ECON 310 introduces the analysis of economic data using descriptive statistics and statistical inference techniques like hypothesis testing and estimation.
The course is described as hard, with difficult midterms and finals. Workload includes weekly homework via MindTap or Aplia, which some find time-consuming. One review notes that exams can be harder than practice problems.
“Used by” includes alternatives; linked courses may have other requirements. This is a best-effort interpretation; check the catalog requirements above.
Raw average: 3.79/5 from 103 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.
For this course: 3.4/5 raw quality · 3.4/5 difficulty · 55
reviews
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
Gregory Pac is described as kind, available, and helpful, with many extra credit opportunities and a generous curve. Reviewers appreciate his straightforward teaching and desire for student success, though some find his lectures boring or awkward.
Other reviewers report significant difficulties, citing brutal exams that differ from practice problems and vague slides. Some find the course unhelpful for beginners, with one reviewer calling him strict and unkind, while another notes excessive focus on AI over teaching.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 3.03 GPA, 44.9% A/AB (n=207 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.11 GPA, 52.2% A/AB (n=247 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.07 GPA, 46.8% A/AB (n=203 letter grades).
Raw average: 2.78/5 from 73 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.
For this course: 2.7/5 raw quality · 4.3/5 difficulty · 54
reviews
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
David Hansen is described as polite and helpful in office hours, though his lectures are frequently called dry, boring, or overly technical. While some students find his explanations clear and effective, others report that the material is difficult to comprehend without significant independent study. Reviewers disagree on his teaching quality, ranging from useless to really kind.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 3.22 GPA, 45.3% A/AB (n=150 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.10 GPA, 46.2% A/AB (n=145 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.15 GPA, 50.4% A/AB (n=117 letter grades).
Historical reviews of Lorenzo Magnolfi: Lorenzo Magnolfi provides engaging lectures with posted notes and generous grading curves, though exams remain challenging due to tight time limits. Reviewers emphasize that careful preparation is essential to succeed in his class.
ANDRES ARADILLAS-LOPEZ is recorded teaching in Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Spring 2012, Spring 2013. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
CHRISTOPHER MCKELVEY is recorded teaching in Fall 2012, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Fall 2021, Fall 2023. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
DAVID HANSEN is recorded teaching in Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
FRANCESCO DECAROLIS is recorded teaching in Spring 2010, Spring 2011. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
GEOFFREY WALLACE is recorded teaching in Fall 2013. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
GRZEGORZ PAC is recorded teaching in Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
JACK PORTER is recorded teaching in Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2011, Spring 2015. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
JAMES R WALKER is recorded teaching in Fall 2006. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
WILLIAM SANDHOLM is recorded teaching in Fall 2017, Spring 2019. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future
schedule.
Calendar & sections
Fall 2026
Schedule loads here as you scroll.
Section
Mode
Enrolled / capacity
Waitlist
LEC 001
Classroom Instruction
140 / 154
1
LAB 302
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
LAB 305
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LEC 002
Classroom Instruction
229 / 228
4
LAB 310
Classroom Instruction
21 / 21
1
LAB 311
Classroom Instruction
23 / 23
1
LAB 312
Classroom Instruction
20 / 20
0
LAB 313
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
1
LAB 303
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
1
LAB 306
Classroom Instruction
20 / 22
0
LAB 314
Classroom Instruction
20 / 20
0
LAB 315
Classroom Instruction
21 / 20
0
LAB 301
Classroom Instruction
20 / 22
0
LAB 316
Classroom Instruction
20 / 20
0
LAB 317
Classroom Instruction
21 / 20
1
LAB 307
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 308
Classroom Instruction
14 / 22
0
LAB 318
Classroom Instruction
19 / 20
0
LAB 319
Classroom Instruction
20 / 20
0
LAB 320
Classroom Instruction
20 / 20
0
Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections. Enrollment reflects scan time.
Gregory Pac is praised as kind and helpful, with straightforward teaching and extra credit opportunities. David Hansen is viewed as kind and effective at explaining concepts, though his lectures are described as dry and the class as difficult.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 3.11 GPA, 45.1% A/AB (n=357 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.11 GPA, 50.0% A/AB (n=392 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.10 GPA, 48.1% A/AB (n=320 letter grades).
difficulty & workload
The course is described as hard, with difficult midterms and finals. Workload includes weekly homework via MindTap or Aplia, which some find time-consuming. One review notes that exams can be harder than practice problems.
Office hours are cited as helpful resources for both instructors. Gregory Pac is appreciated for his availability and kindness, while one review criticizes his focus on AI over content. David Hansen is noted for being willing to help students understand material.
Topics
Economic data analysis.
Descriptive statistics.
Statistical inference.
Hypothesis testing and estimation.
Skills
Descriptive statistics and statistical inference techniques.
Analysis of economic data.
Hypothesis testing and estimation.
Grades
Historical instructor
Fall 2026 · Projected
Before grades are released
2.692.69–3.463.46average GPA
Approximate 80% prediction interval
0.04.0
About this estimate
The course’s semester-average GPA, not an individual student’s grade. The center uses 5 same-season terms, weighted toward recent results.
The range uses the finite-sample 80th-percentile rank of absolute errors from earlier same-season forecasts. Each forecast uses only records from earlier terms. At least four forecasts are required; bounds are rounded outward and limited to 0–4. This is an empirical estimate: changing instructors or grading policies can reduce its coverage.
8 earlier forecasts · 0.09 GPA average error.
Grades over time
Through Fall 2026
More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data
Where this course fits relative to
Latest available grades · Spring 2026 · all course levels
3.103.10GPA
Higher than 88% of other courses
in this group.
Course GPAs · red marks this course’s range
320320letter grades
More recorded grades than 9494% of other courses in this group.
Typical course in this group: 66.066.0 letter grades.
About this comparison
1283 courses over the same term, each with at least 30
recorded letter grades. Cross-listed courses count once. GPA is not a measure
of difficulty or teaching quality. The typical course is the median by recorded
grade count; tied values are not counted as lower. Grade counts describe course scale, not unique students or typical section size.
Descriptions compare GPA with this group’s average: at least 0.20 higher or lower; otherwise close to average. Section size uses median recorded enrollment: small up to 30, mid-sized 31–99, large 100+. Lectures and discussion/lab sections are described separately.
Sources & history
UW–Madison
Catalog & offerings
Descriptions, prerequisites, and recorded course offerings.
Catalog observation history
Observations at scan time; dates do not imply when a catalog change took effect.