MCD BIO 165A
Biology of Cells
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Requisites: Chemistry 14D or 30B, Life Sciences 3, or 7A, 7B, and 7C. Not open for credit to students with credit for course 100. Molecular basis of cellular structure and function, with focus on each individual cellular organelle, as well as interaction of cells with extracellular environment and with other cells. Material presented in context of experimental questions and answers to incorporate concept of scientific method and recent advances in cell biology research. Exposure in discussions to recent scientific articles that directly relate to information examined in lectures. Letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - Professor Rigueur is one of the worst professors I have ever taken a class with. The content of the class itself was interesting, but Rigueur ruined the course for me. First of all, our first midterm was a ridiculous length for being handwritten in-person, and almost every student I talked to had trouble finishing the entire exam. Rigueur released the grades for this exam one of two ways: 1. you had to go to her office hours and stand there while she graded it (while other students were present in the room) or 2. wait until the day before the second midterm for the grades to be posted on Canvas. The grades for our second quiz, which was taken in the middle of the quarter, and several of our weekly assignments were posted during winter break, showing her complete lack of timeliness when it came to grading. She did not let the TAs assist her in grading exams, causing them to be in the dark for almost every question students had about logistics for this class. Rigueur's know-it-all personality and holier-than-thou attitude (she made it clear on the first day that she was apparently titled "Distinguished" Professor Rigueur) made me feel so unwelcome to seek her help, and I cannot see myself wanting to take a class with her ever again unless forced against my will.
Fall 2024 - Professor Rigueur is one of the worst professors I have ever taken a class with. The content of the class itself was interesting, but Rigueur ruined the course for me. First of all, our first midterm was a ridiculous length for being handwritten in-person, and almost every student I talked to had trouble finishing the entire exam. Rigueur released the grades for this exam one of two ways: 1. you had to go to her office hours and stand there while she graded it (while other students were present in the room) or 2. wait until the day before the second midterm for the grades to be posted on Canvas. The grades for our second quiz, which was taken in the middle of the quarter, and several of our weekly assignments were posted during winter break, showing her complete lack of timeliness when it came to grading. She did not let the TAs assist her in grading exams, causing them to be in the dark for almost every question students had about logistics for this class. Rigueur's know-it-all personality and holier-than-thou attitude (she made it clear on the first day that she was apparently titled "Distinguished" Professor Rigueur) made me feel so unwelcome to seek her help, and I cannot see myself wanting to take a class with her ever again unless forced against my will.
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2024 - Ok so I really liked this class a lot I think Professor Sagasti is a great professor but really this class was ruined by the TAs for me. They graded everything so harshly!! For example I answered a question saying the protein did not bind to microtubules and the TA marked me off a whole point (points mean a lot in this class) because I didn’t say “there was only a little bit of binding with the protein” like really one of the figure shows no protein binding like how? It’s that big of a difference? Also this class had 25% of the grade hinge on Quizzes and the first midterm only 20% (which I don’t get) the quizzes were graded insanely harshly. I got a A on every exam and I still did not get an A in this class. I had to email the TAs to literally argue my side and say “hey this was a correct answer” which was a pain and they made it a big deal when it was regraded. Also the TAs did not know the material that well at all. I went to the material review for the final and one of the TAs did not even understand a figure. I knew the figures better than the TAs like what a joke. Overall, the grading scheme is bad the only reason I give such a decent review is Sagasti was a nice guy and a good lecturer. Beware the TAs can really ruin your grade in this class because the exams are free response make sure to restate the whole question (idk why they like that) and just pray that they don’t grade so stingy.
Spring 2024 - Ok so I really liked this class a lot I think Professor Sagasti is a great professor but really this class was ruined by the TAs for me. They graded everything so harshly!! For example I answered a question saying the protein did not bind to microtubules and the TA marked me off a whole point (points mean a lot in this class) because I didn’t say “there was only a little bit of binding with the protein” like really one of the figure shows no protein binding like how? It’s that big of a difference? Also this class had 25% of the grade hinge on Quizzes and the first midterm only 20% (which I don’t get) the quizzes were graded insanely harshly. I got a A on every exam and I still did not get an A in this class. I had to email the TAs to literally argue my side and say “hey this was a correct answer” which was a pain and they made it a big deal when it was regraded. Also the TAs did not know the material that well at all. I went to the material review for the final and one of the TAs did not even understand a figure. I knew the figures better than the TAs like what a joke. Overall, the grading scheme is bad the only reason I give such a decent review is Sagasti was a nice guy and a good lecturer. Beware the TAs can really ruin your grade in this class because the exams are free response make sure to restate the whole question (idk why they like that) and just pray that they don’t grade so stingy.
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