Take this class! Before taking this class I checked bruin walk and read so many awful reviews and did not want to take this class but since it was the only class that fit my schedule that counted as as GE I enrolled and I am glad I did. You won't get an A with just showing up to class so if you are looking for that type of class this is not for you. However, it is not a class that is too demanding of your time. I took 4 courses and was an officer for two organizations when I took this course and was able to manage just fine. I found the content of the class very interesting, especially through the videos presented in lecture. Professor Tripati is very passionate and genuinely cares about you understanding and doing well in the course. I went to see her the first day at office hours and she let me borrow the textbook for the quarter so if the price of the textbook is a concern talk to her. I did not enroll with friends in this course so I didnt look forward to the group work of the midterm and final but I was able to join a group with other classmates with little effort since she helped the class get into groups during class. For themultimedia assignment i made a webpage on my own with wix.com and took about 2 hours to complete in total and got full credit for the assignment. Lab is not hard at all, there are quizzes before each lab and as long as you read over your lab from the previous week before lab you are good. Oh and they post the answer to the labs on the wall outside the lab room so check those out. Each week I would just make sure I was familiar with the concepts covered in lecture by reading those sections in the book, not necessarily the whole chapter and I ended up with an A. Really, this class is not hard. The only way you won't pass is if you don't open your book at all or sleep through lecture. I really enjoyed it and am sure you will too.

Prof. Tripati genuinely cares about teaching this class. She tries to make it effective for all her students and adapts it each quarter based on reviews. Don't be scared off by the bruinreviews... they're outdated and she's changed things a lot since a lot of these reviews.

Her exams were two-part: an individual section and a GROUP SECTION!!! The group session allowed you to pair up in groups of 4 and go through the exam (after the individual) again, then combines the grades. It seemed really difficult at first, but really its easy to do.

The only thing I didn't like was the project, but even that was pretty easy. You have to do some sort of project to reach out to interweb world and promote education on some sort of oceanography lesson (google black and yellow overfishing rap!). Believe me, it'll stick with you. It's not that difficult, you just have to do it.

The labs were straightforward and easy. Just go.

There were extra credit options - not many profs have that anymore.

Give her a chance, it really was a good course. I got an A. Was it easy? No, of course not, but it wasn't hard.

GIVE THIS CLASS A CHANCE!

The majority of the reviews that you are reading here are from 2011. That was the first time that Aradhna ever taught the class. Don't be scared away by outdated reviews from embittered students.

The truth is, this class was amazing and so much fun and you will love this class if you pay attention and are interested in any of the following: The ocean, the beach, the effects that we have on them, science, global warming, or marine life and processes. Also, consider that this is a GE. The point is not to have a class that you don't have to go to. The point of these courses is to broaden your knowledge from whatever limited sphere your major provides. Frankly, people are frustrated here that they actually have to pay attention in class. If you listen to what the professor has to say you won't even NEED the review session, because she is so informed and clear about what she is lecturing on and she is more than willing to stop and clarify any unclear concepts if you just raise your hand.

After the first exam I had some constructive criticism about things that seemed to work and those that didn't and, you know what? SHE LISTENED! She actually implemented the changes I suggested and in doing so made the tests easier and more fair. If you have a problem, go to her and she will make every effort to fix it. She is so nice and people need to see that.

TAKE THIS COURSE and you will see that it is very enjoyable, provides a great experience, especially for a GE, and is not hard at all as long as you attend lecture. She plays "beach" music every day while students are walking in and shows entertaining and relevant videos to portray concepts and ideas (i.e. the Simpsons related to the Coriolis Effect).

Again, PLEASE consider that the majority of the reviews were from the first time she took the class and since then she has taken all criticism she has gotten in an effort to improve the class and the experience that her students have, and it has paid off.

I give Aradhna a 10/10 and I think you will, too.

Run, sprint, fly - as fast and far as you can

(Or take it P/NP and pray for the best)

the book is sold out↓↓↓

Selling textbook for this class,email me at ************* if you are interested.

I thought that this class was really easy but I took Chem 14A&B; so you opinion may vary. Lectures at times do feel like never ending. The midterm and final is primary based off the textbook and her lecture. I didn't really like the group midterm and final that she had us do, but as she suggested, I did learn from each other but unfortunately at the very last minute. I am happy that the group grade did help me get an A in the class.

As for lab, I thought it consisted of primary busy work. One can spend 30 minutes plotting numbers on a graphs. The weekly lab quizzes were easy, but I never got a perfect on it. If you have a good chemistry background, you can quickly finish the worksheet rather quickly. I finished my lab final in 20minutes! But for those who lacks a chemistry background I think this class is manageable.

Professor Tripati was great she always went above and beyond to make sure everyone passed her class. I personally hate science but the course wasn't boring it was actually pretty interesting and she made the things that seemed complicated really easy. I'm glad I took the course because even though many say that the course is difficult and she makes it impossible for you to pass, they are wrong. This quarter she decided to try new things in order to have her students pass and make the course more interesting. She gave weekly online quizzes that were really easy, the mid term and the final weren't all that hard but be advised that most of the points come from the short responses rather than the multiple choice so make sure you go over the section exams before taking the midterm and final. The lecture slides seemed never ending at times but she would always stop in the middle of it all and put youtube videos which were educational but funny at the same time. Trust me the course isn't bad you should definitely take the course with her because regardless of how bad everyone makes her out to be, she's a great professor and you will enjoy her lectures and come out with a new knowledge of the ocean.

When I checked out the class & profeesor on Bruinwalk and read all of these reviews, I panicked!! People really made her sound awful! But I must say, & gladly, that all of these reviews are mistaken!! This class was truly interesting & I loved everything we learned. Professor Tripati was a great lecturer and although I never went to her office hours, the few times I did speak with her after lecture proved to me that she is a very nice lady. Sometimes her lecture slides are too long & we cannot get through them all, but other than that, she was great! The whole set up of the class was great. The labs were cool too, although it felt that they were a separate class because the TAs did their thing & the professor did hers. Overall, it was a fantastic class! I recommend you take it if you love the ocean! Or just wanna take a cool GE :)

To all you freshman,
I hope you're not even thinking about enrolling in her fiat lux "E&S SCI 19. FIAT LUX FRESHMAN SEMINARS".

I mean unless you want to fail a fiat lux....which would be pretty pathetic...LOL