Lazazzera is super sweet but she doesn't know how to teach in an online setting. Launchpad isn't helpful and includes a lot more information than you need to know for the midterms and final, but I would advise against just skipping through the reading to get all your points. Just read the titles of each textbook blurb and watch the animations, that's what I did. Use Khan Academy, especially for the DNA/RNA/cell cycle topics. Clicker questions are helpful, but I still think the midterm and final questions were harder than them. There are several opportunities for extra credit - do yourself a favor and do them. She does have good music taste though.

Although, Lazazzera is not the best at explaining questions and concepts during lecture I don't believe that should completely turn you off from taking the class. Since the class is taught in a flipped classroom style you essentially have to teach yourself most of the material on launchpad which I personally didn't find very helpful. She assigns a lot of Launchpad even during the week of midterms and finals so make sure to stay on top of it and don't fall behind. As has been stated in other reviews there are TONS of resources available which are very helpful and key to success in the course. There are many office hours throughout the week so if you have any questions or confusion from lecture, launchpad, discussion etc. make sure to attend them. The TAs are super friendly and helpful and I found they were able to better explain the lecture material than Lazazzera. My last tip would be to attend Lazazzera's midterm and final review sessions as she will likely go over material or content which she expects you to know for the exam but didn't go over in lecture.

I took this class during a pandemic/Covid quarter. The professor tends to not explain things very well during lecture and commonly puts us into breakout rooms in hopes that we will explain concepts and talk about the clicker questions with each other (newsflash: we don't) so it can be confusing at times if you don't prepare and know the general concepts well ahead of class.

For me at least, I never really prepared before class. More often than not, I had no idea what was going on. I would just click the "Next" button on Launchpad to give me the points so I would finish the homework in under an hour without actually reading any of the material. The weekend before exams, I would read a detailed study guide, look over the slides, and review the clicker questions. Although this routine worked for me, I HIGHLY advise against doing this. Everyone studies/learns differently but it was honestly a miracle that I was able to pull it off and get a good grade in this class. I recommend not worrying too much about the little details and try to understand the general concepts well (if this happens, how would it affect something else?).

I think this class really suffered due to it being online. Lazzazera was super difficult to understand in lecture and in office hours, especially to a student unfamiliar to Biology concepts. The class had a large workload (had 80 reading assignments + quizzes in one week) and two midterms which stressed the hell out of me and probably the rest of the class. The tests in this class require critical thinking and a clear understanding of topics which were often difficult.

My best advice: get Prof. Maloy. I think a good chunk of the students in Lazzazera's just went to Maloy's office hours and got help there. If he's not available though, make use of your TAs, Fernando and Lizzie were super helpful for me. If you're able to, get a PLF for this class. If you have Lazzazera, your PLF will basically be your professor. If all else fails, surround yourself with the smart kids in the class (the ones who took AP Biology and actually passed) and ask them for help too. Everyone in the class really did learn from each other so make use of all your resources!

I think Lazazzera is a knowledgeable researcher and a nice lady but she wasn't a particularly effective instructor. This is because she's largely unable to breakdown complex concepts and explain them coherently to the students. They are often convoluted or confusing elabortations. Her office hours often left me more confused than before I attended them. I remember an instance where I asked a question and she replied with "I don't know" which isn't reassuring.

It's possible to get an A in her class, but you'd need to attend TA office hours, do the CLC problem solving worksheets, review the clicker questions religiously, and watch review sessions. If you want a good grade, you will have to do most of the work yourself and don't expect much help from the professor :////

Yes, this class is challenging, but there are tons of resources available to you - USE THEM.
Some of this information might be different because I took this class online during Covid-19, and I found it easier than I think it would usually be. Grading consists of clicker questions, discussion participation, Launchpad reading assignments and quizzes, reflections, 2 midterms and the final. There is a lot of padding through assignments that are just completion and leeway for attending lectures, so take advantage of that, because exams are difficult.
This class has a flipped structure, which means you have to learn the information on your own through Launchpad, and it's solidified through lecture. The structure/organization of concepts is strange but manageable. Launchpad is a ton of work and most of the information is useless, but I would still suggest taking notes so you don't fall behind. Slacking off on even one Launchpad day will likely leave you confused during lecture, and you'll be expected to do the same amount of work even during midterm week. I had a love-hate relationship with it because on one hand, it was exhausting, not to mention hella expensive and laggy, but it also kind of forced you to learn that week's material.
Exams are 60-80 multiple choice questions with an individual and group phase, and can be very tricky. A tip for studying that's drilled into you: the midterms/final test on how you can apply knowledge to novel situations, NOT memorization. Do not use Launchpad to study - it has way more info than necessary and should only be used for base knowledge - use the discussion worksheets, clicker questions, reading guides and CLC worksheets and make sure you understand the concepts and processes well.
Professor Lazazzera is very very knowledgeable but not always the best at conveying information. Her lectures are...engaging-ish, but any time there is disagreement over a clicker question, she sends you into breakout rooms instead of explaining, which can be good or bad depending on how good your group is. However, despite what people say, she is willing to answer any questions you have in office hours. If you have doubts about any of the material, get it cleared up by her or one of the TAs sooner rather than later. They are there to help you.
All of this sounds bad, but it's not impossible to do well, just pay attention and study smart. If you have to take this class, steel yourself and try to learn something along the way.

This class is a little heavier on the content and workload, but I think it is just the nature of the subject itself. The professor was extremely understanding, and always approachable whenever you needed help. If it doesn't seem to work for you there are always great TA's to ask for help as well. The best part is that she also has extra credit opportunities to help your grade. Sure she may sound unclear sometimes, but she actively tries her best to help her students. People shouldn't be quick to judge a prof that has only taught the class a couple of times before. In my opinion, a person who is kind, willing to work with students one on one, and takes criticism to actively improve her skills is a great professor.

BRUHHHHH. GG to all of you who need to take this class. If you do not understand something, prepare to go into breakout rooms. I felt bad for her having a hard time adjusting to online learning but I'm literally paying her to get me ~nothing~. Sadly, participation matters so have fun not falling asleep or playing among us during class. "We love Dr. Lazazzera but, she sucks at teaching."