CHEM 4421

tomek is the best ta in the world. TM0960 Kicks ASSays

To be fair, it is not unreasonable in a biochemistry lab to make us come in at odd hours to do things like induce expression, autoclave media, etc. This course is a good idea that is impossible to implement fairly. The biggest issue for me was that my TA really didn't know or give a crap about our projects. I don't really blame him for that. But then it came to grading, and I wholeheartedly agree with the complaints about vagueness and arbitrary grading mentioned below. And for the lack of substantive feedback we got on these assignments, the turnaround for these was pathetically slow; this was certainly a double standard, since late work was not accepted from us. I did not do poorly in this class; I got an A, in fact. But this is one of three biochemistry courses in this program (others being 4410 and 4411) that have made me hate biochemistry.

You think you have signed up for a 3 credit capstone lab class right? Well think again- you are joining Dr. Columbus's lab. Be prepared to come in multiple times a week to do tedious tasks like purifying protein, concentrating protein, and autoclaving LB media. Also, expect your lab sessions (from 2-6pm) to go over 6 pm and expect to come in multiple evenings also. Her instructions for assignments to the students are very vague- despite her giving a super specific private rubric that she gives to the TAs. Carol Price will try her best to make your life even more miserable in this class and Linda will add personal insults. Grading is extremely arbitrary- my TA didn't even give specific feedback and took off points because he graded "holistically". Expect no normalization of grades. Also a warning: a lot of students that I know got C's in this class, which means they have to write a letter to medical schools. Avoid this class (and the biochem major) at all costs if you are premed. There are much easier and enjoyable undergrad majors at UVA.

The grading was arbitrary. Standardization was promised at the end, but it never happened. Your grade came down to who your TA was, and how easily he graded. Columbus is a mediocre lecturer, and adds personal insults.

This class is better than any other lab I have taken in terms of teaching students how design and conduct their own research. In every other aspect, it was as frustrating and bad as every other lab at UVA. Professor Columbus is very helpful if you talk to her but I felt that the grading was somewhat arbitrary and the requirements for assignments weren't that clearly defined.