CLUSTER 70A
Evolution of Cosmos and Life
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, two hours. Course 70A is enforced requisite to 70B, which is enforced requisite to 70CW or 70DW. Limited to first-year freshmen. Use of concept of evolution, as it applies to biological organisms, Earth, solar system, and universe itself, to introduce students to both life and physical sciences. Examination of evolution of universe, galaxy, solar system, and Earth. Letter grading.
Units: 6.0
Units: 6.0
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2022 - Overall, this cluster is a great option for non-stem majors looking to know out their science GEs, however that didn't mean it was a walk in the park. This course is split into three subsections, one per quarter, because it is a year-long course. Professor Brown began instruction in winter quarter, and though she was evidently very educated and passionate, I found her lectures to be somewhat dull and kind of boring. Pro tip: how well you perform in this class honestly has nothing to do with the professor and everything to do with which TA you have. Lastly, I will say that the biweekly quizzes are somewhat difficult, but this section of the course, Cluster 70B, is significantly easier in workload, clarity, and overall easiness than Cluster 70A.
Winter 2022 - Overall, this cluster is a great option for non-stem majors looking to know out their science GEs, however that didn't mean it was a walk in the park. This course is split into three subsections, one per quarter, because it is a year-long course. Professor Brown began instruction in winter quarter, and though she was evidently very educated and passionate, I found her lectures to be somewhat dull and kind of boring. Pro tip: how well you perform in this class honestly has nothing to do with the professor and everything to do with which TA you have. Lastly, I will say that the biweekly quizzes are somewhat difficult, but this section of the course, Cluster 70B, is significantly easier in workload, clarity, and overall easiness than Cluster 70A.
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - Cluster 70A is a great class for non-stem majors. It is super interesting and you can really learn some fascinating and interesting things if you open yourself up to it. Throughout the quarter the main grades were five quizzes, a paper, and some lab assignments. The quizzes were 10 multiple choice questions and a few free responses. The free response was generally straight forward, but sometimes the wording could be a bit confusing on the MC. The paper was also not too difficult and there was a lot of opportunity to work on it. In addition to these assignments there were lab assignments. These were not too difficult but could all build up if you procrastinate. Professor Friscia was a great lecturer. He was super informative, answered questions well, and used his slides effectively. Overall, he was really clear and covered a lot of information without the lecture feeling too dense.
Fall 2020 - Cluster 70A is a great class for non-stem majors. It is super interesting and you can really learn some fascinating and interesting things if you open yourself up to it. Throughout the quarter the main grades were five quizzes, a paper, and some lab assignments. The quizzes were 10 multiple choice questions and a few free responses. The free response was generally straight forward, but sometimes the wording could be a bit confusing on the MC. The paper was also not too difficult and there was a lot of opportunity to work on it. In addition to these assignments there were lab assignments. These were not too difficult but could all build up if you procrastinate. Professor Friscia was a great lecturer. He was super informative, answered questions well, and used his slides effectively. Overall, he was really clear and covered a lot of information without the lecture feeling too dense.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2021 - Jewitt is a crazyman. I absolutely loved this cluster, but that was not due to him, it was due to the other lecturers and the content. This man literally said "all people have good in them, even Hitler," and said a bunch of other crazy shit like "scientific thought was born 500 years ago in Europe." He argued with students when they called him out for LITERALLY SYMPATHIZING WITH NAZIS and erasing non-European scientific history. He literally ARGUED. For like 10 minutes. Trying to defend himself. Anyway, I don't even know why he wasn't fired on the spot, he's a crusty old man and shouldn't be teaching. Other than that, great class I loved the content and all the lecturers/TAs except him.
Fall 2021 - Jewitt is a crazyman. I absolutely loved this cluster, but that was not due to him, it was due to the other lecturers and the content. This man literally said "all people have good in them, even Hitler," and said a bunch of other crazy shit like "scientific thought was born 500 years ago in Europe." He argued with students when they called him out for LITERALLY SYMPATHIZING WITH NAZIS and erasing non-European scientific history. He literally ARGUED. For like 10 minutes. Trying to defend himself. Anyway, I don't even know why he wasn't fired on the spot, he's a crusty old man and shouldn't be teaching. Other than that, great class I loved the content and all the lecturers/TAs except him.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2017 - Dr. Larkin is a great professor. Although he goes through his slides quite quickly, he is always more than happy to explain the material during his office hours. I would 100% recommend going to his office hours if you're having trouble. This class isn't a cake walk as it does require lots of reading and work but it's definitely worth it! All in all I would definitely recommend Larkin. I'm selling both books required for this class: The Story of Earth and A Short History of Nearly Everything! If interested text me at **********
Fall 2017 - Dr. Larkin is a great professor. Although he goes through his slides quite quickly, he is always more than happy to explain the material during his office hours. I would 100% recommend going to his office hours if you're having trouble. This class isn't a cake walk as it does require lots of reading and work but it's definitely worth it! All in all I would definitely recommend Larkin. I'm selling both books required for this class: The Story of Earth and A Short History of Nearly Everything! If interested text me at **********
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2019 - My classmates would groan upon finding out that Lawrence was giving the next lecture for the cluster. For the most part, this professor is incoherent during lecture and leaves students hopelessly confused about what he discusses. The cluster as a whole is worth taking, but be prepared to put in a little extra work trying to make sense of the material this professor attempts to teach.
Fall 2019 - My classmates would groan upon finding out that Lawrence was giving the next lecture for the cluster. For the most part, this professor is incoherent during lecture and leaves students hopelessly confused about what he discusses. The cluster as a whole is worth taking, but be prepared to put in a little extra work trying to make sense of the material this professor attempts to teach.
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