Diego claims that he's teaching a "fundamentals class" when he doesn't actually teach. His tests are very application based, but you can't make a test like that when you don't even teach the fundamentals correctly. We got out of class early every time and its a 50 minute class. How does he do it? Textbook/section problems are not helpful so wing it

This class doesn't have to be hard the teacher just needs to go to a teaching seminar. Most people want to do well, Diego refuses to offer help. He's condescending about questions that should be welcomed. Be ready to teach yourself, because after multiple quarters this guy still hasn't found a way to help other than saying "idk read the book."

His lectures are not the best and most information he says can be found in textbook or off his lecture slides. His class is extremely application based, so know how to use concepts for real-world application.

Diego taught us Biochemistry in a way that makes you have to think instead of the other biochem class (MCDB 110) which you can get away with an A with minimal study. You have to spend a good amount of time in that class but it is really rewarding. The Midterms are memorization and application (even when he said no memorization). Read the book!

His lectures were almost not necessary and were basically a supplement to the reading. Focus on the reading and make sure to understand the points he makes in his slides. Tests are difficult but not impossible if you focus on concepts. Final is all conceptual and experiment based.

I really enjoyed Diego's class. It demanded a lot of work, I read everything from the required textbook and the supplementary textbook and did all the problems from both. To help study for each exam, I made a study guide, writing down the most important concepts from each lecture, and then rereading those sections in the book.

Print out the slides and take notes on them based on lectures and readings, pay attention in lecture and ask questions, go to office hours, and try to understand concepts (don't just memorize, ask WHY). Difficult but fascinating class, and the professor is very accessible in office hours and explains material well.

He mostly tests on students' abilities to think critically and solve problems, based on knowledge of class concepts . He has gotten a little better at teaching since last year, but there's still room for improvement. Just read the textbook, do the assigned problems, and mentally recite lecture notes and textbook notes, and you'll be fine.

Class was 2 midterms 1 final and section quizzes (25% each, 40%, and 10%). drops hints on what he will test on in lecture. Has accent tho. Two midterms are a mix of application and memorization (avg 73% for both). Final was pure application (64% avg). I read the book and went to all TA office hours and that helped a lot. very Doable class.

Diego is painfully average. There are definitely better choices out there but he does his job. The exams are written extremely poorly and there are always questions most of the class gets wrong. The lecture slides do not help at all, and I would recommend recording his lectures. As he gains experience teaching I think this class will get better.

Hard class but you learn a lot. This is not a cut and paste memorize and get an A class. Regardless, Diego does a great job in teaching us how to critically think at a higher level. Tests are hard but the curve is generous. Expect low averages.

Very tough exams while the lectures make you think the class is a joke. Even after the first exam its difficult to know what to study because he emphasizes random things that he won't test you on.

People that complain about the difficulty clearly overestimate the feasibility of the class. Diego's lectures are supplementary to reading and is great at doing just that. They are not a substitute to learning biochemistry fundamentals. The class centralizes on a few key concepts that will carry you through the class once you grasp them.

Fall 2018Acosta-Alvear's 1st quarter teaching so yes there were rough patches. He's not unreasonable. His tests are VERY application based, long, and hard; getting 50-60% on tests is fine b/c they're HUGELY curved. It's an upper Div, you don't get babied through the course. He wants you to realistically apply knowledge, welcome to the real world.

AVOID!! Hes really as bad as the reviews say. Never had such a mean professor. Not personable, can be a jerk and have an attitude at times. Expectations were way too high for 108A students. Highly recommend another prof. Textbook, lecture, powerpoints wont help you on exams unless youre a genius. Huge curve for grades. TAs were wonderful though!

DONT DO IT! He is not a very great prof. He does mumble here and there so it is hard to understand him at times. His exams are "not NORMAL". To simply put it, Lecturesimple : ExamCRAZY. As for grades, students are just competing against the average. HIGHLY suggest taking another prof. unless Biochem is your thing.

He's not that bad. You might get mild cardiac arrest when getting back the exams but just know there is a fat curve. Watch out for the exams though. They are very difficult.

He's so very passionate about his research but not so much about teaching. He can get frustrated at times and be very condescending towards students so beware when asking questions. Lectures consist 1-2 sentence slides whereas exams are really tough research scenarios so it's hard to prepare for exams. Textbook & problems in the back barely help.

Mixed feeling. He is extremely knowledgeable and wants students to understand but intimidating. No advice on how to prepare for exams - make sure you can read fast. His expectations are unrealistic for intro biochem for undergrads based on the average on exams. Prepare to feel defeated and question your direction in life. The curve is generous.

He explains concepts in a very clear way. Go to his office hours he loves answering questions and wants everyone to understand concepts. Expects studentsto take tuff material and apply it to real life situations that we may encounter further on. Tests are difficult and not similar to the practice problems given. Great lecturer, very knowledgeable.

Diego is incredibly knowledgeable about biochemistry and teaches with a huge emphasis on not having to memorize very much. Because of that, his tests are extremely understanding based, and will test you on real world scenarios in scientific research. My favorite class I have ever taken, definitely take if you prefer problem solving over memorizatio

His tests are really tough because you actually have to apply your knowledge to real-life situations. You'll think a test was the hardest you've ever taken and then he'll give you a fat curve because he really doesn't care about the grades and just wants you to learn about biochemistry. Learned more in this class than any other class I've taken

He's new so he doesn't know what he's doing. His tests are concept heavy and the final was all free response. You have to read through huge chunks of text in order to answer the questions. Don't bother going to lecture because he just reads off the slides and sometimes he'll dismiss class in 30 minutes. The topics being covered are not hard.

Pretty heavy accent, intimidating, and kinda scares you. All that said, he knows his stuff, he's passionate about what he's doing, and his slides are really clear and to the point. Go to class and read book to help fill in details, and be ready for tough tests. If you work for it, you'll do well.