I really enjoyed this class. Some people thought Prof Smith was boring, but I felt he explained things well and was just really interested in the topic. Unfortunately he is now retired, but I enjoyed taking this course with him. Hopefully the new professor won't change it too much. The only grades were 4 multiple choice, online, open note exams. Readings weren't required but he did provide chapter pdfs. I found that lecture content was usually enough. Attendance wasn't mandatory because he posted the slides, but it was helpful to listen to his explanations in person. I had to take this course for my major, but I definitely recommend for an easy enough science credit too.
#tCFF23

I took this as my area 3 requirement for the biology major and I’m glad that I did. It is a relatively easy course (compared to most other bio major courses) and lecture attendance is not mandatory. I studied from the textbook and then supplemented my studying with lecture slides and ended with an A in the course. You can tell that Professor Smith really cares about his students and is passionate about what he teaches.

This class will be harder than you think. Took the advice of the reviews below but those people must be bio majors. Coming from someone who hadn't taken a science class since high school, this class required a lot of work. Professor Smith is really nice and helpful and his office hours help immensely for the test.

Really chill guy, pretty easy class. I really enjoyed it and I liked the material (I'm a tree hugger tho lol). 4 tests make up your grade (no cummulative final), just make sure you take notes in class or do the readings (almost the same---emphasizes different things in class). Yes, it is his book, but he provides a free online copy

Easy class with a professor that grades you even easier. There are 4 tests throughout the semester, each worth 25% of your grade, and no cumulative final. Lectures can be a bit boring at times, but Prof. Smith is definitely passionate about what he teaches. I'd recommend taking this class with Prof. Smith

Professor Smith is great. He's very enthusiastic about ecology and everything you need for the tests he tells you in lecture. He does 4 tests, no final, and no homework making it pretty easy if you go to class. His classes are him lecturing the entire time but he throws in jokes to keep it entertaining. Overall, a very worthwhile course. I did not take this as a requirement.

Professor Smith is very nice! There was no homework, only 4 non-cumulative tests that were worth 25% each. I didn't go to many classes towards the end of the semester but the tests were easy to review for because he posts the class slides online. I recommend that you do go to class though, because you'll be doing a lot less cramming and Professor Smith will explain all the examples.

You don't need to buy the textbook-- if there are any chapters you need to read, Smith uploads pdfs. It's easiest to take notes on a computer, and focus on the lecture outlines he gives you. Lectures are a little dry, so if you'd rather read the book you can probably get all the information you need from that and the slides.

Smith teaches this class very well. His powerpoints are interesting. There are no readings but he might post reading chapters to help clarify things. He gives you a study sheet of all the important things to study for his exams and he doesn't place things not on the list on the exams, which is very nice.

No textbook, no reading, four exams that are fairly easy.