The lecture is irrelevant to the exam and he does not teach any math. Grading is 70% quiz and 30% final. If you practice with the past exams and problem sets you will do good on final. Quiz are online and easy.

Just don't. Not a real professor, just likes to lecture and give homework that has nothing to do with what he talks about. Reading the book is the safest bet, but homework is still super unclear. If you have no other choice...good luck.

Long complicated lectures that are very math heavy. All homework assignments are difficult math problem sets due every week and won't be tested on until the final. I would also recommend taking Econ 101 before taking this class. I can't even begin to explain the frustration I felt from taking this class, beware!!!

Javier is an INCREDIBLE professor. He has incredible confidence when he teaches, and excellent command of the material. He is straightforward with what he expects of students in the class and sticks to it. He teaches topics that are useful to real life, not just that class. I took two classes with Birchenall and I can say he is an exceptional prof

Seems like a nice guy. Honestly, kind of funny at times. However, the lectures aren't that important. Reading/understanding the textbook, as well as reviewing the section slides, will be the most helpful. Do all the practice exams, and you should be fine.

Probably the worst class I have taken at UCSB. Other reviews are spot on with the lectures, completely useless for the exams. Problem sets feature questions not even yet discussed in lecture, leaving you having to guess the right answer. He seems like a nice enough guy but wow is this class frustrating.