This course will review the latest discoveries in biochemistry, including new enzymatic functions, cofactor biosynthesis, and metabolic pathways for secondary metabolites. Students with a strong background in organic chemistry and a keen interest in biochemistry are encouraged to take this course.
1 - 4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeGraduate students only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeHe's a very smart professor and it shows during lectures. I really liked the content of this class. But the exams were grueling- He teaches so many topics but only covers a select few on the exams, making it hard to prep for. The TA was very nice tho. I would really recommend taking MCDB 108/110 since those classes are more clear and fair.
His grading policy may seem fair according to the syllabus but then each homework assignment and his exams are graded on what seems like a completely arbitrary rubric. We never even found out what our final exam scores were and then they posted our grades after the due date for GOLD. doesn't really seem like he cares that much about students
He made his class incredibly difficult. Homework assignments were vague and unclear and his exams were taken home and open note but he designed them to be extremely difficult so it doesn't really matter what resources you use. His slides don't really contain much info so you really have to write down what he says.
The material is interesting, but the class is unnecessarily difficult due to poor structure. Exam topics are briefly covered in lectures, making it hard to study. Grading policies are unclear early on and very harsh, with little to no partial credit. There may be a curve at the end but overall the course feels stressful and disorganized.
Being Prof. Hai's student is the luckiest thing ever. I'm really grateful to him. He is not only my science hero but also my life role model.
An amazing introduction to diverse reactions presented in nature. May require good sense in advanced OChem to gain better participation.