Her lectures were dry and she had such a monotonous voice. She didn't really seem interested in what she was teaching, although she was very knowledgeable in her field. I do agree that her tests are unreasonable - you really have to memorize everything she says and not just what's on the slides. Review the material consistently and don't cram! GL

She clearly is just at UCSB for research, as her teaching skills are nonexistent. Boring to ungodly levels, teaches the most irrelevant and tiny details, makes her tests far more challenging than they need to be, and includes small one word differences causing questions to be wrong. Avoid at all costs, shame she is the only professor for MCDB 1B.

I have an IQ of 170, I'm a straight A student, but this class is the only one that has given me trouble. Not only do you have to memorize such minute details, but you also have to apply those irrelevant details to other irrelevant situations.

memorize EVERYTHING she says, and then some. Not only is she a terrible lecturer, her tests are completely unreasonable and expects you to know stuff she spent less than 30 seconds on in lecture. multiple choice answers would be wrong because of a single word.

Its so frustrating seeing her try to play a video using a pen tool on her power points then complain about the video not playing... But also her powerpoints are difficult to follow and contain short fragmented phrases that make no sense unless you listen to her give her confusing explanation of it. Terrible professor overall.

I read RateMyProfessor on her last quarter before taking her, and thought "she can't be that bad, i'll be fine" I learned now that I was oh so terribly wrong. Finkelstein is by far the worst professor and test giver in all of the intro bio series. Her lectures are incomprehensible and she shows she obviously doesn't care about how much we learn.

really amazing professor and super rewarding if you put in the time into the class. you can't expect her to make everything super easy, she wants you to work hard!! definitely study lectures and the book and you should be fine

Get ready to sit through an hour of mumbling 3 days a week. Make sure to read the book before class because you'll be falling asleep 10 minutes into lecture. show to class with iclicker and just study the slides for the final.

Dr. Finkelstein is a nice lady, but her lectures are so dry and scattered. You should really watch videos/go to CLAS to get a basic understanding of the material before you go to lecture -- that way all the confusing stuff she says makes sense. Her test is hard, but it works just the same way as the first half of the class. It's just memorization.

Everyone on here is being very dramatic. Her exam was difficult, but you get THREE HOURS to complete it. Therefore, if you redo the test multiple times, any tricks she incorporates should be identified and resolved. The primary issue with this course was that a bunch of people (in the Greek system) studied off of former exams and ruined the curve.

Her lectures are confusing and she can be boring at times. Her final is extremely difficult; you need to know alot of details.

Her lectures aren't great, because she ineffectively rambles on and on. Unfortunately, this is one of those classes where you will have no chance at passing if you don't pay attention in lecture and take notes about everything she says. Study those notes in addition to the lecture slides from Day 1, and you'll be okay. Time management is key too.

Hard class, very lack-luster lectures. That being said, she's taught this class for 20 yrs. so it makes sense. EXTREMELY helpful outside lecture, super friendly woman!! Do practice tests, go to office hours, and don't go to lecture stoned.

Dr. Finkelstein is a very knowledgeable lady. She is however not a very good teacher. She has very basic concepts on her lecture slides and what you get tested on is a lot more specific and difficult.

Clearly not interested in being a professor. The powerpoint slides are just blocks of text. It took a solid amount of effort to keep from passing out during class. The final was brutal and she expects you to remember the most minute details. Luckily, they curve the class quite fairly. But do not expect to do well just by going to lecture.

Boooooooooring! Luckily lectures were posted online so I could watch them on my own time, AND I STILL FELL ASLEEP! the woman means well but let's be real, she has no charisma. TAKE CLAS AND READ THE TEXTBOOK!!! do not rely solely on her lack luster lectures.

Horrible professor. Her lecture slides are awful, thus making her lectures awful as well. Fails to convey key concepts well and then expects us to know everything come exam time. Definitely a weeder class for the pre-meds and such. It's tough, no doubt. Go to CLAS and read the text carefully.

The WORST professor I have ever had at UCSB. She's monotonous and her slides are of no help. She makes things way more complicated than they need to be. You're better off just reading the book. Do not even bother showing up to class. The final was near impossible. She will purposely try to trick you, so know EVERYTHING.

She basically make things that are not really that difficult unnecessarily complex. Topics that were interesting to me (like photosynthesis) became utterly boring when it came out from her. Her test is EXTREMELY HARD. Study and attend CLAS.

Dr Finkelstein is very helpful and understanding if you talk to her. She will also give you hints by "clarifying" her tricky tests if you ask her intelligent questions. She is a very nice woman!!!!

Not really helpful. It is extremely useful if you attend CLAS. Her final was pretty hard. Be prepared to know every detail that lies within her slides and even more. Her tests make it extremely difficult to pick the actual correct answer because they will be formatted to be: A, B, C, A and C, or All of the above (this is an example of course).

Very smart and knows her stuff. However, her test questions are very tricky. 4 words: know everything about everything. Yes, plant physiology is boring, but this isn't her fault. SOMEONE has to teach it to us. However, the fact that she makes her test questions very tricky IS something that is in her hands. Again, know everything about everything

I liked her! I studied A LOT but since I did, the final was super easy. Just go over her slides a lot a lot a lot. Honestly, the hardest part about her test is that the answers are wrong because one word is off or something. But if you study you will do great! And she always answered my questions after class. She's really nice.

She has an affinity over plants, she really does; but teaching plants was just not her thing. She's very smart and knows everything about plants, but plants are just not something that many people enjoy. I liked her, but not plants. At least she tried. Teaching plant physiology is just not her strength at what she does.