Happy Friday to everyone and welcome to this review of MCB150! Having gone on to more advanced MCB classes, I cannot say how useful it was to have gained such a strong base in this class. Mehrtens is a pro at teaching. Sure the class may be hard, but if you are willing to put in the effort, I guarantee it will pay off.

AMAZING! He is definately one of my favorite lecturers ever. True he can seem like a bit of a jerk sometimes but that is only cuz he wants you to think about the material. And if you think about it for a second you realized he really did give you the right answer...just not always directly. I definately recomend him 100%. Also dont skip lectur

AMAZING TEACHER! He's very clear and you know EXACTLY what he expects you to know on the exams. Although he does not curve, his grading scale is ridiculously generous where a B is an A. You MUST go to lectures though; if you miss a lecture make sure you get the notes from someone - a lot of material is covered in class.

He is a very knowledgeable person, and a great public speaker. However, his questions are rarely clear. Also, he expects you to know something just because "it was mentioned in class".

He was great. The class isn't easy, but he knows what he's talking about and speaks very well. He talks fast, though, so be prepared to write frantically. In my opinion, lectures are essential as anything he says in class (a lot of which is not written on the powerpoints) could be on the tests.

Very good teacher, one of the best lecturers I've ever had and a great resource to students that need help or just want to talk.

He is AMAZING! One of the best lecturers I've ever met. Clearly knows what he's talking about. It's not a very easy class, but you really get to learn stuff after the lecture. He does talk fast, I recommend you to buy one of those voice recorders, they are really handy to get you through this class. AWESOME CLASS.

Very animated and enthusiastic. If someone knows about the subject, its him. However, sometime a little scary to approach, but very willing to help most of the time. DEFINATLY go to his office hours and get to know him!

The class IS difficult, but if you put in the word and actually learn the material it's not terrible. He is a great lecturer! You have to record the lectures or find a recording to catch everything. Re-listen to the lectures for the tests.

A great professor. His class is difficult, but he explains concepts really well and makes himself very available for students. He really knows his stuff. His exams are pretty hard because they really test your understanding. You CAN'T cram for his exams. Memorization will not work

This was a difficult, challenging class. Mehrtens, however, is a great professor. He has sort of a celebrity air about him; I felt that I was being taught by a consummate expert. His vocal inflections convey enthusiasm and remind me of Wayne Newton. Exams are quite hard because you must do more than memorize content--you must APPLY that knowledge.

"Happy Monday Everyone!" Bradley G Mehrtens is my favorite professor. The class is challenging but just like any other MCB class, if you put forth the time and effort it is relatively painless. He is very animated and keeps class interesting. This is probably the only class that I can honestly say I consistently attended all semester.

One of my favorite lecturers during college. (Besides Physics 101) Definitely a high-quality professor. Knows his stuff. Organized and easy to follow. A voice recorder is a must for many different classes, so I would just get 1 right away. Definitely a great intro class to the MCB major!

He's a very good lecturer and gets his points across. (He does have a theatre background.) He clearly loves what he does. He does write tricky exams, however. I found attendance to be necessary, since a lot of things on the test are words that come out of his mouth, and not written on the slides.

Professor Mehrtens expects a lot out of his students, and his tough exams definitely reflect that. Many of the questions are vague, and some are intentionally misleading. I found lectures to be monotonous, with lots of material packed into the full 50 minutes. Overall though, you'll get out what you put into the class. As are definitely attainable.

Make sure to attend office hours if you are unclear about something, its extremely helpful and he will answer any questions. Also make sure to do the textbook readings.

He is an excellent lecturer. He has to cover all of the material so he obviously moves at a very quick pace. If you want to get an A in his class this is what you do. 1. Record all of the lectures. Go over these lectures the week before the exam so its fresh in your mind. 2. Go to OH the week before exams. 3. Skim over all of the special feature se

I like Prof Mehrtens, but he talks very fast, and expects you to know more than what the average person actually does. If you are really smart/really like biology, you'll do okay, but if you aren't a biology whiz or haven't had biology in awhile, the course is very difficult, I hated it, I dropped it after I got F's on the first two tests...oops

Absolutely wonderful professor. He knows what he is talking about and he LOVES it as well, which makes lectures that much more interesting. I honestly have never had a professor that I have learned more from and respected as much as I do Brad Mehrtens.

Mehrtens is an amazing professor. I had covered everything in my biology classes in high school so it was really a review for me. He did such a good job explaining everything, and was very clear about what he expected out of students. Go to class and study your notes. There is no reason to do poorly in this class.

Fun, enthusiastic about teaching and very live. He does talk extremely fast so its always a good thing to bring your recorder to class. Overall the best professor I've ever had.

Please disregard all negative opinions of this professor. HE IS AMAZING. I enjoyed going to class each and everyday. He made learning Biology that much more fun, and was very engaged in and out of class. Make sure to go to OH's from the very beginning of the semester, you want this man to know you personally. Hard exams,so study 2 WEEKS ahead.

He is a good teacher and very organized, too. You have to study the material regularly; if you study last minute before a test, you will fail. At times he rushes to get the material in, but that's cause there's so much info. packed into 50 minutes. Only take this class if you're willing to pay attention and actually study.

He was a great professor. He was helpful and communicated all of his ideas really well. However, his tests were really hard so be prepared to study a lot. I would recommend studying as you learn the material. If you go to lectures, ask for help, and study hard, you will do well in the class.

Best biology teacher ever. Crystal clear lectures and challenging materials. This is UIUC, and you're taking a general biology course that is more advanced than those offered by most other schools out there.

He is a great professor! This is UIUC so the material is hard. His tests are hard and very specific, but he warns you of that way ahead of time. Be prepared to study, and go to OH's all the time. He is super helpful and can explain in more detail there. He loves his job and that comes through in his teaching. Overall a GREAT teacher!

One of the best teachers I had in college. More helpful and clear by far than any I've seen. He really loves teaching, and you can tell. Ask him anything, don't be shy, but always follow his rules!

He is very clear in explaining things. Having an AP Bio background immensely helps but even if you didn't take a good bio class in high school, you will do fine if you go to all of the lectures and pay attention.

Merhtens is an extremely interesting guy and he makes the class fun. If you pay attention and study hard you can get an A in his class.

what can i say...he deserves a nobel prize for excellent teaching...thought this doesn't mean his class is easy

He is a great teacher and is definitely knowledgeable in the topic. His tests go into very great detail but it motivates you to study and attend the lectures. Overall, I learned a lot in this class. The class is curved so even though it takes a lot of work it's not too hard to receive a reasonable grade.

Class was difficult as hell, but Prof Mehrtens is one hell of a great teacher. I did terrible on my first test, then boosted up and aced the final 3 (inc the final). As a bio major, he is one of my fav teachers and I still keep in contact with him

quality of teaching: 10/10. personality: 10/10. amount of pure eye-blinding awesomeness: 10/10. Seriously, why is he so awesome?

good afternoon to you all. welcome to mcb150.

He is a great teacher and extremely helpful. Very challenging tests. The grade you get depends on the amount of work you put into it. But go to lecture and always review them!

Prof Mehrtens is a great teacher. Very approachable and willing to help. Tests are challenging and your grade depends on how much work you put into it. The class is very interesting and I def learned a lot.

Brad was a great professor. You can tell he really cares about his students and would help each and every one of them if he had the time. His exams and homework problems can be a little wordy so look out. He is very clear during lecture and I really enjoyed the class.

MCB with Mehrtens its not easy. The exams are pretty much what he says and what he says does not pop up on exams. Reading the book will help you understand things more but dont expect to find any questions related to the book on exams. He is a good professor though but having to teach a class of like 600 students its not gonna work out very well.

Here's what to do to get an A: record lectures and just pay attention on the professor during lecture, take notes a day or two after the lecture listening to the recording, and start memorising the notes about 10 days in advance of the tests. Skim the book readings the week before and of the test. Exams aren't that bad if you study enough.

He is a great lecturer, but you better know how to pay attention because he talks fast. 50 minutes will fly if you can follow (or will drag if you can't). The book is helpful if you didn't understand something in lecture, but the lectures are really where you do most of the learning especially for exams. I would take a class with him again any day.

Great Professor. Just be prepared to put in the work, and you'll do fine. Make sure you attend lectures and don't miss an online quiz!

The BEST professor I ever had. He's a really good lecturer, maybe is because he's also a theater actor. He's helpful and clear. Don't miss any lecture, because he says important stuff that are not on the notes but will be on the exam.

AWESOME!

Great professor and lecturer. I absolutely hated biology prior to this class, and after, I almost reconsidered becoming a MCB major. He is very helpful during his office hours, and enjoys and takes interest in helping students that come asking questions.

One of the best professors I have ever had. Loves to joke around and is EXTREMELY clear and helpful. His exams are DETAILED but FAIR. He loves biology and is very interested in making sure all his students do well. He will answer every question in detail but in a way that you'll understand it. The class is a lot of work but you'll learn a lot.

It amazes me how much material he can fit in the course of a lecture. There's SO MUCH TO KNOW. Everything is fair game on exams (even the seemingly most unimportant concept). He is very clear though in his teaching and what he expects from you. Overall, he is an excellent teacher charged with delivering an overwhelming amount of material in no time

Really tough class, but AWESOME professor. He expects a lot out of you, but you'll learn way more. Yeah, his tests are pretty hard, but if you just read, go to lecture, do your quizzes, go to discussion, etc, you can still pull an A or B. U of I couldn't have picked a better professor to teach the class, though.

Incredibly passionate, funny, and interesting. Has very high expectations but you'll learn more in his class than in any other intro Bio class you can take.

I LOVE BRAD! He is very enthusiastic and is always willing to help. He's the best. The class is very hard but it is so interesting and my favorite class. I wish this class wasn't insanely hard because Brad is just such a great guy. Go to office hours!

Brad is by far my favorite prof ever. He loves teaching and is ALWAYS ready to help students. He's very clear on what he expects, but exams are a little tough so be prepared. Discussion sections are pointless to the class, but go or else you'll lose a decent number of points. If you pay attention in lecture and go to OHs you'll do just fine.

Extremely gifted instructor. Brad is very animated, engaging and articulate, presenting difficult material in a clear and coherent manner. This class is particularly challenging for freshmen, but upperclassmen who have taken hard classes will find that it compares favorably to many upper-level courses.

Brad has been my favorite professor so far at UIUC. His lectures are very engaging and he keeps the material fresh and interesting. Advice...RECORD the lectures and listen to them, exams are very hard and require acute attention to detail. Go to office hours and read the important sections of the book. He is the bomb!!

Brad is very enthusiastic about teaching. Tests are really difficult but if you go to lecture and pay attention a B is not that hard to get

Brad is a fantastic teacher. He makes complicated material easy to understand and is clearly very interested in what he's teaching. It's a hard class, but Brad is aware of this and prepares students well for the exams. Even though the exams are hard, there really aren't any surprises as long as you record the lectures and read the textbook.

Best prof ever!!!!!! He makes bio so interesting to me! He well organizes all the course material and makes hard stuff really easy. I strongly suggest everyone should try to go to his lecture sometimes. It is such an enjoyment. After taking his MCB 150, I set my mind to switch my major to biochemistry from chemistry.

SOme people say hes the best professor at uofi I personally think he is extremely fake, and wrongfully theatrical which detracts from the learning.The tests are 90%lecture (as you are paying to be taught, not so you can teach yourself through reading)which can be a problem for those that skip, PARTY HARD but PUT IN EFFORT for school DON'T SCREW UP

Awesome professor. Convinced me to become a bology major. Lovin' life (no pun intended)

the class is tough because the exams are hard, but overall I didnt think it was bad especially because an 88% is an A.

Great teacher. Lion Kinged his baby in Follenger. Love.

This class takes a lot of work and studying. Its very difficult, but definitely doable. Brad makes lectures interesting kind of a theater guy. Bring a recorder to lectures and study the power points.

Brad is the best teacher i have ever had! He makes biology interesting to learn and he is a very smart man. If anyone thinks this class is hard it is because they are not trying hard enough. if you study and go to class, you can get a B or higher easily.

Brad is a great professor! His tests are difficult though. Sometimes, I feel that your exam grade really depends on luck (ex. do you remember that small indiscreet comment he made that one time that this q is referring to...?) The way to study for this class is to listen to lectures over and over again. If you're lucky, you'll get an A.

Brad is a great professor. He explains everything perfectly exactly as he wants to. You can succeed in class by going to lecture, but PAY ATTENTION. Exams aren't bad if you relisten to lectures. Time consuming but if you do it, it's pretty easy to get the grade you want. It's a very good class and you will learn a lot.

Brad's an alright professor, although I think his theatricalness can sometimes be a little distracting. If you want to get an A in this class you need to put in the work (going to class, re-listening to lectures). Grading scale is lenient but no curve.

He's a great lecturer, but in office hours he's not very... human. Doesn't turn down the "I'm a proffessor and therefore superior" -vibe at all, which is weird. I would have really enjoyed his class more if his office hours were more personal and less business because he seems like a cool guy. Class is hard, not impossible: it teaches you to learn.

Brad is a great professor. His lectures are clear and easy to follow, and he is very friendly as well. MCB 150 is a difficult class, but you can do well if you put enough work into it.

Brad is an AMAZING teacher. He is so helpful, crystal clear when explaining things, and is very enthusiastic. I looked forward to going to class. Remember to record his lectures because he is a fast speaker. Just listen to the lectures a couple weeks before the test-- you're going to have close to all the knowledge you'll need. You'll love him!

He is a great, clear professor. Record and re-listen to the lectures and you'll be well on your way to a great grade.

For the love of all that is holy DON'T MISS LECTURE! His exams are waaaaaay too hard, but the class is understandable in general. Read and re-read the books and listen to the lectures and you should get a decent grade. BTW, the 2nd exam is a nightmare.

He is enthusiastic while lecturing and youll understand everything he says during the lecture. Its necessary you read the book too tho. Some of the test questions are NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. You literally need to know every single detail (that you would normally think is minuscule) about every option on a multiple choice question in order to get it right

Bradley Mehrtens is the man. He legitimately is interested in molecular and cellular biology and he tells the best jokes. If I could grow up to be one person it would be Brad.

Brad Mehrtens is a great professor, don't get me wrong, but his lectures are VERY ANNOYING. His voice can be very condescending when he means to be thorough, like he's speaking to fifth graders. He also seems extremely rehearsed, partly since he's taught the course for about 20 semesters.... Other than that, his content is all clear and concise.

Class is tough, but if you go to class and RECORD lectures you should do fine. Its pretty easy to get an A- (you can get 70% on exams and get 100% on hw and you will get the A-), to get an A (you can get 80% on exams and get 100% on hw). Overall he is my best professor freshman year.

One of the hardest classes I've taken in two years here - the amount of content you go through is ridiculous for a semester long course. That said, Brad is very good at explaining concepts and helping you out if you need it, but can seem condescending at times during lecture. Take the exams very seriously from the start and you'll be fine

The class is though because there is so much detail but Brad makes sure you have the necessary materials to do well in this class. You learn so much from this class, its by far my favorite class at UIUC so far. If you put time into it, you can definitely get an A. Brad is great at explaining things and he wants everyone to do well in his class.

Amazing teacher. knows how to explain concepts well. exams are 99% lecture, 1% txtbk. for exams: recrd lectrs, study slides, watch screencasts, skim txtbk. got As on exams. funny, makes class interesting. never even tempted to fall asleep in class. hahah see what he does if your phone goes off. but seriously best teacher yet. an A is def possible

I Love this guys teaching! BEST TEACHER YET! You really have to understand concepts and biological methods for exams but he really prepares you for them. Relisten to lectures (recordings) and screencasts. Ive never had such a good professor. He reexplains concepts in different aspects and repeats them several times. really prepares you for mcb 250

I took Online over summer failed (SUPER HARD). Then in the fall in class got a B+. HAVE TO attend lecture to pass exams. About 2 questions per exam come from the book. Most questions are what he SAYS in lecture. You have to work for this grade. Studying the night before WILL NOT WORK. Only take if it is a requirement to graduate.

Brad is the bomb. You do have to work hard in this class to get the grade you want, but Brad helps your every step of the way. He provides you with all of the materials you need and is very clear about the content. I learned an incredible amount of material and feel very prepared for any other MCB class I have to take in the future.

Mehrtens explains everything very well and can help with any questions but he makes the exams ridiculously difficult. I wouldn't take the class if you don't have to but if you're really passionate about the subject then it might be worth it. The system for class participation really sucks. Logging in before class starts can sometimes be a challenge

The BEST teacher ever had. Took a bio course a year ago and HATED it. Everything was like a confusing web of terms and I hated it all. at first I dreaded taking mcb 150. 2 weeks later, I loved bio, loved going to class. Brad made everything make so much sense. He provided us with all info needed for exams. no joke here, got 100 on the third exam

Brad is a truly exceptional professor. I can't imagine having a better experience in MCB 150. Brad truly cares about his students and makes himself available regularly for the student's convenience. It isn't hard to tell that Brad has a knack for teaching. He makes what seems like an impossible course enjoyable. Would definitely recommend his class

Brad is a great professor who really cares about students. There is a LOT of content that is covered in this course. If you want to do well, you MUST show up to lecture and do the assigned readings. Brad presents information in a very clear manner during his lectures and he is always available to help. That being said, this class is not an easy A.

Majoring in IB so not all that interested, but Brad made the class a lot of fun. Brutal tests, but great grading scale! Didn't love the material but Brad made it the best it could possibly be.

Mehrtens made "the study of life" very lively with his natural zeal for teaching. He will make you work for it, but it is totally worth it if you wish to go down the pre-med track. Office Hours is where you can really get to know the material from Mehrtens himself! Bottom line, he will really teach you biology like no other professor. 3 Thumbs Up!

Brad is a great lecturer who explains the material well. Must show up to lectures or you will be lost. Don't focus on the textbook. record the lectures and listen to the lectures again before the exam and you should be okay.

Great lecturer, extremely difficult exams. Be sure to utilize office hours on a weekly or at least bi-weekly basis if you want an A. Ask questions as often as possible.

Mehrtens is a hall-of-fame lecturer. He never says "um" or "like." Everything is clear and deliberate, like he has his lectures memorized in his head. That being said, the class was not easy for me, and I highly suggest not skipping. Tests are difficult, even if you study diligently, but his grading scale gives you a legit chance to do well.

Brad is a popular professor, despite teaching one of the toughest classes the freshmen take. He is a fantastic lecturer, always prepared and as clear as can be. He is pretty funny, but his exams are nothing to laugh at. Don't skimp when prepping in his class.

Brad is an amazing lecturer, and very helpful with office hours. Make sure you go to class and don't fall behind. The class is definitely difficult, and you'll have to work your butt off even for a B. Study a lot for the tests.

Great class

Great class, great teacher

Mehrten's class was very interesting, although it seemed like he made his tests way harder than it needed to be for a 100 level class. Tests are very, very hard to get an A on, and this class will consume a lot of your study time.

Class is hard. Definitely record lectures and don't cram. Study a little bit every day, and I don't mean doing just the daily mastering biology. Office hours is helpful when you have questions, try to go whenever possible. But when you have a question and are confused and ask him about it, he is sure to explain it clearly to you.

Prof Mehrtens is a godsend. No way I could of gotten through this course with a lesser teacher. His jokes are super lame, but he genuinely cares about his students doing well, and is BEYOND patient when helping students struggling to understand the material. I wish he taught more courses!!

This guy literally has the entire textbook memorized word for word! The lectures are extremely well structured and he breaks down difficult concepts. His exams are ridiculously hard for a 100 level class! Do NOT underestimate the difficulty of this course! Great professor, very approachable, but this class requires time.

However, all of the homework and lecture participation points really help you bounce back from the terrible exams, I promise! You will feel like you know nothing and are going to fail, but you will make it. As long as you record & listen to everything Brad says more than once, you will see he tests you word for word on what he has already said.

Brad is an amazing professor and lecturer. He has so much passion for MCB and knows the material inside and out. The only hard thing about this class is that the tests are extremely tough and tricky. If you do not go to lecture or actively listen, you most likely won't get an A. Finishing MCB150 was bittersweet, simply because you're leaving Brad.

Brad made me look forward to lectures. He had tough exams but as long as you studied enough they were manageable. He's a G

Brad is there for his students and really tries to test the concepts and understanding. Definitely is a weed out class for those who don't want to spend the time on Biology.

Brad is one of the greatest profs I have had. He used to be a theater major which keeps lectures engaging. Record lectures because he tests on some of the details not in the slides. The class is difficult but getting an A is possible. You learn a lot about MCB. He really makes you think. (Side note: go to him for advising to!)

Brad knows what he's talking about. He sounds like an audio textbook during lectures, which make it hard to stay interested. He wants his students succeed, but the exams are ridiculous. The class is curved heavily, but the exams are still unreasonable. Be ready to spend a couple of hours every day reading

Brad definitely know the information. Very approachable guy, he is also an adviser in the biology department as well. Definitely do not forget to do the homework. Oh, and he curves the class A LOT!

He is definitely a great lecturer. Unfortunately, I don't find myself really into biology. It's still interesting to learn and memorize all the stuff tho.

He is a very enthusiastic and thorough professor. It is a tough but doable class, but if you do all the readings and watch all the lecture videos you should do well. The class is graded very fairly. I would take one of his classes again.

Though the class is quite challenging, you know that it extensively prepares the students for the MCAT and the career world after that. Additionally, the class has a balance; it is demanding, but with a solid work ethic and a study schedule, an A is attainable.

Brad's passion for mcb is contagious and he's an amazing lecturer! I would definitely consider this a weed out class (an 84%A-) so take it seriously. Do all the assignments and DO NOT skip lectures, it will pay off in the end. The exam questions are EXTREMELY specific so you must know the info thoroughly to do well. Study hard and you'll do great!

Brad is honestly one of the best professors I've ever had. Yes, MCB 150 is a hard class, and will require a lot of work, but if you study, attend a few office hours, and take discussion seriously, there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get at least a B. I got an A-, but i put in a significant amount of work, but still really enjoyed it.

His tests are the hardest tests you'll ever see (I'm talking 60% averages), but they're doable if you work hard. You have to come to lectures and watch screencasts. However, Brad does answer every questions and gives you a lot of resources. You just have to make sure to really be on your A game for this class.

Brad is a great guy and professor. Great lectures, at least when they're traditional. Make sure you study and don't underestimate the first exam. I tried studying using "concept mapping" or connecting idea that we learned and it worked great! would highly recommend for studying.

Mehrtens does a good job at explaining things, however, he also does a good job at complicating things. He gives very in-depth answers because he wants you to really understand the concepts. Tests are very difficult and tricky. You have to really know your information then be able to apply it in a series of trick questions.

Great teacher; he wants his students to not just memorize the material but actually learn it. Dont underestimate this class or his exams, you need to put in effort for the grade. 1st exam shows what he expects but dont let the score discourage you. Record all lectures, take notes from the textbook and review screencasts. Hard but not impossible.

Great professor that knows how to command the audience (also teaches an theater course). Tests are straight from reading materials and "screencasts." MCB150 was the easiest class I took last semester.

Professor Mehrtens is a great lecturer and an even more interesting guy. You can tell that he knows a lot about the subject, and he cares a lot about biology and how his students perform. That being said, this class is not easy by any means, but it is possible to do well if you try. Voice record the lectures because he speaks fast, and take notes

He is my HEro

Tests are tough and worth most of your grade but it'll teach you how to properly analyze questions before answering.

Brad is the best professor at UIUC. He actually cares about how you, and knows everything about the class that he's teaching. The tests are very hard but if you study a lot they are manageable. Do not skip lecture or else you wont do well

Really tough, but best teacher of all time.

This course was by no means easy you will have to work for you grade. The tests are definitely something to get used to. Lots of applications so make sure you understand the material thoroughly. I highly suggest you attend TA office hours (Shafi is AMAZEBALLS) and Brads office hours.

He is definitely the best mentor I have ever met.

Brad is an amazing professor. The class is difficult but he makes lectures interesting.

Great professor! He holds office hours which is very helpful, if you pay attention in class and attend office hours every other week, you will enjoy this class rather than stressing about it.

Professor Mehrtens is one of the best Professors I have ever had. Although I took this course online in the summer, he still made it seem as if we were in class and was very clear in all aspects. I learned SO much from this class. Although it is difficult, he truly makes you think hard on questions and makes you connect topics together.

Brad is one of the best professors I've had at the university! His lectures are very engaging, and he cares deeply about all of his students. Make sure to use all the resources he gives you in order to do well! Textbook reading and practice exams are a must.

The first half of the class I couldn't stand Brad, and then after exam 2, he became my fave professor ever. Hands down one of the most caring professors I've had. This class is HARD but he gives you all the resources you need to succeed, you just have to give yourself enough time to study it. Attend class, record the lectures, & make concept maps!

I thought the lectures were very interesting and that the in class questions were very relevant. The exams were very specific and therefore difficult, but overall if you pay attention in lecture and discussion, it's an easy A with a generous curve of the class.

Great Guy. Definitely go to his office hours

Brad is an excellent professor. He's not only an expert on the material but also knows how to communicate it effectively. He's a very caring guy and will always make time to help people out (even if it's not about biology). Still, MCB 150 is a very difficult class: go to office hours, pay attention, and study every day if you want to do well.

This professor knows what hes talking about. He teaches students in a way that can be understood no matter their biology background. Not only are his lectures easy to follow along with, but also hes available for office hours. My advice is to fit office hours into your schedule weekly. Do NOT be afraid to ask questions.

I love Brad so much. Literally cannot describe it to you. Such a great guy and rewards his students for putting in the effort. Also a Biology advisor so you can get to know his personally should you choose to do so. Has high expectations but the class is structured so well that all of his requirements are absolutely justified.

Definitely one of my favorite professors at UIUC so far. Great guy, explains things clearly and really cares about students learning the material. Exams have some tough questions, but he does that to teach you to think critically rather than just memorize things. Wish he taught more courses here!

Brad is a true gem. He goes extremely in-depth during his lectures, and make sure we participate with our peers to succeed. Midterms make up 40%, the final makes up 20% (not necessarily a cumulative final), and everything else makes up 40%, so it's easy to get free points. Brad knows MCB is a tough class, and he tries to make it easier for us.

Tests r 90% on lecture stuff. He's legitimately a talented leader, he understands exactly what he is teaching, and how to convey it to curious ears. His speaking abilities are seriously impressive. He gave a lecture about Progeria, and he cried in front of everyone and shows real passion for the content. He makes students want to learn.

MCB 150 was the first "weedout" class for premeds here, and the course seemed terrifying on the outside looking in. However, if you go in respecting the class and its difficulty, Brad ensures you will have all the resources you need to succeed and more. His lectures are hilarious, highly informative, and memorable. You will get what you put in.

I think the people that complain about the difficulty of this course simply just didn't put the work in. This isn't some 400-level course in college, and there are really a limited amount of things Brad can test you on. Prepare for those and you will do fine on the test. Don't question the class - question yourself whether if you studied enough.

People complain about the tests, but they are not difficult if you make sure you really understand the material. He also has a generous grading scale (88% is an A, and you can get full points on homework while only getting 90% of the questions correct).

By far my favorite first college class. Brad is just a super caring guy, both as a professor and an advisor. It's definitely not an easy class, but it's a classic situation of you get out what you put in. The strategies I learned in this class are ones I will use for the rest of my academic career. Loved the class and Brad!!

I LOVE THIS GUY that is all

The only thing wrong with this class is that there is no lectures whatsoever. Everything you learn in MCB 150 is by reading the textbook. He does answer questions, and when he does, he gives great feedback and helps you out. The quests are hard, but does not correlate to your total grade very much.

You have to learn everything through the textbook. The lectures each week are spent doing more application-related concepts. So if you are confused, go to office hours. Otherwise, you have to teach yourself. Going to office hours changed my quest grades from Fs to As by the end of the semester. He also has a good curve.

All the HW adds up to 400 points which is almost half your grade, so do those. The Quests are sort of a joke in the fact that you only have 30 minutes to complete 18 questions that require deep-level thinking. Brad never answers emails, do not even bother trying to get a response from him, you're wasting your time. Ask your TA instead

DO THIS TO SUCCEED in MCB150!! Coming from someone who got a 100% on 2 quests and 85+ on all the other ones. (1) Read the textbook thoroughly (2) Dont bother listening during lecture time (3) GO TO OFFICE HOURS!! You will learn everything during office hours (4) DONT JUST LISTEN in office hours! Engage your brain by asking questions. Good luck

It took time to get used to the structure of MCB 150. However, once I adjusted, I really loved it. My biggest recommendations are to read the book (even if it's painful it really helps), participate during the case studies, go to office hours, and do the homework! Brad is awesome and super caring, his passion for biology is contagious.

This course is honestly not as bad as people make it seem. There are so many drops in the homework, discussion, and quest category. Also, the final is worth a very small percentage of your grade. As long as you take notes on the chapters and lectures, you should be fine.

You really have to have great discipline and attend the lectures and really pay attention to everything in the material and resources he posts. He himself is not a bad person or professor and he's a pretty enthusiastic teacher. His lectures are like memorized in his head but they do track off a lot. He hardly answers a students question correctly.

Really knowledgeable professor who lectures very well. This class is very hard but putting in the work will get you a good grade. While the quests are very hard, you will thank Brad later as you will learn an incredible amount of information in his class.

Brad would be a great 300/400 level professor, but this is an introductory biology course. In my personal opinion, the course is way too detail-oriented for a 100 level class. The exams are nearly impossible, especially if you're busy during his office hours (in which he covers some exam-type questions). Class exam averages never pass 60%.

If you can focus during his lectures and keep up with the work, Mehrtens is a great professor. His lectures are INCREDIBLY well made and offer nearly everything you need to succeed on the tests. He also thoughtfully will answer questions when you ask them. There are many haters out there, but I'm a fan of his.

This class is hard and exams are tough but it's very doable to get an A. If you put in decent effort, rewatch the lectures and do your readings (he includes stuff from it) you will be fine. He says that he doesn't curve at the beginning of the class but the grading scale is already really curved since an 88 is an A and an 84 is an A-.

This course was a pretty difficult, but overall Brad is okay. He explains concepts clearly and is very helpful during office hours. His lectures are also pretty entertaining sometimes. Difficult exams that are very lecture heavy and require a lot of studying. Also records lectures which was nice.

Gets a lot of hate but he recently changed his grading system. 400/1000 of the points in the class are free (easy quizzes, discussions) and you only need 88% for an A. I thought his lectures were great and explained concepts well. You do have to put in the work and actively work all year though. Good info, easy grading system, and good material.

Content is not hard, but you need to remember every detail on ppt and even every sentence the professor said because the exam is tricky. However, once you prepare well, you will win.

The format of the class changed this semester (for the better). Book is required but all exam content is covered in class. Content from every slide or some brief remark is all fair game on the test, so pay attention. Lectures were engaging and Brad is approachable. The material is hard for a 100 level imo but you have the resources to succeed.

Honestly brad gets a lot of hate but I think he is a great teacher. He really does try to get you engaged in lectures (which he posts online after). The class is also super organized. People mix up MCB 150 and Brad. He is a good guy and decent teacher, and MCB 150 isn't supposed to be easy.

Before taking the class, I was scared because I heard some bad things. However, we started having exams in CBTF and a higher class average this semester. He's good at explaining some hard concepts in his own words. Attend student hours and watch lecture recordings, then an A is totally doable. I'd say I enjoyed learning MCB150 with Brad.

Lectures were very interesting and you could tell he was really passionate about every topic covered in MCB 150. Midterms and finals are pretty lecture based, make sure you know lecture content well.

I thought his class was pretty interesting. Lectures are well taught and not a lot of homework. However the tests are very hard and it took a lot of studying to get good grades on those tests. Definitely not an easy class but if you study beforehand for tests and take good notes during lecture you should be fine.

I thought he was great and I honestly do not understand all the hate. People complain about a dense course structure but fail to see that this is a biology course and that feature is pretty much unavoidable. This class requires effort. You put forth the effort you will be fine.

Interesting class. Try to get as high of a score as you can on the first exam as its the easiest and most straight forward one. I never read the textbook, only rewatched his lectures and reviewed notes to study. Form a study group. Anything on the lecture slides or what he says is fair game for the exam. Overall, study early on and you'll do great.

MCB 150 is a tough course, but Brad is actually a great professor. If you have questions you can go to him and he will absolutely give you the help you need. The lectures are very heavy, but I don't think that's his fault, the course just covers so much content. His lectures are theatrical. The exams are pretty hard, but if you study u will be fine

Hey guys not too much on Brad... This Professor goes above and beyond for students to do well. He consistently makes himself available after lectures, always answers questions on Canvas, holds regular office hours, and even posts lecture videos. Content can be challenging but it's MCB150, but Brad can only do so much, do your part of the work.

MCB 150 is a tough class but Brad really cares about his students and wants them to succeed. He encourages you to ask for help and he's accessible outside of his class.

He is so overhated. People just complain because it's their first time in college and they aren't used to actually having to do work. Yes, the class is hard. But Brad does everything in his power to teach you well. His lectures are actually good and engaging. You just have to do your part of the work.

I had to rewatch every lecture and take detailed notes on everything to get a good grade. I did not read the textbook, so I assumed the questions from the exams I didn't recognize from the lectures were from the book. He talks fast and it's so easy to get lost in lectures

The hate is SO UNREASONABLE. Brad is a nice guy, very accessible, and his class is not hard. People complain that the lecture doesn't relate to exams which isn't true. His lectures teach you the stuff and the exams are about applying it. It is not a hard class and if you struggle, please reconsider this major.