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.

People that are complaining about her have no reason to, they just were likely not willing to put in the work. Her class was excellent, she is easy to work with, and she knows more than any other professor I have had. Just look at the grammar of the people who didn't like her.

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 a great teacher and is the most helpful person ever. Not going to lie, really tough but rewarding.

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.

BRUTAL final. Know everything about everything. She's really smart and knowledgeable at what she does. But that doesn't make things any better esp. when you're a premed and need near stellar grades for your goals of going to med school. booo

boring lecturer, horrible slides that fail to define a lot of simple processes or terms, and dull subject. covers a lot more depth than I needed for an intro class.

sweet lady! you can't help but smile if you talk with her in person - she loves to help people and gives proper direction. if you have any problems, or think the class is too hard, TALK TO HER! she will make it so much easier!

great class. she has clear lecture slides and she provides great supplemental detail! to all those people leaving (-) comments, they prob just don't know how to sort out supplemental detail from what she wants you to know, which she makes clear even in 1b. Very knowledgeable & a GREAT resource for plants, genetics, or developmental! give her a try!

Had her for mcdb 1b too. She's one of the smartest people I know - I don't just mean knowing the material. There is so much people can learn from her, and I think you have to take something other than an intro class of 800+ before you can properly judge anybody - she is so much better than these comments

I liked her. You could tell she really loves plants. She just seems really boring when she's following Dr. Low who is so enthusiastic! If you study all the material and do her practice final or quizzes you'll do fine.