(Took this class during COVID)

This class is pretty difficult. I think the LS 7 series in general is less about memorization but more about actually understanding concepts and applying them to new situations you've never seen before, which can be difficult for people who haven't done so in high school etc. It's pretty similar to AP bio in a sense where you apply your knowledge instead of just regurgitating it.

Even though this class was a lot of work, the LS 7A professors made accommodations for online learning which I think saved a lot of people's grades: group exams. For the 2 midterms and the final, there were two phases: an individual phase, where you would take the exam by yourself (open from 6 AM - 8 PM on a single day), and a group phase, where you would be assigned a group of 3 other people and have about two days to set up a time, talk about the exam, and individually submit a second copy of exam (all on CCLE). Your score for the midterms/final is an average of the individual and group phase exams. So yeah, you could straight up fail the individual portion but get carried in the group phase and come out with a relatively decent score, which I think really helped people out and changed perspectives on this course because I only heard negative things coming in (however there were students who *still* complained... despite having group exams). I'm not sure if the professors will continue doing this when things get back to normal, but I think it will really help the LS 7 series be more respected because there are many, many complaints about this series. As far as I know LS 7B and 7C have different kinds of accommodations in regards to helping recovering lost points on exams, but anything helps.

In regards to the professor, I took it when McEvoy was co-teaching with Pires. I found Pires to be a lot more knowledgeable and prepared to answer questions, but I do recognize that it was probably McEvoy's first time teaching 7A (if I'm not mistaken) and I wouldn't call her "bad" by any means. They were both pretty good and kind.

Be prepared to work hard in this class. It takes a lot of time to go through weekly launchpad readings but actually reading it and *not* just skimming it will actually help you learn the concepts, but I do get that sometimes launchpad content can give you more than you actually need to know. Clicker questions are probably the best practice tool you have in that class as they represent the questions on the midterms/final pretty well, so make sure to go through them while studying and be able to justify why an answer is correct or incorrect. A lot of people say they "skipped through launchpad" and "barely paid attention in lecture" and then wonder why they have a bad grade, I don't get it. If you're disciplined enough and put in the work you'll get the grade you deserve! You can do it! Good luck!

This review isn't going to be about the professor at all. I feel like for LS 7A, it doesn't matter who your professors are because, at the end of the day, you're all learning the same thing and going through hell together. The workload in this class is a lot, but manageable if you stay on top of everything. I will say, I think it's pretty difficult to fail this class because of the amount of cushion that is offered with all of the assignments and extra credit you have. This class has two midterms, both are open-book. You take the individual phase of the midterms and then you take the same test again but in your group (use that information how you will). The final is all individual and is on paper, so by "using your resources" (chat GPT) on the midterms, you give yourself a cushion for that final (speaking from experience). It is honestly pretty difficult to study for this class because a lot of the material is "applied" and the test questions are very hypothetical. I think the best thing you can do to understand the material is go to the weekly problem-solving sessions, review the i-clicker questions from lectures, try to form study groups with people, and use the "teaching method" to nail down a concept. But yeah, unless you HAVE to take this class, I wouldn't recommend it. If you have the option (like psychology majors) to take an alternative of this class... TAKE IT AND RUN! But if you're stuck with the class (like most STEM majors) you'll be fine. If you've taken AP Bio or you enjoy Biology, you will be fine. And like I mentioned earlier... I know it's not ideal but do what you have to do on those open-notebook assignments and tests to provide yourself with a cushion if necessary (wink wink*).

Took this class with Pires and McEvoy. Clickers are used and you get points for it so you'll want to attend. It's flipped style with loads of work due on an overpriced online textbook (no way around it). The 7 series is clearly a weeder for LS majors and premed students. The material is pretty much going to be the same no matter the professor, but in this case let me warn you.

Pires and McEvoy suck.

My friends took this class with a different professor and had a way better time (and did significantly better). Not only are they boring and unhelpful teachers, but they're also super unaccommodating. CAE students beware! I got a concussion during the quarter and they refused to excuse any attendance or adjust clicker points, they didn't follow university requested accommodations, and they ignored emails after the grades were released where I followed up about these things. Do yourself a favor and take this class with a nicer professor.

I just hate the LS Series because you have to teach yourself everything and are expected to know it by lecture. I took this class with Dr. Mcevoy and Dr. Pires and both are pretty boring. Mcevoy taught the first half and Pires taught second half. I literally failed both midterms and final, I got an F for all and I still passed the class with a B. You will be fine but if can take another class you should.