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.

Philosophy
Philosophy 2 (4 units), Individual Morality and Social Justice (Kolodny): "The class is great because Professor Kolodny makes the class really interesting. He gets to know your name even though it's a pretty big lecture."

Philosophy 2 (4 units), Individual Morality and Social Justice (Wallace): "This is an awesome course. It is interesting and challenging and everyone has something unique to contribute." "This is a great class for those who want to get a basic introduction to philosophy. The professor is engaging and the class material is also very interesting."

Philosophy 3 (4 units), Nature of Mind (Davis): "It's philosophy of the mind and it is a most interesting class. The professor occasionally has good jokes and they're hilarious to listen to - you'll never fall asleep!"

Philosophy 7 (4 units), Existentialism in Literature and Film (Dreyfus†): "This class keeps students at the edge of their seats, mesmerized by the participatory style of the lectures." "A lot of really good reading. A good class for freshmen because it opens you up to so many new and interesting ideas." "Dreyfus is a riveting professor." "This class is a great way to break into the philosophy world because it has so much to do with English-unlike some other philosophy classes."  "This class forced me to think about life and existence in ways I had never even contemplated before." "Dreyfus is both a very personable fellow and a brilliant, engaging professor, and the material is very thought provoking."

Philosophy 12A (4 units), Introduction to Logic (Mancosu): "Very fun and interesting class. Learn new problem solving techniques and develop various approaches. Made me think." "An amazing class to develop and hone skills. Professor Mancosu uses software to help students understand and turns a potentially boring class into a spectacular lecture."

Philosophy 12A (4 units), Introduction to Logic (Warren): "After taking this class the rest of your Berkeley career will be a breeze." "It's an introduction to the building blocks that math and most sciences are built on."

Philosophy 25A (4 units), Ancient Philosophy (MacFarlane): "It is a great introduction to a broad and exciting field."

Philosophy 25B (4 units), Modern Philosophy (Broughton): "This is a great introduction course to philosophy. It covers a very nice range of ideas and thinkers." "Broughton is a great professor, and you'll get a fascinating overview of the major questions addressed by modern philosophers."

Philosophy 25B (4 units), Modern Philosophy (Ginsborg): "The reading is cool and thought-provoking. Ginsborg is a great lecturer. The class does not presuppose previous philosophy experience." "Not an easy class, but very cool. Taught me the importance and usefulness of philosophy." "The course covers Spinoza, Kant, Descartes, Hume, and Berkeley. This class will twist your mind, and you'll learn about the man University was named after!" "This course is a great introduction to the world of philosophy, where you get a chance to read what the famous philosophers really had to say."

Philosophy 132 (4 units), Philosophy of Mind (Campbell): "This class was incredibly interesting and enlightening, and Professor Campbell is incredible. He covered the material with a clarity that made even the most challenging philosophies covered understandable yet still intriguing. Everyday I would walk out of class excited for the next one!"

Philosophy 132 (4 units), Philosophy of Mind (Searle†): "It's an amazing course where you learn about the intricacies of your mind and cognitive abilities." "This class helps you think through the thoughts and questions almost everyone comes across at least once in their life."

Philosophy 170 (4 units), Descartes (Broughton): "Professor Broughton truly enjoys teaching the material and is very animated. This is an excellent course to learn about Descartes and why he is considered the 'father of modern philosophy.'"

Physical Education
Physical Education 1 (0.5 units), Elementary Ballet (Li-Jue): "If you know nothing about ballet, this is the class for you! Li-Jue will have you jeté-ing, sissonne-ing, and pirouetting by the time the semester ends. And if you don't know what those terms mean, you'll be sure to know by the end of the course!"

Physical Education 1 (0.5 units), Elementary Tae Kwon Do (Ahn): "I took this introductory class my first semester at Berkeley. It didn't really count for anything except fun, but it was a great way to stay accountable to exercise and have fun working out."

Physical Education 2 (0.5), Low Intermediate Ballet (Li-Jue): "I didn't expect to be able to continue dancing but was pleasantly surprised to find that this class pushed me to improve my technique."

Physical Education 2 (0.5), Low Intermediate Tae Kwon Do (Ahn): "Wary of the freshman fifteen, I wanted to make sure I had a regular source of exercise. Being my first semester in college, I also wanted to try something new. I had never done anything remotely like Tae Kwon Do, so I was kind of intimidated. It ended up being two of the best hours of my week. Professor Ahn is such a sweet man who is passionate about Tae Kwon Do and wants his students to do well. It was challenging without being stressful. I think that's one of the great things about your first few years of college - you can just try anything. I got to have an entirely new experience and try something I never thought I would. Now I can't wait to continue taking Tae Kwon Do!"

Physical Education 32 (2 units), Fitness for Life: Physical Adaptations to Exercise (Johannessen): "You can have fun while you learn how to take better care of yourself! This class is open only to freshmen and sophomores, and the instructor is enthusiastic." "Great class to learn about working out, staying healthy, and having a balanced diet." "This is not a physical education class where you run around and do jumping jacks, it is a class where you learn about health, disease, how your muscles work, and nutrition." "The course encompasses many topics on fitness and nutrition, and provides ways to live a healthy and physically fit life in general. Professor Johannessen helped to keep the class motivated and fixated on the goals set in class." "It satisfies a biology breadth requirement if you are in the College of Letters and Sciences. The class teaches about physical fitness and guides you toward a healthy lifestyle."

Physics
Physics 7A (4 units), Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Boggs): "It's an intense course that I believe all students should take before they graduate. Not only do you learn the basics of physics, but you get to experience the competitiveness of your peers, the sheer brilliance of your GSIs, and above all you get a better understanding of why UC Berkeley is one of the top ranked universities in the world." "If you are interested in the sciences, I would recommend taking this class. He is a great lecturer and always has the coolest demos." "Take Physics 7A if you really want to learn the fundamentals of mechanics and how it applies to engineering. It's a great way to gauge what you're interested in if you are undecided or interested in engineering."

Physics 7B (4 units), Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Liphardt): "This is known as a tough class, but Professor Liphardt's clear and simple style of teaching turned my dislike for physics upside down."

Physics 7B (4 units), Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Muller†): "Professor Muller is an excellent teacher. Not only is he a brilliant man, but his lectures are exciting, enlightening, and easy to understand."

Physics 7B (4 units), Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Packard): "Packard is a really good lecturer and always gives informative answers to all questions. He is also funny, which helps you stay awake." "I think this is one of the hardest lower division classes, but Professor Packard makes the class interesting." "A very challenging class but a great lecturer. Although I didn't like having to be there at 8am, I did enjoy the lectures."

Physics 7B (4 units), Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Zettl): "The professor was funny and proved interesting and well-organized lectures and demos."

Physics 7C (4 units), Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Packard): "He is funny and his magnetism demonstrations sometimes smash things."

Physics 8A (4 units), Introductory Physics (Jacobsen†): "For everyone that has to take the physics series, take it with Professor Jacobsen. He's approachable, a great lecturer, and really strives to impart knowledge to his students, not just formulas.

Physics 8A (4 units), Introductory Physics (Orenstein): "Professor Orenstein has a great knowledge of the material and uses neat demonstrations."

Physics C10/Letters an Science C70V (3 units), Descriptive Introduction to Physics (Muller†): Physics 10 is for liberal arts majors (no math) and is everything cool about physics you ever wanted to know (e.g. UFOs, nuclear weapons, and explosions) taught by a truly inspiring teacher. Excellent class!" "This class is the bomb! It really makes you appreciate the physical world around you and helps you learn to answer those questions you've been harboring since the age of five." "Professor Muller is a passionate teacher-this is a great class for new students to get a feel for what Cal has to offer." "Taking this class made me appreciate how much I could learn in college and how enriching the experience can be." "This class provides an interesting way of looking at physics and does not concern itself with mind-breaking formulas." ""He explains a great deal of scientific technology today and debunks many myths. Great for any major, because it doesn't use a lot of math, but deals with the concepts of physics." "Even though it doesn't count for your major as an engineer, it really gets your head straight about physics and helps a lot with the 7 series." "It was one of my favorite electives so far. I laughed at the beginning when he said we would use what we learned in future conversations, but it all turned out to be very useful!" "He teaches concepts that will challenge your mind while making it interesting at the same time. He will educate you concerning present major issues in the United States or topics that seem downright mind boggling."

Physics 137A (4 units), Quantum Mechanics (Lee): "Learn the revolutionary, yet elegant theory of the exceptionally small world, appreciating the discoveries of legendary physicists like Einstein, Schrodinger, Dirac, de Broglie, Heisenberg, and many others."

Plant and Microbial Biology
Plant and Microbial Biology 10 (2 units), Plants, Agriculture, and Society (Staskawicz): "This class relates basic biological functions of plants and genetics modification with the effects of these on the economy and society." "It spoke primarily of plants, agriculture, and agricultures effects on society especially the economic effects. The professor, Staskawicz, really awesome and made the whole class very interesting, especially the really sciencey portion, which has the tendency to get boring and tedious. It was a nice small class, with only two-units, making it an easy transition from high school work to college work. Overall, it was one of my favorite classes last semester and also one of my most interesting."

Plant and Microbial Biology 150 (3 units), Plant Cell Biology (Sung, Luan): "Detailed, descriptive plant biology. Great if you're a plant lover."

Political Science
Political Science 1 (4 units), Introduction to American Politics (Citrin): "It's a great class because Professor Citrin is very interesting and comprehensive. He is always there to help when you need him, but don't be late." "It's a great introductory course to American politics; it causes one to become more aware of the role of the government and how it is relevant to us." "Great explanations of the political strategies used by candidates and office holders alike! I use what I learned constantly in class and in life." "He is very understanding of struggling freshmen." "Professor Citrin is a great lecturer: entertaining, sarcastic, and sage." "Even though it's a little tricky, Citrin's lectures are awesome, and he combines teaching with humor." "An informative, fundamental introduction to Poli Sci that will prove useful in many future classes and disciplines. Citrin is fabulously amusing and knowledgeable."

Political Science 2 (4 units), Introduction to Comparative Politics (Chhibber): "Not only an interesting class but proved to be a good introduction into political science. Since the class covers such a broad range of topics, a student can more easily narrow his or her decision about a possible major." "A great breadth course-it keeps you interested in the subject from day one to finals!"

Political Science 2 (4 units), Introduction to Comparative Politics (Janos): "Gives a great intro into comparative politics and government. Interesting yet challenging." "Needed for the Political Science major." "The class is great! It exposes students to many varieties of different political systems and their evolutions." "A very good overview of political economics and international politics. It throws light upon and gives a deeper understanding of the relation between politics, the economy, and the New World order."

Political Science 2 (4 units), Introduction to Comparative Politics (Price): "Good international perspective on global society in the past, present and near future." "A very interesting class that helps you get accustomed to the Berkeley academic experience." "The beauty of this class is that people of all disciplines find it interesting, and whether or not you know your course of study, this class will benefit you." "PS2 is a great intro for social science majors because it encompasses not only political theory, but also the framework and basic tools of social analysis." "It's required for a lot of majors in L&S and it introduces you to a new, more centralized study: two birds with one stone!" "This class is great opportunity to explore a person's interest in politics as well as other countries, and it satisfies prerequisites for a wide array of majors and breadth requirements for L&S."

Political Science 3 (4 units), Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods (Brady): "Brady's energy in the class makes a somewhat dry material interesting."

Political Science 3 (4 units), Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods (Stoker): "Great professor, works hard to make ordinarily dry material more fun. Makes you look at things in the media and statistics differently." "Professor Stoker makes the dreadful subject that is Political Science 3 easier to deal with. She is very enthusiastic and easy to understand."

Political Science 106A (4 units), American Politics: Campaign Strategy-Media (Schnur): "The focus of the class was Campaign Politics, and if you've ever considered taking the plunge into the world of politics and running for office or working for an elected official, this class is one of the best primers in the country. Dan Schnur is a phenomenal instructor."

Political Science 112A (4 units), History of Political Theory (Stimson): "Professor Stimson is one of the best professors I have ever had. She is full of energy (even at 8 a.m.), and her enthusiasm for the subject is easily transferred to her students."

Political Science 115C (4 units), Marxism and Culture (various professors): "It has made me re-examine my whole way of life, especially in relation to work and consumerism."

Political Science 118AC (4 units), Three American Cultures (Thomas): "He is an awesome professor and the class is great! You learn about jazz, Hollywood, and much more. Plus it satisfies the L&S Arts and Literature and American Cultures requirements." "It's upper division, fulfills the American Cultures requirement, and is about movies and jazz music."

Political Science 120A (4 units), International Relations (Weber): "Definitely the most captivating and interesting lecturer I've had. Professor Weber illustrates the different theories of international relations with both historical and modern examples. No previous political science knowledge is necessary. It is a really effective introduction to one of the most exciting facets of politics." "This is the class to take if you want to start to understand the type of world we live in and where it's going!" "An amazingly well-educated professor who has lots of practical experience helps you form an educated world view."

Political Science 124 (4 units), War! (Hassner): "Sure, singing 'kumbaya' at a pacifist campsite and flashing the peace sign is fine and all, if that's your style, but this class will tell you why it's lacking in intellectual rigor and is downright ridiculous. This class examines the reality of war and the intricacies of why it occurs, along with a strategic analysis of how civilizations have utilized the practice to our benefit and also our shame."

Political Science 126A (4 units), International Political Economy (Aggarwal): "This class is challenging but offers a great amount of knowledge regarding international trade and other issues in international political economy."

Political Science 129B (4 units), Russia after Communism (Fish): "Professor Fish is a great man, his lectures are great, he is available for questions, and he is fair on exams."

Political Science 137A (4 units), Revolutionary Change (Gregor): "This is an upper division class looking at revolutionary movements in Italy and China. The professor allows anyone in, so even freshman can enroll." "Professor Gregor tells it like it is."

Political Science 137B (4 units), Revolutionary Movements (Gregor): "If you finally want to hear something politically incorrect and straightforward, lend an ear to this veteran of political science." "Upper division but workload is not overly demanding. An interesting perspective from one of the most controversial (and hilarious) professors on campus. Never come to this class late!"

Political Science 140C (4 units), Topics in Comparative Politics - War, Violence, and Terrorism (Zook): "This class was so enlightening; I recommended it to all of my friends. I never missed a lecture because first of all, I love Professor Zook's entertaining personality, and secondly, I couldn't believe how ignorant I was about certain regions in the world and their troubled histories. This class is incredibly important to take because it covers important conflicts and regions that most people sadly are not very knowledgeable about. Zook's deep interest in the subject matter really came through in his powerful lectures. He really knew how to keep our attention. I gained so much from this class and would love to take it again if I could!"

Political Science 143B (4 Units), Northeast Asian Politics (Vogel): "Professor Vogel's knowledge and experiences in Japanese politics brought more insight to the subject than could be provided by the course readings alone. His dedication to the students in the course was equally impressive."

Political Science 144B (4 units), Politics of Divided Korea (Lee): "Very interesting course which deals with a lot of the current issues on the Korean peninsula."

Political Science 149E (4 units), Special Topics in Area Studies - The Politics of Southeast Asia (Zook): "Zook is hands down the best teacher I've had during all four years at Berkeley. I've made sure to take one of his classes every semester because he is so excited about the material he teaches and he has a very amusing personality. This is one class that I never missed the lecture for, even when I was sick! He utilizes a lot of different mediums in class, such as film, music, and firsthand written accounts of certain historical atrocities (like the Cambodian genocide). He really knows and loves the region and it definitely shows. Furthermore, his office hours are open to students who just want to be recommended a great book by a famed Vietnamese author, want to know which Singaporean films to rent, or want to know where to travel in Thailand. The material was so interesting that I decided to take a trip to Southeast Asia myself and explore the region of the world that Zook taught me so much about."

Political Science 157B (4 units), Constitutional Law of the United States (Silverstein): "If you want a real taste of Berkeley academia, I would suggest taking Constitutional Law 157B, which covers a lot of civil rights issues. It is a great political science class and is well taught. Although somewhat challenging, you will walk away from the class satisfied that you actually gained something from the material, no matter what major you are."

Political Science 164A (4 units), Political Psychology and Involvement (Stoker): "She lectures in the way students see politics while still introducing new angles on how people psychologically understand everyday concepts. Also, Professor Stoker is one of the few professors that really accommodate students' limitations in learning the material. For example, she would rather go in depth on a particular section than teach many new concepts at a surface level." "If you want to know the behind the scenes thinking of political campaigns and consultants, you must take this class."

Political Science 171 (4 units), California Politics (Cain): "One of the best political science professors I've had. This class covers a great deal of pertinent information about the California political landscape." "You'll laugh and laugh, but by the end of the roller coaster, you'll truly understand why California is like no other place on earth." "Professor Cain is intelligent, entertaining, and funny. Also, students have an opportunity to undertake an original research project which could be published in one of Professor Cain's books, reports, or websites!"

Political Science 171 (4 units), California Politics (Lempert): "For anyone and everyone residing remotely near, around, or within California, this class is a must. The course is engaging, exciting, and educational for everyone. Much fun and much love."

Political Science 179 (1 unit), Undergraduate Colloquium on Political Science (Ross, lecture series): "Good for an extra P/NP unit. Topics change every semester and you can take the class more than once." "Visiting speakers from all walks of life provide students with lateral thinking opportunities that challenge individual views and encourage open-mindedness." "The colloquium of lectures from political activists, ranging from the president of the NAACP to representatives of nonsmokers rights, gives students a taste of the diversity and liberalism that has long been rooted in UC Berkeley." "There is no pressure in the class because it is filled with students of all majors and all years. Ross, the professor, is a great teacher and person, he makes the class enjoyable." "One of my favorite elective classes is Political Science 179. It's an undergraduate colloquium, which means that different speakers come in every week. These are not your average speakers, however! Last week, the former Secretary of Labor under Clinton, now a professor at our own University, spoke to us about his experiences in government. Whether you are a political science major or not, this class is an amazing opportunity to rub elbows with some incredibly influential people in our country. The course is offered every semester, so sign up!" "Get credit for listening to smart people speak about interesting subjects. No homework either."

Political Science 181 (4 units), Public Organization and Administration (Ansell): "This is a really good class. Ansell is a great professor and he's very knowledgeable as well."

Portuguese
Portuguese 101A (3 units), Portuguese for Advanced Students (Donovan): "This is a great class to meet a variety of students with diverse interests and is one of the few undergraduate accelerated language courses on campus. Donovan is such an excellent lecturer, you won't be able to take just one class with her!"

Practice of Art
Practice of Art 8 (4 units), Introduction to Visual Thinking (McNamara): "In the lecture you discuss the idea of art and the question 'What is art?' It really makes you think about the parameters of artwork." "This class has exposed me to many different forms of art and many mediums through which one can express oneself." "Art 8 lets you try out your artistic inclinations. The grad students teach studio sections and give good advice. It's a good place to determine whether or not art is your thing." "This class has interesting lectures that help you appreciate the process and thinking that develops to create 'good' art-and you'll have a good idea what that means after taking this class." "This class really emphasizes the conceptual side of art making for both art majors and anyone ever wanting to create something of personal, cultural or political weight."

Practice of Art 13 (4 units), Language of Painting (Sherwood): "This is the most relaxing class I have ever taken. I love it."

Practice of Art 14 (4 units), Language of Sculpture (Baker): "The class requires you to give up some time, but not only do you meet great people, you exercise your creativity and imagination to create something you can call your own."

Psychology
Psychology 1 (3 units), General Psychology (Kihlstrom): "This class focuses on the general scope of psychology, such as the basic neurological aspect of it, the different types of learning, and so much more. The professor really knows his subject and delivers the information clearly and thoroughly. I highly recommend this class because, for once, there is a class that is not based purely on midterms and finals. There are a lot different opportunities to raise your grade, so even if you are not a test taker, you still have a good chance of doing well in the class!" "It's a really good overview of psychology. You learn all the major fields as well as the current research." "One of the greatest classes to take here. The class is very straightforward and is an awesome class to start off your first semester at Cal with."

Psychology 1 (3 units), General Psychology (Shimamura): "He's funny and the material is engaging. I changed my major after this class!"  "A fun class that's not too hard, full of information you can use everyday." "The topic is exciting, and Shimamura is fun to watch. He's energetic and enthusiastic about the field." "Even if you're not planning on being a psychology or social welfare major, this class will give you a really good overview of important concepts. I found it to be manageable and enjoyable." 

Psychology 2 (3 units), Principles of Psychology (various professors): "This is a great overview of psychology for non-majors who are interested in the subject. It has very little work and provides a low stress means by which to learn about a fascinating subject." "This is a great class to take because it presents interesting ideas about the interactions between humans and their surroundings. The class presents ideas in an interesting and fun way using everyday people as examples." "This class is fun. If you want to major in psych you must take Psych 1. If not, Psych 2 is perfect." "It's an awesome intro to psychology for non-majors that covers tons of interesting psych material."

Psychology 130 (3 units), Clinical Psychology (Kring): "It's an excellent intro course on various mental illnesses, and it's really interesting too!" "Learning about abnormal psychology opened my mind to the benefits of entering the profession of clinical psychology as a career choice. This class was fun and eye-opening as we moved from readings in the textbook to viewing movies and looking at actual videos of clinical sessions with clients and patients."

Psychology 132AC (4 units), Community Psychology: An American Cultures Perspective (Treuting): "This class not only fulfills the AC requirement, but it does so in a thorough way. It is very interactive and gives students the rare opportunity to conduct a research project on something they are really interested in. Treuting is also very approachable and clear." "This is a true American Cultures Course. It really prepares you to work with different communities and Professor Treuting is one of those rare professors who really cares. The group project is a definite real world experience."

Psychology 140 (3 units), Developmental Psychology (Gopnik): "She's a great professor."

Psychology 141 (3 units), Development During Infancy (Campos): "The professor is an excellent lecturer, the GSIs are great, and you learn lots of interesting stuff about infants!"

Psychology 156 (3 units), Human Emotion (Keltner): "Even if you only use them as upper division units outside your major, this course (along with Psych 160) will be worth it. These classes teach you how to understand both yourself and others through facial expressions, emotional outbursts, body language, and typical disorders."

Psychology 160 (3 units), Social Psychology (Keltner): "The professor is down to earth and the class material is very interesting and fun to learn. I truly loved it." "Professor Keltner is the best professor I've ever had. He's open and caring and genuinely enthusiastic about his work and his students. In addition, social psychology is useful for anyone interested in learning how to better navigate their social environment." "Dr. Keltner adds a fresh and humorous approach to teaching social psychology." "This course was a great experience. The concepts were interesting, but what made the course even more enjoyable was the way you could tell that Keltner was genuinely interested in what he was teaching. Given the tools we learned to scrutinize emotion, the class had an even more deeper meaning."

Psychology 166AC (3 units), Cultural Psychology (Peng): "The professor is great and brings first hand-experience into the class to make it more interesting." "He is a distinguished professor in the cultural psychology field and is successfully able to help students understand the differences and similarities between the many cultural groups in America and around the world. It is an awesome class that just makes you stop to think about where your thoughts may have originated from."

Psychology 167 (3 units), Stigma and Prejudice (Mendoza-Denton): "An amazing class! You learn why people are racist and prejudiced toward others and how these views make the stigmatized person or group feel. It is a very enlightening class that deals with a lot of taboo subjects and can really offer insight into your own behavior, prejudices, and stigmas."