social networking. For example, you'll learn math formulas and topics surrounding the concept of contagion, then it's applied to social networks. Topics are interesting but quizzes will be very random and on the smallest things (in a three hours class the entire quiz we had was on a chart that was only shown and not discussed) Midterm was difficult but final was a little easier. All exams and quizzes are intentionally wordy and confusing to help you learn, but it is ineffective and leaves you feeling unprepared for the final. Homework assignments are cool but take many hours to complete. I wouldn't really recommend this class because it can be frustrating. Being asked questions on exams that are so left field is disappointing, coming from someone that studied rigorously. Utilize the TA cause Professor doesn't show up for most office hours without notice. Do any extra credit if offered. Do the homework early, it takes hours, literally 15 hours per assignment for me. Buggy software and complex structure makes the assignments long. This class has so much potential, but fails to meet the mark. Spent all quarter overwhelmingly stressed about my grade.
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