There's nothing new that hasn't been said already from other reviews. It's a good science GE and also a fun class. I believe it's an offered pre-major class for Psychology and Cog-Science majors (don't get psychobiology twisted up with psych, pre-major classes for those are pretty different).

Perks:
-I didn't even buy the textbook and never read a lick out of it except for the reviews at the end of each chapter that I scanned with a phone app when I checked out the book from Powell's library reserve.

-Phelan's cool lol

-Quiz questions are given ahead of time so there's no excuse to fail these just go to your T.A or Phelan himself.

-The curve is INSANE. I got an F (57%) on my final worth 250 points, and a C (77%) worh 150 points and ended the class with a B- when I should really have gotten a D/F or at best, a C-.

-Considering the fact that I was lazy, depressed, and overall lacking in motivation yet was still able to pass the class, if you try in this class (and let's be real, we all know deep down when we're trying and when we're just making excuses) you are definitely going to get an A.

Selling Mean Genes for 10$ and problem set for 5$.

Email; *************

Prof Phelan is great! Take the class!

This professor is AWESOME. The homework does not take a long time and is super manageable. He has study sessions before the midterm and final where he gives you all the questions that could show up on it but then you only have two days to make a full study guide and memorize it. The weekly quizzes are easy. Definitely recommend taking this class.

The class is amazing, and it is a must-take! I'm selling the 2nd edition loose leaf version of the textbook "What is life" and the other required reading "mean genes". Both for $30! Please text me at **********.

Selling "What is Life" textbook & "Mean Genes." Good condition!
Email me: *************

I took LS15 in Spring 2016 so this is a pretty late review and I do not remember the exact details of the class's structure. However, I do remember really enjoying the class, and I thought it was valuable because it is biology tailored for psychology majors, which means that while it is not as tough as the other LS classes, it still forces you as a psychology student to treat your discipline as a science. I think that ^ is Phelan's underlying message - he wants you to approach science critically and skeptically, and understand that fields like psychology that sometimes involve questionable conclusions does actually have a scientific basis if you approach it as such.

The class itself is pretty straightforward. If you do all the work and try hard you will definitely get an A! The workload at times can be a little too much (if you are intent on doing ALL the readings), but it's definitely not too bad.

Best Professor I've had thus far!! Wish I could take another class with Professor Phelan! Very engaging lectures!! Selling What Is Life for $35!! Email me at *************

I loved this class! However, I was stressed out about it a lot because I needed to get a good grade in it to raise my psych GPA. As a result I tried super hard on the quizzes, did all the readings, etc. but it earned me an A so I think that it was worth it!
As for the class, he does lectures with slides. He podcasts the lectures so you can watch them online but I found I learned more if I went to class. The content is super applicable to your own life and I found it really interesting-especially the nutrition segment I still use a lot today lol.
Discussion is mandatory-I'm pretty sure they grade on participation/attendance (seemed to be 3 points per discussion). There are also 12 point quizzes in each discussion-they'll drop your lowest one for the final grade. You have to do a debate during one of the discussions with a partner which isn't too hard but make sure you try on it.
The exams are pretty hard but he offers a review session before make sure you go!!! He usually gives about 20 questions for the midterm and about 40 for the final that if you study, you should be good for. However, I found that the final contained more than those 40 questions so for the final I would recommend reviewing everything as well as the questions. For the midterm I only reviewed the questions and I was fine.
This is an awesome class and you should take it! You'll learn a lot for sure and Phelan is really cool and a great lecturer. He makes science really interesting and relatable!

This class was by far one of my favorite classes that I took my freshman year. First of all, Phelan is the man. Seriously, he is one of the coolest professors at UCLA and one of the most impressive. I felt BAD missing lecture simply because I felt like I was letting Phelan down. He writes the text book that is required for the class and also requires you to buy Mean Genes (another book he wrote) but you do not need Mean Genes to get an A. Discussion is extremely important. Go to every one. You have a "quiz" every week but the quiz is really just one question off of the weekly problem set you pick up in lecture. So, you have the "quiz" questions ahead of time every time. Memorize the answers in the most basic sense the night before your discussion and you're solid. I ended with an A in the class even with being out of school for 2 and a half weeks of being sick. Go to the midterm review and final review and write down his questions because if you can outline each question he gives you from the reviews you will get an A. This class is extremely relevant and gave me a new outlook on science. HIGHLY recommend.