Wouldn't recommend this as a GE, but if you study the reader (don't bother getting the genetics book) and the online lectures, you'll be fine. Lectures are repetitive but have a lot of iClicker questions. Section is basically going over the problem sets. Be aware, he uses trick questions A LOT, especially on the midterm and final. Study hard!

It is an absolute MUST to read the textbook and watch modules for this class. The lectures are simply a discussion of the material (so if you don't read or watch the modules), you'll probably do really poorly on the tests. Gaulin is hard to approach so make sure you attend your TA's office hours regularly if you don't understand certain concepts.

Very hard midterm and final, wouldn't recommend this class.

Lectures and readings are a must! Very hard GE. Would not recommend it for first years unless you're actually really interested in evolution

Like someone said, this class definitely should not be taken just to fulfill GEs; you should be interested in genetics/evolution. I thought the midterm and final were fairly challenging, but he does curve the class (in my case, it was about 8%) and 6% of the grade is by participating in an easy experiment. But DON'T expect an easy A by any means.

Professor Gaulin is a great professor. He is very enthusiastic and passionate about his teaching. The lecture is interesting.His class isn't a good choice if you only want to fulfill GE requirement. I studied hard for his class and got an A. Lectures, modules and readings are all required if you want a good grade.

I loved and hated this class. Gaulin is such a terrific lecturer and an asset to UCSB faculty. His book is so interesting and actually fun to read. Unfortunately while interesting, the concepts can be harder then you think to understand. This class is NOT an easy GE, be prepared to work hard and dedicate time to actually do well in this class.

Ridiculous amount of work for a lower div. Hour long videos needed to be watched prior to lectures. All reading material appears on the exams. Our midterm average was a 58 because Gaulin loves trick questions...

Dr Gaulin is a great professor, but this course is hard. You really need to put many efforts.

Prof Gaulin is incredibly brilliant and is so passionate about the subject. The modules are a tad boring but his in class discussions bring up fascinating topics. Read the genetics ideas book, it is incredibly entertaining. Exams require depth of knowledge, don't memorize terms learn how to apply the course concepts. I recommend it.

This class was very easy to me. All I had to do was go to section and to lecture and that was enough. All the homework assignments are a must since the test reflects them but he goes over everything in dept and t.a.'s just review everything. I never opened the book, except once for a hw question i couldn't answer through my notes or online.

Worst class ever. Super confusing. Modules are boring and this class made me hate the subject. Do not take it unless you really need it.

Here's the breakdown: 30 to 60 min. lectures online, watched OUTSIDE of class; a small genetics book (pretty cool); the general textbook which DOES INFLUENCE Q'S ON EXAMS. No curve on the midterm, but if your final is better, it replaces the midterm grade (at least for us). He's a great professor, but you must be willing to put in 100% effort.

Attendance isn't mandatory if you can get someone to do your iClicker for you. Most learning goes on during your own time and class focuses on review of the topics, so if you're not willing to put in time outside of class this is probably not for you. Gaulin is very enthusiastic about the class! I liked it a lot but it's definitely not an easy A.

Gaulin is an excellent professor. ANTH 5 is very interesting and his interest in it is infectious. He can digress at times but it's usually interesting stuff. Posting lectures online and then using iClickers to make class mandatory does make it take up twice the time of other classes though. Go to his office hours, he will help and fascinate you.

If you are not completely in to Biology then this class is not for you. Lectures are through modules online then class is more of discussions. Not a bad teacher, just the subject wasn't for me. WATCH THE MODULES!!!

Structure was recently changed, so students must watch the lecture modules online prior to class (about an hour long each). He is very passionate and the subject material is extremely interesting. However, the midterm/final MC questions are confusing, making this a difficult GE. Iclicker questions each class (part of grade). Barely used textbooks.

The majority of lectures just answer students questions and don't go over important class material - everything you need to know is in the modules. However, attendance is needed for participation (iclicker). Class does not seem difficult until you take the midterm/final. All test questions are misleading and the wording is confusing. Hard to pass.

He changed the course and made it harder.

Avoid taking at all costs unless you are an anthro major. I didn't know what i was getting myself into. 2 books (reading wasnt that bad) but the online modules were bring and tedious. don't take unless you are willing to dedicate a lot of time into understanding the material. he tries to trick you A LOT. 58% was the average for the midterm. beware.

Lectures are designed to answer questions. Most of the teaching occurs in the online lectures he assigns before the actual lectures. This class is difficult if you do not grow an interest for it. Pay good attention in lecture and watch all the modules and you should be good.

Favorite class so far! Prof. Gaulin is an enthusiastic lecturer, and makes the subject matter captivating to learn about. I-clickers for attendance pts. Very intensive reading. The reading material is prevalent on tests. The midterm and final are detail oriented! I definitely recommend this course! I became an Anthro minor because of it!

Gaulin goes through lecture slides quickly but explains them well (and they're posted online after lecture). Midterm & final were challenging, but not outrageously difficult, and made up of multiple choice & short "essay" questions. Homework graded on effort. Overall, a solid choice for a GE.

I really enjoyed this class. You have weekly problem sets so section attendance is mandatory. The tests are really specific, so read carefully. Re-reading the chapter introductions is a great way to study. It's a really interesting class,and I would definitely recommend it. But, it's probably best if you take it when you have a laid-back schedule.