Reiners, Derek  

Reiners is a very nice guy and is very receptive to students who need help. The class consists of weekly homework which is extremely easy, an extremely easy multiple choice midterm, and extremely easy multiple choice final, and a grant proposal paper (10-15 pages double spaced) and presentation (both of which he seems to grade somewhat easily on). He gives out handouts with the terms and concepts you need to know and yo basically go through the handout terms and questions as a class (that's really all the lectures are). He doesn't teach the material that well, but it is such basic stuff that it shouldn't require that much explanation. Essentially the class is too easy/basic for someone with a PhD to be teaching. Even if you don't like the class itself, which you won't, it is so easy that you won't care. For this reason, take it with Reiners if you get the chance.

Professor Reiners is not a bad professor to take at Cal Poly. He gives assignments throughout the quarter which are impossible not to get full credit on, a midterm, a final, and a research paper/presentation. The midterm and test are really easy, the paper and presentation he doesn't grade too strictly on, the only thing to focus on is participation. I did everything right but never participated and got a B. Remember to participate! Also, make sure to drink some coffee before this class as the material is very boring and dry, though he tries to make it more entertaining.

361 is Quantitative Analysis, basically a lecture and computer stats lab. The class consists of weekly homework that you do together in class on lab days, a statistical analysis paper, and a presentation to go with it. There were no tests or quizzes for Reiners. I thought the class was incredibly easy, not so much because all the material is easy, but because you aren't tested on it. Reiners is also a great guy, very easy to talk to, get along with, and very willing and able to offer help when you ask for it. The grade for the class broke down like this: 45% for 9 weekly homeworks (5% each), 35% for the paper (which you do with a partner), 10% for the presentation, 5% for attendance, and 5% for participation. I heard that the other section of this class (when I took it) was much harder and had tests and quizzes on top of homework and a project. So I definitely recommend taking it with Reiners if you can; it's easier and the class environment is more enjoyable.