STAT 3120

Professor Ross is easily the worst professor I have had at UVA, and many students would agree with me. It is actually miraculous how lazy he is, and despite claiming that these are "researched methods of instruction", it clearly does not work for anyone and we all suffer for it. He posts short videos to watch before each class, followed by practice problems that take a huge leap beyond what is explained in the videos. Then in class, he has students present these practice problems instead of explaining them himself or providing any instruction of his own. His exams are unreasonably difficult considering he essentially does not teach the entire semester, and the student is expected to learn it all on their own. He is never timely in responding to questions on EdStem, and always posts slides, quiz and problem solutions late, as if he just couldn't be bothered to do something so simple. The only positive thing I can say is that he gave 6% back on the first exam in the form of extra credit. Otherwise, I honestly can't comprehend that a school with the prestige of UVA allows Ross to teach such a pivotal class to the Statistics major. It's honestly a shame, because the material could be quite engaging if you enjoy math, but he completely ruins it. I just feel bad for all the stats majors in the future who will be forced to endure this guy. Maybe UVA will come to their senses and move him to a less important class. Oh wait-- they already did that when they moved him from STAT2120 to this. Yikes.

This was my second time taking a class with Rich Ross, and my second time loathing the class. The class was set up so that Prof Ross does as little work as possible: Flipped classroom with 15 minute videos before each class that brush over the topic, followed by an in person lecture where students taught the practice problems. He could very well change up this dynamic moving forward but this is how it was for us. The grading was pretty simple: 25% on 10 quiz grades, 30% on 3 exams (we were able to drop one exam), and 45% on a final project. The final project was set up to create an exam for other students to take and then take an exam someone else created. The first exam was easy but the second and third exams were significantly more difficult. Quiz grades are just based on notes and over gradescope. There were also several opportunities for extra credit. #tCFfall22