David E. Presti - University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Professor: David E. Presti

Department: Biology

College: University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MCELLBIC62
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

he wants you to know every simple minimal detail. Tests are pretty long and you have to remember irrelevant stuff. Unless you need the class, avoid it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MCB62
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Absolute gem of a man. Go to his Office Hours(ik this is common advice for all profs but the discussions that happen there can literally change your worldview). Inspiring, caring and very knowledgable. Loved the class though it wasn't what I expected(less science than i thought but still amazing). You do have to put in work though. Take it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: DRUG101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Presti is the BEST! Possibly my favorite teacher at Berkeley. His class on drugs and the brain incorporates the science of drugs (physiology, chemistry, biology, etc) but also the cultural side, and the folklore. I loved it for this reason. One essay assignment is to write from a plant's perspective; he is definitely creative.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSYCHC61
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Presti's class was extremely interesting but you definitely have to read the textbook and pay attention in class to make sure you get all of the information. His tests are extremely specific and detailed so prepare well!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MCBC61
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Really hard class, if you plan to major in Psych and have no experience in bio or chemistry do not take this class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MCB61
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

DO NOT take this class if you are bad at MC tests!! Some funny/interesting lectures and homework, but had to p/np because the tests are soooo detailed. Everyone I knew in the class p/np it, but others did well because they are good at MC.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: LSC30T
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The grading criteria was very unclear, and the tests were on very specific details from lecture that even the best students were frustrated with at times. I did not find the class particularly engaging, though he seems to care a lot.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MCB61
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This is an old review but to this day I still think of David Presti and his class. If I could I would take this class again with all the up to date knowledge he probably has. Such a kind man who was happy to teach anyone and everyone. We even had lots of attendees audit the class as well.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MCBC61
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Prof. David E. Presti's enthusiasm shines during lecture. His textbook is incredibly clear and can be fun to read! The exams are difficult and do go into great detail, so pay attention during his references to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Homework is doable. If you have an interest in psychology, biology, and/or drugs, you'll like the class content!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LSC30T
• Grade Received: Audit/No Grade
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The subject matter is super interesting and there is no final. The three midterms are pretty hard, but fair. If you don't study for those, then your grade will suffer. Can tell that he really cares about teaching and is passionate about the class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MCB62
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

2nd class with him. He knows his stuff incredibly well AND knows how to teach it well. Draws on different media and personal stories to contextualize the info presented. Changed my perspective on both plants and drugs, even the seemingly innocuous ones like caffeine. Multidisciplinary approach to the subject keeps it captivating all the way through

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MCBC61
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Mastery of his field demonstrated by carefully prepared lectures with natural delivery from memory with visuals that supplement, not transcribe, his lecture. Few errors, all corrected quickly. Contextualizes knowledge presented well. Will make you love the brain for its own complex beauty. Great office hours discussions. Fave professor at Berkeley.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MCBC62
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

David is one of my favorite professors here at Cal. He made the class really enjoyable and I had fun with the assignments we were given. It's not hard to get good grades as the exams are based on the key concepts, which are given. Would take again without question.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LSC30T
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

His lectures were always so informative and he really has a passion about the subject. Always played interesting songs before lecture then posted them for us to find. A genuinely passionate and caring man. Would share fun facts and news with the class not necessarily for the course but for education as a student.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MCB61
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I loved his MCB C61 class. My friends who did not have a good science background struggled- it requires basic knowledge of chemistry, biology, and psychology. I found the class to be an easy A compared to any other science class I've taken at Cal. Most of the class get As and Bs as final grades. The homeworks take 15-30 minutes max.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MCBC61
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Although there was a ton of memorization, his class was fascinating and opened my eyes to the depth of the brain and the power science holds. Switched my major to cognitive science because of Presti and thoroughly enjoyed the textbook, which he wrote. HIGHLY recommend his class, you will learn a LOT! He gave most of his students As and Bs!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MCB61
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is an interesting professor and has an incredible background. HOWEVER, his tests require A LOT of memorization. It would help to have a bit of some bio knowledge prior to taking the class. Very little hw, but the exams are difficult. Only take the class if you're ready to MEMORIZE EVERY SINGLE DETAIL in his book.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MCBW61
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Presti seems nice from announcements, but this was a tedious class. Much of the information to memorize is honestly historical trivia and has little conceptual impact. The quizzes/exams test your study skills, the homework your research/creative writing, and discussions your... ability to spit out 300 words. Little scientific analysis needed.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MCBC61
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Don't take his class if you hate classes that are pure memorization. Although the material was interesting his class relied on memorizing stupid nit-picky details for multiple choice questions. The guy is nice but I don't think is worth it. Would not recommend.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MCB62
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The tests were 2/3rds multiple choice and 1/3rd fill in the blank. There was minimal homework in the class (6-7 assignments). However, the tests were pretty specific and it was too much memorizing for me. The lecture got a bit dry and boring at times.