Mitali Das

I couldn't disagree more with the previous review. Metrix is a tough course with few good profs teaching it--Das is undoubtely THE professor to take it from. Her Lectures are comprehensive and easy to understand, and I found my notes to be much more informative and useful than the book. You do have to memorize some equations (although not too many), but Das really explains the reasoning behind them well, and to do well in the class it is essential that you understand these concepts (memorization alone is a fast way to avoid an A). Das is harsh on policy, but if you actually talk to her she is helpful and nice. Recitations were extremly helpful although only review. Overall, my friends that took this class with other teachers plugged and chugged with some stat and then forgot it all, but Das really helps students understand and actually LEARN metrix. Exams are veery tricky, but if you know how to think through the questions (e.g. know the concepts) you can figure most of them out or at least write enough to get a few points.

This woman is undoubtedly one of the meanest teachers I've taken. You get the distinct impression that she hates the students, and the students definitely hate her right back. That being said, does it really matter if she is mean in a class like Econometrics? Econometrics (also known as Statistics x2 since there is no Economics involved aside from the constant use of the words "Wage" or "GDP") is a class of memorization, so Professor Das' kindness, or lack thereof, really doesn't matter. Go to class, copy down what she writes down and what she says (at the end of the semester, she begins to go on long tangents reminiscent of speeches in which she gives a lot of important info but elects not to write any of it down), read the textbook chapters, (maybe even look at the two optional textbooks she suggests), and go handle your business in the class. She is a cold lady, but ultimately it doesn't really matter. Her exams are loaded with tricky, tricky questions. She has one part, True/False questions, which she claims is there to give us "easy points" but which I bet is the biggest cause of points being taken off of people's exams.

I found the professor's English really difficult to understand. Coincide that with a poor teaching style, let's just say this wasn't a very good experience. Be prepared for Prof Das to lecture on random subjects outside the scope of the text and expect this material to be very difficult. I didn't enjoy this class at all.

6 or 7 graded problem sets, 2 midterms (the better one is weighted 65% versus 35% for the worse one), and a Final. The exams and problem sets are tricky and aggravating to say the least. I would say, oh avoid Mitali Das, but then again, she teaches both sections in the Fall. Oh well, just suck it up I guess.

Das IS the person to take this class with. She is an accomplished practioner who knows her material cold inside and out. Don't ask stupid questions to show how much you know, she will shoot you down like a rock, but if you would like to learn the material in a less than painful manner she is the professor to take. The grading is fair, the exams reasonable, the lectures are clear, coherent (and absolutely mandatory if you want to understand/do well)

This class was by far the best Economics course I have taken at Columbia. Her tests were very fair, but you must go to class to understand the material. The problem sets were difficult, but if you take the time to do them carefully the exams will be cake. While Prof. Das does seem unapproachable at first once you talk to her you will realize that she really does care about her students. It's refreshing to have a teacher that shoots down all of those annoying Econ major who ask stupid, annoying questions. If you put the effort into the class you'll do well... if you're going to try to half-ass your way through it you may be in for a rude awakening. Highly recommended.

2 midterms, final (in class), weekly problem sets (which are difficult).

Excellent lecturer. She is so sure about her ability to lecture in class that she discourages all forms of contact outside of the class. (sometimes she doesn't even hide her annoyance)

AVOID MITALI DAS LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!!!!! Though econ professors are known to be quite cold and boring, Professor Das was little more than a walking textbook. Much like a textbook, she knew all the information and presented it accuarately, but did not help in the least to explain what the information actually meant. Her examples were tedious. They were more similar to mathematical proofs that were so scattered around the board that they seemed little more than numbers thrown about. She is a very cold person, wants nothing to do with her students, and is not likely to ever speak to you directly. She shows up to class late, rushes in all the information into one uncomprehendable lecture that goes too fast to even take down notes, and essentially ignores anyone who may be confused. Like I said, STAY AWAY!!!!

Weekly problem sets, mid-term, final (both very difficult.) Also, the curve will definitely be ruined by her specific system and those few over-achieving economic obsessive students. Keep in mind, Mitali Das DOES NOT BELIEVE IN PARTIAL CREDIT!!!