MATH 32B
Calculus of Several Variables
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Enforced requisites: courses 31B and 32A, with grades of C- or better. Introduction to integral calculus of several variables, line and surface integrals. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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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
Dave is a very knowledgeable professor and is very concerned with his students doing well. It is sometimes hard to follow him in class, but the notes make much more sense once you've learned everything. He gives helpful practice tests and will hold review sessions if the class asks for it. He's a fair grader, but if you don't put a lot of effort, he won't like you. Going to office hours is helpful and he'll work with you to help you bring up your scores. Very good overall.
Dave is a very knowledgeable professor and is very concerned with his students doing well. It is sometimes hard to follow him in class, but the notes make much more sense once you've learned everything. He gives helpful practice tests and will hold review sessions if the class asks for it. He's a fair grader, but if you don't put a lot of effort, he won't like you. Going to office hours is helpful and he'll work with you to help you bring up your scores. Very good overall.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2020 - Noah is an absolute god! I was thrilled to take this class after finding out he's also a fellow Aussie! I doubt this review is gonna mean much since he's leaving but a good review is the least he deserves after a fantastic quarter. After hearing from a lot of students that 32B is the hardest of the MATH30 series, I can definitely say Noah and TA Joe Breen made it a lot more manageable and arguably easier. The entire class was online, but Noah focused a lot on intuition and liked to use visual aids to help explain the material. He didn't focus too much on proofs and explained a lot of difficult concepts quite clearly and succinctly. He also did a few examples from time to time. There were 7 quizzes and 4 homeworks. The quizzes varied in difficulty from easy peasy lemon squeezy to difficult difficult lemon difficult (time squeeze). However, the lowest 2 quiz scores are dropped so if you didn't do so well on a couple you're fine. The homeworks were challenging and definitely applied the concepts taught during the lectures at a deeper level. However, Noah and Joe both had plenty of OH to help with the questions. For the exam, we had 24hrs for the first, 48hrs for the second and 72hrs for the final. Given the length of time given, these were all manageable and the questions were an okay difficulty. If he was still staying at UCLA, I'd definitely recommend!
Spring 2020 - Noah is an absolute god! I was thrilled to take this class after finding out he's also a fellow Aussie! I doubt this review is gonna mean much since he's leaving but a good review is the least he deserves after a fantastic quarter. After hearing from a lot of students that 32B is the hardest of the MATH30 series, I can definitely say Noah and TA Joe Breen made it a lot more manageable and arguably easier. The entire class was online, but Noah focused a lot on intuition and liked to use visual aids to help explain the material. He didn't focus too much on proofs and explained a lot of difficult concepts quite clearly and succinctly. He also did a few examples from time to time. There were 7 quizzes and 4 homeworks. The quizzes varied in difficulty from easy peasy lemon squeezy to difficult difficult lemon difficult (time squeeze). However, the lowest 2 quiz scores are dropped so if you didn't do so well on a couple you're fine. The homeworks were challenging and definitely applied the concepts taught during the lectures at a deeper level. However, Noah and Joe both had plenty of OH to help with the questions. For the exam, we had 24hrs for the first, 48hrs for the second and 72hrs for the final. Given the length of time given, these were all manageable and the questions were an okay difficulty. If he was still staying at UCLA, I'd definitely recommend!
Most Helpful Review
Professor Williams was above average. He is clear and is able to convey the concepts well. His voice is pretty bland, and his jokes take a few seconds to understand. I had Mess for 32A the quarter before, and Williams was a huge improvement. His exams are fair, though there was a tricky question on the first midterm. He drops the lowest two quizzes and the lower of two midterms. I think he curves a little, since my calculations told me I'd get a B+, and I ended up with an A- (not that I'm complaining), but that may be because the final had a pretty low average.
Professor Williams was above average. He is clear and is able to convey the concepts well. His voice is pretty bland, and his jokes take a few seconds to understand. I had Mess for 32A the quarter before, and Williams was a huge improvement. His exams are fair, though there was a tricky question on the first midterm. He drops the lowest two quizzes and the lower of two midterms. I think he curves a little, since my calculations told me I'd get a B+, and I ended up with an A- (not that I'm complaining), but that may be because the final had a pretty low average.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2022 - Wong was great! Very clear lectures and slides, with some examples. I'd heard that 32B was very hard, but Wong's class was totally manageable. HW was optional. Just had to do 2 challenge problem sets that were basically apply your knowledge to a slightly more complex problem and type up a solution that looks like a textbook page. A little tedious to get it properly done, but not difficult. Quizzes in discussion were with a group, easy 100s. Exams were a little tricky at times (I assume because they were 24 hour online, to make cheating harder). Nothing too unreasonable though. Definitely recommend taking him if possible!
Winter 2022 - Wong was great! Very clear lectures and slides, with some examples. I'd heard that 32B was very hard, but Wong's class was totally manageable. HW was optional. Just had to do 2 challenge problem sets that were basically apply your knowledge to a slightly more complex problem and type up a solution that looks like a textbook page. A little tedious to get it properly done, but not difficult. Quizzes in discussion were with a group, easy 100s. Exams were a little tricky at times (I assume because they were 24 hour online, to make cheating harder). Nothing too unreasonable though. Definitely recommend taking him if possible!
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2016 - Professor Yin's accent may be a bit of a shock at first, but once you get used to it you begin to see that he is in fact a good professor who knows what he's talking about. He makes himself available for questions in office hours quite often. Yin's lectures are very dry, but he has a quirky personality that you begin to admire the more time that you spend in the class. If strong accents are a no-go for you, I'd say avoid this class. Otherwise, I'd take it again.
Winter 2016 - Professor Yin's accent may be a bit of a shock at first, but once you get used to it you begin to see that he is in fact a good professor who knows what he's talking about. He makes himself available for questions in office hours quite often. Yin's lectures are very dry, but he has a quirky personality that you begin to admire the more time that you spend in the class. If strong accents are a no-go for you, I'd say avoid this class. Otherwise, I'd take it again.
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