So, I just finished this class for summer session, and I have to say, THIS IS MY FAVORITE CLASS AT UCLA SO FAR. I have absolutely no idea what these other reviews are talking about, because the Professor Willette they are describing is nothing like the Professor Willette I came to know over the summer. I took both 109 and 109L. First of all, I got an A in the lab and either an A or A+ in the lecture (He hasn't uploaded extra credit and final yet, but I know I did well). I love his lectures because even though they go through a lot of information, he always includes super fun videos and pictures of undersea creatures. There are organisms out there in the ocean that I have never even heard of.
As for his exams, I have to say that though I scored well, the class average was a C. This confuses me so much. Either I have a superior understanding of marine science, or these people just think, "Oh, marine science. Lots of fish pictures, it's summer, no need to study!" WRONG. You do need to know the material, but I find it pretty easy to piece things together. And his exams do require a broad knowledge of the topics. For example, a question might ask, "There are two organisms living in the littoral and abyssal zones. Describe the differences in nutrition, light, temperature, oxygen concentration that they might face." So for the example, you first need to know what littoral and abyssal mean. Then you need to know the lecture about abiotic differences in differing depths. Also, he will list multiple things in lecture a lot, then on the exam he will put for example, "Name 2 ways water got into the ocean". So you don't have to know every single example he gives in lecture, but know at least 2 or 3. There are definitions too, but really, if you know your stuff, you will be fine. Make sure to go to lecture, pay attention, and write down what he says. The exams are based entirely off of the power points, so there is no need to buy the book. But some of the slides might not make sense if you just look at them, so you really do need to attend lecture to see what he says about it.
As for the lab, SUPER FUN! We had a trip out to the beach to dig for mole crabs, and a trip to the aquarium. The labs were all pretty easy, but there aren't many points available so do be careful. If you have a question about anything, just go to his office hours! He's really friendly. I had him for lecture, discussion, and lab. No TA. I think that might be a feature of summer session, but I'm not sure. Anyways, I am glad I got to spend so much class time and get to actually know the professor! I have never had that opportunity in any other class.
So my recommendation: TAKE THIS CLASS! It's super fun, don't listen to these other people, do study the material and have a good understanding, and go to lecture. Piece of cake! When in doubt on the exams, write more rather than less, because his exams sometimes don't specify if they want a single word answer or a paragraph.