I don't think Prof Lea has an ego like some of these reviews mention, but there's certainly an air to him that's a little unconventional. He keeps the course updated as climate science advances year to year, which is pretty cool. He does attendance iclickers and very short+easy weekly quizzes. Exams curved.

He is such a kind person and a great lecturer! Always makes it easy to ask questions and explains everything so well. Readings not necessary if you take good notes in class. Weekly quizzes, midterm, final (all online) and section work weekly. Has some math in the beginning but totally manageable. Makes material accessible to non-STEM majors too!

Very passionate with a bit of ego, though. Pretty interesting lectures so if you pay attention to some extent it's a pretty easy and straightforward class. Tests are medium difficulty.

this class actually has a good amount of math despite what he says at the beginning of the class. If you're not paying attention all the time in class, it'll be very hard to do the assignments. He's not very clear on most things as far as the structure of the class.

He is very conceited/vein but he's cool. Also, he has the same tests throughout the years so just ask someone who took it before for help with studying for the midterm (the midterm is 50% of your total grade)

As a non-STEM major, this class was still one of the most engaging and interesting classes Ive ever taken. Lea genuinely wants you to learn the materials big concepts and he doesnt make you memorize tiny details. He gave extra credit to everyone on the midterm and the TAs are not harsh graders as long as you make an effort. Hes also hilarious!

David Lea is the best professor I've had at UCSB. Super easy to do well only the midterm is a blue book test, the rest of your grade is assignments/projects/quizzes/clicker. Attend class its necessary to do well and worth it! He's an amazing lecturer, and cracks some good jokes! He doesn't make you memorize just wants to see you understand concepts

He's passionate about his job. Although it was at 8 in the morning, I enjoyed it because of his energy and how informative it was. Not an Earth Science major but it was a fairly easy class if you understand the material and do the homework assignments and quizzes. Great, friendly professor who cares about what he does!!! Highly recommend!

heads up he does not round, even if you're 0.01 percent away from a B+ to an A-.

One of my favorite professors I've had at UCSB. Very passionate and knowledgable about the subject. I'm not a STEM or an earth science major and he did a really good job explaining things clearly. Would definitely recommend this class and teacher!

His lectures are clear. There is 1 midterm worth 13 of your grade, which consists of computations, short answers, and short essays. There are iclicker questions, online quizzes, and problem sets which are worth 13 of your grade; they prepare you for his midterm. There is a final project which is worth 13 of your grade.

Only one test (a midterm) and then a final. There's several assignments and you can work with a group if you choose or by yourself. Great professor, he really takes time to make sure that you understand the material... he doesn't just breeze through stuff to stick to the syllabus schedule. Definitely one of the best professors in this department!

Uses iClicker, so attendance is mandatory. Really helpful, although the material wasn't really interesting to me, personally.

He is very clear with explaining information during lecture. His tests are very fair and he lets you know what to expect on them. iClicker required. Very nice professor too.

He is so adorably nerdy and you can tell he LOVES this subject matter. Overall the class was super easy. The in-class clicker questions are word for word the midterm and exam questions. Don't bother reading the book, he stresses all necessary information during the lectures. The labs are basically useless but they count for points so you have to go

Professor Lea was great and very helpful. HE LOVES OCEANOGRAPHY. If you need to fill your Area C, TAKE EARTH 4! His experience in the field actually makes it interesting. Yes there is an iclicker, but attendance is a small price to pay for basically all the Q's on the midterm and final! Plus, all lecture slides are put online & Labs are SUPER easy.

Favorite class and professor BY FAR. Classes are fun, easy, interactive, and interesting. Lea WANTS you to succeed and will go above and beyond to get you an A. The midterm took 25 minutes and was a piece of cake. Honors students--take the honors trip.

Really easy class if you go to lecture. Didn't use textbook. Only tested on lecture material which he repeated often and stressed the importance of. Fair and very straight-forward exams. Does in-class review. Puts slides up online. Honestly just pay attention in class and you can easily get a good grade.

I'm a poli sci major and this was one of my favorite classes ive taken. Great professor, nothing is on the test that he doesnt deliberately address. one of the most fair classes ive taken. He makes science awesome. There is no reason why you should not get an A if you go to lecture and retain the information.

easy class overall. he sometimes goes on tangents that go beyond the scope of the class, but his review questions at the beginning of class are helpful. don't overthink the midterm or final questions, he's very straight-forward with his exams. go to class because he gives you the question and answer to the after-class quizzes.

The professor is a really nice guy. His lectures are easy to understand, but I have to admit that the class was a bit boring. Not my cup of tea I suppose. I ended up with a C

Dr. Lea is so sweet and nice, but this class is SO boring! You have to go to lecture because there is a mini quiz after each lecture on gauchospace. These questions are used word for word on the exams as well, which by the way are very challenging. I would say only take this class if you are really interested in the topic, otherwise STAY AWAY!!

I loved this class. It is a really interesting topic and is not too difficult. He makes lame jokes but you can't help to like him. He reviews his concepts continuously so if you go to lecture, you should easily get an A. Labs are easy. He's a very responsive, helpful, and caring professor. He is accomidating and is more than happy to help.

He's the kind of teacher that makes concepts sound twice as confusing as they should be. He frequently got distracted during lecture and it seemed like every other lecture he spent 5 minutes trying to make his laser pointer work again. Otherwise it was an easy class, take for GE's or GPA buffer!