I thought Stats 20 with Mike was great! Learning how to code in R is like learning a new language, but it is because of Mike and my awesome TA Bart that I feel like I have a solid comprehension of R for the upper division stats courses to come. The class breakdown was 7 homeworks (graded on completion), 2 midterms, and a final exam. The homework assignments were difficult, but always referenced material learned in the chapter notes that Mike lectured through. What I appreciated is as someone who is new to programming is that Mike standardized this class so that everyone must use the same base level functions and structure, making this class doable as an introduction. The graders for the homework always left helpful comments on how to improve your code. The midterm exams and final were all very difficult given the time frame, but as long as you understand the notes and the examples Mike emphasizes, you will perform fine. Plus the class is scaled generously. Overall - Mike is a great guy, and you should take him if you can, especially with Bart. They are both very accommodating and caring! My advice is that you should study his notes, work through the examples, and trust your gut instinct for coding on exams! :)

He must have changed the class since 2019, because it's definitely an average class now. He has about 4 hours of lecture/week, and the hw takes about 4 hours. 80% of the hw answers is straight from his notes on ccle, and the rest you can just ask for hints on campuswire forum. The hw is also graded on completion. And honestly, Mike is a super understanding prof, if you're stressed about grades, you can work with him to figure something out. As for the midterms, so the averages were like 60's, but the grading scale is generous:
75+ percentile = A+
50+ percentile = A-/A
25+ percentile = B/A-
0+ percentile = <B

About 40+ people were sent to the Dean's office for suspected academic dishonesty.

If your code looks even slightly similar to something that is found online, you will be instantly sent to the dean's office. You'll have to wait for over 3 months to get your appointment. And finally, when you do have your meeting with the dean, you will have no choice but to plead guilty (even if you did not plagiarize) because if you don't, you will have to wait for another 3 months to remove the DR from your transcript

Yes, the class is tough. But, it is extremely valuable to take the course with Mike, if you plan to go on to major in Stats and take the 101 and 102 series. He is very welcoming, super nice, and willing to really help his students in order to make sure that they truly comprehend the material... if they put in the necessary work. Go to office hours, start the problem sets (they're long!) way ahead of time and you should be more than fine for the course.

If there is a class which will stress you out and mess up your mental health it is this one.
Save your self and if you have any intention of having a social life to even a little little amount, don't take it(PLZZ )

I reinforce all reviews before me but would like to correct one thing. The grade distribution did not greatly change so expect a good curve even if the class is failing.

I liked Tsiang, this review isn't about him.

It's about Jake Kramer the TA. Absolutely awful. IF YOU GET HIM TRANSFER SECTIONS. Just trust me on this one.

Michael Tsiang was an amazing professor. In my first quarter at UCLA, and in my first statistics class since junior year of high-school, he was able to help me understand the content easily and do well in the class. The tests are all multiple choice, and he has chapters of reading for all the content he covers which are very straight-forward and help you understand what you're learning. The homework assigned can be challenging, but it is always testing a topic that you can learn through the reading, which he also goes over in class. Most importantly, it's very obvious that this professor really cares about how well students do in this class.

This man ruined my life. He has no regard for how difficult and time-consuming projects are and his high-minded messaging about student welfare (sends you emails saying "your grade doesn't reflect you," makes you meditate at the beginning of class) is completely undercut by the fact that he will assign massive amounts of work and immediately ding you for an honest mistake. You will end up in disciplinary hell and go through a process that saps you of your energy and desire to learn. I know he's done this to at least 40 students.

The worst professor ever in college.
tons of meaningless homework, torturing exams and scores, and horrible TAs (especially Jake, I think the only thing he wants to do is to make everyone fail the class)
Never, ever take this class, or any class, with this professor.