Prof Gaulin is super knowledgable, and you can basically ask him anything about his field. The BEST professor i've ever met at UCSB!!

Textbook isn't necessarily needed, many people I knew got away with not reading it. However, I do believe he is better at explaining the topics within his book than in person lectures. Tests are also tricky but cheat sheets are allowed. Overall, he is kind and very knowledgeable (he can answer every question you have).

Surprisingly I was able to get an A which I doubted myself for all quarter. Although everyone says this course is hard, I eventually found out you just need to put in the effort to get an A. Here are some tips to good in the class. 1) READ THE SYLLABUS 2) Scan textbook in library for FREE 3) Go to office hours even if you think you got it!

hes super passionate, but its hard to stay focused during his online and in person lectures. I barely was able to secure a B, you couldn't go into the final or midterm unprepared, like at all. i think hes alright though, def a nice guy.

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS FOR A GE. The only way to pass the exams (which are designed to trick you) is if you know everything written in the textbook (that he wrote). While the material is interesting, Gaulin and his TAs have no idea what is happening 90% of the time. The TAs are as clueless as I am and mine didn't offer much help at all.

really interesting content, but really big workload (2 recorded+2 in person lectures a week). Test questions were often confusing and vague. iclicker takes attendance so lectures are essentially mandatory

Prof Gaulin is very passionate and knowledgeable about the topic and is accessible outside of class during his office hours. Lectures are based on the homework he provides in Canvas. Coming to class is necessary to get the iclicker points that determines your grades. Tests are heavily graded so study for beforehand.

Do not take this class for a GE. TAs were tough graders on all problem sets and never explained why they took off points, but they would always mark you down no matter what. Professor seems like a nice dude, but lectures were boring, iclicker based off of accuracy, would genuinely try to trick you on tests.

I-clicker is a large portion of the grade and he grades it based off of accuracy and not just attendance. TA's can be pretty strict graders on the homework problem sets each week, I never got a perfect grade on one. Lectures definitely aren't mandatory but he makes it so they are with the I-clicker attendance.

Wouldn't take this class unless you HAVE to. A shame because the content is interesting, but the exam questions are misleading and intentionally designed to trick you. I-clicker Q's in class are not only pretty difficult, but graded on ACCURACY and worth 16% of total grade. The worst I have done in a GE class so far, if taking for GE, take P/NP.

Do NOT take as a GE; only take this class if it is required for your major; it is unnecessarily hard for a GE. His lectures are long and confusing. He wrote the textbook, so it is also, long and confusing. I personally found it difficult to stay engaged during lectures. ALSO- beware, for iClicker, you have to get the questions right to get credit.

Not a fan of Gaulin, his lectures were confusing and the textbook is basically illegible (he wrote it and it's mandatory). TA office hours saved my grade