You can find the textbook for the class online (librarygenesis.com) and you kind of need the workbook. You can get by with sharing with someone though or even taking pictures of the pages you'll need on a particular day. I rented the workbook and only really used it a couple times. So it's not super necessary to spend money on textbooks.

There is no curve to the class. Professor Esposito truly believes, and wants, all his students to earn A's and not limit it to only a certain amount of people. Grade breakdown along with my own grades to earn a B-

Lecture:
mid-term- 15% (88%)
final- 40% (81.5%)
lecture quiz exercises- 10% (100%)

Lab:
exercises- 25% (71.63%)
final exam- 10% (67%)

Professor Esposito is a really nice guy and genuinely wants his students earn good grades. He also stood right outside of the classroom for like 10-15 minutes everyday in case anyone had questions on anything. He also made an effort to get to know people and remember their names, mine included. I sit in the middle-back and never participate but he still remembered my name. He's from Italy and has a little of an accent but nothing you can't get used to. The lectures/slides are all posted on CCLE along with a Bruincast (audio only). Justin Higa was my TA and he was really cool too. Definitely recommend. I've heard bad things about Kirkpatrick though, so try to stay away from her (no personal experience with her though).

The lecture quiz exercises are questions posted on CCLE, answers given during lecture, given until next lecture to answer the question. Midterm was fairly easy but the final was a lot tougher (for me personally). During Lab section which you really have to go to you are given a packet of work which is mostly done in class. You have to see and name rocks and that sort of thing. You can walk around looking at the different rocks and can work with other people too, so it's not too bad. The exercise aren't too hard either, my grade is just so low because I skipped the first one and that lowered my overall grade for that part. For the Lab final, it's pretty much the same thing but it was a little tough just because I had a midterm the day before (for a different class) which I was more worried about, so I only studied for the lab final for like an hour or two.

All in all, it's not too hard. I would recommend this class, especially with this professor. I was taking it along with a much harder class which I was more focused on and I commute. So if I can get a B-, you can definitely get a better grade. I think it's a pretty manageable class to get your lab req done with.

Also, there was a final study guide made by some students and which was shared with the whole class. It came in pretty handy. If you'd like it (pdf) send me a text with your e-mail. **********

r/ucla

selling textbook
contact @ ********** or @*************

I LOVE this professor, he is the nicest man and he tried to make class entertaining by showing a lot of videos. The final and midterms are relatively easy and very manageable, but the lab portion was incredibly hard. We all did poorly on the lab final so it was curved. However, they are trying to redo the lab portion. Do not take this class if you do not want to examine rocks! Also, the midterm and final are difficult, but not if you are good at memorizing, the professor is never trying to trick you.

Rosario really cares about his students and is so passionate about what he teaches. His energy lights up everyone in the lecture hall and the content of each lecture is always so fascinating, even though I'm biz-econ! Stay true to you, Rosario.

Take this class! It's a great GE. Rosario is so, so sweet. His lectures are fun, engaging, and he is a great lecturer. He doesn't give you study guides, but if you use the slides as a study guide you'll be fine. The labs for this class are difficult but if you get the right TA, you can do well. I only had to go to office hours for the lab, and not the class. The lab final was difficult, but I think he curved it. The midterm and the final were really fair. Make sure you go/listen to the lectures because for much of the exam content is from him saying it to us/showing it to us in class. I would for sure take this class again.

I LOVE this professor, he is the nicest man and he tried to make class entertaining by showing a lot of videos. The final and midterms zre relatively easy and very manageable, but the lab portion was incredibly hard. We all did poorly on the lab final so it was curved. However, they are trying to redo the lab portion. Do not take this class if you do not want to examine rocks!

Rosario Esposito is one of the most kind and helpful professors at UCLA! The in-class exams were very fair and everything you should know for them is taught in lecture. However, the labs were tough sometimes and the lab exam (which was only worth 10% of our grade) was a bit rough as well.

The in-class textbook is about $150-200, but I'm selling a PDF version for $5. Message me for my Venmo at ********** if you're interested!