PSYCH 15
Introductory Psychobiology
Description: Lecture, three hours. Designed for nonmajors. Survey of genetic, evolutionary, physiological, pharmacological, and experiential factors affecting behavior. Using comparative approach where appropriate, emphasis on relevance of biological mechanisms to understanding of humans and their interaction with their environment. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
I suppose I'll have to talk about the class itself and the Professor as a person separately. Dr. Grijalva is a really nice man. He cares enough to stay a long time after class discussing test results, the material, and even going over answers. He also has a very lenient curve, enough to raise someone up one whole grade. The course on the other hand is probably not recommended for people who cannot memorize terms. The tests were confusing and multiple-choice. In a large class, this is the only way to check everyone's progress since the TA cannot possibly grade 200+ written essays. However, this means that everyone has to study EVERYTHING in the book and lectures in order to ensure that no questions are missed due to oversight. The class has a terrible structure, but the professor is really really good. I'm still kind of torn on the issue. The class is called Psychobiology, but it's much more biology that psychology. As long as you walk in knowing what to expect, you should be fine.
I suppose I'll have to talk about the class itself and the Professor as a person separately. Dr. Grijalva is a really nice man. He cares enough to stay a long time after class discussing test results, the material, and even going over answers. He also has a very lenient curve, enough to raise someone up one whole grade. The course on the other hand is probably not recommended for people who cannot memorize terms. The tests were confusing and multiple-choice. In a large class, this is the only way to check everyone's progress since the TA cannot possibly grade 200+ written essays. However, this means that everyone has to study EVERYTHING in the book and lectures in order to ensure that no questions are missed due to oversight. The class has a terrible structure, but the professor is really really good. I'm still kind of torn on the issue. The class is called Psychobiology, but it's much more biology that psychology. As long as you walk in knowing what to expect, you should be fine.
Most Helpful Review
Never ever ever take Psych 15, Intro to Psychobiology. It is the worst class ever unless you have a memory like Will in "Good Will Hunting." To get a decent grade on the tests you must memorize every minute detail in every section of the book. Concepts will get you nowhere. And going to lecture is a complete waste of time, since she lectures directly from the book all the time. Believe me, I went to all classes before the first test and got a C. I didn't go to class at all before the second test and got a C+. My grade actually improved by not going to her lecture!
Never ever ever take Psych 15, Intro to Psychobiology. It is the worst class ever unless you have a memory like Will in "Good Will Hunting." To get a decent grade on the tests you must memorize every minute detail in every section of the book. Concepts will get you nowhere. And going to lecture is a complete waste of time, since she lectures directly from the book all the time. Believe me, I went to all classes before the first test and got a C. I didn't go to class at all before the second test and got a C+. My grade actually improved by not going to her lecture!
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2021 - I took this class with Dr. Wong and Professor Krasne. Wong was definitely a better lecturer than Krasne was, so I was able to learn his content a lot more. Professor Krasne's lecturers were so hard to follow and his slides didn't make much sense. I don't think many people felt comfortable asking questions because when some people tried they were usually interrupted by Krasne. He also kind of just assumed that we knew information that we never had been taught obviously because this is an intro course. The only reason I was able to do okay on the midterm was because it was open-note. I wouldn't recommend this class to anybody who is looking for a life science GE, there are much more interesting and easy classes available.
Winter 2021 - I took this class with Dr. Wong and Professor Krasne. Wong was definitely a better lecturer than Krasne was, so I was able to learn his content a lot more. Professor Krasne's lecturers were so hard to follow and his slides didn't make much sense. I don't think many people felt comfortable asking questions because when some people tried they were usually interrupted by Krasne. He also kind of just assumed that we knew information that we never had been taught obviously because this is an intro course. The only reason I was able to do okay on the midterm was because it was open-note. I wouldn't recommend this class to anybody who is looking for a life science GE, there are much more interesting and easy classes available.
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