2.3

Alex Anas

Economics - University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo)

2.3
Quality
4.0
Difficulty
43%
Would Retake
83
Reviews
2.3
Quality
4.0
Difficulty
2.2
Helpful
2.5
Clarity

43%

Would Retake

83

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

8

4

13

3

13

2

24

1

25

What Students Say

Avoid him at all costs

ECO182 - 1.0 rating

Tests are insanely hard and class material/practice have little to do with whats on the tests

ECO182 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

25%

Textbook Required

75%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B-

95% confidence
Based on 24 grades
Most common grades:
B+ (6)
D+ (4)
A- (4)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(2)C(3)D(5)F(2)A-/B+(10)
Based on 30 reported grades
B+: 6
D+: 4
A-: 4
Not_Sure_Yet: 3
Common Tags
Respected (4)
Tough Grader (3)
TEST HEAVY (3)
Caring (2)
Get ready to read (2)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (2)
Clear grading criteria (2)
Tough grader (2)
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.04 avg change
May
Jun
Dec
Mar
Oct
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

MICROECON

5.0

(1)

ECO521

5.0

(1)

ECO665

4.7

(3)

ECO182A

3.7

(3)

421ECO

3.6

(5)
+15 more courses
Difficulty by Course

182

5.0

MICROTHEORY

5.0

ECO

5.0

ECO400S

5.0

ECO576

5.0

Reviews (83)
1.0
2.0
ECO182
Apr 8, 2003

No Comments

2.0
2.0
ECO180
May 25, 2003

No Comments

1.0
2.0
ECO182
Nov 6, 2003

Prof Anas lectures straight from the book. He didnt event give different examples. I wasnt motivated to show up in class at all. He's not hard, neither is he a hard grader. Just read the book and do his practice quizes.

2.0
5.0
ECO181
Nov 20, 2003

No Comments

1.0
4.0
ECO182
Dec 19, 2003

There is no TA or recitation for this class. It's difficult to achieve a B or better. You'll most likely end up studying too much for a B-

2.0
3.0
ECO182
Apr 11, 2004

class is boring and itss just like macroeconomics...class is way to long to be enjoyed and hes boring and half the time you cant understand him over his accent... nice guy but way to boring

2.0
4.0
ECO182
Apr 16, 2004

tough class, tough teacher, accent thats hard to understand. would not reccomend

2.0
4.0
ECO182
May 14, 2004

work hard for nothing

4.0
2.0
ECO182
Nov 17, 2004

He does the work straight out of the book therefor you dont have to go to class, just memorize the prac quizes.

4.0
2.0
ECO182
Nov 22, 2004

do the practice quizes, the class is a little dull but the test arent that bad

5.0
2.0
ECO182
Dec 11, 2004

i dont know what everyone else is talking about, Prof Anas is a good prof, sure the class is a bit dull. But its econ you have to like it yourself. He sticks to the book sure, but he dosnt drift from the material either, if you read, and do the parctice quizes you'll do well. he knows his stuff to !

4.0
3.0
ECO182
Dec 18, 2004

I also dont see what everyone is saying. Its a bad subject to teach but he makes it as simple as he could. Goes right through the book and gives you test questions before the test. I def reccomend prof Anas. No matter who you get it will be dull.

2.0
3.0
ECO182
Grade: A
Jan 19, 2005

Not good. Prepares lecture material 10 minutes before class starts (you can see him writing it from the textbook while the previous class empties out). Nice guy. Posts quizzes online, half of them end up on exams. Grade distributions are fair. You'd be better off with Linsley or Morgan though.

2.0
4.0
ECO182
Jan 26, 2005

wow...boring isn't even a word to describe this class...worse than that...but not a big economics fan either...:/

4.0
2.0
ECO182
Mar 21, 2005

Class is boring, but tests are fair. If you study the book, you could probably not go to class and still get good grades on the exams.

2.0
4.0
ECO182
Apr 9, 2005

would not recommend this guy. He's nice, but incredibly boring. Talks very slowly and is hard to understand. People are constantly falling asleep. Test are hard and material is not always well covered.

2.0
4.0
ECO182
Apr 13, 2005

This guy takes the cake when it comes to boring. He doesn't just put the normal slackers to sleep, one day i saw at least 75% of the class sleeping. I don't see how he can be called a good prof when he just takes material from the book and puts it on a graph on the overhead. A monkey could do that.

2.0
5.0
MICROTHEORY
Sep 2, 2005

No Comments

3.0
5.0
ECO182
Oct 6, 2005

no attendance but tests are absolutley ridiculous

2.0
4.0
MIRCOECON
Nov 1, 2005

NOOOooooooo do not take econ with this ma... he is a nice person yes some of his jokes are cute but he teaches to put me to sleep i swear it and his tests are quite difficult but he seems to think they are easy? he doesnt even cover some of the stuff on them

1.0
3.0
MICROECONOMICS
Nov 2, 2005

If you love sleeping in class this is the class for you. This guy is more boring then the weather channel. Dont go to class and read the book(where everything that he puts on the overhead is from).

5.0
3.0
ECO182
Nov 11, 2005

I'm surprised he has such a low rating. He is fairly interesting in his lectures. He does teach STRAIGHT from the book, but that helps with understanding of the topics, even if it can be boring. I've occasionally needed cafeine to stay awake. His tests are kinda tricky, but if you study and read the chapters you can definitally AT LEAST pull a B.

5.0
3.0
MICROECON
Dec 9, 2005

very interesting and knowledgable guy. teaches right from book and his tests are much harder than any of his practice quizzes. tests are more english tests than anything. very nice guy, just a hard class. note, if you have a hard time with accents, not the guy for you, its not bad, but he is not english.

1.0
5.0
ECO
Dec 20, 2005

HIS TA MAKES HIS TEST...SO SOMETIMES HE DOENS'T COVER FEW TOPICS BUT HIS TA ASK QUESTIONS ABT THOSE TOPICS! JUST READ THE BOOK...GO TO CLS FOR UNDERSTANDIN...EXAMS ARE HARD...BUT PRACTICE QUIZZES ARE EISER SO DONT GET FOOLED...CLAS IS NOT EASY THO IT LOOKS EASY!

2.0
4.0
ECO182
Jan 3, 2006

His tests are very ambiguous and often don't even make sense, moreso a play on wording than anything else. Find a better professor for this class.

3.0
4.0
ECO182A
Nov 7, 2006

Professor Anas is an interesting teacher. However, his tone of voice will be very boring. One has to get used to his tone in order to understand what he is talking about as well as his accent. I find his tests to be rather difficult, eventhough I pay attention in class and read the chapters.

2.0
3.0
ECO182
May 21, 2007

Anas is a boring teacher, lectures are painful but if u are able to stay awake they can be helpful. Pay attention in recitation...his tests are tough , read the book over and over and over.

2.0
3.0
ECO182
Nov 28, 2007

Prof Anas is a nice guy. Saying that, he bores you to death. I enjoy the class itself, but he goes off on tangents, and you fall asleep. No one really comes to this class, other than to take the predetermined tests. He is interesting to talk to in office hours, but tests are not easy if you don;t truely understand everything. Easy topic turned hard

3.0
4.0
ECO182
Dec 13, 2007

Ok, so I've read all the comment people have made about his class and him as a Professor. I actually think he makes the class easy -of course if you read the book prior to the lecture- Otherwise you're in serious probs. Pe say he his boring, but I dont think so, he spices up the class with a fee jokes. But if you r taking him, pleeease review own!!

3.0
5.0
ECO182
Dec 21, 2007

the class average on the final that is worth 50% of the final grade was a 54%. enough said.

5.0
5.0
ECO182
Jan 13, 2008

An excellent teacher. Knows the material really well and makes the student think.

2.0
3.0
ECO421
Aug 8, 2008

VERY BORING, CAN NOT EVEN HEAR HIM TALK. Doesn't have office hours or extra help. Okay curve.

2.0
4.0
ECO182
Nov 10, 2008

He is extremely monotone. I learn nothing from the class. He follows the book pretty much exactly so if you study that it's not too bad. But you can barely understand him and he is soo boring.

1.0
2.0
ECON182
Nov 24, 2008

His class is easy if you memorize the slides from class. You MUST go to the reviews that his TAs give to save you time studying. The TA will practically tell you what's on the test and what is worth studying for so you know the concepts when the time comes. Anas is terrible, don't bother going to his lectures. No homework and tests are reasonable.

3.0
5.0
ECO181
Nov 25, 2008

He's interesting and very intelligent - no doubt. It's just painful to sit through the lecture especially when you don't know if it's even worth attending. I feel like I kinda have to teach myself the course by reading the book and hope for the best. But as a "nice guy," - yeah - he's great. Your eyelids will never feel heavier though.

3.0
4.0
ECO182
Dec 12, 2008

Lectures are very boring. Curve is decent. I dont like how the final is 50% of final grade. Tests are tough, Final was tough. Overall not that bad of a class

3.0
3.0
ECO182
Apr 27, 2009

Extremely boring, but has a rediculous curve. You only need a 35 to pass the course, and a 70 or above is a B

2.0
4.0
ECO181
Dec 22, 2009

Bad TEacher, Great Curve...It is extremely hard to understand him in a lecture hall and you will not learn anything from him. Going to class is useless. just read the chapters and try and understand the material if you want to do well

1.0
5.0
ECO400S
Mar 18, 2010

the worst professor ever. hes hard to communicate with and has no office hour. his lecture does not relate to the textbook at all. its very confusing and boring. half the things he says is irrelevant. he gives out written exams and it has to be EXACTLY the way he wants it or he will fail you. DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS. people have dropped his classes.

3.0
5.0
ECO576
May 15, 2010

simplistic lectures, ridiculous tests, with lots of ticky questions. go for it if youre brave, but generally not a reasonable guy

3.0
4.0
ECO406
May 17, 2010

I am shocked by these comments. perhaps ECO 182 is inherently boring, but I found 406 interesting and I enjoyed the class. however, class participation is a huge aspect and he calls students at random and records answers. tests are extremely hard but a generous curve is given. Overall, loved the class and I am taking a class with him again.

5.0
3.0
ECO521
Dec 26, 2010

Ignore what the fools have to say. I have taken 4 classes with Prof. Anas and each one has been amazing. He is incredibly knowledgeable and is an unbelievably friendly guy. I have had him for Eco 182, 406, 521 and 665. All four classes were really well taught and I've learned the most from them, hands down. Easily the best prof. I've ever had.

2.0
5.0
ECO182
Apr 1, 2014

The class is based off of another professors lecture notes. And his tests are made up on his own, which are incredibly difficult. Not very personable either. Do not take a class with him

3.0
4.0
ECO182
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Apr 26, 2014

intelligent prof. but extremely bad irresponsibleTA. the prof only care about his lecture, no office hour. hard to make an appointment with prof or his TA. no curve. especially the TA Jianbo Luo, never choose his discussion. strong accent lack of language ability to explain materials well

3.0
4.0
ECO182
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Apr 26, 2014

intelligent prof. but extremely bad irresponsibleTA. the prof only care about his lecture, no office hour. hard to make an appointment with prof or his TA. no curve. especially the TA Jianbo Luo, never choose his discussion. strong accent lack of ability to explain materials well

1.0
4.0
ECO182
Apr 26, 2014

intelligent prof. but extremely bad irresponsibleTA. the prof only care about his lecture, no office hour. hard to make an appointment with prof or his TA. no curve. especially the TA Jianbo Luo, never choose his discussion. strong accent lack of ability to explain materials no attendance no curve

1.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: A
May 13, 2014

Extremely not understandable professor! Doesn't listen to the student! Poor quality compare to all the other professors I have so far in UB! And I believe it will be the worst. Not because the test is hard, but because he is not a reasonable person!

1.0
5.0
ECO182
May 14, 2014

Anas, the name speaks for himself... He is the worst teachers I've taken so far. Doesn't use his own notes and the notes don't go with the test's what so ever. Very confusing, accent. Terrible TA's. Hands down the worst class you can take at UB.

1.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
May 18, 2014

The worse ECO professor you can get at UB. He said you can get an A with an average of 75%. Guess what? 90% class score 50 on the quiz and exam. Hardest exam and quiz you can ever have. Don't take him !!!

1.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: D+
May 19, 2014

I don't doubt that he's a smart guy, but the way that he taught this class, and I am using taught in the loosest sense of the word, was just awful. No textbook. Lecture notes and powerpoints from a different teacher while he makes up his own tests. Idk about his other classes, but do not take his introductory level class. It'll just make u cry

1.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: D+
Jun 19, 2014

Not clear at all. Not helpful. All around horrible.

1.0
5.0
182
Grade: F
Feb 25, 2015

nightmare! avoid him at all cost!! not helpful, not approachable!

1.0
5.0
ECO182
Mar 12, 2015

Worst teacher I've ever had. If you can get out of his class before going into the semester, do it. He teaches literally nothing in his lectures and takes another teachers notes and tests. Never gives feed back and only reads what is on the power point. Terrible teacher.

1.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: D+
Mar 30, 2015

i got D+ in this course. Meanwhile got B+ on macro & MGA 201, A on MGQ201 and getting A on MGA 202 Thinking back then, I should've dropped this course but should've got micro credit from other SUNY college. P.S. I studied and I could only recognize 4-questions out of 25 questions from the ppt he uses.

1.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: F
Apr 13, 2015

I think he should retire. Teaching isn't for everyone and it was never meant for him. If he's gonna rob me of my money I'd rather him rob my house not my education. Avoid him at all costs. Find better professor shouldn't be hard because anyone is probably better..

1.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 15, 2015

This professor is a smart man no doubt. But I have yet to see a single shred of competency in teaching a class. The tests are hard and he does nothing to prepare you or give you materials to prepare for the exam with. His voice makes everyone fall asleep and his lectures are all over the place with no direction whatsoever. Don't take this class.

4.0
4.0
ECO182
May 30, 2015

Very knowledgeable and very clear presenter. Warned class not to memorize but understand. Course is hard but if you stick it out you learn excellent micro.

4.0
4.0
ECO665
Grade: A-
May 30, 2015

PhD program cousre is a must. Work hard but can not pass prelim without it. We knwo about this graet course before we come to ub,

1.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: C
Sep 18, 2015

70 and up is an A. Tests are insanely hard and class material/practice have little to do with whats on the tests. He urges you to "understand not memorize" but you really have to go to recitation every week to understand anything. You think you know how to do the practice questions but the tests will be 10x harder

4.0
4.0
421ECO
Sep 24, 2015

The course 412 in economics is excellent so far this semester.

5.0
4.0
ECO665
Oct 4, 2015

Amazing professor. Teaches basic grad micro without going too abstract. And he is very funny in class and outside. Go to him for help, if you are in trouble and he is very nice, helpful.

4.0
4.0
ECO421
Grade: A-
Oct 23, 2015

Easily one of the best professors I've had at UB. Smart, organized and willing to help. Gives practice problems before each exam that are almost identical to the test questions & goes over them in detail prior to test. Most people who rated him poorly are ECO181/182 students (freshmen) who are not willing to work hard enough for an A.

2.0
5.0
ECON405
Grade: C
Oct 28, 2015

Basically teaches straight from powerpoint of the textbook. kind of boring to listen to. has a slight accent that on occasion is difficult to understand. tests are similar to in class examples. sometimes doesnt explain the material well

4.0
4.0
421ECO
Grade: B+
Dec 15, 2015

Anas did a great job this semester and great reviews before the exams to prepare us.

4.0
4.0
421ECO
Grade: A-
Jan 12, 2016

Tough teacher but clear, helpful and engaging. nice lectures based on power point.

4.0
3.0
421ECO
Grade: B+
Jan 12, 2016

Great teacher, great power points.

2.0
5.0
ECON182
Grade: D+
Apr 20, 2016

This class was very hard for me. Professor is monotone and boring. Tests were very difficult and so were quizzes. There is no homework so your grade is based of three exams and five or so quizzes. Subject wasn't hard but professor made it hard. He doesn't know how to teach to a class. Spends too much time on easy topics and not enough on hard topic

5.0
3.0
ECO182
May 9, 2016

Professor Anas is very helpful. You definitely have to put in the work to receive an A but the effort is worth it. Do the problem sets and make sure you understand the material.

2.0
5.0
ECO182
May 10, 2016

Economics really isn't a hard subject but he makes it extra hard & extra boring. Not one of those classes you can just study the night before an exam or quiz and expect a good grade. TA's aren't very helpful either. Only plus was there was no required textbook. Only 2 midterms, 4/5 quizzes and 1 final. All around hard class, avoid taking him!

4.0
5.0
ECO182A
Grade: B+
May 30, 2016
Would take again

Anas was great this spring. The power points with animated was our textbook. He emphasized to understand not memorize and explained everything very clearly.

4.0
4.0
ECO182A
Grade: A-
Jun 4, 2016
Would take again

great course. tough but you learn.

5.0
4.0
ECO665
Oct 26, 2016
Would take again

Great job. Tough but important.

Respected
Amazing lectures
Caring
2.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: B+
May 4, 2017
Wouldn't take again

He does not even teach using his own notes and the examples he gives us are child's play compared to the actual test. He mumbles under his breath into a cheap microphone and reads verbatim from the slides. Class is honestly useless and teaching is not for him. He preaches to "understand not memorize" but that's an excuse for his lack of teaching.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
5.0
ECO182
May 19, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Don't take Anas for microeconomics no matter what. His lectures were long and boring since he doesn't make class interesting at all. Your grade depends on 3 exams(including the final) and 3 quizzes which contain material he didn't even go over in lecture. He doesn't realize how much of a negative experience he gives the students. AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
1.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: C
May 26, 2017
Wouldn't take again

I did everything to be successful in this class. All the practice problems and sample exam problems. What he gives you is absolutely no help when it comes to the exams. You have to get a 75 in the class to get an A, which seems easy, until you take the tests. I got good grades on all the quizzes, but the tests were harder than anything taught.

Tough Grader
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
5.0
ECO181
May 27, 2017
Wouldn't take again

worst professor ever. hardest exam.

Get ready to read
Hilarious
TEST HEAVY
3.0
5.0
ECO182
Grade: D
Jun 7, 2017
Would take again

I didn't take the advice seriously when people told me this was a hard class. There are three exams that count 30% each. The powerpoints make it seem simple but the test and quiz questions are set up to confuse you. Know your algebra and study for quizzes and tests. The Professor tries to make sure you understand and the TA's are also very helpful.

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Clear grading criteria
TEST HEAVY
1.0
5.0
ECO421
Grade: B-
Dec 9, 2020
Wouldn't take again

He is extremely knowledgeable there is no denying that. His resume speaks for himself he is an extremely accomplished man. With that being said, that does not always translate to being a good professor. In his case, it is the complete opposite. Hard grader, false promises, lack of interest teaching, tests are your whole grade, no extra credit..

Respected
Tough grader
3.0
4.0
ECO421
Grade: B+
Mar 2, 2021
Would take again

I learnt Microeconomics from him. It was enjoyable but his take home open book quizzes are hard. He also expects you to solve textbook exercises. He is very caring and allowed me to retake the exam (I went from C- to B+) once I gave a medical certificate. I think microeconomics today should be grounded on game theory (I read Osborne)

Respected
Inspirational
Clear grading criteria
2.0
3.0
MICROECONOMICS
Grade: B
Oct 22, 2023
Would take again

Prof Anas was so-so in Summer '23 when I had him. He is kind and caring as he was always willing to help students, also knowledgeable in what he teaches. But, the method of teaching was not that effective as most students, including myself did poorly for the first exam. It's still ok as he realized the mistake and dropped it. He can be improved.

Participation matters
Caring
Respected
1.0
5.0
ECO407
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 5, 2025

Anas is laughably bad at teaching. His classes are all graded on exams and his prep for them is not useful. His grading scale is random with no merit. Easily the worst professor I've had at UB.

Tough grader
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
ECO421
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 11, 2025

Class average on first exam was a 57%. Several exam questions required methods not taught in class or shown in the slides. Inconsistent in providing practice problems, sometimes the practice problems did not reflect what was on the exam. 7 question exams, confusing wording, no HW, no extra credit, 3 exams + final is your grade.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
Graded by few things
2.0
3.0
421ECO
Grade: B+
Dec 29, 2025

alex anas is a good guy. Knowledgeable on the material and a decent explainer. however, no one is in that class for a seemingly nice professor. his lecture content and exam materials are VERY different. you need to focus on studying possible scenarios in really weird ways that HE doesnt teach. its all basically word problems which he doesnt teach.

Participation matters
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

25%

Textbook Required

75%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B-

95% confidence
Based on 24 grades
Most common grades:
B+ (6)
D+ (4)
A- (4)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(2)C(3)D(5)F(2)A-/B+(10)
Based on 30 reported grades
B+: 6
D+: 4
A-: 4
Not_Sure_Yet: 3
Common Tags
Respected (4)
Tough Grader (3)
TEST HEAVY (3)
Caring (2)
Get ready to read (2)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (2)
Clear grading criteria (2)
Tough grader (2)
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.04 avg change
May
Jun
Dec
Mar
Oct
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

MICROECON

5.0

(1)

ECO521

5.0

(1)

ECO665

4.7

(3)

ECO182A

3.7

(3)

421ECO

3.6

(5)
+15 more courses
Difficulty by Course

182

5.0

MICROTHEORY

5.0

ECO

5.0

ECO400S

5.0

ECO576

5.0

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