Tom Means - San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Professor: Tom Means

Department: Economics

College: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Probably the toughest class I ever took at SJSU. Lots of work and writing for a econometrics class. Easily one of the smartest professors on campus. Tough to follow lectures. But important to come to class. He goes over what he expects you to know. He knows he demands a lot of students, but makes it easy if you come to class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you want a professor that skips all the basics, Means is for you. Professor that doesn't explain any of the formulas or their variables? Means is for you. Want a professor that has the teaching enthusiasm of a palm tree? Means is for you. He doesn't teach the class well at all. I learned more from the required online labs than in his lectures.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECON203B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr Means is an absolute gem, a genius. I suggest spending as much time with him as possible. I absoulutely adored him

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 106
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is very well qualified Very inspirational Very clear while explaining in writing But lectures Too confusing Completely skips the basics saying he shall revisit them again but never does Basically over qualified to be a college professor

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Means mastered econometrics but fall short on teaching the class. Don't take notes on the math proofs on the board, just try to go around on what he's lecturing about to get some understanding of what he's talking about. Rarely teaches anything that has to do with the CPU projects and quizzes. Great class for making friends when doing projects.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This is known as the hardest class in the Econ department for a very good reason. Dr. Means is deceptively brilliant at Econometrics, and like most brilliant men he gets confused and side tracked a lot. It takes some effort to keep up, but if you do, you will learn a great deal. Would only recommend to BS students.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECON03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prolly top 2 smartest in econ department. One of the few who knows math. Very clear. Tough class if you miss lectures and lab.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECON203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

8 to 9 assignments, no final exam. Form a group to work on HWs.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECON203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

His feedback on homework, the questions that he gives us for homework really made me learn a lot. Seriously, how many of our professors grade like 8/10 assignments carefully for each student, he really spends time doing it. His style of teaching might be difficult to follow but then that is what helps us form a team in the class. He is a nice guy!!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Econometrics is tough and Professor Means is a tough teacher. Quiz's every week and very difficult computer assignments. You do learn a lot about running regressions.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECON106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Means is a great Economics teacher. I would take him again if I had the chance. Homework prepares you for the test. Nothing tricky or devious. He relates economics to real world situations and decision making. Excellent discussion of game theory. A vibrant, engaged instructor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECON3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very good intro stats class. Professor Means is very sharp and requires a lot of critical thinking. A hard class but you will learn a lot. He does not spoon feed students the answers.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECON106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A very quick summer school class. Prof Means made the class interesting with his political stories. Simplified the material and allowed us to work together on very hard homework problems

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A very quick summer school class. Prof Means made the class interesting with his political stories. Simplified the material and allowed us to work together on very hard homework problems

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECON106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

BORING CLASS. He does not care if he makes the class interesting or not. Skips explanation, doesn't teach just talks total BS. Homework is okay sine you can work in groups. Exams are hard ! Avoid at all costs. Prof Means - please take a course in 'How to be a good teacher'

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECON203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very difficult and tough teacher. Econometrics is very difficult material but Prof Means is very thorough and you learn a lot a applied stuff. Easily the smartest Prof and knows a hell of a lot of stats

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECON1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I have never met another teacher like this. He somehow has a monopoly on the core courses for the master's program. This is extremely unfortunate because there are other qualified teachers in the department. What students say about this teacher is true. He hates teaching. He is not interested in students and he eats all the time. Typically, the pro

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECON203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is not fit to be a TEACHER. As a fully tenured Prof , he doesn't give a**** about whether his students learn anything or not. He is confused and rambles on and on. Econ 203 is not a mandatory course for future students so DONT take it. I am lucky becoz we have no exams and only STATA projects that can be done in groups so grade's not a problem

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECON103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The quizzes he gives are very easy. It is easy to get A or B in this class. It is little difficult to follow his teaching but he is a nice person.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECON201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

His homework assignments and lectures scare the hell out you. However, his homework assignments and practice questions are good enough to get a A or B grade. Also these assignments prepare the students with almost the entire course without spending long hours on reading textbooks.