4.8

John Latto

Biology - University of California Santa Barbara

4.8
Quality
2.0
Difficulty
99%
Would Retake
119
Reviews
4.8
Quality
2.0
Difficulty
4.8
Helpful
4.8
Clarity

99%

Would Retake

119

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

107

4

9

3

2

2

0

1

1

What Students Say

He's a great guy, funny and super helpful

EEMB40 - 5.0 rating

As long as you go to lecture and section you will you do well in this class

EEMB50 - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

22%

Textbook Required

22%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 73 grades
Most common grades:
A (40)
A+ (14)
B (9)
Grade Distribution
A(54)B(10)C(1)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(8)
Based on 83 reported grades
A: 40
A+: 14
B: 9
Not sure yet: 8
Common Tags
Hilarious (39)
Amazing lectures (29)
Clear grading criteria (23)
Caring (22)
Amazing lectures (21)
Respected (15)
Inspirational (15)
Skip class? You won't pass. (13)
Rating Trend

Stable

+0.20 avg change
Dec
Jan
Mar
Apr
Jun
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CCS101

5.0

(1)

BIOLCS20

5.0

(2)

EEMB51

5.0

(1)

INT35

5.0

(1)

EEMB40

4.9

(66)
+3 more courses
Difficulty by Course

EEMB168

2.5

EEMB2

2.3

EEMB50

2.1

CCS101

2.0

BIOLCS20

2.0

Reviews (119)
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Feb 13, 2009

He previously taught at UC Berkeley, but moved to UCSB because he likes the students better - and it SHOWS. Hilarious, interesting, and extremely knowledgeable. Class was FUN to go to, and I never wanted to miss lectures. The book is more auxiliary reading than anything else, as most of the material comes from class.

5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Feb 26, 2009

professor latto is amazing. this class has been easily my favorite so far at UCSB. it was recommended to me by a friend and I have recommended to all my friends in turn. VERY interesting and tests aren't hard at all if you go to lecture, which isn't a big deal, because lecture is interesting anyways. he is genuine, funny, and easy to talk to.

5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Mar 12, 2010

My favorite professor at UCSB. Extremely entertaining and knowledgeable. Take EEMB40 at all costs!!!

5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Mar 31, 2010

John is a very good lecturer. The material was almost always interesting, with a few boring lectures here and there. This class was very easy, most of the grade was based off the midterm and the final. I finished the final in 30 minutes and got an A. Overall, this is a great course, provided that you are even remotely interested in the subject.

5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Apr 14, 2010

I was so glad that someone recommended EEMB40 to me. All of the material covered was applicable to the real world and Professor Latto made every lecture fun and entertaining. He made me want to become an epidemiologist. I highly recommend him and this course.

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Jun 8, 2010

i LOVED Latto! The material was extremely interesting and he made it easy to understand. To prepare for the midterm and final I just read through my notes and aced both. One of my favorite classes!

5.0
1.0
EEMB168
Dec 15, 2010

Great Class. I definitely recommend it to anyone. Go to class and take notes...you won't use the book at all. Tests are a mix of short answer and essay questions.

5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Mar 28, 2011

If you want to learn a lot of cool stuff about diseases just for the sake of it being interesting-this is the class for you. The entire grade is made up of a really easy final (45%) and midterm (30%), and section attendance (10%), and easy section quizzes (15%). This class is very easy, and if you ever cared to learn about diseases, take EEMB40

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Jul 27, 2011

Latto was a really great teacher. If you attend lecture and take notes you will get a good grade. The material is interesting and presented in an interesting way.

5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Apr 2, 2012

One of my favorite classes I've taken. Latto is a great professor and really makes the lectures interesting. He has a good sense of humor and I highly recommend taking this class. The textbook isn't necessary.

5.0
2.0
CCS101
Apr 9, 2012

Took Latto's CCS Bio and Research Presentation class. They were both extremely helpful and you can see the time and effort he puts into preparing interesting lectures for his students. Also, a very kind and supportive adviser for CCS students!

5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Mar 17, 2013

Prof Latto is great! His lectures are entertaining and interesting. I would definitely recommend going to class because the slides he posts dont include all the info you need to know but I found myself wanting to go to lecture to learn the material. Super easy, make sure you know the index words he gives you and you'll be fine.

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Mar 28, 2013

Latto is GREAT! I got a B- in the class but I did try really hard. I had Mary Toothman as a TA and she was GREAT. LOVED HER! Extremely helpful and clear. Prof Latto is smart and gets the main points out! 1 midterm 1 final and discussion is like 20% of your grade. Enjoyed this course. Good luck!

4.0
4.0
EEMB40
Apr 2, 2013

Latto is a great professor. But if you are looking for an easy A, I would not take this class. I got a B and I went to every lecture and section and took notes. I found this class extremely interesting and I would definitely recommend taking it.

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
May 24, 2013

Such a fascinating class! 1 midterm and 1 final, section is like 20% of your grade. He loves what he's teaching and does a great job. Midterm was easy, final was a lot harder but still wasn't hard to get an A. Go to lecture for all the information that you'll be tested on, book isn't used.

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Mar 25, 2014

Good class :) Latto is a great professor and lecture is engaging, regardless of your major. There are quizzes almost every week in section and one midterm and final. If you take good notes in lecture and review them then the quizzes & tests are all very easy. Would definitely take another class with him.

5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Mar 25, 2014

John is one of the best professors I've had. I took this as a senior, and there were mostly underclassmen, so it seemed very easy. John is very friendly, has a dry but funny humor and he makes lecture a giant story of diseases.Each week is a new disease. I definitely recommend taking a class with him, specifically EEMB40 or 50 which he made himself

5.0
1.0
BIOLCS20
Apr 1, 2014

Hilarious professor. Keeps things frank and to the point, encourages students to start discussions and interesting debates. No midterms or final!! :)

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Apr 1, 2014

Best class ever!! (minus section) Lecture material is really, really interesting and easy to understand. I actually looked forward to going to class. You only need the book for the weekly section quizzes (only 1 question from book), so I recommend you share it if you can. Really light workload

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Apr 1, 2014

I definitely recommend taking from Latto. His lectures are so informative and interesting and the class is very fair and easy to do well in if you study/attend lecture. He's a great guy, funny and super helpful.

3.0
4.0
EEMB168
Dec 23, 2014

The class was pretty boring. Mostly just pictures on the lecture slides which isn't helpful at all for studying so you definitely have to go to class. The tests are extremely subjective in terms of grading. And overall, I really didn't learn much. I don't recommend this class.

1.0
5.0
EEMB40
Grade: Rather not say
Feb 5, 2015

boring hard

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Mar 17, 2015

Great class! I really love Latto he's one of my favorite professors at UCSB I although I enjoyed EEMB 50 more just because it's more relevant both of his classes were amazing. Pretty straight forward and stimulating curriculum. PowerPoints used but you'll mainly be tested on what he SAYS in lecture. Class based on vocab and concepts

5.0
1.0
EEMB51
Grade: A+
Jun 7, 2015

really interested in what he teachers, doesn't just make you just learn facts gives you interesting stories and history behind diseases, easy and fair tests, really wants his students to do well, doesn't try and trick you in tests, all round nice guy

5.0
1.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Feb 21, 2016

AWW YISSSS Professor Latto is hands down one of the best professors I have had the pleasure of taking at UCSB. I took him last spring for EEMB 50 and absolutely loved it. The material is really interesting and kept me looking forward to lecture. Tests are easy and he grades fairly, lots of partial credit. His dry sense of humor is the BEST. 14/10

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Mar 20, 2016

Great professor with a lot of humor! He has lots of enthusiasm about the material he teaches and comes to lecture prepared. I liked how he doesn't just read off the powerpoint and actually tries to talk to his students about the subject. HOWEVER I had a terrible TA who did know her materials and came to section unprepared.

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Mar 29, 2016

He is an excellent professor that is passionate about the work. His tests are very specific and don't have any curve balls. Its pretty much if you show up and take notes you'll pass but you'll need to briefly look over them for the final. Its honestly an easy A. lectures are not boring and all of the information is quite entertaining and useful.

5.0
3.0
EEMB50
Grade: Not sure yet
Jun 11, 2016
Would take again

Latto is one of the best professors i've had the honor of having during my stay at UCSB. he makes lectures interesting so you actually want to go. plus, even though the notes are all online, it doesn't really make sense unless you go to the lectures. going to sections really helps too (weekly quizzes but they're fairly easy if you pay attention).

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Jun 15, 2016
Would take again

Latto is one of the best professor's I've ever had. He is very passionate about what he teaches, cares a ton for his students, and all his lectures are super interesting. Basically study a day or two before the tests and you're good, and they are all super easy and straight forward. There's no textbook and all slides are online.

5.0
3.0
EEMB50
Grade: B+
Jun 23, 2016
Would take again

Latto is by far one of the best professors at UCSB. He is passionate, intelligent, and a very great guy. He cares about his students, and will go the length to help you understand. Very easy to listen to, very understandable and interesting material in class. Overall a pretty easy class if you pay attention, which isn't hard when you have John.

5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Jul 22, 2016
Would take again

EEMB40 is a lot of memorization, but for me it was so interesting that it wasn't even really hard to memorize. John Latto is a great lecturer and every lecture is super entertaining. He is also a fair grader and tells you the layouts of the midterm/test so you're more than ready for it. Go to class, take good notes, and you'll be fine.

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: B
Nov 24, 2016
Would take again

Latto is very passionate about diseases and ecology. He made the class interesting and engaging. Doesn't posts lectures online. No study guide but as long as you study the diseases and the notes from class, you're fine. Must memorize definitions of the terms and of diseases and what they do. Not cumulative for each test. One midterm and one final.

Gives good feedback
Skip class? You won't pass.
Hilarious
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Dec 4, 2016
Would take again

Latto is extremely funny and passionate about his work. The lectures were fun to attend and the actual content was very interesting. The tests are mostly memorization of terms and really only require a basic grasp of the concepts. No textbook required.

Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: B
Dec 17, 2016
Would take again

I'm no science person but I plan to take another class with him. He's funny and his lectures are amazing( the accent helps). Midterm final and section make up your grade but it's an easy GE. He teaches you things that you SHOULD know. There is no textbook so you gotta show up but it was never a problem making it to class

Skip class? You won't pass.
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Jan 5, 2017
Would take again

Really interesting class and awesome professor. He posts his slides online but most of your notes will come from his actual lecture so make sure you attend class. Midterm and Final weren't bad at all, but make sure you attend section.

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
3.0
EEMB50
Apr 27, 2017
Would take again

Incredibly talented professor. Enjoyed going to lecture and section. Take a class with him if you can, you will not regret it!

Skip class? You won't pass.
Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Jun 17, 2017
Would take again

AMAZING professor! His lectures were very interesting, they really give you a new outlook on not only your health and your families health, but on our healthcare system in the U.S. as a whole. As long as you go to lecture and section you will you do well in this class. Definitely recommend.

Respected
Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Dec 12, 2017
Would take again

Professor Lotto is AMAZIng, his lectures are super interesting and he tries to make class relatable and interesting. There is no textbook for this class, all the information comes from his lectures so DONT miss class. He does post some slides online but they are useless if you missed lecture. Weekly quizzes, but they are super easy! amazing class!

Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
Caring
4.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 13, 2017
Would take again

Class consisted of 5 quizzes, a midterm, and a final and some assignments that weren't explicit in how they were being graded. Great lecturer, knows how to keep the info easy to absorb. Definitely pay attention to the info to know what to study, but it is not impossible. Latto's a really cool dude, and you'll enjoy his class at least a little bit.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Inspirational
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Jan 16, 2018
Would take again

This class was amazing- the grading criteria was clear, no paper or essays, the discussion section require participation but are interesting. Best class taken at UCSB so far. You have to go to class as there is no textbook and the PowerPoints contain little information

Skip class? You won't pass.
Inspirational
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: A-
Jan 19, 2018
Would take again

I had Professor Latto last year, and took this course so I could have him again. Going to class is vital because there is no textbook so all of his test questions are based off lecture material. Final is 45%, midterm is 30%, and section is 25%. Section grade partially depends on 5 quizzes. A lot of content but it's fascinating and presented well!

Respected
Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Feb 24, 2018
Would take again

Funny and passionate professor. No textbook so lecture is essential. Around 5 quizzes in section. The material is interesting, explained well, and applicable outside class. As long as you pay attention in lecture and study prior you should be able to get an A. Would 100% recommend this class for a GE or otherwise. One of my favorite classes here.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Hilarious
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
2.0
EEMB50
Jun 17, 2018
Would take again

EEMB50 with Latto was awesome. The material was always interesting and he's great at explaining difficult concepts. At times this class can feel like a physiology class though. One midterm and final that were straightforward and easy as long as you studied and went to lecture. About 5 quizzes in section. Take this class!!!

Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Jun 18, 2018
Would take again

super awesome professor! class is straightforward and entertaining. tests (2) weren't hard but quizzes (5, 1 dropped) were sometimes confusing/vague. would definitely recommend this professor and this class! (also has occasional jokes and an entertaining accent) also, very little to no reading (for discussion, reading isn't on tests)

Respected
Hilarious
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
4.0
2.0
EEMB50
Grade: A-
Aug 1, 2018
Would take again

My favorite professor!! I have taken two of his classes and both are easy if you just show up and he makes the class interesting. He puts all of his slides online, but you should still go to class because they have minimal information. Your grade is based on the midterm and final (multiple, vocab, frq) and 4 point quizzes given during section.

Clear grading criteria
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Aug 12, 2018
Would take again

AMAZING LECTURES! I loved this class so much and would want to listen to him talk more about infectious diseases even after he finished lecturing. Few quizzes, midterm and final, which are straight-forward if you take good notes. Lectures are absolutely amazing and interesting. Must attend lectures! Would highly recommend taking his class!

Skip class? You won't pass.
Inspirational
Amazing lectures
4.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: B
Oct 1, 2018
Would take again

Super interesting lectures! There are only a few quizzes, midterm and final, which are straight-forward if you take good notes. This course is absolutely amazing and interesting. Must attend lectures! Would highly recommend taking his class, you can learn so much from it.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Clear grading criteria
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 13, 2018
Would take again

Well- planned content, excellent lecture which makes the course more interesting.

Inspirational
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Feb 3, 2019
Would take again

Amazing professor teaching super interesting material, what more could you want? The entire grade is based on one midterm, the final and weekly quizzes in section but it's all really easy. No textbook and powerpoints are sparse so attendance is a must, but lectures are entertaining so it's fine.

Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Feb 6, 2019
Would take again

Professor Latto is a really great lecturer. He makes jokes and is engaging. I didn't always go to lecture and did fine, but I would highly recommend attending as it makes it easier. There were quizzes every section, as well as weekly reading, but it is all relatively easy. 1 Midterm & 1 Final, as usual.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Clear grading criteria
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Mar 4, 2019
Would take again

Latto is the best instructor I have had so far at UCSB. Really no bad things about the class besides that it does not fulfill any great GE or Area requirements. Super nice and funny guy, great accent, easy and interesting class. Take him if you have the chance!

Respected
Graded by few things
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
EEMB2
Mar 12, 2019
Would take again

Honestly Dr. Latto is a wonderful professor. He clearly cares about his students truly grasping and learning something significant from the material. He does not waste your time with endless lists of useless facts, he does an excellent job of tying together seemingly unrelated material. I have taken two of his classes now and would surely recommend

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
Caring
4.0
3.0
EEMB2
Grade: A
Mar 20, 2019
Would take again

Latto is very funny and gives interesting lectures. Easy to pay attention because he likes to tell stories about the concepts to help you remember them. Not too much content, but goes into depth so you really know the concepts and it's not just memorization. Know how to apply to the concepts for the exams.

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
Caring
4.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: B
Mar 29, 2019
Would take again

Latto is pretty relaxed and can make lectures interesting. He provides a practice final which is pretty helpful. Dont neglect EEMB for MCDB. If you dont cram, go to lecture and clas, you can easily get an A.

5.0
3.0
EEMB2
Apr 1, 2019
Would take again

Dr. Latto made learning evolution pretty fun! He's witty and loves his anecdotal examples. He only uses stuff in lecture on the test, which is a huge plus. Even though I'm not passionate about evolution, he made it more digestible. Take him if you can!

Hilarious
5.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: B
Apr 9, 2019
Would take again

Professor Latto is hilarious during lecture and explains everything super clearly. He also has a study guide that covers pretty much everything you need to know for the exam. If you watch the lectures you will do well.

Hilarious
Caring
5.0
3.0
EEMB50
Grade: Not sure yet
Jun 8, 2019
Would take again

Lattos lectures are very interesting, he's a great lecturer I recommend! The midterm was very straightforward based on the information he gave us.

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
4.0
2.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Jun 13, 2019
Would take again

Best prof! super funner and interesting topics. midterms and lectures all based on lecture, but he posts video lectures online making studying and catching up simple! straight forward midterm and final, easy points during section.

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
5.0
2.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Jun 19, 2019
Would take again

He is absolutely amazing. He is so knowledgeable. Everyone, regardless of major, should take this class. Not only is it doable, but you learn so many important things you can use in your actual life. His lectures are amazing he is so funny, I am sad I missed some. I feel honored to have taken his class, I will take any other classes he teaches.

Respected
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
4.0
3.0
EEMB50
Grade: B
Jun 21, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Class isn't that difficult, very practical material. No busy work or extra readings, mainly lecture-based info. A few quizzes (worst grade dropped) and one-page responses, but nothing major. Funny and approachable guy, cares about students. Personally have a hard time with science so it took more work for me, but very doable. Easy Area C class.

Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
EEMB50
Aug 4, 2019
Would take again

His lectures are amazing. Homework and tests are reasonable.

Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Dec 9, 2019
Would take again

I wish John could teach all of my classes. Hes so easy to pay attention to and makes anything sound interesting. His little anecdotes here and there make it easy to remember certain topics and he doesnt bore you with slides full of words. He clearly enjoys what he teaches and has made me consider switching my major bc of how much I like his class

Respected
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: A
Mar 12, 2020
Would take again

Dr. Latto clearly cares a lot about his students. I've never had a professor who responds to students concerns and genuinely tries to improve the class based on suggestions. He keeps the lectures pretty interesting, and if you pay attention and keep up you'll do fine in his class.

Respected
Hilarious
Caring
5.0
1.0
EEMB2
Grade: A+
Apr 29, 2020
Would take again

Enjoyable lectures, full of interesting examples and stories. His exam is also the easiest one in intro-bio series.

Hilarious
5.0
1.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Jun 5, 2020
Would take again

Very understanding of the ridiculous situation we had to deal with due to COVID. Made it incredibly to get an A (couple ungraded assignment/week), yet still managed to get me to put in a good amount of work purely out of interest for the material and the quality of the lectures.

Respected
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
2.0
INT35
Grade: A
Dec 12, 2020
Would take again

BEST professor out of all the classes I've token at UCSB. I took his INT35 History of Infectious Disease over summer, which is perfect for my Bio&Sociology double major, and that was such an amazing experience. I truly enjoyed every single class and section. Professor Latto, if you are reading this, I want you know that you are amazing!

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Inspirational
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Dec 18, 2020
Would take again

Lectures were recorded last year, helping with the pacing of information! There were weekly COVID connection videos, which helped tie things together with pandemic. Short weekly quizzes on the lectures, and weekly creative forum assignments (sometimes w/ small research component) made the entire grade. This class was a breath of fresh air!

Accessible outside class
Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Dec 19, 2020
Would take again

Latto is one of the rare professors that can make you put effort in out of pure interest. I've taken two Covid-induced online classes with him and both times he made getting an A as easy as showing up (metaphorically because there was nowhere to show up). But I still spent a bunch of time on the classes just because it was so fun. He's so good.

Inspirational
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Dec 22, 2020
Would take again

Very nice and accommodating with the online format of his class. Probably the easiest class of my life, spent about an hour or 2 max on this class a week

Clear grading criteria
Lecture heavy
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Jan 29, 2021
Would take again

Honestly this was my favorite class that I have ever taken in my entire college career. I'm just bummed that I had to take it online because of covid. He makes the class interesting and I looked forward to learning new things every week. You should definitely take this class if you get a chance!

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
EEMB2
Mar 17, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Latto is seriously one of the best professors I have ever had. He wants you to succeed and gives you all the tools to do so. He was so helpful and accessible even during online learning, and held multiple extra office hours and was very responsive by email. He always answers your questions thoroughly, and is an engaging lecturer.

Respected
Accessible outside class
Caring
5.0
3.0
EEMB2
Mar 18, 2021
Would take again

Professor Latto is great! He taught the evolution section of this course and explained concepts clearly in an engaging/interesting manner and had a very fair final. Keep up with his learning objectives & key terms each lecture, and you'll do well in the course. The course itself is made up of problem sets, ecology exam, and evolution exam.

5.0
1.0
EEMB2
Grade: A-
Apr 30, 2021
Would take again

Professor Latto is among my favorite professors in the intro bio series next to Wilson. Not to mention the man could narrate nature documentaries. He is really kind, you can tell he wants you to do well, and his tests are really easy (I got 100% on the FINAL, like whaaat?). The material is easy, he's really funny, and I highly recommend Latto.

Graded by few things
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
2.0
EEMB50
Grade: A+
Jun 1, 2021
Would take again

Professor is very engaging and lectures are insightful (even beyond college). He provided tons of leeway for an online class, so there's no excuse to not succeed in this class. There's 1 open-lecture quiz per week and a weekly discussion assignment, both of which are not too difficult. All in all, a rare gem in the classroom.

Graded by few things
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
1.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Jun 3, 2021
Would take again

Professor Latto is a real gem at UCSB. He's one of the only professors who has adapted his class in a way that is accommodating given the pandemic. The lectures are straightforward and interesting, you can tell he wants his students to learn about things that can actually affect them. The grading rubric is clear w/ light classwork, just quizzes.

Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
1.0
EEMB50
Grade: A-
Jun 11, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Latto didn't have us do a Final, our grade was determined by quizzes. Interesting lectures, very understanding of the current situations. Actively wanted us to be interested in the course, prompted some excellent discussions in weekly forums. I would love to take one of his classes in-person.

Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Dec 7, 2021
Would take again

LOVED taking EEMB 40 this quarter! Prof Latto is super funny, and this was one of the easiest and most accessible classes I've ever taken! No final, just a weekly quiz (with two tries) based on lectures which you could watch online or attend in person. Section is mandatory but super easy! Highly recommend this for a GE

Accessible outside class
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Dec 16, 2021
Would take again

Professor Latto is an amazing professor. His lectures are incredibly interesting and he makes them available both online and in person. Only one online quiz a week, which you get two tries on, and a few little 100-200 word assignments. He's a great guy who loves the topic he is teaching and I highly recommend him.

Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
Caring
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Dec 17, 2021
Would take again

TAKE THIS COURSE!!!! I usually am completely anti-STEM but I loved this class. The material is interesting, and Latto is so into it that you'll enjoy listening. He also posts all of the lectures online, so attendance isn't mandatory. Weekly quizzes, no midterm, no final, yet I still feel like I got the most out of this class compared to my others!

Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Jan 3, 2022
Would take again

Best bio prof at UCSB hands down.

Inspirational
Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Jan 5, 2022
Would take again

By far the best professor I've ever had at UCSB. His lectures are so interesting and his tests are extremely fair. He is also so caring and considerate, especially through the pandemic when others were not.

Respected
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Jan 18, 2022
Would take again

One of the best professors I had. Great at teaching and providing a comprehensive understanding in the subject. Took multiple of his classes and was fully entertained each one. I remember taking his infectious diseases class a couple years ago and he mentioned how we were due for another pandemic and here we are covid 19

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Clear grading criteria
5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Jan 18, 2022
Would take again

One of the best professors I had. Great at teaching and providing a comprehensive understanding in the subject. Took multiple of his classes and was fully entertained each one. I remember taking his infectious diseases class a couple years ago and he mentioned how we were due for another pandemic and here we are covid 19

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Clear grading criteria
4.0
3.0
EEMB2
Mar 21, 2022
Would take again

Dr. Latto is a great choice for the Evolution portion of EEMB2. His recorded/live lectures are very clear and contain a majority of the material he will be testing. His problem sets and study guides are also useful for the exam. Use the textbook, lecture, and learning objectives listed on the slides to study for this course. Take his class!

Clear grading criteria
Respected
Lecture heavy
5.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: B
Mar 22, 2022
Would take again

Prof. Latto truly cares about helping his students do well on the exam. Understand problem sets and you'll get a B in the class no problem. Don't expect a curve, as the majority of kids pass without needing one.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
EEMB2
Grade: B
Mar 22, 2022
Would take again

I absolutely loved Prof. Latto - his lectures were super interesting and he did his best to make them funny and engaging. The problem sets were pretty straightforward and gave an opportunity for extra points, and the final exam was difficult but not impossible if you had attended lecture and done the work. I would 100% take him again!

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
EEMB50
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 17, 2022
Would take again

Best professor in UCSB hands down! such a good sense of humor, and actually loved going to all lectures. If you have a chance to take Latto do not miss out!

Hilarious
Caring
Online Savvy
3.0
3.0
EEMB2
Grade: A
Apr 22, 2022
Would take again

Gave him a 3 because I like him as a person, but I found his lectures very disorganized. It was difficult to put all the info together to study for the exam because it was hard to tell what was testable vs what was random fluff that he wanted to talk about. if you make your own study guide and study it you should be fine. book not necessary

5.0
3.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
May 27, 2022
Would take again

Actually the best professor I have had at UCSB and one of my favorite classes ever. Lectures were super interesting and fun to go to, class grading was very straightforward and manageable. Would 100% recommend this class and professor to everyone.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Respected
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Nov 10, 2022
Would take again

This man is a g. By far my favorite professor he is so funny and interesting I literally look forward to these lectures. Literally zero work and I eat every bit of information given to me up. Thank you UCSB for hiring this gem of a man.

5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Dec 5, 2022
Would take again

Such a nice professor, you can tell he cares about making the class both interesting and educational. Interesting lectures and has a good sense of humor so you're not bored waiting for class to end. He even asks for feedback at the end of the class about quiz questions and fairness. I would definitely take another one of his classes.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Dec 15, 2022
Would take again

Easiest class and professor ever! Lectures are in-person and posted online along with annotated slides for help with note-taking. The only graded assignments are weekly quizzes on gauchospace (open note and 2 attempts!). No midterm and the final was online and open-note MC. He's super passionate about the class and the material and I learned a lot!

Amazing lectures
Graded by few things
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Jan 11, 2023
Would take again

I loved this class! There were no required readings, and you could really tell that the professor knows his stuff. The only assignments were short, online quizzes each week and the occasional discussion post. I would definitely recommend for an easy GE.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
5.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 7, 2023
Would take again

Best teacher ever

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Hilarious
5.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: B+
Mar 22, 2023
Would take again

He makes the lectures fun because he is so sweet and funny. Literally the sweetest professor ever he's a great teacher, he makes you want to actually retain the information. A million stars for Mr.Latto

Inspirational
Hilarious
Respected
5.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 27, 2023
Would take again

The greatest

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Hilarious
5.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: B
Apr 4, 2023
Would take again

What a king. Funny ol' Brit that really made the evolution section enjoyable. I actually looked forward to this class because even though the lectures weren't anything crazy, he made the content interesting. He provided a practice final which was very nice and quite similar in style to the actual final. Great dude, enjoyable class, fair tests!

Hilarious
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
1.0
EEMB50
Grade: Not sure yet
Jun 8, 2023
Would take again

John latto singlehandedly made me enjoy biology again! He is amusing, accessible, and awesome. Final was online, lectures were uploaded for us to watch if we cannot attend, overall he's an amazing professor!

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Hilarious
5.0
3.0
BIOLCS20
Grade: A
Aug 20, 2023
Would take again

John/Prof Latto is one of the funniest professors! He often makes jokes during lecture to help students understand certain biological concepts. He also genuinely cares about helping his students learn and understand and that doesn't necessarily mean by helping you get a better grade. He keeps his lectures entertaining and very educational!!

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Hilarious
5.0
1.0
EEMB2
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Feb 7, 2024
Would take again

MY GOAT

5.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: A
Mar 23, 2024
Would take again

Latto is one of the best professors I have had at UCSB in a STEM class!! He very obviously cares about his students and wants to see us succeed. His lectures are interesting and funny. He sets you up for success with his exams as he gives plenty of study materials. I really appreciate how he really interacts with us like we're humans.

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
Caring
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Sep 27, 2024
Would take again

Super nice professor! He's very considerate of his students and wants you to succeed. Clearly passionate about his teaching. Low-stakes grading with weekly quizzes that are open note and recorded lectures

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Dec 10, 2024
Would take again

Would rate him 100/10 if I could! EEMB 40 is a must take class - it's incredibly fascinating and Dr. Latto is a very knowledgable and engaging lecturer. Each week you learn about a new disease (Ebola, malaria) and another related topic (vaccines, public sanitation). I'd be constantly laughing throughout lecture bc he's so funny. Easy, fun class!

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
Lecture heavy
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Dec 11, 2024
Would take again

Such a passionate and funny professor. Online quiz every week based on the lectures which are also available online. 2-3 writing discussion posts. My TA Eric made sections fun for us with games and discussions. Overall easy GE and all diseases covered are very interesting.

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
Caring
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2024
Would take again

Sweet, caring guy. Genuinely passionate about the topics. Usually keeps it pretty interesting. Just go to section and you'll do well.

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2024
Would take again

This is a funny guy who has a super interesting class. The class is almost too easy, which tugged at my heartstrings thinking about all the frat majors who would take advantage of this otherwise fascinating class for an easy A. Either way everyone should take it and dispel some pernicious myths surrounding infectious diseases. Thank you, vaccines.

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Hilarious
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Jan 8, 2025
Would take again

Professor Latto was great! He always came to class with lots of energy and made all of his lectures interesting in some way. The class itself is also very easy. There was rarely any homework. Every week there was a quiz but it was online and open book. There were no midterms and the final was open book and online. I highly recommend his class

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A+
Jan 10, 2025
Would take again

The class is open notes for all assignments and since the lectures are so well done, it is easy to take good notes and understand everything. The diseases we learned about were interesting and provided a good class for first year students.

Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Jan 14, 2025
Would take again

John Latto is one of my favorite professors. lectures posted online, only a few writing assignments and quizzes online with 2 attempts. no midterms, final also online. he is the sweetest, funniest and very passionate about what he teaches. DEFINITELY TAKE EEMB40!!

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
Online Savvy
5.0
2.0
EEMB2
Grade: B+
Jan 27, 2025
Would take again

Professor Latto is a delight - his lectures are engaging and he genuinely cares about student success. Use Unstuck study alongside the provided materials for great exam prep. Overall, a fantastic STEM class experience.

5.0
2.0
EEMB40
Grade: A-
Jan 29, 2025
Would take again

If you are gonna take a GE for Area C, TAKE THIS CLASS!! This was actually an amazing class and the material was pretty easy. Quizzes get 2 attempts, no midterm, everything open note (including final). He is super sweet too, and him and the TAs are very passionate, helpful, and engaged. I recommend this class to literally everyone. He is amazing!!

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Respected
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Jan 30, 2025
Would take again

Super interesting class and very interesting lectures! Tests are all online and you only have a few assignments all quarter.

Clear grading criteria
Graded by few things
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Jan 30, 2025
Would take again

Super passionate about the material and makes it interesting and easy to understand. Would 100% take one of his other classes!

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Inspirational
5.0
3.0
EEMB2
Grade: B-
Mar 27, 2025
Would take again

Prof. Latto is great! Very entertaining lecturer and gives sooo many resources to help you succeed! Failed my first midterm with Even, but was able to get back on track thanks to Latto

Amazing lectures
Caring
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
EEMB2
Grade: C
Apr 17, 2025
Would take again

The first half of this class sucked because it wasn't with him. But as soon as he started teaching it, IT WAS SO GOOD!! Like a genuinely interesting class in every way. It was pretty profound. And I felt like his teaching style was just so good like I was fully engaged and was learning so much. Got 97% on the final, but still a C in the class.

5.0
1.0
EEMB50
Jun 9, 2025
Would take again

Literally would take this class again just because of professor Latto's energy. He's so understanding and truly does want all his students to succeed. Definitely recommend if you need a simple science course.

Caring
Accessible outside class
5.0
2.0
EEMB50
Grade: A
Jun 21, 2025
Would take again

Professor Latto is amazing! I took this class after taking EEMB 40 in the Fall because I enjoyed his teaching so much. Each week you learn about a new non-infectious disease like diabetes, cancer, or heart disease. Lectures are recorded and attendance is only mandatory for section. Sections are chill and easy. Prof Latto is super smart and funny!

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Dec 6, 2025
Would take again

This is a super easy class with a very light workload. You get 3 short writing assignments total and one quiz a week. Everything including the final is open note so if you really wanted, you could skip every lecture and just look up the answers. Section is participation based and very relaxed.

5.0
1.0
EEMB40
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2025
Would take again

An absolute GOAT! I loved this class: it was super interesting and well structured. Literally one of the first GEs I actually wanted to go to lecture for. Super knowledgeable. No projects, the online weekly quizzes were super easy with two attempts each, and the online final was almost entirely recycled quiz questions. Take for the easiest A ever!!

Respected
Lecture heavy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

22%

Textbook Required

22%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 73 grades
Most common grades:
A (40)
A+ (14)
B (9)
Grade Distribution
A(54)B(10)C(1)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(8)
Based on 83 reported grades
A: 40
A+: 14
B: 9
Not sure yet: 8
Common Tags
Hilarious (39)
Amazing lectures (29)
Clear grading criteria (23)
Caring (22)
Amazing lectures (21)
Respected (15)
Inspirational (15)
Skip class? You won't pass. (13)
Rating Trend

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Ratings by Course

CCS101

5.0

(1)

BIOLCS20

5.0

(2)

EEMB51

5.0

(1)

INT35

5.0

(1)

EEMB40

4.9

(66)
+3 more courses
Difficulty by Course

EEMB168

2.5

EEMB2

2.3

EEMB50

2.1

CCS101

2.0

BIOLCS20

2.0

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