Color. Smell. Place. The making and interpreting of wine is an ancient, widespread trade that has appeared in texts from The Epic of Gilgamesh to the Song of Solomon. Whether you are a novice or a devoted oenophile, this discovery seminar offers a chance to experience local viniculture. We will explore the interplay of scientific modes and methods within the four major phases of winemaking: macrobiological grape cultivation, microbiological fermentation, physical clarification, and chemical aging. This seminar will culminate in an on-site, interactive tour of commercial winery facilities in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.
1
UnitsPass no pass
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeUpper division only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeYes, this class is a ton of work but it's unfortunately supposed to be that way, I don't think it's fully Faye's fault. Most labs were well-designed and thorough. Mistakes in the manuals but WAY fewer than last year. As usual with labs, very TA-dependent. Final was absurdly long but difficulty was reasonable. I do wish she connected with us more.
This class was insane. I have never spent so much time on a single class in my entire life. The workload is ridiculous, prof has been made well aware of how horrible this class is for her students, and she does not care one bit.
Expect to learn every concept yourself. Workload is about 6-10+ hours of writing lab reports every week. Final exam (20%) is fair. Lab report grades (60%) can depend entirely on who your TA is. She holds no office hours. Your TA will not be of your help. Effort you put in the weekly report and the grade you get can be totally out of proportions.
2 reports or 1 formal every week, scientific readings that were completely pointless. Reads directly from slides that are just recaps. no interactions with the class just rapid iClickers. Old lab manuals should be redone, full of mistakes and missing details. Overall everything takes longer than it should and is made more difficult than is needed.
Nobody takes 110L by choice, so here's some advice: this class sucks. BUT we were allowed our lab notebook on the exam. YOU'LL NEED IT unless you have a photographic memory. She will ask about very specific details from each and every lab manual on the exam. So just copy everything down, including formulas, reagents, amino acids. It gets granular.
This lab is poorly structured, and it appears that feedback from the students and TAs has not been incorporated to any degree. The work load is excessive, with as many as six lengthy assignments due a week. The procedures can be unclear and full of mistakes and need to be revised.