HarvardClasses

Computer Science

• Computer Science 121: Introduction to Formal Systems and Computation (1995-1996, Harry Lewis). Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo.
• Computer Science 161: Operating Systems (1996-1997, Brad Chen). We will see how reference counting of kernel objects mixes with performance analysis.
• Computer Science 181: Intelligent Machines: Perceptual Processes and Stochastic Methods (1995-1996, David Mumford). "Since it's a product, we take the log."
• Computer Science 226: Efficient Algorithms (1997-1998, Michael Rabin). One neat trick after another, with perhaps only two things in common, namely prime numbers and Israeli accent.
• Computer Science 254r: Programming Methodologies (1996-1997, Tom Cheatham). Change the world by changing the change in the way we change the world with change.
• Computer Science 262: Introduction to Distributed Computing (1996-1997, Jim Waldo). "There are people who disagree with me, but they are wrong." Our final paper for the class is now available online.

Mathematics

• Mathematics 113: Complex Analysis (1997-1998, Curtis McMullen?). I'm sorry we couldn't use cohomology in this class.
• Mathematics 122: Abstract Algebra I: Theory of Groups and Vector Spaces (1996-1997, Diane Meuser). Fact: It's a bad idea to claim things that are not generally true.
• Mathematics 123: Abstract Algebra II: Theory of Rings and Fields (1996-1997, Mike Nakamaye). Nakamaye is great fun making mistakes with. He doesn't seem to enjoy homology theory very much, though.
• Mathematics 131: Topology (1996-1997, Lucia Caporaso). Finally, your intuition mystified into axioms, theorems, and a surprisingly high number of remarks.
• Mathematics 135: Differential Topology (1996-1997, Eric Brussel). Oh my Gullemin & Pollack is beautiful beautiful beautiful. And how can one resist hot chocolate fudge poured over compact oriented 2-manifolds?
• Mathematics 137: Algebraic Geometry (1997-1998, Mike Nakamaye). I'm also sorry we couldn't use cohomology in this class, either.
• Mathematics 155: Designs and Groups (1996-1997, Noam Elkies). To me, watching theorems in group theory being proven is fun but depressing, knowing that I will never be able to do any of it myself. I think.
• Mathematics 272: Algebraic Topology (1997-1998, Joe Harris). I'm glad we got to do lots of things with cohomology in this class. But wait, where did I put my intuition?
• Mathematics 55: Honors Advanced Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra (1995-1996, Noam Elkies). Don't panic! Generous partial credit is available.
• Mathematics Tutorial: Probabilistic Proof Systems (1997-1998, Henry Cohn). Neat mathematics, intriguing applications, friendly teacher, fun lectures, and a beautifully typeset final paper. What more could one ask for? My final paper for the class is now available online.

Other

• Expository Writing: Contemporary American Literature (1995-1996, Kelly Mays). Microserfs is a good book. Bladerunner is a good movie. And I'm one of the few who like Slackers.
• Freshman Seminar: Physicists and physics problems (1995-1996, Jene Golovchenko). The inverted pendulum, the physicist's chauffeur, and other stories of scientific endeavor.
• Historical Study A-81: Chinese Emigration in Modern Times (1997-1998, Philip Kuhn). Isn't it fun when you can learn about yourself in a history class? History can be bloody, though.
• Historical Study B-46: The Darwinian Revolution (1995-1996, Everett Mendelsohn). I would like to put something witty here, but it's all blurry in my mind now.
• Literature and Arts B-51: First Nights: Five Performance Premieres (1997-1998, Thomas Kelly). You know you're taking a gut when someone asks how to distinguish between major and minor keys at the final review session.
• Moral Reasoning 40: Confucian Humanism (1997-1998, Wei-Ming Tu). Ritual propriety interpersonal relationships ritual relationships interpersonal propriety blah blah blah.
• Physics 16: Mechanics and Special Relativity (1996-1997, Andrew Lesniewski). "Everything good and beautiful in physics can be reduced to a harmonic oscillator."
• Psychology 13: Cognitive Psychology (1995-1996, Nancy Kanwisher). In short, we don't know anything but everybody is venturing wild guesses.
• Science B-48: From DNA to Brain (1995-1996, Howard Berg, John Dowling). Isn't nature incredible?
• Social Analysis 10: Principles of Economics (1996-1997, Martin Feldstein). Learn about great mathematical insights obscured with terminology such as "marginals" and "isocost curves".

--KenShan