Paul L. Schmidbauer

This is a good news/bad news teacher. The good news is that he may be retiring. The bad news is that his lectures were choppy and he often repeated himself. No, he didn't do it for emphasis, he just did it. Professor Scmidbauer could never remember were he left off from class to class. He does not appear to be happy teaching BA512. The one time I went to him to get a clarification on something, he seemed perturbed (even though it was during his posted hours). The answer he gave was just flat out wrong. The exam included material that he had told the class would not be there. He never graded the projects, and rarely noted their relationship to class material. He tried to be funny at times, but told the same story three times. He was the only professor that gave a final the week before Christmas. I got the impression that this professor would much rather be involved in a statistical study, than teaching students. I hope he gets his wish.

Prof. Schmidbauer is a fair instructor. I've taken much calculus, statistics, and econometrics classes as an undergrad, and I have news for everyone - it's hard to make a stat lecture entertaining and engaging. I thought his explanations were clear, and his exams were fairly based on his homework problems. Granted, it was only a refresher course for me, but I am quite familiar with the topics and how they should be taught. Someone actually criticized him for using a "low tech" blackboard - this person was way off on this one. I work in statistical platform testing, and the only way you can get some concepts is the old fashioned way - hand-solving problems. If I were taught the concepts strictly from statistical software that does everything for you, I would NOT be able to do my job!!!! I would gladly take him again.

greatly disappointing. i should have paid attention to the previous reviews. I didn't and now my grades are ruined. He is a nice person but thats all i can say about him. it was a tough struggling to stay awake in his class. No class participation. he knows a few jokes which he will keep repeating throughout the semester. YAWN!

Let me just say, first of all that Dr. Schmidbauer is a teacher who works hard to make sure his students succeed. I guarentee if you put in the effort, you will get a good grade in his class, hands down. I made the classicly idiotic mistake of missing my scheduled final, and completely flipped out. When I chaoticly vented my plea to him to let me take the final, it was absolutely no problem for him; like I said, the guy truely cares about the students, believe me. By the way, math is math, it's neither exciting, nor fun; do not blame the teacher and come on here and slam a teacher when the fact may be that you're not putting in the time and effort neccessary. It's called tutoring, look into it. That is all I have to say, word up.

He is a little odd, but in general, a good and helpful teacher with a sense of humor. I found him to be very responsive and easy to follow. I enjoyed the class, and really liked the emphasis on the Minitab exercises. Learning to use the software is a valuable tool for MBA's to have. For that alone, it was worthwhile to take the class. It was easy to pass, even if you have had no exposure to statistics. Tests are difficult, but open book.

Graduate students are required to have a good understanding of business statistics. However, a passing grade in this class is 180/300. If they let students pass with a D-, what's the point in having everyone waste their time? Professor Schmidbauer is an easy grader, but he has to be because he doesn't teach this course very well. You can pass this class with a minimal understanding of the material. I would have preferred clear/concise instruction and learning. Overall he is nice person and the best choice for this class (which is basically a waste of time).

i dont know why every knock's this prof.i think he does a good job of teaching statistics..the class is easy also and he is a fair grader..how much excitement do you really expect from a stats prof?? sometimes he does teach a little fast but as long as you read and do homework there shouldnt be a problem.

There were two tests; this was a pass/fail class. Prof Schmidbauer knew his material, liked it, and was fun; the main problem was the occasional transcription problem - ie, when he was working out a problem on the board, and he'd carry over the wrong number/forget one/make a simple multiplication mistake. I would recommend Prof. Schmidbauer only if this class was covering material you already knew, by and large, or if you are used to dealing with the absent-minded professor type and won't get thrown off by transcription errors.

I had to take this instructor for BA 212 because it was the only class that fit into my schedule. I read the above reviews before going into the class, so did enter with some trepidation. I would like to say the above reviews were the work of bitter students who didn't do well, but unfortunately I can't. THIS CLASS WILL BORE YOU SENSELESS! I usually enjoy math classes, but this class is a chore from beginning to end. Attendance is abysmal, yet hardly surprising, and the room is often embarassingly empty. He does assign a lot of homework, but you have a week to complete it so as long as you don't leave it to the minute. The exams are no walk-in-the-park, yet he does allow you a page of notes. Of course, taking a page of formulas into an exam is only useful if you know how to use them! Unfortunately, he does tend to complicate statistics rather than make them easier to understand - I always leave the room in a confused state of mind. The text book isn't great - it makes some sense of the random scribblings in my note book but doesn't make the concepts completely clear. I don't know how he compares to other statistics instructors, but I'd certainly shop around before signing up for this class!

This was the most PAINFUL class I have EVER experienced. I feel as though I have wasted a semester and did not learn statistics. Please, someone help him with his oublic speaking skills. I adamantly suggest not entering his class. You will wish you didn't.

I'm sure he could be a very kind man if he worked at it..but since he doesn't--then basically you're screwed. He doesn't make an effort to explain thoroughly or step-by-step. He shows his own "shortcuts", leaving you confused and your mind will definitely wander. I've cut this class so many times because learning from him is a waste, when I learn way way better from the book. And I don't even USE the book he wants from his class. I use another statistics book that's orange from my previous 212 class, taught by an excellent, but too fast-paced teacher named Saltzman. Anyways, don't ponder or contemplate too much on taking Schmidbauer, unless you want to have migrains or dork around in this boring, unhelpful class.

This instructor is tough. He failed me once in BA110, and once again in BA212. To be honest, he's dull. He does very little to make his lectures interesting, and therefore, the student easily wanders off and learns nothing. He does have high expectations of his students, both in exams and homework. Expect to spend about 5 hours on homework assignments and minitab. In addition, his exams are usually difficult. You are permitted to use a page of notes on his exams, which is a relief. As far as lecture is concerned, if you have no interest in the subject of statistics going into the class, you're probably not going to get a lot out of it. It's not practical application.

Unlike those below, I found this prof to be great. Also unlike the others, I was not surprised to have to spend some time doing the homework, but it was definitely not unreasonable! If you're not afraid of spending a few hours a week doing simple problems, minitabs and open book/notes tests, then you'll have no prob.

how many and what sort of tests were given? **2 and comprehensive, problem solving

how much homework was there?

**a lot each week about 6-7 pages each assignment

did the teacher make the subject interesting? **infact he made is boring, i had heard stats is a fun subject but he has made me hate it.

was the teacher easy to understand? **i never understand what the lectures have to do with the assignment

was the teacher enthusiastic about the subject? **personally i didn't think so. always felt like he hated being there just as much as we did.

did the teacher get off the subject a lot? cater to certain students?

**no, no

what was the textbook like? **very brief with not enough examples actually with no more than 1 example that was dragged on thru out the chapter and at many times confusing

was the teacher prepared? **yes.

Think about what would you like to know about a teacher before taking a class...

**his teaching style, how much he is willing to do the assignments in class, if his class lecture guided us in doing our assignments, if he really made the class exciting, if he enjoyed the subject enough to teach.