<p>I've noticed in some of my lower-div classes that the GSIs come from a variety of disciplines. Some actually have Masters and PhDs in the subject that they're teaching, but others are less qualified. For example, some GSIs are actually still undergrads and so they obviously don't know the material as well. </p>
<p>As a result, in Chem 3A, Bio 1A, and Chem 3B, I've encountered GSIs that are brilliant and others that can't even answer simple questions.</p>
<p>In upper-div MCB courses, do most of the GSIs have Masters and PHDs? How well do they know the stuff?</p>
<p>Well, an undergrad is technically a UGSI, not a GSI. They have, however, taken the course before and received a high grade or they would not have been accepted as a UGSI. </p>
<p>I think anon2528462 on this board is or was a UGSI and could comment on requirements.</p>
<p>Doesn’t answer your question - that needs someone who has taken enough UD MCB courses</p>
<p>UGSIs in Bio 1A and 1B just helped the GSI out, but I’m talking about undergrads who actually run the whole show. I guess technically GSIs who are undergrads should be called Undergrad Instructors, but UGSIs just generally means “assistant GSI” I think.</p>
<p>Also, I’m not necessarily talking about just those undergrads. Some grad students are pretty bad too. For example, my Bio 1B GSI was a grad student and she didn’t know anything. She was doing Public Health graduate stuff I think. I got a free A though lol, so maybe I shouldn’t complain about that one.</p>
<p>Hoping to get an answer from tastybeef lol. :)</p>
<p>I had a undergraduate GSI for chem 3AL (basically was a GSI, but really an undergrad b/c they had a shortage), who was good at grading, running lab, getting stuff back to us, etc. but didn’t have the same knowledge as a grad student. </p>
<p>As for MCB, there’s a wide variety of GSIs. In general, most of them are very knowledgeable, helpful, and run good sections. They tend to come from within the department (mostly grad students-though what year they are in varies, some with PhDs, NEVER undergrads). There are some bad ones though, and usually this is when they’re from a different department (e.g. Public Health). But because section isn’t like lab, you can usually attend any of the GSIs’ sections… and after the first few weeks, you’ll know who’s good and who’s not. I know several people who attended sections by 2 GSIs because both were good. </p>
<p>On another note, phd programs don’t really give out masters unless the grad student drops out after passing their exams, so most don’t have masters.</p>
<p>(I’ve 2 MCB UD courses and am in 2 this semester).</p>
<p>Thanks for the response stly. That is sort of disappointing I guess, I was hoping everyone would be from within the department. :(</p>
<p>Related question: So apparently people get a lot out of MCB discussion sections then? I went the first few weeks for Bio 1A, but the guy wasn’t very helpful so I stopped going lol.</p>
<p>Bio 1A is re-hash of AP + Bio 1AL (which is required) so it’s not really necessary.</p>
<p>Content of MCB UDs is much more in depth, complicated, and relatively new material. GSIs really help summarize the tons of info you get in lecture (and yes, you do learn a lot more in UDs!) into something much more understandable (and sometimes new additional info that is on exams). You get a lot out of it if you have a good GSI, otherwise it’s a waste of time. </p>
<p>GSIs also have a lot of input in grades since most classes are smaller (anywhere from 50 to like 350), so don’t get on their bad sides because they’re more likely to know you.</p>
<p>Cal PhD programs do give you masters degrees after 2 or 3 years to everyone, not just people who drop out. I went to a graduate school in science infosesion once. The grad students their were responding to a question by some MCB undergrad about masters programs. They mentioned that some people who are only seeking MCB masters degrees often apply for PhD programs (because PhD students get funding, MA students don’t) and drop out once they get the master thesis. So yea technically some of them are MA students “in disguise”</p>
<p>I don’t they let undergrads run anything besides labs for like Chem 3A/3B. Most of the upper division MCB classes have no lab sections. I’m in MCB C100A and the GSIs are PhD students and are pretty competent.</p>