LS4 with Merriam is like taking an online course without sufficient materials. Although I got an A in the class, many of my friends suffered because it is basically an independently taught class. Merriam, at least for me, did not go well with my studying methods, and I usually left class a little more confused than when I came in. Oh, and the only reason I bothered to go was the institution of mandatory quizzes at the beginning of almost EVERY lecture. Seriously, hold out on LS4 with Merriam and go with WHOEVER else is teaching the class. I worried neurotically about my grade until the very end of the quarter, and right now, I feel like I know absolutely no genetics...good luck!