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121 Ratings
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To this day I still don't understand why people think he is great. Sure, he makes the occasional funny. But his lectures are often-times disorganized and the material on tests are "hard" because he actually doesn't ever cover it, specifically. I'm sure he is a nice guy, but there is a reason why people get his clicker questions wrong. I've done better than majority of the people who think he is a great teacher that I've spoken to, so this isn't out of spite for the man. I just don't believe that his tests are actually fair and that his lectures could use some improvements. Don't take this class unless you need to.
Dave is definitely knows his biology. I didn't find him to be the best teacher though. His lectures assume you know and understand everything you read in the book, and that's assuming you can keep up with all the reading. I barely got anything out of the lecture because they were so fast-paced and disorganized. What I will give him is that his way of teaching forces you to think like a biologist. He always emphasizes analyzing hypothetical situations, like predicting a certain molecule's action. Tests were very hard, and got exponentially harder as the semester went on. Final was long and impossible. People in Orgo said it was much harder than their final.
Professor Kittlesen is awesome. He is very engaging and enthusiastic about what he teaches. He designs the class so it actually challenges you to critically think and integrate information (not just memorize and regurgitate on the exam). Overall, this is a excellent class and I feel that my knowledge about Biology has increased exponentially.
This class should only be taken by those who need it. Do not expect an A if you are taking this class, as it is almost impossible (set at a 94). There is no room for redemption if you do badly on one of the 4 tests, as nothing gets dropped. It is the definition of a premed weeder and is irksome as anything
I definitely learned a lot in this class, but at the expense of my sanity. The tests are very difficult. He expects you to exactly understand everything and be able to apply it to his very advanced immunology examples...not easy for intro biology students. Do your reading (multiple times before the exam) and take really good notes during lecture. Go to the review sessions, study with people, etc. Not an easy class but with a lot of hard work and prayers it comes out ok in the end.
Kittlesen (or Skittles) is one of the greatest teachers ever! His attitude, his passion, his character combine to produce a performance of a class. This is a class you'll want to attend whether there are clicker questions or not! I wish he was as passionate about other things, because I'd want him to teach all of my classes!
Kittlesen is a nice guy, you can just go and ask him questions right after class, and he has patience answering your questions. While he is friendly and really eager to help you understand the concept, he barely talked about the stuff discussed on the textbook, he has slides to show in his class and his lecture is all about his slides. Make sure to do the readings before class and take notes in the class, it would be really helpful. Not an easy class, and it is hard to get a good grade without going to his lecture, unless you are a genius and can search online and understand the concepts on his slides, where only pictures are shown and there is barely descriptions and explanations.
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