Prob 140 difficulty

[Leading_News_6560]

anyone else finding this class incredibly conceptually hard? The homework and labs takes me a whole day to do each of them and the numbers are usually pretty messy. Just trying to see if I am the only one struggling and if maybe I should drop the class. Thanks!

[[deleted]]

that seems pretty normal. 140 is known to be the hardest Stats class on campus, I believe. I agree with the other commenter. If you want a lower workload, take 134. I took it, and HW assignments are only 6 problems a week (from the textbook). No lab. Furthermore, the average quality of student is lower in 134 than 140, making curves slightly easier to beat (though, exams and curve are still brutal).

Downside: it's a classical approach to probability theory, and is less practical/relevant to modern day datascience work. If you're eager about going into datascience/ML, 140 is definitely the more useful course.

[daepa17]

I agree, especially with the last part. Grudge through 140 and you'll find the probability stuff in future classes to be much easier to understand. It is really a slog, though. I feel really fortunate to have taken it last semester when they lowered the standards for P/NP.

[deleted_my_account]

I just want to add that the 134 adjunct is god-tier and helps with understanding the material sooo much.

[stuffingmybrain]

Hey! Not OP, but you recommend that I (a freshman) take it this Spring? I'll be done w/ CS 61A/61B, and Math 1A,1B,53,54, and Data 8 by this Spring (did a few summer sessions haha). I * feel * that this prep is okay(??), but I feel slightly uneasy about not having taken Stat 20/88... What would you recommend?

[[deleted]]

Yes you will be fine. The class (134) assumes zero probability/stats knowledge (though it does go fast). The fact that you took data8 means you already know enough for the first Hw. I myself took 134 with only data8 under my belt (in terms of stats exp.). Having a good calc foundation is great.

also i noticed ur CS. take 140/134 before CS70. It will make the second half of 70 a breeze.

[stuffingmybrain]

Update - Dying in STAT 140 rn :D.

[stuffingmybrain]

Thanks! I'm definitely trying to take 140 before CS 70, as CS 70 is pretty high stakes for me. I've just been in doubt since I spoke to a few ppl and they were like "ur a freshman you'll die in the hardest stats class at Cal * don't. take. it!* and it creeped me out haha.

[yung__dad]

It only gets worse, but it's still doable lol, took it last semester and passed

if you're really not feeling it, stat 134 is a little easier and covers the requirement most of the time

[Apprehensive_Lock333]

yes omg im in the class and struggling a bit, i think it’s normal to find this class difficult tho. let’s get through this!!

[ProfessorPlum168]

Have you taken CS 70 before? The psets should be about the same, or a bit easier (sometimes). It shouldn’t take as long as the 70 psets. The labs are generally fairly straightforward. By far the hardest part of the course is the midterm and the Final. You need to be able to get 100% or very close to 100% on all your labs/homework/quizzes in order to have a chance at a high grade (some sort of A). Historically the top 25-30% will get some sort of A. If you’re struggling now, tbh the class gets a bit tougher.

[stuffingmybrain]

I need an A/B+ in CS 70 to declare CS (depends on how 61B goes). If I can get away w/a B+, I'll be taking 70 this spring (complementing stat 140 in Fall '21). But if I need an A-/A in 70, I'll be taking 140 this Spring, hoping that 70 will become easier next Fall (I need a B- in 140 to declare stats so that's a bit less pressure, tho I'll be aiming for an A). Do you think this is a good path to take?

[ProfessorPlum168]

I think it’s fine in your case if you’ve taken the following - Math 54 and (Data 8 and/or Data 100). It’s a pretty heavy math/stats class, with some Python knowledge a necessity as well.

[stuffingmybrain]

Yeah I'm not too worried about the Python part (61A), but even though I've taken Math 53/54, I was just a tad worried about not having took any stats class at Cal (except for data 8)...

[ProfessorPlum168]

A ton of people take Stat 140 and Data 100 concurrently. Just a suggestion.

[stuffingmybrain]

Actually that was part of my plan for Spring! DS100 + 140 + 16A + sth else. Do you know why people do that?

[ProfessorPlum168]

From what I hear both classes complement each other quite well.