Gary Firestone - University of California Berkeley

Professor: Gary Firestone

Department: TBD

College: University of California Berkeley

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MCB135A
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I love Gary! His love for teaching is obvious from day one. His GSIs are amazing. I looked forward to class and even though the class was easy, I learned so much about research. He is an EXTREMELY(!) fair grader. Everything is open book and you are not blindsided at all. 10/10 recommend Gary.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MCB32
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gary is one of the kindest professor I've ever encountered at CAL. He truly makes an effort to get to know his students and is extremely helpful in and outside of class. He is the only professor I've had to ask every students name who speaks. He gives great lectures and is very clear. I would highly recommend Gary he is an incredible guy.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MCELLBI38
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof. Firestone made class consistently enjoyable despite being early. He was always very enthusiastic about things which made class more fun. The notes he posts for lectures tend to have way more information in them than you get in class, which can be good and bad. He makes himself very available to students and is super nice!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MCELLBI38
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Gary and his co-prof. did a great job of structuring this new course. His lectures were informative and engaging, although his notes/outlines for lectures were sometimes eclectic and difficult to follow; however, if you come to class, that's not an issue. He obviously cares about students and is always willing to put in extra time. Would recommend!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MCB135A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Firestone is hands down the best professor I have ever had at Cal. I loved the way that he made me think & the course material was fascinating. Taking his class made me a better thinker overall and really exposed me to the rawness of steroid and protein receptors. Firestone is an amazing teacher and I feel lucky to have learned from him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Firestone taught the anatomy section of this class. His reader was helpful, complete and his exams, although long, were gloriously fair. His passion for teaching is clear, and his knowledge is extensive. That being said, the reader could use a few clearer headings for organizational purposes.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Honestly the best professor I have has in the sciences. He really cares about his students and is so passionate about his work. He makes lectures fun and easy to understand. He is not out to trick you, he is very clear about what he expects. It is a real treat to have him!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Firestone is straightforward and concise. He is able to fit the same amount of information more easily than others because he is a natural lecturer. Those who prefer more confusing and therefore difficult courses can take all the Mishler/Meighan courses they want.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MCB135A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class is a real treat, and he only teaches it every other fall. You'll not only learn hormone pathways, but also how to design experiments and critique methodology of published papers. This is the most fun I've ever had in an MCB course, and I hate MCB courses. TAKE THIS CLASS IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE! It is totally worth it!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very clear about what he wants you to remember. Reviewed the previous lecture before starting a new one, which was very helpful except for the fact that he was a whole lecture behind by the end of the section and crammed a bunch of material into the last one. For those with a strong physiology background, reader and webcast should be enough.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

After Rine's intensive section on genetics, Firestone's section was a joke. He did teach the material and get the job done, but he didn't inspire appreciation for biology and experiments like Rine did. Most ppl didn't take this section very seriously and it showed in the abysmal class turnout. Some may like it light and easy but I expected more.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

best professors i've had at cal so far, always clear, concise and reviews previous lecture materials each class. best of the 3 bio1a profs and easiest final material. most of his reader is supplemental, but it is nice to refer to during class/studying for the final, i recommend buying it

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

It is easy to call this man the greatest biology professor at Cal, and he does justice to this title with his super clear lectures and straight-forward exams. He is also extremely helpful during office hours. I liked anatomy and physiology coming in, and I loved it coming out!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Amazing lecturer! Such a relief after Rine. Complex processes make perfect sense when he explains them. Interesting to listen to. All professors should use him as a role model!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great lectures spiced up with occasional humor, really nice guy! Had a nice review before every lecture on the stuff from last lecture. I could have done without the daily N CA sports report but it was tractable. Always making connections from the biology he was teaching to drugs or other things in the news.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Best Bio professor at CAL by far. Enough said

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Text book not used at all. Not much material was learned. Questions test whether or not you know the material; not tricky at all. Easiest out of all of the bio 1a professors.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is really straightforward but doesn't link the material well so you jump between topics at the beginning. He gets better as the lectures go on. The downside is his lecture style is slow so you do not learn much. He tests solely from his lectures as well. He makes a LOT of references to football and scifi writers which can be really annoying.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Firestone's material was easy and he explained it pretty clearly. His reader is really clear and has all the things he draws on the board in it. He mixes in a lot of funny comments about football or his kids.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Firestone is the man! His section was the most clear, the most straightforward, and the most interesting part of the entire Bio 1a. He keeps the class real chill because he talks about sports. His notes are very starightforward and clear. I found his exam to be really clear and straightforwad as well. Firestone was the best Bio 1A professor.