Reviews for ECON451

Information Review
Peter Coughlin
ECON451

Expecting a B-
Anonymous
11/17/2023
Professor Coughlin was a solid professor. He gives a generous curve after each quiz, usually bumping your grade up by 3-4% points. This is not a challenging Econ class in terms of the material. Its a overview of alot of 306 material (indiffrence curves, optimal prefrences etc). The class is 5 quizzes, 20% each quiz, but they are not hard. If you show up to class, you will 100% pass.
Peter Coughlin
ECON451

Expecting a B
Anonymous
01/13/2022
Seems very nice but the only grades during the course were 5 quizzes so it was hard to get a high grade even when understanding the material!
Peter Coughlin
ECON451

Anonymous
05/09/2021
Boring and didn't post study guides until the day of the exam. Wouldn't recommend.
Peter Coughlin
ECON451

Expecting a C
Anonymous
10/26/2020
Pr. Coughlin was nice but very dry and boring. His lectures do not prepare you for the quizzes (there are only 2) and the schedule is very vague. He speaks very monotonously and isn't good at communicating concepts. This class is NOT work intensive and has very few assignments. Just read the books on your own and you will be fine. Honestly watching the lectures online (covid times here at umd)made me more confused than not attending.
Peter Coughlin
ECON451

Expecting an A
Anonymous
08/28/2013
Easy enough class. 12 problem sets (graded for completion), 2 midterms, and the final. The final only covers the last third of the course. The tests are a little harder than the problem sets, but if you go to class and follow the general ideas, you'll be fine. Also, don't purchase the textbooks/packets, they're a complete waste of money. I don't know anyone who actually used them.
Peter Coughlin
ECON451

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/19/2012
Unlike any ECON class you'll ever take. A lot of the class seems to be common sense based, but he still teaches it well. Tests can be tricky but shouldn't be a problem if you've studied. Homework due every week, but it's simple. He does move pretty slow, but I guess that helps in the long run. Overall a very nice man who does a good job to communicating the subject matter. I would recommend taking this class.
Peter Coughlin
ECON451

Expecting a B
Anonymous
05/22/2010
This course is the very definition of "fair." The material is VERY easy too grasp. Its almost insulting how carefully the professor goes through the material. I went to maybe 50% of the lectures and ended up with a B. He tries to get the class involved with corny jokes and whatnot but it does make the class that much more bearable. Homework- The homework is straight-forward but you definitely need to attend some of the lectures to understand what they are about. (I was able to wiki some concepts but not many) Exams- 2 exams. The exams were not hard in any sense. All MC. He offers very helpful study outlines which are a great supplement (even substitute) to the lectures. Final- Ridiculously long. All MC. Again, not too hard but it will take you at least 1.5 hours to complete. Some problems require an easy but exhaustive process. There are a few questions that draw upon reading and lecture-only notes. Honestly, this class is not hard but you will have to give that little extra effort for an A.
Peter Coughlin
ECON451

mayabcd
03/25/2010
I really liked this class. It's different from any other Econ class I've taken, which is refreshing. But, because of that, you are basically required to go to every lecture because otherwise you won't know what's going on. Dr. Coughlin knows his material, and he teaches in a way that really enforces it. Lectures were small. Overall, a really good, easy class. I recommend it.