Overall, the professor is great, humorous, and engaging. The material is very interesting. The only thing Is that both the midterm and the final are pretty difficult. I studied for almost a week, staying up late hours and still failed them. Honestly, the curve is the only thing that will save you from failing.

P.S. I am selling both books for 50 dollars altogether. Call me if you are interested **********

I liked the structure and material in this class. It got into the major life science concepts without worrying about the intricate details. The weekly quizzes weren't that bad when you got used to them, as long as you did the problem sets. Midterm and final were very hard, but also very generously curved. Would recommend this class!

Same thing all of these other reviews said Phelan is a cool guy, but this class isn't as easy as everyone makes it seem. You have weekly quizzes and you do get the questions ahead of time but if you have a tough TA like I did then if you are not specific you won't get the full points. You also have a partnered debate which isn't too bad. But the tests... wow the midterm and final are extremely hard. He gives a review session before each test and the one for the midterm was helpful but the final.. nothing from the review session was on the final. Overall, they grade really really tough so keep that in mind when taking this class. However, the curve is really great. I did good on the debate, decent on the quizzes, failed both the midterm and final, and did the extra credit video and I somehow passed with a C? I don't know how either.. but yeah this class is really stressful but you can do it if I could.

Whether or not you should take LS 15 with Professor Phelan depends on what you want out of a GE.

If you take GEs to learn about topics that interest you: Take this class! By far the most engaging and interesting GE I have ever taken at UCLA. Every week of lecture has at least one or two things that are applicable to your everyday life. Phelan himself is cool and quirky and tells lots of interesting stories.

If you take GEs to boost your PGA: Do NOT take this class. Compared to other GEs (even other science GEs ) this is a tough class. The exams consist of tricky multiple choice questions and short answers that require you use specific words or phrases to get full credit. I've never got anything but an A in a GE but I fully expect to receive a B/B+ in this class.

I found this class to be very rewarding but it is not what most of the reviews make you think: you will have to work hard and study hard to get an A in this class. I think it is worth it.

Take this class if you can!! Phelan is AMAZING professor and this is the one class I've taken so far that I didn't mind actually going to lecture. He is funny and even though it's a huge class size, he's super engaging with his students. The midterm and final are a bit challenging but you'll do fine if you show up to lecture, and the weekly quizzes are easy and come right off the practice sets.

This class was one of the best classes I've taken so far at UCLA. Selling the required textbook "What Is Life" 4th edition, Mean Genes, and the answers to the problem sets which are our weekly quizzes in discussion. Text me at ********** to negotiate prices!

One of the best classes I've taken at UCLA, a great professor and the material is about things everyone is interested in.

This class was very interesting! Dr. Phelan is a great professor and I totally recommend taking this course! There are just weekly quizzes but study the problem set of that week and you will be fine!

I am selling the What is Life? Edition 4 textbook and Mean Genes book required for the course. If interested please email *************

Professor Phelan is the best professor I've had at UCLA! YOU MUST TAKE THIS CLASS! He is hilarious and gives you free Diddy Reise cookies for attending his review sessions. However, the midterm and final are challenging! I suggest reading the book in addition to attending his engaging lectures! There is also a group presentation in discussion worth a lot of points

I took this class my first quarter at UCLA, heard it was an easy GE so figured I would be fine just not studying. This was very much not true. I really didnt pay attention, although I did all of the homeworks and assignments, I did poorly on the tests and therefore ended up with a bad grade in the class. He is an interesting professor and is very engaging, you just really have to pay attention, if like me, you do not have a great knowledge of science to begin with.