Professor Applegate is one of the favorite professors i've ever had at columbia. as for the previous review, that he never took attendance in class, it is a ONE HUNDRED person LECTURE. as long as one understands how to do the problem sets (by going to class- much clearer than the textbook), one should be fine on the midterm and final. Applegate is kind, a bit screwy and very understanding if one should have problems understanding the work.