BIOL 3240

If there's one class I'd recommend people to take as a premed, it'd be this class. Kittlesen is an amazing professor who is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about immunology. The class is lecture-based and the only work he assigns are chapters in the textbook to read before class, which are optional. I'd recommend reading them before class because it's very beneficial in lectures since you have a vague understanding of what is being discussed. His exams are open-note but they certainly are not easy. They require you to apply your knowledge and synthesize information from different topics, so you won't be able to get away with memorizing information. He also tests on experiments that he discusses in lecture, so be sure you fully understand those. I got an A in this class, and the most important tool in my success was the lecture recordings! I found it super helpful to relisten to all of the lectures prior to an exam while going through the slides, making sure I emphasized being able to answer all of his learning objectives (he makes the test questions from the learning objectives). Overall, this is an extremely interesting class and if you put in the effort, you will certainly be able to succeed. #tCFS24

Kittlesen is great! Nice to have a professor in the biology department that you can tell loves his job and cares about his students and their well-being. Super kind, always willing to help, answers a ton of questions. Class is interesting, I learned a lot, and he is a very engaging lecturer.

As for the course itself/content, it's not super easy. Exams are 100% of your grade and he asks questions that require to know how to understand apply information instead of just memorize, since they are open-note, so you need to know your stuff. He especially likes to explain and ask questions about complex detailed experiments of how many immunological concepts were discovered and/or tested, so paying attention during lecture and taking good notes is key, as his slides are more of a outline. The textbook can be helpful for explaining class concepts in a simpler way after hearing them in lecture, and audio recordings are a great resource for studying. No work outside of exams. Would recommend if you are want to learn the subject! Not for a GPA boost though #tCFS24

Kittlesen is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the subject, and he makes you *want* to learn more. The tests (open-note) are much based off your understanding, memorization won’t help you. Kittlesen records the audios of his lectures but try your best to never miss a class (he makes them really enjoyable imo!). Go to office hours too! I did the textbook readings before each lecture but honestly doing them after is probably better so you can refresh the concepts he actually mentioned in class (he’ll only test you on those). This class isn’t easy but if you show up and study in advance of exams you’ll be fine. All in all, amazing class. #tCFS24

I was uncertain about this class going into it but it ended up being one of my favorite classes at UVA. Dave explained things really well and stopped for questions to make it more like a discussion. He also tried to help us think through the steps that scientists were going through when discovering new things about immunology and told stories that were entertaining yet eventually relevant. There were five exams, each worth 21.25%, except the one you did the worst on was worth 15%. There were also extra credit homework questions that could add 2% to your overall grade. The class was online so the lectures were recorded. I found the best method of studying for me was just to rewatch the lectures, go to his review session office hour, and take the sample exam he sent out. He said that exams would only have material covered in class, so I didn't do the readings at all and watched the relevant lectures again before an exam and ended with an A+ in the class. I think that it's very possible to succeed in this class if you pay close attention in lecture and/or rewatch recordings.

dave is one of the best biol professors that i've had. in my opinion, many biology professors don't really care about teaching, but not dave. his lectures are logical and he clearly explains every point, and he makes fair tests that aren't too easy but are not too hard. he also gives practice questions (something that other biol professors refuse to do) and also extra credit, again setting him apart from the rest.

immunology isn't too technical of a class. it's certainly not easy, but it's not incredibly technical either. try to synthesize all the material in the unit (he really likes it when you do that). I got an A and my strategy was just to transcribe (word for word) all the lectures (because he only tests on those) and then study the concepts dilligently. He's a sympathetic professor because he allowed tests to be open note during covid and will ensure that the class average on tests isn't completely abysmal (i think he likes a B average).

if you're really into immunology then you'll absolutely love this course.

As somebody who had Dave in person (BIOL 2100) and online (BIOL 3240), I can confirm that he is a wonderful lecturer in both settings. Immunology is his specialization and he clearly is super insightful about the topics. The amount of material is kinda terrifying, but it's honestly super cool and interesting. It's been a while since I took a biology class that has made me super excited to learn the material. The course grade is broken down into 5 exams [4 x 21.25%;1 (the lowest) x 15%] and the final is not cumulative. The exams were open-note and mostly MC, the exception being a few SAs for a couple of exams. It's possible to earn 2 points extra credit by doing online quizzes. The textbook is helpful for clarification, but it's not necessary to read all of it as it contains excess information. Dave only tests on lecture material, never anything solely pulled from the textbook. As for exam prep, he releases full practice exams and hosts a Q/A session before every exam. If you don't do anything, then go to the Q/A sessions -- he almost always has the exams written by then and gives his answers tailored to the questions on the exams.

TLDR: Highly recommend Immunology with Dave. He's a really kind and knowledgeable professor who values the learning of all his students. Listen closely to the lecture and supplement with the textbook. Go to the Q/A sessions. Enjoy the content!

You will NOT regret taking this class. Dave is the best professor I have had at UVA thus far. His lectures are so interesting, and he presents all the material in a very engaging way. That being said, it is a very hard class, so it should not be taken as a GPA boost. His exams are very short which makes every question high-stakes, but they are very doable if you understand EVERYTHING he has said in lecture. I feel like I learned so much from this class that will be really applicable in the future, and I would recommend it to ANYONE in the bio major.

This has been my favorite class at UVA! Kittlesen is such a knowledgeable guy, he's very approachable, explains tough concepts amazingly well, and makes the class so much fun. It is really hard though, because your grade is determined only by 5 tests that are each about 28 multiple choice questions. The tests are during the 50 minute class period, and he hands out practice tests for the first 4 tests (very similar to his intro bio class). Homework is optional (but can boost your grade by 2%) and is through a site called Rocketmix. He said this was the first year he was doing the homework for extra credit, so that might change. Every second of class time is chalk full of information, so I would highly suggest recording it. Near the end of the course he goes over some really applicable topics such as vaccine development, how we eradicated polio, and immunotherapy of cancer. Overall a very interesting class taught by a really passionate and funny professor! Would highly recommend.

Best science course at UVA with the best professor! By far the hardest class I took at UVA but also my favorite! I'd recommend taking this class 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year. The course is a lot of work and I didn't keep up with the readings in the textbook too well, and skimming the reading before each lecture definitely would've helped. I got a B+ in the class which was great considering the material is so dense and very detailed, just it can be overwhelming at times, but I found recording Dave's lectures and re-listening to them to study was the best! I also found asking Dave questions after lecture was beneficial.

I took this class after reading all the reviews and they were right. This is a great class and Kittlesen is a great professor. But you have to work really really hard in this class. You have to keep up with the readings and you have to study every day pretty much if you want to do well in this class. You also cannot mess up on a single exam because that brings your grade down. Go to office hours and ask all the questions because they will help you when it comes to the exam.

This is in my top three classes at UVA. Furthermore, in this class more than any other I have walked away feeling like I actually gained a mastery of a subject that I can apply in med school, reading immunology literature about cancer, and just explaining what happens when you get sick. Professor Kittlesen likes to teach big concepts through walking you through experiments so you can "think like an immunologist." This can be frustrating at times, but I can promise that it works. To succeed in this class I would reccomend keeping up with the readings before class so you aren't lost and then studying for tests ~4 days prior to tests in a group that transcribes his lectures and reads the book, generating questions for each other and Kittlesen to ask him. Even with that high level of preparation, grading is brutal in this class and a 93.5 is an A, with no "curve" in the conventional sense. He "curves" by building points into the test, so that if you missed every question you would still get like a 30. Not the most helpful but an A is still attainable. Absolutely reccomend but would encourage a strong bio background because it makes the sometimes complex material manageable.

This has been my favorite class at UVA so far. Professor Kittlesen really focuses on big ideas and themes of immunology instead of minute details. His exams test conceptual understanding over memorization, which is different from a lot of other biology professors, but very refreshing! Don't let the GPA or difficulty stats scare you away from taking this class. Before I signed up, many friends warned me it was the hardest biology elective according to course forum. Since this is the first elective I've taken in the department I can't argue against that, but it certainly isn't a difficult class if you're willing to put in the time to understand the material. I would definitely recommend skimming the readings before lectures. Also, don't be afraid to raise your hand during class if you need clarification; Kittlesen encourages it!

This was the best, most engaging, most interesting class I have taken at UVA. Kittlesen is phenomenal and makes the material so easy to understand and class so much fun. His anecdotes are incredibly interesting and he goes above and beyond to keep the class entertaining and insightful. I wish I could take this class again. It made me more excited to learn than I have been in any other class here. 100% would recommend. The material can be a little difficult but it's SO interesting it's easy to study and totally worth it! Not to mention, the structure was 5 non-cumulative exams which reduced test anxiety for me and made the chunks of material very manageable.

Dave is a very round-about professor. He likes to tell stories about the discoveries in immunology that are sometimes poorly constructed and it's difficult to figure out what he's trying to get across. If you are trying to learn immunology for the hell of it, good for you, and I would recommend youtube and alternative methods that are a little more concise than Dave. Immunology is a tough subject to digest, trying to understand Dave's testing techniques is even more difficult. But hey, different strokes for different folks I guess.

Even if this class is one of the harder bio electives, it's truly a fascinating subject and you learn a lot of awesome information that will probably come up later on especially if you're pre-health. Plus, Dave is an immunologist by trade and is truly enthusiastic about the subject - the best advice is this is one of those classes where you HAVE to do the reading. The textbook is pretty good so this isn't terrible, but reading before will make the lectures make more sense and you will have a much better hold on the material. The tests are tough and too short for comfort but not impossible, and it still feels worth it if you really enjoy the subject.

Incredibly good professor! Reading and material can be very tough, but one of those classes where you actually feel like it's worth it! Glad I took it for sure! You gotta do the reading though or else you'll be completely lost in class. Class notes and experiments are important on the test, can't just read the text.

I went to about 20% of the lectures for this course, studied for about two days before each test, would've gotten A except that I did not know that the tests had free response questions until I showed up for the first exam. Don't be me, and you'll get an A.

This is a class that's hard to enjoy unless you have kept on top of your reading. Kittlesen's lectures make a lot more sense if you've prepared. The reading is important and you have to completely understand the experiments he outlines in class. Pay close attention in lecture and you'll be okay. Also, do the practice exams he gives out, but don't only study the material on those exams- they're not always indicative of what the exam will be like.

So awesome. Most people on here say it is one of the harder electives; I found it to be much easier than any other electives or core classes since being at the University, mostly because the information is so interesting and he presents it in an alluring way. This class has even inspired me to look into Grad programs. I recommend it

Easily my favorite class I have taken at UVA thus far. Professor Kittlesen is an enthusiastic lecturer who is able to make even the most complicated topics of this course seem logical. Each test is curved, but the class itself is not. The test material focuses heavily on things he introduces in lecture that are not in the textbook, such as experiments and disease examples, so DO NOT miss class (not that you'll want to!). The material is very difficult and requires a lot your of time devoted to studying, but if you even have a remote interest in the human body, medical science, or cell biology--take this course! You won't regret it :)

Kittlesen is perhaps the best lecture at UVA. He is passionate about immunology and it shows in his lectures. He challenges you to critically think and apply your knowledge on his tests. This has been my favorite class so far at UVA and it covers an extremely interesting topic.

Professor Kittlesen is the best lecturer I have had so far at UVA. He does a great job explaining everything. His tests can be tricky, but you learn how to study and do well on them. I strongly recommend taking this class. Although, you need a strong background in biology to understand some concepts.

Definitely one of the harder bio electives, but also one of the most interesting ones as well. Kittlesen expects you to know his lectures and the books, but there is a lot of overlap. If you read the textbook before class, you'll know what you need to pay close attention to in class, and what is sitting at home in your textbook. The tests are straightforward and fair, if you know the material you will do well.

This is an amazing, but extremely difficult course. It is fundamental for anyone seeking to go to medical school or do any kind of molecular biology research.

You learn a great deal for sure that will be helpful down the road! I found the class challenging at first, I didn't know how to study for this class. Need to know your notes and the book- beyond just the general idea because there is always one question that tests the nitty gritty from the book (tho it's only worth a few points out of the total test score). What helped me was to take notes on the chapters and (after listening to lecture recordings), go over the book notes with the powerpoint. But it's not a memorization test overall. Good luck!!

Kittlesen is an excellent professor and one of my favorites at UVa, but I'd advise pre-meds to stay away! This course is extremely difficult and intended for those people who just love and click with Biology. If you are trying to protect your GPA and questioning your strengths in Biology at all, avoid this class! I really wish someone told me before I enrolled in it. That said, you do learn a ton and the material is quite interesting.

Incredibly interesting topic. Incredibly useful if you're interested in doing research in immunology, biomedical sciences, or cell biology. However, this was one of the hardest science classes I have ever taken in terms of understanding & applying concepts. Kittlesen does a great job teaching. Although the exams are fair, they are definitely difficult.

Great class, but very difficult. Enjoyed the lectures and Kittlesen is clearly passionate about the material. The tests were a combo of MC and short answer, and required application more than simple memorization.

Kittlesen is a great lecturer, and is very good at presenting information in an understandable manner. He is pretty clear about what you need to know for exams in class, so you should show up. The exams are a bit tricky, though.

Kittlesen is great. And his lectures aren't really "textbook" based, instead he takes you through the experiments that were important in the history of immunobiology. It's not particularly easy, but he challenges you to think through the experiments and really know the material. His tests are consistently kittlesen-like

This was a great class. Kittlesen loves to teach it and he really knows what he is talking about. It is challenging, but definitely worthwhile.

Awesome class. Hard, but definitely worth it.

This class is probably the most interesting one I have been in so far in the biology department. It is hard to pull off an A in this class, as he tries to decrease the standard deviation of the scores and centralize it around the mean (which comes out somewhere around a high B-). However, it is possible to get an A if you put the work in. I highly recommend this class to anyone who is getting a BA or BS within Biology, it was truly a fantastic course with Kittleson.

This is a great class if you're interested in human biology. The material is not easy, but Kittlesen is a great lecturer and if you put the time in, you can get a good grade.

Awesome class! Kittlesen is known for his difficult exams and this class is no exception. You really need to study and understand the concepts in order to perform well on the test.

Great class. The lectures are clear and logical, and the text book is even more so. There is a lot of information but its so interesting I am very glad to have taken the class. The tests are half multiple choice and half short answer.

A difficult but manageable class, it requires attention to details in the book and in class. I would record each lecture and have a back up note taker. I would not recommend in combination with Orgo, Orgo Lab, and a bio core.

hard course. but great lecturer

If you approach this class like most pre-meds do (just trying to memorize everything by attrition) then you'll find this class very difficult. But if you actually try to think about and understand the basic concepts, an A is not unobtainable.

Also, Kittlesen is the best professor in the bio dept, hands down.

At the start of the semester, I thought this course would be impossible because of some of the reviews that I've read, but it's actually doable. It's a hard class, yeah, but if you make an effort then you shouldn't have too much trouble.

Go to the lectures and read the book. What's great about this course is that you don't need to memorize every last minute detail. Kittlesen instead stresses that you understand general concepts and expects you to apply your knowledge on the tests [short answer and MC], which is why they can be challenging. He seems to pull more from the lectures than the book because of all the various experiments. You don't have to take notes word for word but it helps, just in case; it's even better if you can record lectures.

Overall this was an enjoyable and rewarding class, at least if you put some effort into it. I'd definitely recommend Immuno, especially since Kittlesen's a great prof. who lectures with clarity and throws in a few jokes every now and then.

I really enjoyed this class. It is difficult material and Kittlesen expects that you know it. My best advice is to know the experiments that he goes over in class like the back of your hand. For them, you will need to know the basic material from the book and lecture, but that material can easily be found in the book. He loves to test on the experiments! I found that it is more about the application of the concepts than the concepts themselves, which is what actually made the class interesting and enjoyable.

great class! learned a lot. Test could be challenging but it's not impossible to get an A. Just need to work hard, read everything, take good notes in class. If you can't take good notes, listen to recording later

difficult tests

The material itself is very interesting, and the professor is wonderful! but it's a lot of reading and studying. the course is very time-consuming and tests are hard. but take it if you are really interested in the subject.

Kittlesen is a great teacher but his tests are hard...make sure to study the book and your notes.

good class. requires a lot of time commitment. keep up with reading he goes slow at first and then picks up the pace later in the semester. need to know material from lecture AND book

Fantastic, nice guy. He explains things pretty well and is very receptive to questions if you don't understand. The material's really interesting, definitely more geared towards cellular/molecular people, and there's lots of human bio involved. Tests are pretty hard (short-answer and MC) but fair.

This class is fun and Professor Kittlesen makes it even better. You will learn quite alot and will also be amazed if you really understand it. Kittlesen is nice, funny, goofy but really knows his stuff. You need to know everything inside out AND also be creative to do well on his exams.

Great class. Professor is enthusiastic and you can tell he enjoys teaching. Material can be difficult and the tests make sure you know your stuff. Very interesting, worthwhile class. Highly recommend.

I loved this class! Kittlesen has such a passion for the subject and makes it very interesting. The tests are not terribly difficult if you put in a moderate amount of time studying for them.

If you like human biology, this is a really good class to take. It goes pretty in depth into the human immune system. The material is fairly difficult but it's not extremely hard to learn, especially if you pay good attention in class. If you skip lecture, make sure to get the notes from someone because the tests are like 60-80% from class and not from the book. The tests are pretty hard, so you have to kinda get a feel for what he's going to ask on the test, otherwise, there's just way too much information to study.