BIOL 4017

Took this course when it was still labeled as a Bio 4559 class in Spring 2024. Assuming nothing has changed this year, this class in amazing. Had a lot of fun learning about stem cells and embryos. The only thing that will keep you on your toes is the one midterm you have that's 20 questions and its all short answer. He very generous with the grading though. You can do okay-ish on the midterm and still get an A.

Dan is an incredible professor. He is super laid-back and passionate about what he teaches. You will spend the semester learning about germ cells in different organisms and their roles in developmental biology.

Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory. On the last day of class, you’ll complete a self-evaluation for both attendance and participation, and Dan will give you the score you give yourself. Each week, there’s a discussion post due on Sunday where you summarize what you’ve learned in about 350 words. These are graded purely on completion, so as long as you submit them, you’ll get full credit.

The midterm consists of around 15 free-response questions and is handwritten with pen and paper. Dan is a generous grader, so just do your best to thoughtfully answer each question. The final assignment is an 800-word “News and Views” paper requiring 5 to 7 sources. It’s very manageable as long as you stay on top of deadlines, follow the rubric, and complete the required peer reviews.

Dan is extremely approachable and understanding. Go to his office hours if you’re unsure about anything. He’s happy to help and will try to accommodate your needs.

Course breakdown:

25%: Attendance & Participation (Self-evaluated)

20%: Weekly Discussion Posts

25%: Midterm

30%: Final “News and Views” Paper