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STAT 2020 Statistics for Biologists
Last taught: Fall 2026 Add to Schedule
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Review Summary Updated April 05, 2026

The material is straightforward, but the rigid flipped format requires consistent independent study while class time is largely spent on repetitive group work and slow, redundant explanations. Exams are short but carry disproportionate weight, featuring tricky multiple-choice questions that heavily penalize careless mistakes, so drilling the provided practice tests is essential. Lab assignments are manageable if you follow the prep tutorials, but expect strict, nitpicky grading that quickly turns minor formatting errors into significant point deductions. Ultimately, success hinges on treating the course like structured self-study, prioritizing practice exams over in-person attendance, and meticulously adhering to lab rubrics to protect your grade.

69 Reviews

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Fall 2015
1.3
Average

The class started off okay but devolved into a trainwreck in roughly a month. They changed the class this semester and whatever they did must have completely ruined it because before I've only heard good things about the class but now it's infuriating and not easy at all. Maria is nice enough but utterly hopeless as a teacher. Exams are worded so badly half the battle is figuring out what the heck they're asking. The R component was a joke, TAs had no idea what was going on and assignments were returned months late. Overall I'm just disappointed. I was looking forward to useful, not too difficult class to fulfill some pre-reqs and take alongside biochem. Instead I got this.

Instructor 1.0
Enjoyability 1.0
Recommend 2.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 9.0
Fall 2015
1.3
Average

If you're thinking about taking this class because you heard it was easy- don't. The class was redone this year and it's different. It's very unorganized and extremely frustrating at times. The added component of R serves no purpose outside lab classes and assignments, which are tedious and worthless. Webassign is infuriating because of its specificity in answers, so you need to use R. However, you can't use R on any of the tests, so you don't know how to do the problems. Contrary to what the reviews below me say, the 2 midterms and final exam are not easy. The group projects are extremely open ended and graded very harshly and once again, hardly tie into the course material. Maria is cool, but she's a pretty bad lecturer and makes you feel stupid if you don't know what's going on. If you don't need this class, don't take it. It's an easy subject turned into a class designed to give you a bad grade. One of my least favorite courses at UVa.

Instructor 2.0
Enjoyability 1.0
Recommend 1.0
Difficulty 4.0
Hours/Week 5.0
Spring 2015
4.0
Average

Easiest class I've taken at UVA. Been to class maybe 5-6 times the whole semester (mandatory labs) and still did well. The power points were really helpful and you don't need to read the textbook. The homework can little time consuming but fair. The two midterms and the final were relatively easy. If you need to take a math class and your major doesn't require you to take STAT 2120, this class is a god send.

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 3.0
Recommend 5.0
Difficulty 5.0
Hours/Week 0.0
Spring 2015
2.0
Average

Generally a pretty easy class, especially if you have any prior experience in stats whatsoever. Lectures are completely unnecessary aside from 4-5 labs completed throughout the semester. Just read through the chapters and flip through the posted slides as you complete weekly homework, which is often time consuming and varied a lot in difficulty week-to-week. Aside from homework and the labs, you have 2 midterms and a final, all of which you can have a cheat sheet for. Be warned that Maria is a bitch about homework. If its not turned in at the beginning of class, you get a 0, no exceptions.

Instructor 1.0
Enjoyability 2.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 4.0
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Spring 2015
2.3
Average

This class is pretty straightforward. The work includes two midterms, weekly homework, and occasional labs. Maria is not very helpful and is not the best at explaining, but if you teach yourself the material you should be fine.

Instructor 2.0
Enjoyability 2.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 4.0
Hours/Week 0.0
Fall 2014
2.7
Average

This class was very easy and very useful. If you ever think you might need to do data analysis or any type of statistical analysis in research, take this! Lectures were very boring and the weekly homework assignments were tedious, but the book was great. Maria is a really nice lady but not a particularly effective teacher - I did most of my learning from the book. The group projects are kind of a pain in the ass...but again, all very doable, and the professors are very approachable. so go to office hours if you need!

Instructor 2.0
Enjoyability 3.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 0.0
Fall 2014
3.7
Average

This class is pretty easy. The homeworks are straightforward and you can get high As on all of them if you take them seriously. Tests are similar to homeworks and practice tests and you get to bring notes. The projects are the most difficult part, but there were only 2. Def. buy the book, you'll need it. You don't have to go to class, everything you need is on the powerpoints. This class is critical for anyone who ever needs to read/interpret research papers or who is doing their own research.

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 3.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 2.0
Fall 2014
3.0
Average

If you are choosing between STAT 2120 and this class CHOOSE this class. On one of our midterms the average was a 92, whereas the average for 2120 was a 62.

Both Jessica and Maria just read of the slides, so going to class is really optional (as most of the class discovered). For exams you get to bring in cheat sheets and you can write most of the slide info on them, and you'll be golden. Homework takes longer than you'll expect it to, but it's helpful to keep you on top of class topics if you don't go in.

Maria is a really nice person, but not the clearest lecturer. Her slides are very clear, however, so it's not that important. She often seemed a little frazzled in class, but I think it was also because the students were often pretty unresponsive. People only take this class for a requirement, so there wasn't a lot of enthusiasm.

Instructor 3.0
Enjoyability 2.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 3.0
Summer 2014
4.0
Average

STAT 2020 is really laid back and Maria is chill AF. This class is the applied version of STAT 2120 just as MATH 1210 is the applied version of MATH 1310. Concepts are straightforward and exams make sense. Maria is helpful as well. If you got an A in MATH 1210, then STAT 202 should be easy.

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 3.0
Recommend 5.0
Difficulty 1.0
Hours/Week 2.0
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