Recommended classes
Students want to know, "What's a good class?" So those of us at New Student Services did what we could-we asked more than 2000 undergraduates for their opinions, and the following is what they said. If the professor's name has a † next to it, it means that he or she has received a Distinguished Teaching Award (up to five people from the entire faculty are selected each year, so this is a big deal).

You also might want to check out these student hosted web sites:
http://www.ratemyprofessors.com

Check the online Schedule of Classes for more information about a specific class.

If you ever want to drop in for office hours check out our section on How to talk to faculty.

Mathematics
Mathematics 1A (4 units), Calculus (Haiman): "It's required for any math, science, engineering major, but it's a really good way to transition into college, especially if you've taken any calculus in high school. Professor Haiman spends a lot of time deriving theory for you in lecture, but his tests are mostly practical/applications."

Mathematics 1A (4 units), Calculus (Serganova): "She's a good professor, and she uses a lot of examples in her lectures. Her Russian accent can be hard to get used to, but I hear that she's a lot better than other professors." "Whether or not your major requires it, it's a useful class to take." "For engineering-intended students: take Math 1A! Even though you probably breezed through high school calculus, college math literally kills your brain cells. Especially Math 1B." "This course, along with Chem 1A, encompass mostly all science majors as well as math and computer science. This is good if you don't know what you want to do or have some general idea of what you want to do."

Mathematics 1A/1B (4 units), Calculus (Sethian): "If you're taking Math 1A/1B or Math 53/54, Sethian is a good professor - he is engaging, interesting, funny, yet still manages to sufficiently explain the material. He runs a very informal class, which isn't sleep-inducing. Math can be quite boring, but I actually don't cringe or moan or groan when it's time for my calculus lecture."

Mathematics 1B (4 units), Calculus (Christ): "He is a very good lecturer. He makes his points clear and is very patient with students." "If you have to take this class, take it with Christ." "For such a difficult class, Christ makes Math 1B much easier to understand!"

Mathematics 1B (4 units) Calculus (Hald†): "Hald's intellectually challenging, funny, energized, professional, and cool. I had trouble falling asleep in his class even when I was very tired."
Mathematics 1B (4 units), Calculus (Neu): "Professor Neu is good at teaching and gives very fair grades."

Mathematics 1B (4 units), Calculus (Olsson): "Professor Olsson was very did an excellent job of teaching the material. He was also a funny guy and his grading system was very fair."
Mathematics 1B (4 units), Calculus (Ratner): "Professor Ratner makes math fun. She puts humor into her lectures which keeps students attentive." "Ratner is extremely organized and thorough in her teaching techniques and homework assignments. A great class to transition into college."

Mathematics 1B (4 units), Calculus (Reshetikhin): "His jokes might not be the greatest, but he works hard at it. He's an awesome guy." "He loves what he does and he's good at it. I especially like the emphasis on analytical skills and his often-humorous asides during lecture that can lead to surprising learning experiences. And last but not least, his accent is very soothing." "The professor is funny to laugh at/with and is to the point on math derivations and concepts. He makes jokes when the audience demands, which makes his math lectures the place to be for edutainment." "The fashion in which he presents the material adds a refreshing flavor to math. His intellectual asides were fascinating and his high expectation motivated us to succeed."

Mathematics 1B (4 units), Calculus (Stankova): "It's calculus, but more in depth. She's an upbeat professor who cares about her students. You learn a lot from this class and feel good about math once it's over." "High school calculus could not live up to what I learned in college math with this professor. Series actually made sense, and all the material had a new meaning and useful application." "She is really helpful and nice. Her lectures are very organized and her tests are fair and manageable."

Mathematics 1B (4 units), Calculus (Tataru): "For students who have a background in math and have a passion for it, Math 1B is the class to take. Tataru was a fun professor and he seemed like he really cared about students. This was refreshing in a class so large."

Mathematics 1B (4 units), Calculus (Wu): "Professor Wu is serious about math education, in fact he's authored several papers on the topic. Wu has greatly enriched my experience here."

Mathematics 16A (3 units), Analytic Geometry and Calculus (Harrington): "He gives four midterms instead of the usual one or two. It sounds like a pain, but it actually helps because it makes you pay attention more often instead of cramming all information once or twice."

Mathematics 16A (3 units), Analytic Geometry and Calculus (Poonen): "Professor Poonen really cares about his students and he teaches calculus in a way that is easy to follow and can be used for applications in real life."

Mathematics 16B (3 units), Analytic Geometry and Calculus (Harrison): "Harrison's Math 16B class is fun! She takes a very different approach than other 16B professors by stressing concepts and theory. Her math problems are based on real life situations and she tries to leave you with math concepts that you can use for the rest of your life, or concepts that other courses demand."

Mathematics 24 (1 unit), Freshman Seminars (various professors): "Take Math 24 with anyone-get to know a professor and learn what fun math can be!"

Mathematics 32 (4 units), Pre-calculus (Vito Cruz): "For all the students who are starting out with calculus but are not sure if they can handle it, I recommend taking Math 32 first with Martin Vitocruz and if there is an adjunct for the course, then take that at the same time. Math 32 serves as a great transition from high school calculus to college calculus."

Mathematics 53 (4 units), Multivariable Calculus (Frenkel): "Professor Frenkel is one of the coolest professors on campus. He's really good at lecturing and he is brilliant. My roommate asked him for a proof and he did it in his head!" "Although I was already familiar with the coursework, Professor Frenkel managed to provide great insight to concepts I previously thought I had mastered."

Mathematics 53 (4 units), Multivariable Calculus (Neu): "If you like calculus and want to pursue a path in engineering, take Math 53 with Professor Neu. He's practical, crazy, and entertaining." "You should be really into math if you're taking this class right off the bat-otherwise, go with 1B for a more reasonable pace."

Mathematics H54 (4 units), Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (Coleman): "Interesting class that skips boring rote memorization."

Mathematics 54 (4 units), Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (Sethian): "If you're an engineer or the like, you're going to have to take this class, so you may as well take it with someone interesting. Sethian does a great job of engaging the class and using cool real world applications make one of the most boring topics in the world relatively interesting."

Mathematics 54 (4 units), Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (Zworski): "Though math is still math, Professor Zworski's lectures are quite amusing with his dry wit." "Looking back, I find that I've learned a lot from it. From all those proofs, I can honestly say that I understand the theory behind math much better!" "A great into to mathematical thinking that will also be really helpful for any science class."

Mathematics 104 (4 units), Introduction to Analysis (Wu): "He has such a passion for teaching and his standards are unmatched at Cal. His reputation is low, not because of his teaching, but because he demands the best from his students."

Mathematics 110 (4 units), Linear Algebra (Neu): "Neu is an awesome instructor."

Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering 24 (1 unit), Freshman Seminars (O'Reilly†): "This class is really fun. You get to watch movies and talk about the physics behind it. He even took us to a theater to see a new movie the last day of class." "This is a great class about Physics in movies where you get a chance to discuss whether or not special effects are realistic. It is a great way to get to know a professor."

Mechanical Engineering 24 (1 unit), Freshman Seminars (Tongue): "It's amazing how far one can go with a string and a weight."

Mechanical Engineering 104 (3 units), Engineering Mechanics II (O'Reilly†): "What makes Professor O'Reilly's class special is his enthusiasm for interaction with the students and his genuine concern for your understanding. If you are struggling, he will put out the effort to get you back on your feet while strengthening your understanding of the course material. A great professor."

Mechanical Engineering 105 (3 units), Thermodynamics (Fernandez-Pello): "He presents the material in a clear and simple manner while making lectures interesting by way of his own excitement."

Mechanical Engineering 106 (3 units), Fluid Mechanics (Szeri): "Great professor who presents real world application of fluid dynamics, challenging problems, and interacts with students as individuals."

Middle Eastern Studies
Middle Eastern Studies 20 (2 units), Perspectives on the Middle East (Abukhalil): "This visiting Lebanese professor (who normally teaches at Stanislaus) is hilarious and incredibly knowledgeable. He makes a point to discuss the experiences of women in the region, which is refreshing to hear from a male professor. (He also often teaches a class on gender in the Middle East). The class is very easy and only involves a few short written reports on some enlightening books. His seminar is filled with random, funny anecdotes about his experiences in the Middle East. Along with the great student discussion that usually ensues, this mix makes for a great class for anyone who wants to learn more about the region and with what's going on today in the Middle East, which should be everyone!"

Molecular and Cell Biology
Molecular and Cell Biology 32 (3 units), Introduction to Human Physiology (Lew): "Professor Lew is so funny and entertaining! This one time she was waving around a bottle and she was bouncing it off of her head. She's really peppy and energetic. You'll never forget the concepts that she's demonstrating. Take the class; you won't regret her teaching."

Molecular and Cell Biology 41 (3 units), Genetics and Society (various professors): "It was a fascinating class that incorporated a little science but, more importantly, emphasized the future of biotech." "This is a good introduction to genetics for both humanities and science majors. Although I have background in biology, I learned a lot about the applications of and issues relating to the subject in this class."

Molecular and Cell Biology 50 (3 units), The Immune System and Disease (Beatty): "This class is awesome because the professor really cares about his students. He makes sure that his students really understand the material using personal anecdotes and analogies." "Not a science major? Not a problem. This is a prerequisite for psychology majors, but anyone is welcome. Along with the professor's rich humor and extensive knowledge of viruses and bacteria, this course gives a general overview of our immune system and helps to explain how we become susceptible to certain diseases."

Molecular and Cell Biology 61 (3 units), Brain, Mind, and Behavior (Presti): "Everyone has a brain, so they should know something about it. It's very interesting, and Presti is an excellent teacher who captures your attention and makes it easy enough for anyone to grasp, and you see cool demos." "You learn about how the brain functions and how each part is affected by alcohol and drugs. Enough to make you want to quit!" "It covers biological sciences, it's a psychology prerequisite, and Presti rocks!" "On the first day of class, the professor shows us a real brain and manages to drip fluid all over the floor." "Great class, great professor, and you get to learn about drugs to boot." "My favorite class at Cal." "Lots of professors get a scattering of applause after the last lecture of the semester. Presti got standing ovations after random lectures throughout the year, and he deserved them. The man made biology not only interesting, but funny."  "This guy is the dopest. On the first day of class you spend half the lecture watching '2001: A Space Odyssey' to demonstrate human behavior." "This class intrigued me so much that I changed my major to Cognitive Neuroscience."

Molecular and Cell Biology C62/ Letters and Science C30T (3 units), Drugs and the Brain (Presti): "This is an awesome course-in fact, anything taught by David Presti is guaranteed to be interesting." "Not only is this class incredibly enlightening, classically Berkeley-liberal, and taught by an eccentric genius, but it also fulfills the Biological Science breadth!" "An enlightening exploration of the science and social history of a variety of mind-altering substances. Dr. Presti is amazing." "Presti is so personable and friendly. You can't help but like him. He begins each class with a new rock or pop song about drugs." "An amazing class that combines history, botany, legend, and biology into one enjoyable course. As an undeclared major it was the perfect class because it touched on so many fields. It was definitely rewarding, since I continually reference back to it in every day life - after all, drugs from coffee to cocaine are a huge part of the modern world."

Molecular and Cell Biology 64 (3 units), Exploring the Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience (Werblin): "A great biology class focusing on the core concepts of neuroscience, not the details. The professor is great and very helpful with student problems." "Werblin explains neurons and networks very thoroughly, which is great if you are into Bio Psych. His class was the foundation for all my knowledge of the brain."

Molecular and Cell Biology 113 (2 units), Applied Microbiology and Biochemistry (Nikaido): "This course presents the practical applications of the theory of biological science learned in the other classes."

Molecular and Cell Biology 135E (3 units), Physiology of Human Development (Timiras): "This class is extremely interesting and provides useful information for anyone who wants to learn how children develop. The professor is very fair and exams are straightforward."

Molecular and Cell Biology 135G (3 units), Biology of Human Cancer (Martin): "One of the most relevant, interesting, and profound classes I have ever taken."

Molecular and Cell Biology 165 (3 units), Molecular Neurobiology (Presti): "Interesting speaker." "All you ever need/want to know about neuroscience and drugs' influence on the brain and fulfills upper-division credits at the same time."

Music
Music 20A (2 units), Basic Musicianship (various professors): "None of us had much music background, but we were able to stand in front of each other and sing. Most of our time was spent laughing!" "Good course for those who have always been interested in music but never had an opportunity to learn. Here's your chance to learn how to read music and sight sing!" "If you are interested in music, this class helps develop your inner ear and recognize how written music sounds without having to resort to a musical instrument, which is essential for musicians." "This class is extremely hilarious! It's definitely a good way to get comfortable in a classroom environment and sing." "This class gave me the push to learn more about music."

Music 26AC (4 units), Music in American Culture (Brinner): "A must for music lovers. Provides a cultural background on a variety of musical genres." "This is a great introduction to music in the US. You're treated to live samples of the music that you are reading and learning about, and it's fabulous for learning about local Bay Area music!" "What could be better than receiving AC credit for immersing yourself in the world of music? Blues, country, taiko drumming, karaoke, funk, mambo, hip-hop are just a few of the musical types we covered. There's something for everyone in this class!" "This was my sole source of comfort during a trying first year."

Music 26AC (4 units), Music in American Culture (Guilbault): "This class fulfills the AC requirement, as well as either the L&S Arts & Lit or Social Science breadth. It's easy if you have some background in music and it's fun because people come to class to perform and introduce you to different styles of music and instruments from different places." "It is a great way to expand your musical knowledge. You listen to many different types of music you might normally overlook and get insight into the lives of the performers and the influences that inspired them."  "It's a really good class and a lot of fun. There are a lot of live performances during the class." "You will listen to various music genres and see how global musical traditions contributed to our notion of culturally American music." "An amazing class. It goes through the different influences on American music, and the types of original American music and some of their famous performers, including jazz, soul, rock and roll, and hip-hop. Incredibly enjoyable. Pretty easy grading too. Plus, it's an AC course."

Music 27 (4 units), Introduction to Western Music (Moroney): "Moroney makes the class interesting with engaging lecture topics such as counterpoints on sex in music." "This class was awesome because it was held in a concert hall, and the professor would occasionally play the harpsichord for us." "I really liked the open-minded approach taken by the professor to introduce people to Western Music History. The tests are easy enough because the subject material is interesting. It also helps that I learned to develop an ear for various musical qualities." "An easy but really interesting survey course in the history of western music. I took the class with Moroney, who's so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about classical music and music culture that every lecture was a pleasure to attend."

Music 27 (4 units), Introduction to Western Music (Smart): "Great class to learn the fundamentals of music and also to transition into the college atmosphere." "Such an eclectic selection of music studied, from Beethoven's Fifth to music inspired by antiwar sentiments during the 60s." "It gives a good background in music, both historically and musically. It's interesting to learn about various composers and to listen to their different musical styles." "You learn not only to listen to music, but to appreciate the details and make the music 'personable.' I highly recommend this class to all students, even if you have previous music background."

Music 27 (4 units), Introduction to Western Music (Van Orden): "This class was fun. Occasionally, she invites music groups to class to perform for you." "A great class to take. It fulfills an L&S breadth requirement and is really interesting."

Music 128L (4 units), Bach & Handel (Van Orden): "Only people interested in Bach and Handel should take this class. However, Professor Van Orden is great! She is a wonderful person and knowledgeable in her field."

Music 142 (2 units), University Wind Ensemble (Calonico): "If you play a musical instrument and want to continue, join the University Wind Ensemble! The instructor is very personable and friendly and rehearsals are effective and fun."

Music 144 (2 units), University Chorus (Kuzma): "Marika is the best choral director I've ever had the privilege to work with. She will inspire, enthrall, and entice you to make the most beautiful sounds come out of your own mouth. She is positively magical."

Music 148 (2 units), African Music Ensemble (Ladzekpo): "This is a wonderful class that teaches you about polyrhythm and how to play different percussion instruments in traditional African music." "This class can help anyone get rhythm."

Native American Studies
Native American Studies 71 (4 units), Native Americans in North America to 1900 (Hilden): "The course gives you an eye-opening history of North America from before it was conquered and thereafter. You learn what all the history books leave out."

Native American Studies 72 (4 units), Native Americans in the 20th Century (Hilden): "Hilden's lectures are captivating, and the subject matter is incredibly interesting." "A great way to learn American history from a different point of view."

Native American Studies 90 (4 units), Freshman Seminar-Myth, Memory, and History (Pearson): "Great class because the professor had so much knowledge, and she was not interested in just talking for an hour and a half, but seeing we learned and understood. It also fulfills the L&S Social & Behavioral Sciences breadth requirement."

Native American Studies 145 (4 units) Making History/Making "Indians" (Hilden): "She encourages her students to think critically. Her discussions are well facilitated, her anecdotes are lively, and the films we watched were analyzed through fresh perspectives."

Natural Resources
Natural Resources 24 (1 unit), Dean's Night Out-People and the Environment (various deans): "These seminars are awesome because they are a sampling of a department most of us aren't too knowledgeable about. They aren't high-stress courses, they're more like a thesis statement of an entire college." "This is an awesome frosh seminar because you'll get to visit farms and eat food as a field trip, while at the same time learning the issues behind food production."

Near Eastern Studies
Near Eastern Studies 10 (4 units), Introduction to Near Eastern Studies (Hayes): "You learn more about the Middle East than you could ever imagine. The information is interesting, and the professor is awesome."

Near Eastern Studies 18 (4 units), Introduction to Ancient Egypt (Redmount): "The course is easy to understand and interesting, covering topics from Egyptian history to architecture." "An absorbing course, which will be a good change of pace for any hardcore math or science major." "Ancient Egypt jumps to life, and the class leaves you with a true sense of history." "Great class if you are looking for an easy, interesting breadth/elective course. The professor is funny, the material is interesting and the lectures are worthwhile." "This class is great if you are a visual learner; you will see slides everyday. I learned so much in this class about Egyptian life." "Fulfills either Historical or Social & Behavioral L&S breadth requirements and is the most fun you'll ever have learning about people that died 4,000 years ago."

Near Eastern Studies 24 (1 units), Freshman Seminar (various professors): "Freshman seminar about Egyptian Archaeology. Very interesting; you get to see actual artifacts taken from excavations." "This class is amazing. You get to discover a forgotten basement full of Egyptian and Near Eastern artifacts; the experience is almost as priceless as the artifacts themselves."

Near Eastern Studies 143A/B (3 units), Islam in Iran (Algar): "Dr. Algar is extremely articulate and witty. His lectures are a pleasure to listen to."

Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology
Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology 10 (3 units), Introduction to Human Nutrition (Amy): "If you're looking for subject matter that directly applies to your life, this is it. It's this course that made me think about majoring in nutrition." "Students coming into their first year at college may worry about the freshman 15. This class helps evaluate your diet habits. We covered the very basics of nutrition and the information learned was very applicable to daily life. Even though this is a science course, it wasn't as hard as traditional science courses, which are very theoretically and conceptually based." "It's the basic class that most people love to take as a breath requirement or for an A. Of course, that does mean studying, too. The professor makes it's easy to understand." "As an undeclared freshmen my first semester, this class was very informative. Whether you are interested in science or not it applies so much to the everyday life of college students trying to stay healthy. It is not extremely challenging so it is a good adjustment from high school."

Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology 24 (1 unit), Freshman Seminar (Chang): "Professor Chang is enthusiastic and insightful. It is a fun class where you can discuss a range of things from groceries to classes."

Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology 113 (2 units), Food Microbiology (Chang): "This is an excellent class that applies science to something practical-food. The fact that Professor Chang encourages students to write their own exam questions makes the class interesting, interactive, and fun." "This class is a great way to warm-up at Cal. It's not hard, fulfills a breadth requirement, and is useful in daily life."

Optometry
Optometry 10 (2 units), The Eye and Vision in a Changing Environment (Adams): "This class is great. Every week a different member of the department would come in and talk about something different. From actual anatomy of the eye to the history of the things people used to do to cure sight problems to information (and videos) on current technologies like laser correction. This is a great class to just fulfill a breadth requirement, while learning interesting things that you might not get a chance to without delving into the optometry department more. ." "This is one class where you'll never need to look at the clock."

Optometry C10 (2 units), The Eye and Vision in a Changing Environment (Harvey): "A great intro class to optometry that fulfills the Bio breadth requirement." "Learning about the eye will make you more aware of taking care of your eyes." "Even though most people go to or have seen an optometrist, many never consider the field of optometry when choosing their profession. This class gives a wonderful overview of the profession and the basics of the eye and its diseases by bringing in guest speakers of different optical specialties.  Definitely worth taking!"

Optometry 39B (2 units), Freshman/Sophomore Seminar (Enoch): "Great seminar that fulfills the L&S International Studies breadth requirement and is only 10 weeks long. Plus, you learn fun and interesting facts and the professor is about the friendliest person on campus. He'll talk to you about anything, the class or personal issues."

Peace and Conflict Studies
Peace and Conflict Studies 10 (4 units), Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies (Sanders): "A very inspiring course on war and peace in the post-Cold War era. It's a great class for anyone concerned with human rights and environmental justice." "A wonderful introduction to thinking about current issues in the context of peace and justice, both on an individual and international level." "An excellent introduction to the world from the 'Berkeley perspective.'" "It was a sobering experience because it lets you see so much that's wrong and violent in the world, but it's also a very empowering class. After taking it, my friends and I wanted to protest everything." "This class should really be called "Intro to Current Events." It teaches you how to critically think about everything that's going on in the world. There is a lot of reading, but I enjoyed all of it." "This class really introduces you to the Berkeley way of thinking, namely real critical thinking and the liberal viewpoint."

Peace and Conflict Studies 10 (4 units), Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies (Zahedi): "He was incredible! Zahedi is a clear, engaging, informative lecturer in a class that not only discusses historical causes and solutions to conflict, but broaches present day topics. He also discusses human rights, nonviolence, and global systems." "Even if you don't know much about current events or anything related, it's a great class to take to get you informed about a wide variety of things; plus, Zahedi's hilarious and a great lecturer."  "PACS 10 with Zahedi was amazing because it gives you a good background in current events and the important historical facts that lead to an understanding of how things have come to be in our current politics."

Peace and Conflict Studies 125AC (4 units) War, Culture, and Society (Sanders): "You get to talk about a bunch of cool stuff." "It analyzes the American perspective towards the wars of the entirety of US history. It is a fascinating approach to history and truly enlightens the student as to why war is viewed the way it is today."

Peace and Conflict Studies 149 (3 units), Global Change and World Order (Sanders): "An amazing class with Professor Jerry Sanders. He discusses the various paradigms in which the world is viewed and you learn in depth about current issues that are pertinent to our future, as well as showing how to think critically and analytically about what is said in the media about politics. No one can be a truly educated person without taking this course."

Peace and Conflict Studies 151 (3 units), International Conflict: Analysis and Resolution (Sanders): "Discusses Israel-Palestine, the Rwandan Genocide, Darfur, and other pertinent conflicts of the last century to today."

Peace and Conflict Studies 164A (3 units), Introduction to Nonviolence (Nagler): "Great alternative viewpoints, facts, anecdotes, and history to help you 'Subvert the Dominant Paradigm' like those bumper stickers from Telegraph Avenue suggest." "This professor is one of the reasons why Berkeley is so unique. He is too funny and very intelligent and makes the course super interesting. It's a perspective-changing class."