Professor Knowles is a very funny and engaging professor! This is the second class I've taken with them so I knew what to expect coming into the class as it was very similar in structure. The classes consisted of lectures and a few assignments but the assignments changed drastically from what they originally were in the syllabus. To be completely honest, I am not sure if they are going to change the class structure again but there will be some type of verbal or written assignment in lecture whether it be an essay ( the original assignment) or a fun video about a topic about viruses (the assignment they ended up changing it to). Lectures were mandatory and there are quizzes on an assigned book about viruses at the start of the lecture about small details from the book which you can retake at the end of the quarter and they drop quite a few of the quizzes. Discussions were mandatory and each week a group was expected to present a viral ecology paper discussion homework consisted of asking questions about the paper that the professor wouldn't think to ask (which was super difficult to do at times and a bit vague for the TAs to grade based off of). Overall, you should take this class since they are obviously very passionate and know the material since this is their own research but just be open to going with the flow as things in the class can suddenly change and they are constantly wanting feedback or student input for the changes.