3.2
Quality3.3
Difficulty52%
Would Retake129
Reviews52%
Would Retake
129
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
129 total ratings5
32
4
35
3
20
2
19
1
23
What Students Say
“Basically, if you do homework on Canvas and go to class, this class isn't that hard”
CH301 - 4.0 rating“There is work for essentially every class”
CH301 - 3.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
61%
Textbook Required
23%
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Your expected effort level
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A-
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-0.37 avg changeRatings by Course
CH301AND302
4.3
(6)CHEMAAAA
4.0
(1)CH304
4.0
(1)CH302
3.4
(21)CH301
3.2
(37)Difficulty by Course
BIO369
4.0
BCH369
3.6
CH301
3.1
CH302
3.1
CH301AND302
2.8
Reviews (128)
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labrake is an awesome teacher who cares about her students. the notes are online and are powerpoints. if you ever have any questions, she is readily available to help you. the class is pretty easy and the final exam was not heavily weighted. i recommend her as a chem prof. and plus... at the end of the semester, we made ice cream. =)
LaBrake is awesome! Her lectures are very fun and interesting and she keeps the material very concise as to not overwhelm you much. She is a very fair grader as she offers times for extra credit points. Above all, she is very funny/smart and really cares about the progress of her students! I highly recommend her. She rocks!
Labrake is a really great teacher. I highly recommend her. Her lectures are fun and she covers material really well.
She is a great Professor and makes lecture worth going to!
4 tests and a final, but drops the lowest grade
Always excited to teach chemistry. Gives out candy to students that participate. Pretty straight forward on the material, though most you learn through modules. Homework is on Quest and tests are Quest-based.
she really cares about her students learning the material, this is a flipped class so there is an expectation to do the assigned homework in order to do well
Excellent prof, makes the material very engaging.
Make sure to keep up with everything. If you do, you'll be fine. 4 Exams(60%)(One Gets Dropped), Participation Points(15%) (iclikers,hws,learning modules), Final(25%).
Expect to pay attention in class or be very lost! Clear lecturer when she's on a roll, but loses her train of thought often. There's in-class worksheets for most lectures which are good if you like working in a group. Quest HW is challenging but similar to the tests. There's also a free response portion to the test similar to the worksheets.
Easy Class, Easy Tests, I enjoyed going to class. Good professor
Fairly easy and simple class, I'd recommend her.
Very good professor. Ch 302 was a bit harder than 301, but it is doable with the grading they have in place. They use a "blended" classroom style instead of completely flipping it, so some learning is done at home but they still lecture over it to reinforce it during class. I found this helpful since all of the materials were online.
Cynthia is a good professor, however her lectures can be extremely boring. They drag on for what seems like forever! Some of the material is really dense too and she doesn't do a great job of explaining. Be prepared to have to read the book and go to ALL of the TA's review sessions (they really help).
Make sure to pay attention because she tends to ramble and you'll want to follow her train of thought. She is also a little disorganized. However, she is very approachable and you feel comfortable speaking up in that class even though it is a 500 person lecture.
Ch 301 is easy because she is only the secondary professor (either vandenbout or laude as primary), and thank god for them. She gets distracted very easily, and it's questionable whether she even knows the information. Not to mention she is extremely rude in a "trying to be funny" kind of way. You cant really avoid her, but just be prepared.
This class is really taught by three professors, which is an interesting set up. It's a flipped classroom, so you learn the material and quiz over it and then review in class that week. They all really care about the students understanding the material and doing well in the course, and test expectations are made crystal clear. Highly recommend.
This class was definitely a flipped classroom. Laude/Labrake was a very good combo. Class was interesting and tests were easy-medium if you looked at review videos and attended office hours.
She literally spends more time trying to figure out her computer than teaching. Don't learn anything in class. Homework and learning modules all online. The only way to learn is from TA lecture hours. Will not do anything in class.
Awful class. You won't learn anything during class time, but attendance is still taken via an online app every day and its a huge waste of time. The only way to learn is if you have a good TA
Very nice person, if that matters to you when looking at a professor, but lectures run off topic very easily and it is hard to understand what the professor is trying to say. Tests are fairly easy, but you do have to study many days in advance if you want an A.
A funny professor, but she is not clear in class and often rushes over things. Her tests are hard and there is no curve or forgiveness in them. A good TA and asking TA's/PLA's questions during class is essential. There's also a lot of homework and learning modules to do on your own outside of class.
Flipped class and lecture were awful
As a Chem major, I saw this class as being a solid introduction to Chem and thought that the Prof did a good job. While the class is very crowded, the lectures a bit less helpful than I would've liked, and a bit of a heavier workload, I thought she was a funny and engaging teacher.
The class is very straightforward. Do the learning exercises and homeworks then go to class to review over what you learned outside of class and ask any questions you have. Attendance is not mandatory but you do have to answer questions through an app that are posted at random times during the class that are easy to miss if you're not present.
Basically, if you do homework on Canvas and go to class, this class isn't that hard. There is online polling that happens during class, but you can do that at home if you need to. Because of this, technically you don't need to go to class but I would suggest it. She's a pretty good teacher, even with the 200+ students class.
Flipped classroom was nice because it meant that I didn't have to go to class except for the polling. I would slack off until the week before the exam and then learn everything online through Clutch or the learning exercises. Hard material but if you put in enough work its manageable. I also wish tests were curved because its easy to mess up.
I thoroughly enjoyed taking Dr. Labrake's chemistry course this semester, considering my horrible experience in high school. I held a strong prejudice towards chemistry until I took her class, and am happy I did. We learned some really cool things and look forward to next semester with her. With that said, I had to work really hard for my grade.
The class wasn't bad at all, but there are better chem teachers. The tests aren't hard at all, you just have to look for old ones before you take them and go to reviews. You have to put in some effort in the class to get an A and actually show up as there are grades for attendance. Flipped classroom.
Prof. Labrake often goes off on a tangent and gets distracted easily. It is hard to follow along and she does not make sure the class understands what she is teaching before moving on.
Not a bad teacher, and I suck at chemistry. However, is a flipped classroom, so be expected to read a LOT. If you memorize everything and regurgitate everything you're good. TA review sessions are really really helpful and probably the reason why I did well.
Literally worst teacher ever. Does not teach anything all she does in class is mix salt in water every day or some other demonstration. Has never taught any topic or had us take notes on anything. In the process of dropping or switching teachers.
She doesn't teach. All she does is does in class is online polling and "experiments" that are suppose to reinforce what you are learning. THERE ARE BETTER TEACHERS. Avoid the hassle that is LaBrake.
I wasn't pleased with how the course was thrown at us. It's a learn by yourself and get quizzed in class everyday. She is insanely boring, and wow they need to work on getting interested curriculum. Also, she has office hours in a room that can sit no more than 4 or 5 people max and she teaches hundreds off students in each class.
Don't take her for this class, you basically have to do everything yourself as she doesn't explain a single thing in class. All she does is give clicker questions and speeds through them for attendance so that's the only reason to show up. Otherwise, all the work you have to do is at home and it's long and grueling. Would not recommend.
It's a flipped classroom so technically the learning is done online. Lectures aren't necessary to attend except for REEF quiz points but you can sometimes get extra credit for participating. You could honestly learn an entire unit during the week of the test. I recommend going to her review sessions - she will tell you exactly what to study!
Not as bad as everyone else says. She isn't the greatest but not the terrible teacher some make her out as. Although, her attitude rubbed me the wrong way sometimes.
I hated this class, she didn't teach us a single thing and you're forced to learn it on your own. Believe me, she's not a good teacher, and it feels as if she hardly cares about her students.
I spent the entire semester having to teach myself just about everything for this class, as Labrake doesn't help during class and will only do "experiments" involving mixing water with something, instead of actually teaching you. This class was a nightmare, so many hours put into this compared to others. I couldn't stand it.
Not the best Chem professor, I probably wouldn't take her again and instead have another professor, as the others seem like they're much more interested in the subject material and go over it. I'd recommend to just find another professor, but if you're stuck with this one it's also okay.
Dr. LaBrake runs her class very well, and has a quirky personality. An A in this class is very manageable, and she rewards participation. She seemed a little condescending at times by asking students what their major was if they said something intelligent, but overall good professor.
Assignments are due frequently, but they are not too time demanding or time consuming (although some can be). Although LaBrake was a good professor who cared about class understanding, you have to meet her halfway with effort. To study for exams I only did the supplemental worksheets she supplies us with and got an A on every exam. I recommend!!
Dr. LaBrake cares a lot about her students and wants you to do well. In office hours she is really helpful and always happy to answer questions! The tests are all reasonable with enough preparation, and the course pack is a great help with that. Some people found her a little annoying, but I genuinely liked her and found her really funny and a joy
It's not mandatory to go to class, but it's helpful. She makes us do in class clicker questions with REEF that's worth a grade, but one could do it from one's room. As far as material, we teach ourselves and she goes over and clarifies anything we have questions on or thinks we need extra practice in, during class. She's a little scatter brained.
Completely average professor. I took for both CH301 and CH302, if I could have taken a different one if I would have. I honestly learned next to nothing from the lectures but had to attend for REEF points. Most of the learning is from the online modules that all the chem profs use. There are certainly worse professors but she is not one to inspire
Cool professor. Tests count for alot
Everything is expected to be learned at home by yourself. Class is mandatory because of online polling. They make you buy their student handout which is just questions they want you to do in class, but the packet doesn't teach anything. Chem is so far the hardest class I have taken at UT (CH301 and CH302) because everything is self learn.
She teaches almost like a high school teacher. Love her! So funny!
Dr. Labrake teaches kinda like a high school teacher, and does a lot of cool demonstrations in class. Don't skip class because she does a lot of reef polling. There's a lot of opportunities for reviews but be warned there's a lot of tests in this class.
I had no idea what to expect going into CH301 as a freshman, but I could tell from the first day that this class wouldnt be enjoyable. 8 tests and a final, REEF polling in class that makes attendance vital, and repetitive lectures that would be made useless by completing the LE's online. If youre taking this class, study on your own.
Completely average professor. Easy if you took AP/Ib chem in high school. I honestly learned next to nothing from the lectures but had to attend for REEF points. Most of the learning is from the online modules that all the chem profs use. There are certainly worse professors but she is not one to inspire
The class is self taught, but you still have to go to lectures because she uses reef polling as a way of taking attendance that gets taken for a grade at the end of the term. The class is both homework and test heavy, which allows a lot of room for error as you can make up for any bad grades, although it is very time consuming.
The structure of the course was changed this year to 8 exams, which causes you to spend more time studying throughout the entire semester. There is work for essentially every class. Labrake herself is quite scattered, requiring you to learn outside of class. However, her and especially Albert's reviews are worth going to and will help you on exams.
Did not take AP Chem in high school, but had an easy time in this class. I actually learned from lectures, unlike previous reviews. Having the 8 tests makes it easier by having less material to study for. Many assignments get dropped at the end to help your grade. And the LE modules at home were a good way to learn IMO.
I learn by seeing the problem done step by step and explained why things are a certain way, but she does the problem on her own and I never know what I am doing. The textbook to me was not helpful at all. Goes too fast on the powerpoint and barley goes on a topic when all of a sudden she's on another.
If you are coming into this class with AP chemistry background, it will be a lot easier. However, do not slack off, because there is a lot of material to absorb. There were 8 tests throughout the semester (if you take a MWF class) & you have 30 minutes to take a 10-14 questions test. Honestly, it is enough time for most people, just dont cheat.
Labrake was one of my favorite professors during the semester. While the class is challenging, if you do the Learning Exercises, ask questions, do the homework, and go to the TA's review sessions every Friday, you'll be good. Don't expect to go to class though and learn the material like high school. Do the work prior and ask q's while there.
She may seem a little scatterbrained at times but she does everything in her power to not only make sure we pass, but to make sure we understand everything she is teaching. Lots of good TA's and PLA's. Good reviews before exams!
LaBrake is one of the best chem professors in the department. Her lectures are super engaging and she knows what she's talking about. She goes a little fast so you really have to do the homework ahead of time, otherwise you won't understand what's going on. She has a few options for bonus points on tests, so look out for those opportunities.
LaBrake is awesome! She is so quirky and funny, and she keeps your attention the whole time during lecture. She uses reef A LOT, so be sure to attend lecture. The learning exercises are effective at helping you learn the material, so make sure that you pay attention when you're doing those. She's super approachable/kind, so take advantage of that!
Be wary that the lectures aren't there to teach you content, they exist to review it. I'll be the first to admit I skipped more than my fair share of lectures, but I do believe if you put in the effort of learning the modules before class, then show up to solidify what you've learned, you'll do fine with Labrake.
Labrake is best described as "intense." My best advice is to make sure that you understand as you go because 302, unlike 301, heavily builds on each concept. But Labrake, while a little scatterbrained, really knows her stuff and is accessible outside class. She convinced me not to Q drop and I'm glad I didn't. Would take again.
Don't even go to class. Just do the reef stuff somewhere else and do other stuff. There are 4 tests with one drop test. I studied the night before each test by watching Albert and Jimmy's reviews for each week and doing the EP on canvas and got a 99.04. The final isn't all that bad. People hype chem to be super difficult but it honestly isn't bad.
I loved Dr. LaBrake's Biochemistry class (she started teaching it Fall 2018) and recommend taking her! The tests are straightforward, she makes the lectures interesting, and is always available for questions outside of class. I put in the work for the A, and got some extra credit, but the class was not unbearable. Would take again for fun!
Labrake was really fun for biochemistry. Her class is really easy and straightforward and you learn a lot. She gives a bit of extra credit and clearly defines exactly what information you need for the quizzes and tests.
Lot's of work, but it is doable. She gives you a heads up for the quiz and tests, and the test reviews are somewhat similar to the exam. HW and Quiz each week. I was not a fan of her lecturing style, since it's fast paced and not that organized. I did minimum work (studying the heads up, quiz, hw and reviews) and got a B.
She is honestly an awful teacher. She would just scroll through her pwerpoints and never really explain the information in depth. She mostly just told us to read the textbook to learn more. I went to class every day but it was a waste of my time. I studied very hard (5+ hours) and still did awful on every test. Would NOT recommend taking her class.
If you read the textbook and show up to class and ACTIVELY pay attention, this class is so doable. I also recommend going to her office hours as she makes it very clear of what she expects on the midterms. The final was fairly easy because she had prepared us so well all semester.
I was very disappointed with the content of BCH 369 (Spring 2019). She did not add anything to the lectures that the text book did not already cover. EVERY test and quiz had mistakes. The final was incorrectly graded due to the answer key being wrong. I do not feel that the tests were hard but she did add additional answers to throw you off.
this class is pretty easy but the amt of sapling she gives makes me literally want to kms. tuesday, thursday, and sunday. sometimes you have 2 due each day. each one takes like an hour, sometimes 2. that's literally 8 hrs per week dedicated to something worth 5% of the grade. such a waste of time
One of the best professors I have ever had. Weekly quizzes to keep you accountable, but this makes studying for tests much easier. Labrake really cares about you learning the material and is very understanding/ constantly working to make the class the best possible environment to learn the material. Tests are straightforward. Take her for bch 369!!
Spring 2018. Class learning through modules, with comprehension checks and easy homework checks along the way. The exams are easy if you learn the modules, and the class overall is one where an A can easily be achieved if you work for it. Amazing lectures by the teacher, and extra credit through pop quizzes by attendance is available.
I am currently taking her online course because of COVID, so I don't know if it would be this bad in person. She posts almost 3 hours of lecture videos but still expects us to log in on Tuesdays for 1.5 hours to take a quiz. She expects more than 3 hours of our time a week for lecture and then assigns us a lot of homework on top of that.
Dr. LaBrake's class does not show clemency. The content is difficult (no matter what professor you have), the recorded lectures are dense and confusing, the homework is peripheral, and the tests are merciless. Ideas and topics were incohesive. If you have a solid 18 hours a week, you will probably be fine. Props for the extra credit though! Huge.
Labrake made us have an exam on Election day 2020... She gives you topics to study for quizzes & exams but they get progressively more vague & inaccurate as the weeks went on. I felt like I would fully study her "Head's Up" email and still miss things because she didn't mention to study it or did not emphasize it in lecture.
She is not as bad as these reviews makes her out to be. She emailed us every week detailing what we were going to be tested/quizzed on, and the questions being asked were over basic details. As long as you take good notes from her lectures and read the textbook, you'll be more than fine. The average grade for my class ended up being like a 90.
Although I was scared of this class, it ended up being manageable. I am not the type of person to attend every office hour, do every homework assignment, and invest all of my time into studying, but I still got an A. It was not difficult to get good grades on Sapling and quizzes, and I got a low B on every exam. Extra credit bumped my final grade!!
There is 3 exams + optional final. Weekly quizzes + homework that are fairly tough but help you learn. Test can be hard but fair but you have to study but she provides lots of resources like free clutch prep videos, extra hmwk etc. Dr labrake is very knowledgable and wanted us to succeed the TA's are very good also.
Her class was really structured. Weekly quizzes made studying for exams much easier and I felt like I left with a good understanding of biochemistry. She offered many opportunities for extra credit which helped a lot.
Dr. LaBrake is very nice, however, oftentimes I felt that she didn't enjoy teaching. At the beginning of the semester, we had 9+ hours of ClutchPrep a week (+ 3 hours of lecture videos pre-recorded). The exams weren't terrible (follow her Heads Up as a guide, but not your only study material), quizzes were easy & got 2 pts. of extra credit.
I don't think anyone hates being a professor more. She wanted us all to be 'self-directed learners' which essentially means that we teach ourselves all of the course content and she does no work as a professor. She posts videos recorded over a year ago at 2 in the morning that are riddled with errors and expects the students to pick up minutia.
Probably the worst professor I have taken. She basically wasn't even a professor because she made her class a "self-taught" class. She left a bunch of undergrads to teach themselves biochemistry which is the worst possible thing anyone could do. Her videos are terrible! I learned by reading the textbook and watching a guy on AK LECTURES.
To even call her a professor I've had is a bit much since she used videos over a year old full of errors recorded at odd hours and videos she liked from youtube that replaced her lectures. I feel she tries to claim this is part of 'self-directed learning', but I feel there's a difference between encouraging learning and not teaching.
this class was the absolute disaster. Very boring, confusing, and not clear videos posted to watch every week, and most of the time we were referenced to watch another videos because she knew that she did not teach enough at all as she should. I am really speechless and shock with very low rate of science professors at UT.
her old recorded lectures glossed over the material too quickly and did not prepare students for the application based questions on exams. she emphasized "self-directed" learning and that was annoying considering how difficult the concepts are. this class was pointless bc i learned better from AK lectures & other videos. she's a nice person tho
Avoid this class at all costs. This class was a tiring and a mess. EVERYTHING was self-taught with videos for you to learn within each week which was stressful. There was one TA in the class who would grade pretty difficult on the frq of tests. Would def not recommend this class if you don't want daily mental breakdowns.
Loved this class! It's pretty much completely self directed, and you only have to show up for one period a week for a quiz and group quiz. She emails and tells you exactly what is going to be on quizzes and exams. She really made biochemistry really easy to learn and I highly recommend!
a flipped classroom doesnt make sense for a complex course like biochem. recorded lectures were messy and outdated with no clear flow and i literally relied on some guy on youtube to do well on the last exam. office hours were meh and the TA's were not the most helpful.
Labrake is kinda hit or miss for most... actually liked the whole flipped-classroom format since it gave more flexibility. I will say lecture videos can be improved quite a bit. She gives a weekly study schedule in each of her modules and I recommend adhering to it as much as possible bc it helps you stay on top of the content. Lots of EC!
The online, self taught format was not it. The videos were super old and not really helpful in actually learning the content. I did not feel prepared for the weekly quizzes since the videos were overwhelming being like 3-6 hours worth of content on top of homework and other assignments. I would avoid this prof :/
It is so evident that Dr. Labrake would literally rather do anything else than teach. Old videos filmed at 2am in the morning that havent been updated since 2020 arent how we should be learning a subject that is so heavy on the MCAT. She should seriously consider how she can actually be a help to her students.
Wouldn't recommend this class. Schedule is erratic, making it difficult for students who have jobs. She expects students to attend in person for our hybrid class outside of times listed originally listed on the syllabus. Obviously very out of touch with her students, she literally sends emails detailing her relaxing weekends and vacations.
Overall, I really enjoyed Dr. Labrake's class. She organizes the content super clearly so you understand what is expected each week and what the quiz will be like. Group quizzes are manageable and tests are okay. Sometimes, learning the material was difficult though, since a lot of it is individual study, so it requires a lot of self-management.
This class was way more work than it was worth done mostly outside of class. The tests were extremely specific and hard to study for, but I failed all three and will pass the class. Labrake herself is really nice and organized and teaches really well, but the tests were just too hard to do well on even after hours of note-taking and studying.
Great class, but requires a lot of self-learning. Take the time to really understand, rather than memorize, Dr. Labrake's lecture videos along with the supplemental videos she provides as she lets you bring a notes sheet to the exams. She also offers enough extra credit to bump your letter grade up by 2 (e.g. B to A).
This class had a flipped setting and so it was up to us to learn via recorded videos, and then we would come to class to take weekly quizzes and tests.The quizzes were easy and part of the quizzes was group quizzes. The exams were difficult, but she gave so much extra credit and sometimes let us use cheats sheets which helped greatly.
The class was mostly self taught where you watch videos each week on your own time and then come to class to participate in a group quiz and individual quiz. Personally I didn't like watching videos from 2020 and the exams were alright I guess. Class consists of weekly group quizzes, individual quizzes, clutchprep HW, and discussion hw, + 3 exams.
I learned quite a bit from Labrake through her pre-recorded lecture videos, but I do agree that sometimes I needed outside resources for clarification. Getting a high A is easily achievable if one put enough work to study, as most of the concepts are memorization based. Her course structure is designed to help students getting a good grade.
Professor Labrake really cares about students. Her flipped class is accommodating. Weekly quizzes are straightforward, exams consistently curved. Labrake does not actually teach though, as almost all content is from recorded videos. Take Labrake for an easy time. Don't expect to be inspired with biochemistry or fall in love with the material.
Dr. Labrake uses a flipped classroom model which frankly found extremely cumbersome. However, the class is very doable. There are plenty of resources and opportunities to build your grade. The material is quite difficult but read the textbook, watch the lectures, and show up for office hours and you will do fine in the class.
Good class, but you have to learn everything yourself (flipped classroom). Choose what works for you - book, prof videos (very long), or external videos, keeping in mind the main goal is to MEMORIZE. Lots of little details and facts that WILL show up on exams even if not emphasized. With extra credit, easy A. Easy weekly quizzes, harder exams.
Dr. Labrake's flipped classroom model emphasizes watching asynchronous lectures which can sometimes be dense. Grades consist mostly of exams and in-person group quizzes which are pretty easy to score well on, while exams are a bit tougher but fair as long as you pay attention to small details from lectures. Overall a straightforward class
Professor Labrake uses a flipped classroom, so you basically watch old pre-recorded videos on the topics being tested. Weekly quizzes were okay if you reviewed the TA notes the day before, and exams had a few tricky questions, but overall fine if you know the information well. Tuesdays were optional so learning is mostly independent.
The class material itself is fine, biochemistry is a heavy class by nature. I personally don't like the fact that she never lectured and just gave us pre-recorded lectures to watch. When she did try to teach she talks a lot and ends up convoluting it more. Get ready to teach yourself everything. The TA's help a ton.
Flipped classroom. Labrake's lectures were hard to digest, so watch Andrey K or Pearson. Exams were not too difficult. Be careful on quizzes. Ana is the best TA! Lots of extra credit given & sometimes tests are curved.
No lectures, only recorded videos. "Tuesday lectures" are office hours, "Thursday lectures" are MC and FRQ quiz (the same every week). Basically self-taught so you need to be attentive to the videos, study with friends! Frequently do active-recall when studying, exams are HARD! TA's and Labrake are super helpful and want to help you pass!
Why are we doing a flipped classroom in 2023? Thursdays are quiz and test days Tuesdays are literally just office hours or do ur own thing. my god this class has at least 4 lecture videos that are at least 30 minutes long per week. Say goodbye to ur social life when taking this class. I recommend going to Ana's OH and prey that u some how pass
LaBrake's class is very difficult to keep up with. You basically never get a break, and I felt like she made it much harder than needed. - 3-6 hours of recorded lectures for hw weekly - hw weekly - quiz every thursday - exams every 3-4 weeks It felt like a struggle throughout and quizzes/exams were much harder than the content viewed in class.
TA Ana carried this class. Her office hours are the only thing that prepared me for the quizzes and exams. The actual lectures were very content-heavy and often confusing.
Dr Labrake is by far the worst professor. She doesn't teach a single lecture all semester and made the Tuesday class office hours. All of her "lectures" are prerecorded from 2020. Anything I learned was just from TA Ana. Every Thursday is a test or a quiz. I would rather drop pre-med then take this class again.
This class is a sad remnant of COVID. TAs did everything. Several hours a week of pre-recorded "lecture" videos from years ago, very disorganized and chaotic. Student notes taught the course better. You just cram those videos then take a quiz/test on Thursday. Felt like an assembly line being pushed through the content with minimal professor input.
Class was super easy. Just watch videos and study for 1 hr max extra for quizzes. Quizzes are a joke. Tests are super easy as well. Basic information don't really need to know the details. Dr. Labrake is awesome and will answer any questions you have about the material. TA Ana is awesome as well. Overall, easy class with easy tests. Lots of EC.
Overall, super easy class. Dr. Labrake is very caring, compassionate, and really wants to see her students succeed not only in this class, but in life as well. Tests were too easy. Quizzes were a joke, and part of it is done with a group. Overall, great experience and great MCAT prep.
Class was so easy. I got bored at several times. I didn't watch the videos and I just looked at the student notes a couple minutes before the quizzes and did fine. But the videos were still high quality. Tests I just didn't even study, they were so easy. Labrake was always present and active, you can tell she's super passionate about what she does.
Had a super fun time with this class. Me and my buds would have late night parties watching the lecture videos. I enjoyed that they took several hours because it helped pass the time. She was hilarious in them and super funny irl. Only complaint is that the class was a bit on the easier side. Would have enjoyed a greater challenge.
Dr. Labrake provides online lecture vidoes that you can watch at own pace. In-class quizzes on one day, and other day is office hours. GO TO OFFICE HOURS. Teaching team is great and they want to see you do well. Have to study for tests but it is straight memorization. Not much application. Lots of EC.
Flipped class; some like it, some don't. Very consistent structure and you always had 1 week dedicated to exam studying. Teaching team (UGCAs + Ana) was amazing. Dr. Labrake and co. were always happy to help on Tuesday office hours (highly recommend going; their worksheet is usually similar to the quiz). Piazza was also great for asking questions!
Dr. LaBrake's class follows a flipped style (learning at home and taking tests/quizzes in class). Take it if you have the motivation to study by yourself. It worked for me. Reading the provided notes helped. TAs and professor available during optional Tuesday classes. Optional activities, homeworks, and practice exams will help during tests.
be ready to teach yourself. class structure is as follows: watch her lecture videos, at least 4/week of length between 20-60 minutes EACH & a weekly homework (3 attempts, sort of similar to exams), done before thursday (quiz day) then take a weekly quiz (an ind. MC 4 question part & FR group part). exams = hard & objectives are unclear sometimes
Labrake records most of her lecture videos between 1 am to 5 am and as you can imagine she is not the most alert at this time. I know this is a hybrid class but it might as well have been online. I can hands down say she is one of the most uninvolved professors ever. The TA (Ana) carried the class more than the actual professor.
Mostly asynchronous class tested on lectures from COVID era. Mandatory attendance for in-person quizzes (individual, group). 1.5% extra credit on final grade, made grade cutoffs -0.5 what they were supposed to be on syllabus. My advice: pay attention to the lectures and take extensive notes over them. Lecture vids are boring, just take good notes.
Personally, I did not mind watching recorded lectures on my own time outside of class time. With that said, it is a pretty big time commitment. There is a significant amount of content every week, and although you have the materials, the learning and memorizing is completely in your hands. It's doable, and you'll truly get out what you put into it.
The exams for this class are difficult, but if you study a lot and put in the work you can still do well. Watch the lectures, watch the TA recordings, treat the HW like an exam, and study every week for the quizzes. It's a lot of studying, but if you put in the work it's pretty easy to do well.
I think I saw her in person a total of 8 times the entire semester. Pretty bad lecture videos from 2020. As a BME I didn't have much time to study for it, but the class requires a lot of studying to do well. Final replaces your lowest grade, but the tests are pretty hard (miss 3 questions you're already at a B). Weekly quizzes weren't too bad.
Dr. Labrake's class consisted of anywhere from 2-5 hours of online lectures from 2020-2021 a week, and you have to know exactly what she says in lecture for the exams. She was completely uninvolved in the class, and Ana and the other TAs were the only reason I was able to pass. If you have ADHD, get medicated (lol) or this class will be even worse.
honestly, my fault i didnt put much effort into the class. requires memorization of a bunch of stuff fr, but helps with the mcat if you care about that. group quizzes
I took Dr. LaBrake in Spring 2023. Rather than lecture, she posted videos online. Every Tuesday was an optional office hours, and every Thursday consisted of either two quizzes or an exam. The exams, which were multiple-choice, resembled the homeworks and the practice exams. She offered 1.5 percentage points of extra credit. The TAs were helpful.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
61%
Textbook Required
23%
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