MCD BIO 199
Special Studies Directed Research in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Description: Tutorial, 12 hours. Preparation: submission of written proposal to department for approval by appropriate term deadline. Proposal to be developed in consultation with instructor, outlining research study to be undertaken. Requisites: Life Sciences 3 and 4, or 7A, 7B, 7C, 23L, and 107. Limited to juniors/seniors. Department majors may enroll with sponsorship from department faculty members or preapproved outside faculty members. Other junior/senior life sciences majors may enroll only with department faculty sponsors. Supervised individual research under guidance of faculty mentor. Studies to involve laboratory research, not literature surveys or library research. At end of term culminating paper describing progress of project and signed by student and instructor must be presented to department. May be repeated for credit. Individual contract required. Letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Class taken: LS4 I thought LS4 was supposed to be an easy class, but then I had Dr. Laski. However, I learned a lot and I really enjoyed the class. He is super-available, and holds office hours (called "clinics") every week, and sometimes on weekends before the exams. He is friendly, and always willing to answer questions. He isn't the best at explaining certain concepts, but he has an excellent background in the molecular side of the material. Like all the other classes here at UCLA, you get the grade you earned. He gives practice problems from the book, clearly discusses topics that will be tested on via Powerpoint, makes practice exams, and holds so many office hours it makes you want more units for the class. If you fail an exam, that's really because you didn't study. I really liked how he went into the molecular and medical (cancer) aspect of genetics. It made the course much more enjoyable. Like all LS classes, the book is way too comprehensive to cover in 10 weeks, but his Powerpoints are an excellent summary. Overall, a 9/10. I really recommend him for LS4, even though it's challenging. You learn a lot, and he covers vital MCAT material :)
Class taken: LS4 I thought LS4 was supposed to be an easy class, but then I had Dr. Laski. However, I learned a lot and I really enjoyed the class. He is super-available, and holds office hours (called "clinics") every week, and sometimes on weekends before the exams. He is friendly, and always willing to answer questions. He isn't the best at explaining certain concepts, but he has an excellent background in the molecular side of the material. Like all the other classes here at UCLA, you get the grade you earned. He gives practice problems from the book, clearly discusses topics that will be tested on via Powerpoint, makes practice exams, and holds so many office hours it makes you want more units for the class. If you fail an exam, that's really because you didn't study. I really liked how he went into the molecular and medical (cancer) aspect of genetics. It made the course much more enjoyable. Like all LS classes, the book is way too comprehensive to cover in 10 weeks, but his Powerpoints are an excellent summary. Overall, a 9/10. I really recommend him for LS4, even though it's challenging. You learn a lot, and he covers vital MCAT material :)
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2016 - This is a review for Life Science 3. He's not listed as a professor for LS 3 so I have to put this review under MCD BIO 199. Lin's class is by far the most difficult class I have taken during my time at UCLA. Granted, it's not entirely Lin's fault because LS 3 is a difficult course anyway but he made it much more difficult than it had to be. He lectures right off of his powerpoint slides that could probably qualify as a textbook by themselves. They are absolutely crammed with information and the worst part is that you have to know every word of them. Some slides he will skip entirely during lecture but you still have to know them. The thing about Lin's tests is that they go from 0 to 100 really quick. One question will be about the basic structure of DNA and the next will be a complex multiple part question testing a variety of different concepts. The hardest questions on the tests are the ones regarding the seemingly unimportant details from the slides which Lin didn't speak of at all. The midterms were both worth 20% with the final being 60%. Yes, that's right. 60%. The best way to maximize your midterm grades is to go to the testbank. I cannot emphasize this enough. Lin recycles most of his questions every time so it's easy to do well on the midterms if you go to the testbank. I didn't go to the testbank for the first midterm and looking back it was one of the worst mistakes I made in the class. Other reviews say that the final is impossible and that the average is historically low at around 60%. I don't think the final is impossible but it is difficult. Do not even bother buying the Weaver textbook. It's intended for graduate students and will be useless. The one good thing about Lin is that if you pass the class you will have a good understanding of molecular biology. Overall though I do not recommend him. Take someone else if you can
Fall 2016 - This is a review for Life Science 3. He's not listed as a professor for LS 3 so I have to put this review under MCD BIO 199. Lin's class is by far the most difficult class I have taken during my time at UCLA. Granted, it's not entirely Lin's fault because LS 3 is a difficult course anyway but he made it much more difficult than it had to be. He lectures right off of his powerpoint slides that could probably qualify as a textbook by themselves. They are absolutely crammed with information and the worst part is that you have to know every word of them. Some slides he will skip entirely during lecture but you still have to know them. The thing about Lin's tests is that they go from 0 to 100 really quick. One question will be about the basic structure of DNA and the next will be a complex multiple part question testing a variety of different concepts. The hardest questions on the tests are the ones regarding the seemingly unimportant details from the slides which Lin didn't speak of at all. The midterms were both worth 20% with the final being 60%. Yes, that's right. 60%. The best way to maximize your midterm grades is to go to the testbank. I cannot emphasize this enough. Lin recycles most of his questions every time so it's easy to do well on the midterms if you go to the testbank. I didn't go to the testbank for the first midterm and looking back it was one of the worst mistakes I made in the class. Other reviews say that the final is impossible and that the average is historically low at around 60%. I don't think the final is impossible but it is difficult. Do not even bother buying the Weaver textbook. It's intended for graduate students and will be useless. The one good thing about Lin is that if you pass the class you will have a good understanding of molecular biology. Overall though I do not recommend him. Take someone else if you can
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