<p>Bio classes tend to be big but questions flow freely, once you get past the first lecture class (BIO100, used to be BIO111) the size of the class drops but is still in the 45-55 range. The labs are limited in size and you get all the personal attention you could want there. The full time lab staff are great. For the lower level classes some lab profs will be adjunct but they somehow manage to find some of the best people out there. They are lecture classes and as lecture classes usually are they can be dry and involve alot of outside work so far as memorization. The lower division classes have what are called “thought questions” due for each lecture. In lab you will write full length papers, and groups within the lab will perform individual versions of experiments and then present them via Powerpoint to the class. Bio classes were difficult, dont be surprised if you get B’s and C’s, the tests are difficult and require more memorization than I had seen before or have seen since. Expect to come to love ecology because that is what you will find until you get into upper division classes. Human Physiology was one of the best classes I have taken, and I hear good things about Immunology and Developmental (300 and 400 level classes). The extra classes (BIO 350, one semester trial classes with new Profs) are always some shade of ecology. Your attendance to these classes is recorded and factors into your grade. Don’t be stupid with the Bio department, if you make an idiot out of yourself in front of one professor the whole department will know about it by 3:00PM, which is funny, but should not be a problem for most people…BIO100 is no longer the “weed out course” as it is a multi major bio course, so expect to see all of your drop outs happen in Cell Bio.
Let me know if you want to know anything else, I hope that helps.</p>