LIFESCI 30A
Mathematics for Life Scientists
Description: Lecture, three hours; laboratory, one hour. Preparation: three years of high school mathematics (to algebra II), some basic familiarity with computers. Mathematical modeling as tool for understanding dynamics of biological systems. Fundamental concepts of single-variable calculus and development of single- and multi-variable differential equation models of dynamical processes in ecology, physiology, and other subjects in which quantities change with time. Use of free computer program Sage for problem solving, plotting, and dynamical simulation in laboratory. Letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
2 of 2
AD
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - This is one of the worst classes I've ever taken at UCLA. All the concepts are completely irrelevant to mathematics. You're better off taking regular calculus as you'll actually learn helpful things. If I could go back in time I would take the regular math series. Do not let everyone pressure you to take this because it's life science. The professor is so hard to understand and even attending every single lecture and sitting by the front learning things during lecture was so difficult. My class's biggest complaint was that she did not write the midterm and it was presented with things we didn't even learn and things we learned but in a different format. If you must take this take it with Bennoun but honestly this whole class and the concepts are ridiculous. The grading scheme made it so that the final replaces your midterm which was probably the only good thing about that class. The homeworks is only one every week and isn't the worst. Overall, do not take this class withthis professor even if you survive this class, 30B is just worse.
Fall 2024 - This is one of the worst classes I've ever taken at UCLA. All the concepts are completely irrelevant to mathematics. You're better off taking regular calculus as you'll actually learn helpful things. If I could go back in time I would take the regular math series. Do not let everyone pressure you to take this because it's life science. The professor is so hard to understand and even attending every single lecture and sitting by the front learning things during lecture was so difficult. My class's biggest complaint was that she did not write the midterm and it was presented with things we didn't even learn and things we learned but in a different format. If you must take this take it with Bennoun but honestly this whole class and the concepts are ridiculous. The grading scheme made it so that the final replaces your midterm which was probably the only good thing about that class. The homeworks is only one every week and isn't the worst. Overall, do not take this class withthis professor even if you survive this class, 30B is just worse.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Summer 2020 - I took Ls30A with Dr. V in Summer 2020 and here is my intake: - The class content is very easy and very manageable - Actually read the textbook and watch the videos recommended for you in the syllabus - Dr. V is not good at lecturing...like at all! going to lectures felt like a waste of time and I did not learn anything through her lectures and learned through reading the book - Super easy to get an A and she provides a lot of extra credit - Homework is manageable but can be a little hard sometimes - Coding is a little challenging but your TAs will help you out a lot so go to their office hours. - The midterm and final were open notebook take home, but were very open-ended so some of the questions were not clear. - Take this class if you want an easy A, but only if you are willing to put in the effort to self-study! - Make study groups!!
Summer 2020 - I took Ls30A with Dr. V in Summer 2020 and here is my intake: - The class content is very easy and very manageable - Actually read the textbook and watch the videos recommended for you in the syllabus - Dr. V is not good at lecturing...like at all! going to lectures felt like a waste of time and I did not learn anything through her lectures and learned through reading the book - Super easy to get an A and she provides a lot of extra credit - Homework is manageable but can be a little hard sometimes - Coding is a little challenging but your TAs will help you out a lot so go to their office hours. - The midterm and final were open notebook take home, but were very open-ended so some of the questions were not clear. - Take this class if you want an easy A, but only if you are willing to put in the effort to self-study! - Make study groups!!
2 of 2
