SDS 4130
Linear Statistical Models
Theory and practice of linear regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and their extensions, including testing, estimation, confidence interval procedures, modeling, regression diagnostics and plots, polynomial regression, collinearity and confounding, model selection, geometry of least squares, etc. The theory will be approached mainly from the frequentist perspective and use of the computer (mostly R) to analyze data will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Please see eligibility rules. If SDS 3030 (Math/SDS 3211) is taken, SDS 4010 (Math/SDS 493) is not required.
Instructors
Chetkar Jha, Debjoy Thakur, Jose Figueroa-Lopez, Joseph Guinness, Nan Lin, Todd Kuffner
Reviews
Professor Lopez is a super nice individual and seems accommodating (regrades and such). There were two tests at 30 and 35% of the grade respectively, so if you messed up one you were done for. Very long lectures and sometimes it is hard to tell what he will test since all the slides are fair game, but he goes off on his own example tangents.
4/15/2026
I really like Prof Guinness. Quizzes every other week can be a lot, but it breaks up the content into small pieces. I found the content really interesting and a good mix of theory and application.
10/14/2025
6-8 hrs/week
Quizzes every other Monday
4/15/2025
Material is clear and logical; notes are posted; quizzes mimic the exercise. Learn and you'll be fine. Deduction is gone over so you will gain solid foundation for linear stats model.
4/2/2025
He is a kind man, however he does not explain the calculations in depth. He writes the notes on the board and that's it. You have to teach yourself the concepts to be successful in this class. Quizzes are every two weeks despite not applying the concepts in other applications.
2/3/2025
Quizzes every other monday! INSANE. He doesn't take the time to go over things and usually brushes over important calculations that will be on quizzes.I think he is kind but the structure of the class is ridiculous and beyond stressful.
1/31/2025
Most of the learning in Figueroa-Lopez's course takes place in lectures, he places a heavy emphasis on his presentations, often including obscure information to be tested later on exams. This makes it difficult to distinguish important material. He does teach this information well, giving simple explanations that convey the material well.
12/20/2024
Lectures are hard to follow. Unclear learning targets -- hard to tell what are the most important concepts versus stuff that is just "extra". The homework vs. lectures vs. practice exams vs. actual exams aren't very similar, making it hard to anticipate what will be on exams. Hardest class I've taken at WashU, harder than SDS.4211 and CSE.417T.
12/17/2024
He goes over stuff from the previous class at the beginning which is nice, but isn't the most clear about what you do and don't need to know. The class is more of a Math for the sake of it and not 'learn this for the exam/life' which is difficult. It is a lot of content but he is definitely the best option for 439. Make sure you go to class.
1/2/2024
His teaching is ok, but he\'s not a good professor. He promised to do an independent study with me, but he ghosted me during semester. He wanted me to withdraw when ddl passed. I got a "No Grade" on transcript. He also offered to write recommendations for my master application, which he didn\'t do. Why would you offer something if you don\'t do it?
4/14/2023
Professor Figueroa is a good professor and definitely cares about his students. He's accessible outside of course, and creates notes that make the material easier to understand. It's important to keep up with the material, and go to office hours and to make sure you understand the material to do well. I loved his class and learned a lot!
1/30/2018
Great linear models course. I learned a ton. We covered a lot of material. Kuffner was great. He has a dry sense of humor, but he's really funny if you pay attention. I needed the course for research so I was glad he taught the mathematical theory in addition to R.
6/15/2014
This Linear Statistical Model class is a renewed version. As a statistician, Lin tried his best to explain the ideas of linear models to wide ranges of students, from undergraduate to PhD students. Homeworks include theoretical proofs and programming questions, both are helpful to exams and pratical usages. Lecture notes are wonderful.
12/29/2012