LIFESCI 30B
Mathematics for Life Scientists
Description: Lecture, three hours; laboratory, two hours. Enforced requisite: course 30A. Introduction to concept of matrices and linear transformations to equip students with some basic tools to understand dynamics of multivariable nonlinear systems. Examples from ecological, physiological, chemical, and other systems. Letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2023 - I took this class a while back but back then bruinwalk did not have a section for LS30B with Bennoun, so my review is not going to be as extensive as my other reviews for my profs. The Class: I hate this class so much, it’s so lame, just the LS30 and series in general, the content is so dumb. It's almost like "fake" math, it’s very odd. They really dumb down the actual math part of the class and teach you these really stupid concepts about populations that nobody cares about. You might think “Oh this is applicable to my major and relates more to what I want to do,” but I highly doubt it. I’ve met maybe one person who liked the content and found it interesting. Never once have I been interested in the content that we were learning. You use some calc, touch on some linear algebra, and obviously coding. I didn’t really care about the coding part of this class or the content. The coding final when I took the class was a "Capstone Project" that you did with a group in your lab. courses. The tests were kind of difficult, not the worst exams I've taken but gave me a run for my money. This might be a controversial opinion, but I really don't like “xxx courses for Life Scientists" (LS30 Series, Chem 14 Series etc.) because they really dumb down the material and you really don't get the full understanding of the subject. At the end of the day even though we are trying to get good grades for med school/grad school etc. we are still here to get a good education and to learn something of value. The LS30 series and specifically LS30B made me realize that even if a class is easier, if you don’t enjoy it and value what you learn, there is no point in taking it. Unless you are here just to get a grade then by all means do whatever works for you. I ended up taking Math 32A the following quarter (Switched into a major where it was required). Even though it was harder, I enjoyed it so much more and did a lot better in the class because I was actually motivated to learn the content and to study. The Prof: He's a decent professor, pretty good at explaining things, occasionally throwing in some jokes. The workload was not too bad, and he was pretty helpful. Sorry I don't have much to say I took the class last year, so I don't remember too much about my thoughts on Bennoun as a professor. The one thing I can remember is the only thing I liked about this class was Bennoun himself.
Winter 2023 - I took this class a while back but back then bruinwalk did not have a section for LS30B with Bennoun, so my review is not going to be as extensive as my other reviews for my profs. The Class: I hate this class so much, it’s so lame, just the LS30 and series in general, the content is so dumb. It's almost like "fake" math, it’s very odd. They really dumb down the actual math part of the class and teach you these really stupid concepts about populations that nobody cares about. You might think “Oh this is applicable to my major and relates more to what I want to do,” but I highly doubt it. I’ve met maybe one person who liked the content and found it interesting. Never once have I been interested in the content that we were learning. You use some calc, touch on some linear algebra, and obviously coding. I didn’t really care about the coding part of this class or the content. The coding final when I took the class was a "Capstone Project" that you did with a group in your lab. courses. The tests were kind of difficult, not the worst exams I've taken but gave me a run for my money. This might be a controversial opinion, but I really don't like “xxx courses for Life Scientists" (LS30 Series, Chem 14 Series etc.) because they really dumb down the material and you really don't get the full understanding of the subject. At the end of the day even though we are trying to get good grades for med school/grad school etc. we are still here to get a good education and to learn something of value. The LS30 series and specifically LS30B made me realize that even if a class is easier, if you don’t enjoy it and value what you learn, there is no point in taking it. Unless you are here just to get a grade then by all means do whatever works for you. I ended up taking Math 32A the following quarter (Switched into a major where it was required). Even though it was harder, I enjoyed it so much more and did a lot better in the class because I was actually motivated to learn the content and to study. The Prof: He's a decent professor, pretty good at explaining things, occasionally throwing in some jokes. The workload was not too bad, and he was pretty helpful. Sorry I don't have much to say I took the class last year, so I don't remember too much about my thoughts on Bennoun as a professor. The one thing I can remember is the only thing I liked about this class was Bennoun himself.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2020 - Will Conley (and Artur who taught with him) are quite possible the best professors on the entire campus. I took this course during the pandemic, and they have been so accommodating and understanding of student needs. LS30B is harder than LS30A, but not only does Conley make difficult linear and multi-variable concepts understandable, he also cares so much about student learning and well-being. He's a fantastic lecturer and is so clear with explanations! Only downside was that we had pre-lectures on top of normal lecture, so the workload was more than a usual in-person class; however, the professors allow you to watch at your own pace since its podcasted and drop your lowest assignments. 100% recommend!!!
Spring 2020 - Will Conley (and Artur who taught with him) are quite possible the best professors on the entire campus. I took this course during the pandemic, and they have been so accommodating and understanding of student needs. LS30B is harder than LS30A, but not only does Conley make difficult linear and multi-variable concepts understandable, he also cares so much about student learning and well-being. He's a fantastic lecturer and is so clear with explanations! Only downside was that we had pre-lectures on top of normal lecture, so the workload was more than a usual in-person class; however, the professors allow you to watch at your own pace since its podcasted and drop your lowest assignments. 100% recommend!!!
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2020 - REVIEW FOR LS30B SPRING 2020: All I can say is, hands down the most charismatic and accommodating professor I've had. He really loves math and you can see it in the way he teaches. Best piece of advice, go to the Midterm Review Sessions and really pay attention for those 3 hours, literally almost a guaranteed A on the exam. Love you Artur, hope you accomplish amazing things in the future <3
Spring 2020 - REVIEW FOR LS30B SPRING 2020: All I can say is, hands down the most charismatic and accommodating professor I've had. He really loves math and you can see it in the way he teaches. Best piece of advice, go to the Midterm Review Sessions and really pay attention for those 3 hours, literally almost a guaranteed A on the exam. Love you Artur, hope you accomplish amazing things in the future <3
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2019 - She is nice and passionate about the class. I just wasn't really interested in the topic. The labs and coding part were really fun but I think most people hated that part. The tests are not easy nor hard. She is also very helpful and she does regrade if you find a good reason to.
Fall 2019 - She is nice and passionate about the class. I just wasn't really interested in the topic. The labs and coding part were really fun but I think most people hated that part. The tests are not easy nor hard. She is also very helpful and she does regrade if you find a good reason to.