Just sent this email to the currently enrolled students in my upcoming PSYCH 315 course this summer. Posting here in case others are thinking of taking it. Want to be clear about the pace.

Good morning this Fri. of Finals week,

I hope you are each done with your spring quarter, that it went reasonably well, and that you enjoy the slice of time before our B term 315 class starts. This is not to say that our 315 class won’t be enjoyable. It can be, especially if you like stats., but it is an atypical sort of immersive, all-encompassing, no time for anything else sort of enjoyment. Like virtual reality, only not virtual and all stats. More on that below.

The first thing to say is that we are using a very nice textbook. It is in its 7th edition. You can purchase the new edition, but you can also use an older edition. There should be lots of 6th editions floating around. The authors are King, Rosopa, and Minium.

Now back to the immersive nature of our four week 315 class. If you already know all this material well, then what I say here doesn’t apply to you. But if you are learning stats. for the first time and you don’t want to take this class again, try to clear your schedule during our class. I understand you may have work or other responsibilities you cannot simply pause. Try to pause anything optional. I don’t recommend taking other intensive courses during this four weeks. I would also get ready to have a diminished to non-existent social life during these four weeks. The pace is intense and if you get behind, catching up is difficult.

There will be support to help you learn this material. We have a wonderful graduate TA, and I believe we’ll have a handful of undergrad. peer tutors, as well. Thus assistance outside of class as needed should be available.

Take care! Enjoy June and see you toward the end of July,