Professor Liao is very friendly and open about what he expects from the class. His lectures, HWs, and practice exams all prepare you well for the midterm and final. Some problems are challenging but you get lots of resources including extensive notes during exams. He's young and seems to understand the student predicament well.

Worst professor ever!!! Homework do not related with lectures at all and could not find any examples in the textbooks. Avoid his class unless he is the only choice. Such a nightmare!

Best lecturer in the UCSB ME department imo, there is a recommended textbook but it's not really necessary since Bolin's lectures/lecture notes are so good. The exams are pretty difficult, you will think that you failed, but as long as you use the right method you will get almost all the points. Also he curved up grades by around 5% at the end.