EPS SCI 3
Astrobiology
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour; two field days. Origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life on Earth and in universe, paralleling major scientific initiative of NASA. Course material primarily from planetary and Earth science, paleontology and biology, astronomy, chemistry, and physics, with relatively little from mathematics. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2018 - I was dreading my last science GE, and I'm definitely glad I chose EPS SCI 3. It's an interesting enough class, I guess. Not really. It was interesting when we learned about the planets and that stuff, but we also had to learn about biology, which is something I wasn't so interested in. The class doesn't go super in depth, but I'm an econ major, so any biology is something I don't really like. I didn't buy or really need the textbook, but apparently it's very light reading and can be purchased at a fair price. I did like how there wasn't much work involved, as there are just really simple homework I did during discussions, one midterm, and one final. All the exams are multiple choice. Nothing was incredibly hard. Definitely easy to get a B in, maybe a liiiiittle bit harder to get an A. There was still that question of the bridge being knocked down on the final!! I read it, and I was like "Wow Bruinwalk doesn't lie." WIND. Wind is the answer! Contrary to the previous review, I did see the relevancy. I don't know if that reviewer went to class, but we did watch a video during lecture where the wind was shaking the bridge, and it crumbled because of the resonance. Something like that. There's also extra credit, which hardly really helps, but is still a good excuse to go out and do some educational things! I went to the Griffith Observatory, which was a fun, especially if you drag along a buddy. You just need to take a couple of timestamped pictures and write a paragraph or so. I'm sure it's one of the easier science GEs, but not really exciting.
Fall 2018 - I was dreading my last science GE, and I'm definitely glad I chose EPS SCI 3. It's an interesting enough class, I guess. Not really. It was interesting when we learned about the planets and that stuff, but we also had to learn about biology, which is something I wasn't so interested in. The class doesn't go super in depth, but I'm an econ major, so any biology is something I don't really like. I didn't buy or really need the textbook, but apparently it's very light reading and can be purchased at a fair price. I did like how there wasn't much work involved, as there are just really simple homework I did during discussions, one midterm, and one final. All the exams are multiple choice. Nothing was incredibly hard. Definitely easy to get a B in, maybe a liiiiittle bit harder to get an A. There was still that question of the bridge being knocked down on the final!! I read it, and I was like "Wow Bruinwalk doesn't lie." WIND. Wind is the answer! Contrary to the previous review, I did see the relevancy. I don't know if that reviewer went to class, but we did watch a video during lecture where the wind was shaking the bridge, and it crumbled because of the resonance. Something like that. There's also extra credit, which hardly really helps, but is still a good excuse to go out and do some educational things! I went to the Griffith Observatory, which was a fun, especially if you drag along a buddy. You just need to take a couple of timestamped pictures and write a paragraph or so. I'm sure it's one of the easier science GEs, but not really exciting.
Most Helpful Review
GE Cluster 70A Professor McKeegan cares deeply about his students and their learning. He taught GE Cluster 70 very well for several non-science majors. He makes the concepts really clear and organizes his lectures well. He uses great demonstrations to teach and tries to make the course very interesting. He was very helpful during review session also. I highly recommend that you take a course from him.
GE Cluster 70A Professor McKeegan cares deeply about his students and their learning. He taught GE Cluster 70 very well for several non-science majors. He makes the concepts really clear and organizes his lectures well. He uses great demonstrations to teach and tries to make the course very interesting. He was very helpful during review session also. I highly recommend that you take a course from him.
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Most Helpful Review
Runnegar co-taught this class with Professor Margot, and I always dreaded Runnegar and looked forward to Margot. Since the two taught in the same class, it's easy to compare and say that Margot was much better. Runnegar's lecture slides were all photos and diagrams, but no words or explanations, so you couldn't miss any of what he was saying because you had to write it all down. Also, his midterm was much harder I thought because the questions were all which of the following is NOT true, which I personally can't stand. All of this is simply in comparison to Margot, who put everything on the lecture slides and had easier tests. If you have the choice between the two for a GE or something, take Margot.
Runnegar co-taught this class with Professor Margot, and I always dreaded Runnegar and looked forward to Margot. Since the two taught in the same class, it's easy to compare and say that Margot was much better. Runnegar's lecture slides were all photos and diagrams, but no words or explanations, so you couldn't miss any of what he was saying because you had to write it all down. Also, his midterm was much harder I thought because the questions were all which of the following is NOT true, which I personally can't stand. All of this is simply in comparison to Margot, who put everything on the lecture slides and had easier tests. If you have the choice between the two for a GE or something, take Margot.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2016 - I disagree with the reviews, this class is not easy, and Professor Treude does not make it any easier. She has a monotone voice and puts you to sleep. Going to class was pointless since all the the lectures were off a powerpoint that was just read and not explained. The midterm was a lot easier than the final but the only way to pass the class is studying and grasping the material on your own, otherwise you will be lost and confused.
Fall 2016 - I disagree with the reviews, this class is not easy, and Professor Treude does not make it any easier. She has a monotone voice and puts you to sleep. Going to class was pointless since all the the lectures were off a powerpoint that was just read and not explained. The midterm was a lot easier than the final but the only way to pass the class is studying and grasping the material on your own, otherwise you will be lost and confused.
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