EGMT 1520

This engagement course is called Exploring Your Genome. I highly recommend this course for anyone who is pre-med/interested in the life sciences. The class is definitely a lot easier if you have taken a high school biology class before, but it's still manageable if not. During the first half of the quarter, you learn the basics about genetics and during the second half, you harvest and isolate your own DNA, which you then analyze. You have to buy a book for this class, but it's available online if you don't want to spend the money. You read a chapter or two before most classes and then have a very easy five-question quiz on the reading. As long as you do the readings, you'll get 100% on each quiz. There isn't a lot of outside work for the class besides the readings. The two main projects are a short vlog halfway through the course about what a genome is and a lab report as the final assignment of the course. Both were very simple to complete, as the professor provides in-depth instructions on exactly what they need to contain. #tCFfall22

I took "Exploring Our Genome" and LOVED it. The main topic explored in this course was behavioral genetics and it was fascinating. It's introduced in a way that was easy to understand, as well. If you want to learn applicable science knowledge or are interested in a science-based major, definitely take this course. You even get to sequence your own DNA in a lab!

Professor Connelly herself is very friendly and helpful. She clearly shares a passion for this subject and is eager to help students. The workload was also highly manageable. As long as you do the reading (which was no more than a chapter per class) and pay attention, you will be fine. And don't worry: this course is very beginner-friendly, and she will not put you through an assignment without giving clear instructions on how to do it first. She is also there to guide you through the DNA sequencing in the lab. The whole class is meant to be a stress-free introduction. I wished that UVA had more science-based Engagements like this one. It has definitely /engaged/ my interests in biology and medicine. Overall, it was an amazing experience. Definitely recommend.

If youre looking to see what your next engagement class is, this is it. It was a super easy class with not much work and a very understanding teacher. I 100% recommend.