I took ls3 with tamanoi this winter 2010. DO NOT THINK HE IS AN "EASIER" LS3 PROFESSOR!
i was definitely fooled from hearing a number of my classmates say he is easier than the other professor ar the time (lin).

Tamanoi is super detailed on tests!! you have to literally memorize everything! it doesnt matter if you understand the big idea or the processes just memorize every little detail because his questions are very specific.

Also, he only has 1 midterm and the final. so, if you screw up the midterm you're pretty much dunzo.

im not saying hes horrible, because hes not. but dont go in thinking hes much easier than other ls3 professors. my advice, try to take another ls3 professor who has 2 midterms.

I took LS3 with Professor Tamanoi in Winter '10. He was a fairly effective lecturer, adding jokes and pictures to try to keep your interest. He went more slowly than the other LS3 class - which was detrimental in that it allowed everyone a greater chance to study the material more thoroughly, but was beneficial for the same reason. I felt that his tests were very fair - expecting you to know the right amount as expected by most LS professors at UCLA. I didn't do stellar in the class, but I was able to pass (which was my only goal since I'm not a biology major). Overall I would definitely say that Tamanoi was worth the time. Reading the book helps a little - but even he said not to bother buying it (I just got it out of reserve). To do well on his tests you really just had to concentrate on the lectures.