The first half of this class has a different professor, Dr. Even jokes and kind of rambles then loads a lot of vocabulary quickly in lectures. Tests used lecture concepts but also had to understand specifics a person could google for vocabulary matching questions

this class was not enjoyable for me as a gen bio major who isn't invested in aquatic communities at all. but that being said, i think the exams get easier when you pay attention to the hints given in the review sessions. i got kinda reamed but it got better once i adjusted to the exam style. prepare to memorize details yet apply concepts.

he is such an amazing lecturer and his classes are so engaging! attendance not required (aside from section) since lectures were recorded, but lectures are so interactive and he does a mini review session at the start of each one that is not always recorded that contains basically everything on the exams. unironically the best prof at UCSB.

Dr. Even makes you work for your grade. His tests are mostly essays with some matching and fill in the blank. He mostly tests based on how well you understand the material rather than memorization. Write detailed notes for the full story, some of the stuff he says isn't always in his lecture slides. Funny and engaging lectures though (EEMB 159 too)

His classes are frustrating. I've taken a few of them. He does a good job of getting students to understand the material but doesn't do a good job of testing this knowledge. TA's are unreasonably harsh graders considering the vagueness of his assignments and sometimes the test questions as well.

He's a good lecturer which is his main strength. His lectures are well structured and easy to follow. That said his tests suck. Doesn't communicate well with students on expectations for tests OR assignments which constitute 100% of the grade. At the end of the day it's useless for students to learn the material well just to be set up for failure