I know this is long overdue!
This semester, my main classes are MCB 102 and Bio 1b.
-MCB 102: structured like many of the bio classes here with three sections, each taught by a different professor. The first professor was Thorner, who, as a lecturer, was great (focused largely on proteins and purification techniques)- very clear voice and explained concepts well. However, I tried asking him some questions and found him to be slightly unapproachable. He was a bit vague when answering my questions and was not very comfortable to talk with. Class was three times a week, discussion once a week- two quizzes per section and one midterm per section. Exam was difficult- average was 54.8% I believe. His lectures are simpler than what he tests on- highly conceptually questions. The second portion of this class is metabolism, which is taught by Krantz. I start out each class determined to take good notes, but for some reason, I always find myself drifting off- which never happened in Thorner's section. I think that's because Krantz packs his lecture slides with so much material, it's hard to follow everything he's saying. So I make sure to record every lecture on my phone so I can go back and review. I thought this section would be easier than Thorner's because it's memorization- boy was I wrong. There is so much to memorize, it's ridiculous- not just the steps in each reaction, but the mechanisms, and each little detail that follows as well. Maybe the third section will be better? Fingers crossed :)
-Bio 1B is also divided into three sections: Evolution taught by Huelsenbeck, Ecology taught by Shabel, and Plants (not sure who teaches this section..). Huelsenbeck was a good lecturer, albeit somewhat monotone. But he tried to engage his students and make the material interesting, which it was. Concepts were simple, but for some reason, I didn't do so well on the exam- 33 questions, one hour. The exam consisted of some genetics problems and cladistic problems, the latter screwing me up haha, among general evolution questions. Shabel, who is teaching right now, is more monotone than Huelsenbeck, in my opinion, and the material isn't as interesting either. He shows really good videos in class, which is a plus. I heard his exam was really hard/tricky, so we'll see how that goes.. Lab for bio 1b is a bit tedious for me and I don't enjoy them all that much. I think lab does a good job of explaining the concepts learned in lecture, but I don't think it's necessary whatsoever.. I really like my group and enjoy working with them, but the lab reports we have to do and the small assignments here and there get on my nerves at the best of times (if that makes sense haha).
I have midterms coming up next week and the week after so I'll be living in my room for the next two weeks haha. If you have any questions, please leave a comment! (although I can't promise to get back quickly, for which I apologize!) Also, sorry if this post is shorter than my previous semester evaluations- I don't have time to make it as detailed as they used to be. When I have time, I'll try to go back and add the minor details that I skipped out on today. :)
Like always, best of luck!
-K
This semester, my main classes are MCB 102 and Bio 1b.
-MCB 102: structured like many of the bio classes here with three sections, each taught by a different professor. The first professor was Thorner, who, as a lecturer, was great (focused largely on proteins and purification techniques)- very clear voice and explained concepts well. However, I tried asking him some questions and found him to be slightly unapproachable. He was a bit vague when answering my questions and was not very comfortable to talk with. Class was three times a week, discussion once a week- two quizzes per section and one midterm per section. Exam was difficult- average was 54.8% I believe. His lectures are simpler than what he tests on- highly conceptually questions. The second portion of this class is metabolism, which is taught by Krantz. I start out each class determined to take good notes, but for some reason, I always find myself drifting off- which never happened in Thorner's section. I think that's because Krantz packs his lecture slides with so much material, it's hard to follow everything he's saying. So I make sure to record every lecture on my phone so I can go back and review. I thought this section would be easier than Thorner's because it's memorization- boy was I wrong. There is so much to memorize, it's ridiculous- not just the steps in each reaction, but the mechanisms, and each little detail that follows as well. Maybe the third section will be better? Fingers crossed :)
-Bio 1B is also divided into three sections: Evolution taught by Huelsenbeck, Ecology taught by Shabel, and Plants (not sure who teaches this section..). Huelsenbeck was a good lecturer, albeit somewhat monotone. But he tried to engage his students and make the material interesting, which it was. Concepts were simple, but for some reason, I didn't do so well on the exam- 33 questions, one hour. The exam consisted of some genetics problems and cladistic problems, the latter screwing me up haha, among general evolution questions. Shabel, who is teaching right now, is more monotone than Huelsenbeck, in my opinion, and the material isn't as interesting either. He shows really good videos in class, which is a plus. I heard his exam was really hard/tricky, so we'll see how that goes.. Lab for bio 1b is a bit tedious for me and I don't enjoy them all that much. I think lab does a good job of explaining the concepts learned in lecture, but I don't think it's necessary whatsoever.. I really like my group and enjoy working with them, but the lab reports we have to do and the small assignments here and there get on my nerves at the best of times (if that makes sense haha).
I have midterms coming up next week and the week after so I'll be living in my room for the next two weeks haha. If you have any questions, please leave a comment! (although I can't promise to get back quickly, for which I apologize!) Also, sorry if this post is shorter than my previous semester evaluations- I don't have time to make it as detailed as they used to be. When I have time, I'll try to go back and add the minor details that I skipped out on today. :)
Like always, best of luck!
-K
