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++

He was a good lecturer and was very helpful in explaining concepts when students had questions. The only thing that bothered me about this class was the book Most people dont like to look at the book anyway and its totaly possible to get a good grade only paying attention to lecture. But if you are more of a self taught type the book will disapoint

Derek's lectures were always very clear & he did his best to help us visualize the subject as well as try to explain the real world applications. Some of the hw was difficult, but he was always open to helping. The practice midterm & final were long, but they really prepared you for the exams. Covered all course material in time. Great teacher!

=) Great math teacher

Smart teacher, but moves a little too fast in the class. Should spend more time going through examples instead of assuming you know what he's talking about already.

Very cool and fair teacher. Best Math teacher I have had at UCSB so far. He's concise and to the point, doesn't waste your time and money with textbooks either.

Overall decent class.

He is very helpful. If you ask him a question, he will tell you a lot.

He is a great TA and a great instructor. The class is very clear.

Good Professor, fair tests, encouraged questions. Course covers a large amount of material, but he still managed to stay on schedule.

Best math teacher I've had so far here at UCSB.

Professor was great! He was only a grad student, but one of the best professors I have had.

Best math teacher I've had here. Very helpful and good at explaining difficult concepts. Tests and homework were not super easy but definitely doable if you put some time into it.