The class has 3 modules, all with equal weights. I thought the topics of each module were extremely interesting: the first was ADHD, the second was stuttering, and the third was neuroanatomy. It's important to start off strong because I think each module got harder and harder to understand and write about. The first two modules had lab reports, but the last module was our final exam -- not sure if this changes every quarter though. Dr. Grisham takes time during each lecture to explain what he expects in the lab report, so if you're attentive, you have the basic outline and just have to add extra details from the readings. He split the final exam into 2, both with 40 questions in 40 minutes. I thought it would be hard to finish in the short time, but I found it pretty manageable. I wasn't able to check all of my answers, but I was able to flag a few and go back to them later (on CCLE). I'm not really sure why his Bruinwalk reviews are so low because I thought he was so funny and tried his best to be engaging, especially during this difficult times. Admittedly, he was a bit confusing at times because there's no rubric (it's all in the lecture, he says) and his TAs weren't able to clarify that much during office hours, but I went to his personal office hours and thought they were really helpful. He also offered extra credit (up to 3%), so I think that boosted my grade.

The class itself was ok. There were 3 modules in total and I found Grisham's to be the most interesting but also the most work as we had to write a full on research paper whereas the other two were a series of questions (like a lab report). His lectures were not the most entertaining but he really knows his stuff and tries to make sure assignments are clear.

Class is divided into 3 modules worth 33% of your grade each: western immunoblotting with planarian samples, behavioral experiments with planarians (these two modules focus on the same research question—effect of caffeine on planarian habituation), and neuroanatomy + practical. For me, neuroanatomy was the toughest with the sheer amount of information we had to memorize (identifying brain structures, what pathways they are in, what functions they are responsible for etc.) assessed during a lab practical. For western immuno and behavioral modules, the assessments were lab reports which took a long time (10+ pg full manuscript-style reports with intro, methods, results, discussion) but were graded fairly leniently (I got high As on both). Specific to Grisham, he has an off the cuff lecturing style, and doesn't feel like he prepares a lot beforehand during lectures. But he is kind of funny in a brusque way.

Because I put a lot of work into the class, I am selling my media files of the in-class lab tours (including last year's practical), flashcards on Anki (made from these tours in lab, lecture material, online media), and comprehensive study guide for $20 in a package. This was a great benefit to my own studying and took me many hours to create/compile. Fair warning: what is on the lab practical probably varies from year to year, but there's only so much neuroanatomy to test on. If you are interested, please email me at ram.goalie@gmail.com

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He needs to retire... simple as that

I think that this professor caters to the students that learn the material very quickly. He is helpful with those students because it is easier to teach to people who catches things pretty fast. It's an easy job for him. He is not a good teacher because a teacher actually teaches and cares for your learning of the material and is not concerned about his personal ego (i.e. I am going to give these kids a lesson). I had a real bad experience with him since I wanted him to look over my paper which his T.A had graded and even though he knew I was right, he never acknowledged that his T.A made a mistake... One of those teachers that because they got a PhD, they are worth a million dollars and of course...they are "perfect"...this is my personal opinion..and you can take it or leave it...either way good luck! And u guys can do it!!!

Take good notes during lecture and lab for the neuroanatomy portion.

Dr. Grisham taught the Swimmy/Cricket module and MRI module in Psych 116/Neuro 101L, of which our grades were based on one paper per module. He was very straightforward about what was expected in our papers, and was pretty helpful in answering questions during office hours and in class. Though he's very blunt when answering questions, he seems to be a genuinely nice guy. Clarify any questions you have about the lab reports early on, and it should be decently easy to get a B+/A-. (I got a B because I missed turning in one of the assignments.)

Taking Psych 116 with Grisham might have been the worst decision I made at UCLA.

Grisham seemed like a nice guy and I enjoyed some of his lectures. Things were all well and good until every single time we received any sort of feedback or grade.

I don't know how anyone passed this class. It seemed like everyone getting grades back with an anxiety attack and the question: "why isn't one of the most difficult labs at UCLA curved?" Very, very good question.

As for Grisham himself, I found him to be blunt, rude, and utterly unconcerned with issues form his students.

If you're a neuroscience major, and your life aspiration is to become a neurosurgeon or do clinical work with the brain – then sure, take this class.

If you're a psychology or a cognitive science major, and you haven't taken LS2 or LS3 (these very crucial prerequisites somehow are not communicated before enrolling in the class) – run and hide. There is no way this class, and Grisham, could possibly be worth your time, effort, and misery.

I just took 116 with Grisham this past spring (2014) and I would ignore most of the older reviews here on Bruinwalk. Grisham is an all around nice guy, and while he can be a bit abrupt sometimes when answering questions (which is probably why earlier people thought he was rude), the dude's a nice and honest guy. He's a solid teacher and while the class certainly wasn't a cake-walk, it was quite enjoyable. Grisham really knows his stuff, so study and work hard and you'll do well in his class.