Thomas is a great professor. I had him for econ 103, and unlike what I had been told, I found it to be an easy class. Honestly, if you know mathematical statistics well, you won't need to study a lot. If you don't, maybe you'll struggle a little. His final was kind of hard, but I ended up with a good grade--perhaps he told the TAs to grade generously. If you want to do well in his class, do these things: 1. Read the book carefully. It's essential, despite what another reviewer said down below. If you don't, don't bother going to lectures, you won't understand a thing. 2. Thoroughly understand every problem on every problem set. The midterm and final greatly resemble them. 3. Go to every TA session and OH. 4. Study all the handouts. I did all of the above and got the grade I wanted.

Econ 103 was one of the most interesting economics classes I've taken at UCLA, and Thomas makes the material accessible to students. He actually takes time to pause during lecture to make sure students are following along! Although econometrics is a difficult subject, Thomas really wants to help his students learn the material. I'd highly recommend taking the class from him. The class is by far not an "easy A."

Thomas is best professor I've had at UCLA and probably the best professor out there. I've taken his 103 class as a major requirement and became truly interested in the subject. Somehow Thomas manages to make econometrics exciting, intriguing and intuitive. He truly cares about his student taking something out of hs class and makes every effort possible to answer any question and resolve any student concern. The problem sets are challenging but they give you a thorough intuitive understanding of the concepts taught in class and apply theory to the real world. The final is also challenging but fair. If you pay attention in class and really work on problem sets yo'll be fine.
Too bad that Thomas teaches undegraduate courses so infreqently. If you ever have a chance to take a class with him do it! You'' be shooting yourself in a leg if you don't!

Thomas is a decent teacher who doesn't pull any tricks on the exams. Both his exams for Fall 2002 weren't too tough. He's pretty laid-back and encourages a lot discussion throughout the lectures. If you pay attention in class and do the homework, you should pull an A. The material is basic statistics plus a little more math. In the end, his grading curve is extremely generous.

The class and material is actually pretty easy, the professor can get kind of confusing though. He does try and make the effort to learn people's names and randomly asks people if they have any questions, so that's good.

I guess I would encourage you to go to his office hours and such and get to know him (or rather let him get to know you). Oh, and MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK because 2 homeworks=1 midterm. I got a crappy grade cause I missed one of the homeworks.

Seeing as all business economics majors must take this class, I would wait to take this class with Professor Thomas. For once, my econ professor spoke english as a first language and was concerned about student learning! The class is very challenging and not a "GPA booster" as some people have claimed, but it is not impossible. If you attend all of your discussions and go to TA office hours once a week, you will be able to complete the homework sets. I would recommend reading the textbook assignments (which I failed to do until the final) because it has the example problems that Thomas fails to provide in class. Also print out all of the lecture handouts before class because he flips slides extremely quickly.
Overall Thomas generously curves the class and tries to teach something worthwhile. For a completely dry subject, he manages to be entertaining occasionally. If you're planning on just "getting it" without putting work in, I would not take Thomas. But I think he is the best option for the required class.

I didn't really like Prof. Thomas very much. His teaching style is poor because he doesn't provide enough concrete examples to hammer in the concepts he is trying to teach. There were very few practice problems and the practice midterm he provided was NOTHING like the acutal midterm.

Most of the course consisted of proofs to deriving the regression formula, and it would seem natural to understand the proofs and try to work out problems like the homework, but this is exactly the opposite. In the end you just had to memorize all of his slides and the homeworks were not closely related to the exam material by far. The homeworks were challenging if you wanted to get a 3 on it... most people get 2s... so you have to do practically perfect work to get that 3.

I ended up with an A in that course but I had to put a lot of effort into it and I think that the curve really was generous. If you are an A student, take the class if you are ready to devote a lot of time to 103.

Prof Duncan is a very good instructor that cares about students' learning. His econ 103 class was challenging, but in the end I think for once I actually learned something. Prof Duncan welcomes students to seek help in office hours and after class. I know students that will stay and talk with him after class for up to an hour. I would strongly recommend him!

taking 103 with thomas was a lot of work, but quite rewarding too. If you want to skate, dont take this class. But if you put in the work, get to know all of the TA's and Thomas, who is a great guy, this class can really turn your head. Oh and be ready to answer questions in class, cuz he will find you and call on you and he will get to know you whether you like it or not. HAHA. I would definitely recommend this class with Thomas.

The Econ 103 material is really hard, but Thomas is a really good teacher. He really cares about his students and does an incredible job learning probably 50+ names. The material is hard, but he is a great teacher. The problem sets are really difficult, as was the final. The optional midterm wasn't too bad. If he teaches another non-Econometrics course, I would definitly take him.