Jonathan Snow

weekly quizes with dumbbbbb questions similar to tests and three midterms not cumulative

Two midterms (able to do corrections for 20% of the points back), the class average for each was ~B+, and one final (which he set multiple days to take it to work around our schedules instead of the university final date). Three group paper assignments (read the paper and answer ~5 questions). One presentation per group, but it was pretty straightforward, and he already gave sources for it. I didn't have to spend too long on assignments during the week (everything was very spaced out throughout the semester and not overwhelming. I did have to study a lot for each exam, but if you take notes in class, it should be fine.

The quizzes are hard, you do best when you collaborate. Don't assume the content is easy and that you'll do fine, you likely won't. The wording is very specific in them, concepts are mentioned for a reason. Pay super close attention in lectures because Snow might mention something only once and it will be on the quiz. His exams are much better. They're still crazy hard, but the questions are easier than on the quiz and the concepts they ask about are pretty reasonable. The quizzes were 12.5% of the grade and the average was curved to a 97 (yeah, I know). Each exam was 22.5% and then there was a attendance and SimBio hw grade which were both easy A's. I personally got A's on all three exams, but the average was typically a 75%. The best way to study is to start early and attend office hours even if you don't have specific questions.

Workload isn't bad, just a weekly open notes quiz (you can work on it with other people, HIGHLY recommend doing this) and Simbio. The bulk of this class is just studying for exams.

Difficult class but very interesting! 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2023 Course: BIOLUN3041_001_2023_3-CELLBIOLOGY : BIOLUN3041_001_2023_3 - CELL BIOLOGY Instructor: Erin Barnhart

I hated this classsssssss. Lecture was interesting and he's a smart guy but the test are just ridiculous. Studied for hourrrrrsssssssss and would feel like I knew everything he taught then would get into the test and want to die. His test questions and homework are just so dumb and niche knowledge it doesn't matter how much you study if you just understand the process in such a specific way and happen to know what the question is talking about you can do well. I got a B+ in the class which was upsetting.... Never took bio in high school after freshman year and he said in office hours if you haven't taken bio before don't expect to get a A which like..... Don't take with him unless you already know cell molec bio really well.

I was very nervous for this class because I've heard Professor Snow is really harsh for his intro class. However, that was totally not the case at all. He is so engaging and actually the sweetest man ever. He really does care about his students. This class was very small, which might be why. It has truly been my favorite class I have taken so far. Honestly, I was not that interested in cell bio and was only taking this class for the major credit, but I'm so happy I took it. I cannot recommend Professor Snow enough. He is so passionate about the content.

Harder than the first semester bio. Much more abstract concepts and way more terms. Pay attention in lecture and I found that the best way to study was to explain concepts out loud to the TA's and they help clarify any confusions from there. Content is easier for those who have taken some form of biology in the past (ex. I got an A and had a phenomenal AP Bio teacher in high school).

Avoid if you can. As someone who had a relatively strong background in biology, including a 5 on AP Bio, this barely helped me in the class. You cover the same kind of concepts - photosynthesis, macromolecules, and the like - but he expects you to know the most minuscule details and his test questions are worded in a really convoluted way to the point where you could just argue about semantics on a bunch of the questions. He also throws out at least 5 questions on each exam (out of ~45) which should tell you something about how fair his exams are. I pretty much only got through this course by gritting my teeth and memorizing everything (KHAN ACADEMY will be your friend! Also ask AI to make practice questions for you), but it heavily took away from my enjoyment of bio. His lecture style is also a huge red flag; he uploads blank slides onto Courseworks, which makes people come to class even when they're sick so they can get the notes. His handwriting is really bad (He will probably make a joke about this during the first class. It will no longer be a joke to you after the 10th lecture when you have to decipher what he is writing down at 10:10 in the morning). I would only suggest taking this if you are pre-med or this is required for your major. Otherwise pls don't do this to yourself.

I would warn them about the group-project aspect of the second half of the course. I imagine that would be a dealbreaker for many. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2022 Course: BIOLUN3041_001_2022_3-CELLBIOLOGY : BIOLUN3041_001_2022_3 - CELL BIOLOGY Instructor: Erin Barnhart