<p>I didn't take AP Biology in high school, and the last time I had any biology in my curriculum was in my first year of high school in an integrated science class, most of which I have completely forgotten. I didn't understand what carbs, fats, lipids, nutrients, ect. really were until I signed up for the class and looked into it a bit. </p>
<p>I've heard that it's become harder than it was in the past. I'm going to strive for a solid A (not saying that i'll end up getting it, but that I'm going to strive for that grade). It seems like a really interesting subject, and I happen to be part of the few people I know that really likes learning and studying (well mostly humanities, but I'm slowly venturing into the sciences).</p>
<p>Still, it seems a decent amount of people get As and A-s. How hard would one have to work if he was COMPLETELY unfamiliar to the subject of the class? Also, how heavy is the reading load/homework assignments?</p>
<p>Textbooks are useless, don’t even bother reading them. Just memorize the lecture slides and the wileyplus questions (if they are still using that). I took this w/ Amy so it could be different with another professor. The key again is to memorize the material and you’ll be fine. Prior knowledge isn’t really necessary.</p>
<p>easiest science class at cal if you try to learn the material.</p>
<p>i wish the same could be said of bio 1a etc haha.</p>
<p>take it-and the poster above is correct-the lecture slides are sufficient to ace the class. bought the book and never read more than a few pages of it myself.</p>
<p>A number of questions on each exam were tricky/poorly-worded, at least when I took it (Spring 2009). Professor Amy usually scrapped those questions, though, to be fair. I’m not sure if she’s teaching next semester, though. I think it was Professors Fleming and DeLumen who taught last spring, but I might be wrong. </p>
<p>If the format of the class is the same for next semester, you’ll get the opportunity for some extra credit in your sections, and the section assignments will be pretty easy and very manageable. Lots of chances to rack up points. Overall, like what the above poster said, it really comes down to memorization. It seems that you have an interest in nutrition, so that might make it easier for you to memorize the material. </p>
<p>The book might be beneficial for you if you want more background “FYI” info / a supplement to lecture to keep you on track, but it’s not crucial to have and read. </p>
<p>The class doesn’t really delve into the biology behind the concepts too deeply, at least from what I remember, so don’t worry about that too much. Just put in the manhours to understanding/memorizing the slides, and you’ll be okay. =)</p>
<p>It’s an easy class to pass but I think it’s pretty hard to get an A- if you don’t want to spend time on rote memorization.</p>
<p>@Liquidus: Agreed. However, since you don’t really need to attend lecture, you can use that time to memorize the material :]. And if you are aiming for an A+, you might need to read the chapters…(which are way too long).</p>
<p>No prior knowledge to biology necessary. I memorized the slides the night before the midterm exams and pulled a solid A. Homework is really easy…takes like 10-20 minutes to do. The Diet Analysis project takes a little longer, but it’s straightforward. </p>
<p>I took it last spring. I can see how this class could be considered hard if you don’t keep up with the lecture notes though. You’ll learn some interesting facts about nutrition, which was why I took this class. (It doesn’t count for anything in my major lol)</p>
<p>Thanks! Do you think you could still pull an A if you don’t read the textbook but pay careful attention to the slides/lectures? (Maybe I would just use the textbook for reference)</p>
<p>IMO you don’t need the textbook. Everything is lecture/slides based.</p>
<p>Yup. Anyone who spent like 100 bucks on that textbook is probably regretting it right about now (unless they’re really interested in nutrition).</p>
<p>^^ got it new for 25 but im still regretting it :(</p>
<p>Does anyone know how easy it is to get in off the waitlist for this class? I’m 43 on the waitlist for my lecture :/</p>
<p>Sell it on Amazon.</p>
<p>I managed to rack up some previous exams here:</p>
<p>[UCB</a> RCSA Test Files - Folder Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage](<a href=“Box”>Box)</p>
<p>Do you think that these exams are similar for different instructors, or each instructor has their own unique exam format?</p>