If you don't come from a strong math background, or if you just want to go to med school and are trying to complete your math requirements, 30A is for you.
I come from a school where calculus wasn't offered! The highest level of math I took in highschool was pre-calc ! I was really scared coming into this quarter, taking a class with calculus elements in it. But Professor Conley realizes this, and breaks down concepts to the point where you can actually understand and apply them.
If you prefer straight-up, no-nonsense, math, don't take this class, just take another calculus class.
This class actually became my favorite class that I took this quarter, math (!!!), of all things! I really wish I tried harder on the final because I ended up getting a B+, but getting an A in the class is so doable ! Even for math-haters like myself !

The only CON of this class is that you have to learn coding, and have a coding test at the end of the quarter. That's probably the only downside of it.

Conley is a GOD. I have never had a professor who cares so much about what is students learn. He does reviews before each midterm and final exam and takes as long as he necessary to make sure every question is answered (even it means going for six hours). The textbook is given to you for free online and the class is curved ONLY to help the students. The midterms were easy (he gives practice midterms and often will use the same order as the practice midterms but different material). The final, however, was a bit challenging. His exams are math and a lot of concepts, so you have to understand all the possible ways a topic could be asked and what meanings each thing is. It's a mix of math and the humanities.

I highly recommend Conley. He is the Jesus Christ of mathematics.

If you get the chance to take him always do. His class was the first time in a long time that I actually felt taught in a class and I'm not a huge fan of math. He genuinely cares about students you can see that in his long review sessions, where he doesn't leave until every question is answered. He is clear and will help you whenever you need it. The course is a different way of thinking of math but it isn't that bad. The labs can be difficult but do it with friends and you'll figure it out. The midterms are extremely easy do the practice and you will be fine. The final was fair and if you do the practice finals he sends and go to the review session he holds to go over them you should be fine because that was exactly the final. He literally gives you all the tools you need to succeed in his class and is good at his job, what more could you ask for. live, love, Conley

Taking this math series instead of the normal one was probably the best decision I've made so far at UCLA. I seriously loved this class(30B was even better) and Professor Conley was great. The coding isn't terrible, just go to office hours if you need help, and the tests were easy. My biggest piece of advice for this class is to go to the review sessions he puts on before every test. Be warned: they are SUPER long, but so worth it. He lays everything out at the review session and basically tells you the stuff that's on the test. Professor Conley does go a little fast in lecture but he really does try to explain things throughly and doesn't go over the stuff you don't need. Seriously though, take this math series it's shorter, you don't learn dumb math you will never use as an LS type major and getting familiar with coding is really good for future labs and stuff.

Selling hard copy of the LS30A/B textbook for $20! In new condition. Text **********

Dr. Conley is an all-star professor. He truly cares about his students; he color codes his lecture notes, he holds super long exam review sessions, and in general, he's always available for help and clarificiation. He wants all of his students to succeed -- he wishes all of us could get As! He makes the class super engaging because he loves what he does. The labs at times were super frustrating, but it was a good challenge. The homework was only graded for completion and I thought the midterms and the final were super fair. People tend to be disruptive in class or they leave early which was so frustrating because he's just a smol bean. TAKE CONLEY!

He is the best professor that I have had so far at UCLA (he won teacher of the year award 2 years ago). He holds 3-4 hour (perhaps longer) review sessions a few days before midterms/final and will explain all the material covered and answer all the questions that students have. Pretty easy class, especially if you have taken high school calculus. Do not worry if you have not, since he doesn't assume that everybody has. The only "difficult" aspect of the class is the coding assignments in lab. However, you can easily find help in TA office hours. Definitely take the ls30 series if you are not a math person.

Loved this class aside from the lab which was absolutely frustrating.

I'm pretty sure everyone's told you if you can take this professor, you should take him. If you haven't heard yet and can take his class (you need to have a good enrollment time), TAKE IT.
Pros:
LECTURE SETTING: Lectures are actually REALLY HELPFUL; YOU SHOULD GO TO THEM. If you're the type to take notes, then it's awesome because he writes out the notes for you (sometimes color-coded) on the board (really detailed too, reviewing notes later helps a lot). This forces the whole class to go at an easy pace where you're not just quickly scribbling down notes but going through them while writing.
EXAMS: The exams are pretty fair, I think, based on the material the professor provides, as well as HIS PRACTICE EXAMS THAT HE UPLOADS. USE THEM FOR PRACTICE. THEY HELP A LOT.
He drops the lowest midterm exam but the final would be worth much higher, so try to do well on both, but if you fail the first midterm (which I thought was harder), then you still have hope as long as you do well on the second midterm and final.
REVIEW SESSIONS: If you feel like you didn't learn as much in the class, or had to miss a part of the lecture, or are just confused, you should come to the review session. The professor goes through about 3-4 weeks worth of material in one review session. Expect a lot of writing, crowdedness, and SLEEP EARLY BEFORE THE REVIEW SESSION, OR THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE A GOOD EXPERIENCE.
TEXTBOOKS: Free :) and reading them helps when answering homework questions.
LABS: For the most part, the labs could be confusing sometimes, but it shouldn't be impossible to do (I asked my TA for help a lot of the time, and he corrected me really nicely, so don't be shy to ask). Don't skip over the sage handouts online.
PROFESSOR: very engaging, very hardworking, very clear, pretty fair with the grading.
Cons:
LECTURE SETTING: There's a lot of people who actually go to lectures (because they help a lot!), so come maybe 20 minutes early if you want a good spot (you can't see the boards as well in the way back)
REVIEW SESSIONS: Review sessions are very thorough, but really time consuming (we start around at 5pm and leave at 10-11pm and the professor still isn't done with the session!). You can imagine the atmosphere in the room (it's right before finals and it's very late, and you want to go to sleep). I don't know if it was just me, but I thought that the students at the review session got really cranky halfway through the session. So, if you have any questions that could potentially take time (the professor reviews your question usually along with the material he was planning to teach, so some students might be irritated if he doesn't get to the material they were struggling with and it gets too late (you'll know what I mean once you get there)).
LABS: You might get annoyed at how Sage sometimes have problems, but be patient. If there are problems, you can tell your TA and he/she will probably just tell you to move on or reset the cell.
PROFESSOR: late sometimes with posting online and grades, but he has legitimate reasons and keeps you up to date!

this guy is literally the most amazing professor i've had in MY ENTIRE LIFE. if you get the opportunity to take this class w conley THEN DO IT!!! he is such a genuine person and even in a lecture of 400 he still tries to learn people's names. his review sessions are AMAZING and helped me out so much on the midterms and final. One of the best professors i've ever had!! live love conley