Great professor. He tries to help you figure out what you are doing in math, giving many representations of what you are doing so you can wrap your head around the math. Tests are very fair and a lot like the study guides and he values homework just as much as tests. One of the best teachers I have had and his beard is amazing

One of the best teachers out there. Clear, helpful, fair, accommodating, kind. Will work with you - go to office hours! Weights homework as much as exams, values understanding concepts more than just getting the right answer. Exams are exactly like practice tests. You would have to work hard to not do well with Derek.

Derek is easily the best professor I've had while at UCSB. The material itself is known to be tough, but Derek did a great job at simplifying the conceptual details and ultimately made the class enjoyable. He is also very fair when it comes to the test and homework. Overall, Derek did an impressive job at teaching Math 6B.

I took Derek Smith's Math 6B at Summer 2015! His lecture is really helpful and all homework and tests are closely related to his lecture notes! If you can successfully finish 90% of his homework he'll upgrade a level of your letter grade! But, you know, his homework is super tough!

Easy Final

Bright and intelligent teacher with a genuine passion to teach. Made vector calculus understandable and possible to learn in the 6 weeks of Session B. Eager to help students with difficulties and answered questions well and very detailed. The best math professor in UCSB. His beard is also very sexy and gives an extra initiative to attend lecture.

Excellent instructor. He makes the material easy to understand through superb visual examples, which is especially helpful in multivariable calc. Tests are challenging but very fair; overall a great learning experience.

Derek is easily one of the best people to teach 6A. Not only is he really understanding, he really wants his students to do as well as they can. The material is pretty difficult, but he provides all the material necessary to do well. He's also got a GREAT beard.

Derek is very nice and very helpful. The material is hard and you have to actually work but as long as you put in an effort you should be fine.

A prompt and disciplined professor who clearly outlines the subject matter and listens to his students.

I took this class over Summer Session B. Derek was extremely helpful during office hours and his exams are very fair and similar to the practice exams. He gives the class a practice exam a little less than a week before the exam, and the topics on there are very similar to what was covered on the homeworks and in lecture.

Best math professor I've had by far! Probably the best prof. I've had! It's obvious that he cares about you understanding the subject and not just trying to teach you the bare minimum so you can pass the class. He's definitely doing the whole teaching thing right!! A++