The content is very heavy. This course covers basic genetics of plants, humans, bugs, etc. and then all the mutations that had to occur for humans and plants today to form from bacteria millions of years ago. There aren't a lot of assignments until right before exams but the amount of studying this course requires takes up all the time assignments would and more. Only take this course if you need to, it is not an easy A by any means.

The content was very all over the place and not really useful unless you want to work in a lab. If you don't attend class you will miss information for probably five questions on the exam.

Dr. Balish was great for the most part. Her slides were a little unorganized but once you figure out her organization style you're good. She is very willing to work with students and wants everyone to succeed in her course. She makes a playlist with everyones fav songs and plays it during a five min break every lecture.

Get ready to study and take DETAILED notes.

Very minimal homework, but very difficult and content heavy tests. If you miss one lecture, you are pretty much screwed unless you find another way to teach it to yourself. Assignments are very rare, only when an exam is near.

Plants, bugs, cells, bacteria. If you're not interested in it, it probably will be boring. Even if it's not your main focus in school, it can be interesting to learn, though. Many kids are pre-med, so they get frustrated about "when will this be about medicine and anatomy" but it can be interesting if you let it be.

Super nice and cool guy. He really knows his stuff and can answer pretty much any question and apply concepts in really great ways because of his knowledge and experience. He often goes on tangents, though, so a lot of the content found on the tests must be learned outside of class or in SI meetings.

You have to go to every lecture. The lecture is the study guide. His slides won't mean anything to you if you aren't in class. The tests have application questions that are very difficult and most likely require just guessing.