ECON 570 introduces the data underlying quantitative economic analysis, teaching students to formulate research questions, access data sources, conduct analysis, and report findings professionally.
John Brauer's course involves significant Python coding for econometrics, which reviewers find difficult without prior CS or econometrics background, though one Data Science student found it easy.
Raw average: 4.50/5 from 2 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.
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
Ashley Swanson delivers impeccable, interesting, and informative lectures that cover many topics quickly but not deeply. Reviewers describe her as friendly and the class as straightforward with low time consumption, though she is noted as a tough grader despite heavy curving.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2024: 3.77 GPA, 88.5% A/AB (n=96 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.80 GPA, 92.1% A/AB (n=89 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.79 GPA, 91.5% A/AB (n=82 letter grades).
Raw average: 3.67/5 from 3 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.
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
John Brauer teaches ECON 570 with a heavy emphasis on coding econometrics in Python, though one reviewer notes he explains little code and the course is mislabeled regarding prerequisites.
Other students found the course easy with low stress and good content, while another reviewer described Brauer as fair and understanding for those who attend class.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 3.81 GPA, 92.2% A/AB (n=129 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.82 GPA, 94.6% A/AB (n=74 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.79 GPA, 91.1% A/AB (n=157 letter grades).
Historical reviews for Kim Ruhl describe him as caring, accessible, and clear, with students valuing his supportive feedback and project-based learning. Conversely, recent reviews criticize his lectures as unengaging and report inconsistent grading standards, including a dispute over an F grade for a well-researched paper versus an A+ for a simple suggestion.
ASHLEY SWANSON is recorded teaching in Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Fall 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
JOHN BRAUER is recorded teaching in Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
KIM RUHL is recorded teaching in Spring 2020, Spring 2022, Fall 2023. 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
94 / 96
9
DIS 301
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
1
DIS 302
Classroom Instruction
23 / 24
5
DIS 303
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
3
DIS 304
Classroom Instruction
23 / 24
0
LEC 002
Classroom Instruction
96 / 96
2
DIS 311
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 312
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
2
DIS 313
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
DIS 314
Classroom Instruction
24 / 24
0
Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections. Enrollment reflects scan time.
Students report mixed experiences with current instructors Ashley Swanson and John Brauer. Swanson offers clear, fast-paced lectures with tough grading, while Brauer provides valuable Python content and is viewed as fair and understanding.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 3.81 GPA, 92.2% A/AB (n=129 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.80 GPA, 92.9% A/AB (n=156 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.79 GPA, 91.1% A/AB (n=157 letter grades).
difficulty & workload
John Brauer's course involves significant Python coding for econometrics, which reviewers find difficult without prior CS or econometrics background, though one Data Science student found it easy.
Ashley Swanson is praised for impeccable, interesting lectures and fairness despite tough grading. John Brauer is viewed as fair and understanding, with students noting that attending class and paying attention leads to an enjoyable experience.
Topics
Quantitative economic analysis, research question formulation, economic data sources, preliminary and formal analysis, professional reporting.
Skills
Formulating research questions, accessing economic data sources, conducting preliminary and formal analysis, and reporting findings professionally.
Grades
Latest available · Spring 2026— not enough history to project Fall 2026.
average GPA
A / AB grades
letter grades
Instructor
Grade distribution · % of letter grades
A68.2%68.2%
AB22.9%22.9%
B8.3%8.3%
BC0.6%0.6%
C0.0%0.0%
D0.0%0.0%
F0.0%0.0%
Grades over time
Through Spring 2026
More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data
Where this course fits relative to
Latest available grades · Spring 2026 · all course levels
3.793.79GPA
Higher than 6262% of other courses
in this group.
Course GPAs · red marks this course’s range
157157letter grades
More recorded grades than 8282% 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.