Raffi Aroian - University of California San Diego

Professor: Raffi Aroian

Department: TBD

College: University of California San Diego

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome and enthusiastic prof, really cares about educating students. Exams are pretty difficult - and class is more geared towards understanding science literature than actual microbio. If you've never read papers before, I wouldn't suggest taking the class. He is really clear though, and class is def worth going to.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His exam Qs are as enigmatic as Stonehenge.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of my two favorite classes at UCSD! Definitely challenging especially analyzing scientific papers for the first time but it's an important skill to gain and you really improve on your critical thinking skill. Dr.Aroian is an engaging speaker and cares a lot about his students. All test are open notes/book/papers so just do your hw!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID!! You will be infinitely sorry! He says this class is not about memorizing, when in fact, you can't answer a single question on the final unless you can recall/ understand/ reiterate miniscule details. I don't understand all the hype about this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIMM121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Medical microbiology was possibly the best course I've taken at UCSD, and Dr. Aroian was one of the best teachers I've had. Very engaging lecturer! The course is about reading and critiquing scientific literature, so your grade will reflect how you think more than how well you memorize content. Loved every minute of it though!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Easily one of the best professors I've ever had. His office hours were not only extremely helpful, but I legitimately felt that he cared for us, which is really important when your class/school is so large. He really believes that we can do great things, and it really inspired me to be great. He will make you work, but it's worth it. TAKE HIM!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best classes I've taken at UCSD! He believes in actually preparing you for the real world, not just memorization, and is one of the most inspirational professors I've had. That being said, it's *essential* to do the work. If you stay on top of things, the class isn't too hard. OH are great for clarifying details.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this class is hard but if you try, you will get at least a B. 50% of the grade can be easily achieved and the other 50% (a final) is something you have to really work for because you don't know what to expect. Our final was very easy, but because we tend to just ignore the simple and easy things while studying, it gets us on the final

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He'll make you work. But it comes with great reward. Not only do you learn a vast amount. But he teaches you how to think and approach problems as a scientist (or physician). Extremely interesting content. Delivered very well too.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

RA is a very dedicated and passionate professor. This class is taught differently from the typical textbook bias, but you'll be better for it...if you work. Challenging, but you'll be sure to learn interesting, and meaningful information and techniques. Great experience overall.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Med microbio was one of the hardest UCSD classes I've taken. He doesn't believe in memorization, so the final is open book (midterm doesn't count), but it's about application of the info you learned in class. Great professor, loved his lectures, textbook, and especially the papers. Taught me how to read research papers. Hard class, but I liked it.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BICD110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Aroian not only teaches the skills needed for one to be a scientist, but he also teaches the skills needed for one to be a healthy and happy individual. No one at UCSD can train you to read scientific papers like he does. He honestly cares for your education and personal well-being. Take CellBio if you want to learn and not just memorize.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BICD110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

haha, yeah, he's hard. i went to his OH and at first, I thought I got the material down. when the exams came, it was a cannon to the head. i remember in the syllabus, people were excited about the no curve. but keep in mind: no curves means, yes, everyone can get an A, but everyone can get an F too. it's funny how ppl are recounting the horror now!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Holy moly. Wait for another prof or take the C? I should've taken the former. The text is useless (so don't think you're getting a treat with the open book tests), yet we've to read it before every class! I worked SO long and hard on the papers/presentations but to no avail. He's nice & funny, but this guy is HARD as ****. Wait & take someone else.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIMM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I had him b4 & Aroian is DIFFICULT. Before: 3.8 GPA; after: <3.6 after. I would've gotten into more schools had I just waited. He teaches by asking questions. If you can't stand this (I don't blame you; there's just not enough time esp with MCATs), then don't take him. Take Brown or someone easier next year; he is NOT worth the medschool rejections

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BICD110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. A typical day consists of him answering questions about the reading, and in the second half, we go over primary literatures. Aroian is very helpful, and his lectures are stimulating. There's only one test-final, and it's open book, but you still have to study really hard. Great class, and awesome prof!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BICD110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The best professor Ive had at UCSD... He challenges his students, cares about your education, and wants you to take charge of your learning. Midterms are not graded which is good in terms of preparing for the final. Everyone can get an A if you put in the effort. High amount of class participation and group learning! Overall: excellent class/profes

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BICD110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome Professor especially if you are interested in labwork. He teachs students how to think rather than just memorizing information. If you like a set structure though it will be a challenging class. Final is fair and con be worth 50-70 percent depending on how you use other available points in class. I highly recommend this class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BICD110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Aroian is a GREAT lecturer. The papers he chooses to cover in class are extremely interesting and related to the subject. His tests are open book so you don't have to memorize but you should go to lecture if you want to do well on the final. He is really funny and genuinely cares about his students.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BICD110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Aroian is amazing. He is a brillant professor and REALLY cares about his students learning useful skills for life. Go to every class. Go to every office hours. Go to every section. You will do fine. Every bio student at UCSD should take this class with Dr. Aroian.