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I've been busy... and that's an understatement. Graduation is in just over two weeks and I have yet to find a job. My days currently consist of finishing up class projects, studying for finals, working, and looking for employment. A friend posted this song as her theme for the week, and I feel that this song expresses many of the sentiments I'm experiencing.

Enjoy!

Continue reading "It's the Final Countdown!" »

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Posted by Leighna Baxter at 1:24 | Permalink

Ah! So lately I’ve been pretty busy so it’s been a while since I posted. Soo much has happened. So spring semester is in full swing and almost halfway over and I have already done so much.

This semester I’m enrolled in 16 units (Chem 3B, 3BL, Physics 8B, Bio 1B and NST 199) and filled to the brim with sciences classes. So far this semester includes the most amount of class work (40 hours/week) since all my classes have labs, I have chem. study groups and NST 199, which is research is about 14 hours of work a week. At first it seemed impossible, but now I think I got the groove of things and it seems actually weird to have a lot of free time and I usually end up wasting it by sleeping or something. So I want to take some time telling about my experience in these classes so far.

Continue reading "Class sping '10!" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 2:26 | Permalink

ME! (and fellow blogger Amelia and classmate Vincent).

I like this whole system here at Berkeley where the lab wraps up before finals-how neato is that? At community college, we had labs practically to the last day of instruction-so I'd be sitting stressed in a lab coat wishing I could be studying for my lecture-but now I don't have to.

They saved the best lab for PMB 150 for last. It was actually one of the more stressful and confusing ones-but if you think about it, having to identify mutant Arabidopsis' utilizing the information gained during lecture-it's kind of cool. So there was a little contest going on between the three groups-and ours got every one right. Teamwork!

So the prize was...not not having to write up a lab. Bummer. Instead, it was a bunch of roses in a beaker. AND I GOT THE BEAKER!!!!!!! (and most of the roses...)

My major ****ing rocks!

Continue reading "And the winner is..." »

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Posted by Josephine Wong at 1:30 | Permalink

As you all know, Telebears season is upon us, again. Be sure to make an appointment with your advisor and figure out which classes to take next semester. Remember that some classes are only offered either spring or fall semester, so plan wisely. You don't want to have to stay an extra semester because you have to take that one upper division course requirement.

So I met with my advisor, Trey, this past Friday. After looking over my DARS report, he told me that I only had 5 more courses to take in order to graduate! The only problem is that I can't decide whether I should graduate early or spread out those 5 classes over the next 3 semesters. Most of the people I've asked said they wouldn't graduate a semester early.

Continue reading "Decisions, Decisions..." »

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Posted by Victoria Eng at 0:36 | Permalink

It's amazing how a head cold can severely reduce one's willingness to go to class. It's already enough of a struggle to wake up at 7 am for an 8 am class, especially when it's cold outside. But when you've got to wake up early, and you've got a killer sinus headache, going to that class may just not happen. It's so much easier to stay in bed after all.

In college, being sick really sucks. Chances are there isn't anyone there to make you soup, and do your laundry and make tea for you. You're essentially on your own wallowing in a nest of blankets and used kleenex wondering if it's worth it to get up and find something to eat. I know, it's a pitiful image but it's the truth.



The best (and by that I mean also the cheapest and easiest) cure for sickness is sleep. Sleep also happens to be one of those things college students never have enough of... along with money and time of course, but back to what I was saying. I find that by drinking water, taking a shower and going to bed at 7 pm or whenever is the fastest way to recover. Problem with that is adjusting to the usual 5 hrs of sleep per night after you're well.

Continue reading "The Sniffles" »

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Posted by Leighna Baxter at 2:21 | Permalink

Greetings internet world!

This is my first post... and quite appropriately so since I've only recently become a Molecular Toxicology major. So about that... it's a long story. I started at Cal in 2006 as a Chemical Engineering major. After about a year in that major, I decided it wasn't a good fit (I couldn't pass Math 1B even after a few tries) and I really wasn't happy. I searched for another major that would improve my mood and settled on Molecular Toxicology. It took both my sophomore and junior years (summer school included) to work towards meeting the minimum requirements to be eligible for filing a petition to change major. Those two years of college were nuts! At one point I was taking a full course load at Cal, working part time and taking a 5 unit class at night at Laney City College in Oakland!

All the hard work was worth it... after 2 years of working to meet the requirements I finally received notification of my acceptance into the College of Natural Resources as a Molecular Toxicology major! YAY!!! I have a major!!! I can graduate next spring!!! HOORAY!!

What? Graduate in spring 2010? You've only been there 4 years... and you changed your major your senior year?? These are questions probably running through your mind about now... Thanks to the guidance from advisors in both College of Natural Resources and College of Chemistry, and due to endless hours of planning my schedule... and due to my advisors' support, I enrolled in classes for Molecular Toxicology while I was still a Chemical Engineering major on paper. It sounds like a great plan initially and it looks like it's going to work out just fine for me... but it could all horribly backfire. Here's how: by taking classes for molecular toxicology for two years but not actually having that major, if my petition to change major wasn't accepted I would have effectively had lots of course credit that wasn't applicable for any degree and my time at Cal would not have resulted in earning a Bachelor's degree. No pressure, right?

So now enough about that... and a little bit about who I am. I'm a first generation college student raised in a small town in the high desert of Southern California. My mother and I were born in the same hospital, and we both graduated from the same middle school AND the same high school (we even had some of the same teachers). I love the Bay Area, and hopefully will never leave. I'm a campus ambassador for the university which means that I give campus tours out of the Public Affairs office. I have been an active member of UC Rally Committee since my freshman year. That's about me in a nutshell.

On Friday I'm participating in a Strawberry Creek clean up project to help remove invasive species. I'm really looking forward to splashing around in the creek for a few hours.

My class schedule this semester is as follows: PH 162 (Public Health Microbiology), PH 162L (the microbiology lab), MCB 104 (Genetics), IB 117 (Medical Ethnobotany), and two PE classes, Introductory Taekwondo and low intermediate swimming.

There will be additional, fancier blog entries to follow. :)

Continue reading "Taking the Long Way Around" »

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Posted by Leighna Baxter at 2:30 | Permalink

Hello readers, I'm going to try something never done on this blog before. Something I've never done either. I am sitting in class right now and with my trusty netbook, I am blogging live what the first day of IB 117 - Medical Ethnobotany is like. Check back every few minutes to see updates!

Continue reading "Live Blogging IB 117 Lec - 1st Day" »

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Posted by Josephine Wong at 6:14 | Permalink

These days, when incoming freshmen in the dorms find out that I am a second year student, they begin asking me whether I had any advice for them. Therefore, I decided that with fall semester classes starting in eight hours, now might be a good time to list the advice that I have for incoming freshmen and all students in general, based on my personal experiences this past year at Berkeley. I will skip any social tips since I tend to not socialize much unless it involves one on one deep conversation. Instead, I will focus on academic tips since the one thing that all Berkeley students hold in common is the desire to succeed in the top public university in the United States. So here are some general tips to survive and succeed in classes at Cal:

1. Do not believe anyone who tries to tell you that a certain class is difficult/impossible. Regardless of whether this person is your best friend, a random stranger, or your professor himself, half the battle is lost if you come into a class expecting a low grade due to the difficulty. No class here is impossible to ace. Don't let anyone discourage you from doing your best. I find that most people who don't do as well are those who expect a class to be difficult and therefore not try as hard. Efforts will pay off in the end, believe in yourself. No class is hard by nature, it's what you make of it.

Continue reading "Academic tips for succeeding at Cal" »

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Posted by Jade Liu at 3:53 | Permalink

So summer for me was filled with math and genetics, but I still managed to squeeze in some fun before school starts. After buying some of my books, I have been trying to review my physics from high school to only discover how bad I am in the subject. I’m taking 8A with Deweese so I’m hoping that I can do well if I study enough, but physics is such a strange subject that has always eluded me. The past couple of days my roommates have been bringing stuff from home so now it feels more comfortable with furniture, but I feel lazy since I rarely clean.

Continue reading "The start of school….grrr!" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 6:44 | Permalink

So as summer is coming to a close I am preparing for fall 2009 and all its difficulties grrr. I’m currently planning to take Bio 1A/L, Physics 8A, Near Eastern Studies 18 and EALC 105. I’m pretty scared for Bio as I have heard plenty of rumors about the labs and professors and as a Bio lover I’m freaking out. Even though I want to take physics I am not enrolled and am like hawk status checking the schedule every minute to see if anybody has dropped. Haha its’ even on my favorites for maximum speed. NES 18 is about ancient Egypt and I have heard is a rather chill class and the material seems rather interesting. EALC 105 is a film class that I am taking with a friend purely for fun and it is suppose to be easy and who doesn’t want to learn about movies?

Continue reading "Plans for Fall" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 7:26 | Permalink

So after finals I did what almost every Cal student does and left for home. So during my first month of summer I worked part time as a cashier to make some money and pretty much became lazy while at home. However, around mid-June I came back to Berkeley because not only was I bored from home, but I had signed up for summer classes and had chosen to take Math 16A and IB 141 (Human Genetics). Yah I know the two classes are really different.

Continue reading "Class Review!" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 1:26 | Permalink

I discovered many incomprehensible errors on my last entry due to the fact that I was extremely tired that night and had been practically falling asleep even while typing. I apologize for that and promise that I will use correct grammar and spelling today, and I will also use words the correct way.

So, tomorrow will be the day of my last final, for French 4. It's so difficult to believe that my first summer spent in Berkeley will so soon be over. This summer has been awesome, and with two French classes, I was able to recover my "skills" after a spring semester without French. I've learned so much within these eight weeks, and I'm infinitely grateful to my instructors for having all the patience to put up with my twenty thousand questions per day as well as many other things. Now, after my experience during Summer Session 2009, I have some advice to give in terms of the classes I took this summer. Perhaps in my next entry, I'll talk about past classes, but I have so much to write just about these few classes that today, I can only focus on these.

Continue reading "Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall" »

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Posted by Jade Liu at 2:01 | Permalink

I am home right now, after session A of summer sessions have ended. I'm taking three classes during session C though, and I've been even busier than spring semester. But I'm done with Anthro 1. By the way, Anthro 1 (biological anthropology) was a really great class, like the other two anthro classes I've taken thus far at Berkeley (3AC and R5B). I recommend every one of them, and I find all the GSI's and professors in that department to be outstanding. They are all more responsible, knowledgeable, and interested in their subject than I would ever have imagined.

Now to my main subject for today, which is BART. I find BART an excellent mode of transportation for those living around the Bay Area and even for those who don't. The downtown Berkeley station is right next to campus (especially close to CNR headquarters), and the trains come so often that I never need to check any schedule. However, it is times like today that made me want to say that whereas BART can be a convenient way to get around, it may not be the most dependable way.class.

Continue reading "Life and BART Adventures" »

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Posted by Jade Liu at 0:26 | Permalink

For better or for worse, in college we are faced with the opportunity to plan our days, months, and years however we want. This means that if we so choose, we may not get a summer at all. In fact, I know very few people who have no summer plans other than hanging out with friends and having fun. Most are either working or taking summer classes. I am doing the latter.

This summer, I am taking Anthropology 1, French 4, French 35, Public Health 162A, and PE 1 with a total of 15.5 units, a load equivalent to a fall or spring semester. A part of the reason is that I receive tuition from Stanford University due to my mother's benefits, but another part is that I am genuinely interested in these classes and they are useful at least to some part of my academic plans (the useful part is how I explain things to my mother), which I will reveal later.

Continue reading "Summer and Scheduling" »

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Posted by Jade Liu at 3:09 | Permalink

For the first time ever in life, I'm blogging! I'm excited but also a little nervous, so bear with me; if I'm not good the first few times don't worry, I'll get better. promise.

Let's jump right into it...
Briefly, I'm an incoming senior this year and ofcourse I'm really excited to graduate! However, that's not what I'm writing about today. I wanna chat with you all about summer sessions. grrr. Although I am a senior this year, this is my first summer here in Berkeley and it's a little stressful. As someone who is a native of Los Angeles, used to clamor and crowds the serene environment here on campus was definitely alarming at first. Never did I think I would walk down Sproul and see virtually no one! I'm taking on eleven units this summer, and although it is below the campus minimum of 13 during the regular fall and spring semesters, it is no cakewalk. Classes are two hours minimum and for the most part, pretty small. I don't know about the rest of you, but I live for large lecture halls filled with people (it seems to make each lecture a little more special), quirky professors that encourage attendance just because they fill each day with a laugh. Also, I have the unfortunate opportunity of class everyday which makes me feel like I'm stuck in a language course; another thing that does not sit well with me is the gravity of the courses, missing a day in summer session is like missing a week and a half. However, I will say, you get the almost impossible luxury of experiencing the one-on-one attention from most classes aaaaaaaaaand you get to meet new students. For those of you who have not given up on your college romance, summer sessions lends the possibility to meet incoming freshman before they are consumed by the larger population in the fall, you also get to meet guest students who are taking classes at Cal for the summer only. I'm running late for class so I'll leave you all with this, summer sessions, from my viewpoint, SUCK! lol BUT THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!

Continue reading "summer, summer, SUMMER TIME!" »

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Posted by Jante' Pruitt at 3:49 | Permalink

So as I have previously stated I am now declared Molecular Environmental Biology, but I have always thought about getting a minor. After taking NST 11 (Intro to Toxicology) and finding it really interesting, in general, I am thinking of minoring in Motox. The minor requires the following classes.
- NST 110
- NST C112
- NST C114
- NST 120
- NST 121

Continue reading "Class frustrations with minors!" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 2:34 | Permalink

So I checked bearfacts and all my grades have been posted. Looking at my grades I think my GPA will increase by like .000001 so not by much. No surprise that my lowest grade these past two semesters is a “B” in Chem 3A grrr. I’m actually sad that I will be leaving frechet and going to Vollhardt, but all good things must end. After taking o-chem one thing I learned is that this class is much more problem oriented unlike Chem 1A, which was much more conceptual. For the second midterm I read the book and understood a lot of the concepts, but kind of flaked on the problems…big mistake!! I did pretty badly on the second midterm because I was not familiar with doing a wide variety of problems and circumstances. I made the mistake of not studying correctly.

Continue reading "Grades and O-chem " »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 0:19 | Permalink

So my Phase 1 has passed and Phase II should come up in a couple of months meaning that I have to start preparing for Fall 2009 and so far my plan is:

Chem 3B – So I heard that this is a killer class that challenges those who completed 3A and frankly I am kind of freaked that the guy who wrote the book is teaching the class. I was really considering taking Pederson in the spring, but his class tends to be at 8am and apparently he refuses to post up his notes. Event though I heard Pederson is a better teacher there is no way I can function that early in morning and I can’t really learn if I am sleeping.

Continue reading "Fall 2009" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 3:39 | Permalink

Environmental Science 10 – The beginning half of the course in my opinion is rather dry since we learn about soil and chemical cycles, however the last half gets really interesting and begins to picl up with many guest lecturers and learning about global issues with the environment. The discussion for this class has been one of the most engaging I have had yet at Berkeley. I think many people come into the class expecting it will be an easy “A”, which it is not! Overall I am glad I took this class and am kind of sad it will be over, yet I won’t miss those 9am lectures errr.

Continue reading "My ratings of classes I took in Spring 2009" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 3:05 | Permalink

After posting the Money and Behavior story earlier this week, I began thinking about my relationship with Psychology and Economics. I was first "formally" exposed to the subject after reading The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Shwartz. Before picking up this book, I often thought about my behavior in terms of the expectations I took on and how those expectations shaped my subsequent feelings after certain events. The course that really expanded my exposure to and solidified my understanding of what is sometimes called Behavioral Economics was Economics 119 with Professor Botond Koszegi. I definitely recommend this course for anyone who is interested in behavior. A quote from the syllabus:

[Psychology and Economics] is not an easy field to define, but those who sympathize with it tend to share the belief that economists should aspire to making assumptions about humans that are as realistic as possible, and hence that we should develop methods and habits of mind to learn what is psychologically realistic.

So if you're looking for an interesting economics course without all the math, definitely have a look at this one. Unfortunately, I don't see it being offered in Fall 2009 (I took it in Fall 2008), but keep your eyes peeled. It may inspire a Senior Thesis, Honors, or other Research Project! The course covers: Reference-Dependent Preferences, Choice over Time, Heuristics and Biases, Behavioral Game Theory, and Social Preferences.

Continue reading "My First Course Recommendation" »

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Posted by Juan at 2:34 | Permalink

So I don't have to repeat myself, here's a link to my last year's blog about things you can do during summer... though it's a little too early to think about vacation (http://nature.berkeley.edu/blogs/freshfaces/2008/05/summer.php#more). But if you are thinking of doing summer classes, internships, or research you have to decide soon because spots fill out fast.

Anyways, I decided to take classes here at Berkeley this summer even though I don't really need to. I will take PoliSci 164 (Session A, which starts the week after the last final) and PoliSci 139a (Session D). I personally find it very difficult to bounce back to studying after long breaks (still recovering from winter break 08, sadly). Hopefully my summer classes would keep me busy and prepare me for Fall 09. As far as my college planning goes, it looks like Fall 09 is going to be my hardest semester.

Summer Telebears tip:
Don't be discouraged by waiting lists--talk to the department adviser and ask your chances of getting a class. Most of the time schedule.berkeley won't show the maximum seating until later. For example, when I signed up for PoliSci 164 the schedule says that max is 60 students. But when I visited the PoliSci adviser she showed me that there's actually 90 seating, although it was just set to 60 for the mean time.

Continue reading "Summer school!" »

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Posted by John Cortez at 0:09 | Permalink

So my adviser (Susan Kishi) had been sending out e-mails about being enrolled in enough units to be considered a full-time CNR student. I'd been ignoring them because I'd assumed that I was safely above 13. Not so! Apparently, I'd forgotten to use the CCN and CEC for my 3 URAP units in telebears, so I was officially only enrolled in 12 units.

So basically, I fixed that. :)

The nice thing was that I rushed over to Mulford right after class and asked if I could see her. I didn't even have an appointment, but she saw me right away, printing out contact info and offering her phone to me. Yay for CNR!

I'm still thinking about switching to MoTox from ES, but I overheard a girl talking about that major being slightly impacted ... uh oh! I'm still confused about all of the majors' differences though. It's just that "molecular toxicology" sounds super-intimidating to other people (so I would look smart, haha) when it's not. ;)

Continue reading "Close Call" »

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Posted by Katarina Makmuri at 1:39 | Permalink

Break has been lots of fun, but now I am ready to go back to school, however I mostly miss my friends and the atmosphere of Berkeley. My first semester was rather generic as I had my Chem., English and other classes, while this upcoming semester I am taking fun and rather different classes. I am taking the dreaded Chem. 3A/L and on top of that it is from 8am to 9:30 and the killer part is the first lecture of the semester coincides with Obama’s Inaugural Celebration…NO!!!! What a triple whammy.

Continue reading "I’m sooooo ready to start spring 2009!!!" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 1:02 | Permalink

EnvEcon 100 is over (except my final on Tuesday), so I thought I'd give it an evaluation.

This class has been one of the most difficult I've taken so far. It had more math than I anticipated. Also I noticed that my math skill has been getting rusty each semester. I would have preferred essays, but I'm not expecting it from any econ class. 50% of the grade comes from 10 problem sets, a 20% midterm, and a 30% final. Midterms and finals are curved, but not the problem sets.

Problem sets can give good grade boost since we usually had at least a week to work on it. However, commuting has finally took a toll on my academic performance. Most study groups happen at night and I have to leave campus by 8pm most of the time; I tried doing some problems sets on my own, but they were too hard and failed.

Continue reading "EEP 100 + Commuting" »

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Posted by John Cortez at 4:35 | Permalink

Well today I just had my in-class midterm for Chemistry 1A and to tell you the truth it went pretty okay. Currently I have a “B” in the class and I plan on staying at a “B”…hope for nothing lower and probably not going to get higher. It seems kind of ridiculous however that the final is in one week and on top of that it is on a Saturday night…ahhhh. But oh well it will soon be over and break will begin. Just relaxing until reality slaps me back into craziness in the form of o-chem. Right now I am just worried about telebears, which I have on Monday.

Continue reading "Chem...that is all I have to say" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 8:07 | Permalink

In order to make my life easier, I use esc to schedule all my classes and frankly I am glad I do because it makes it a lot easier. However, what esc can’t do is leave spots open or open up new sections. I don’t know why, but it seems like all the courses came together and decided to put all discussions at 8 am. I signed up for ESPM 50AC and the class was not full when I signed up (on Nov.3), however 6 out of the 9 sections start either at 8 or 9 am with the other three options already full. So I thought, “well if I am going to sign up for an 8 am discussion I should make it close and wheeler fits the bill.”

Continue reading "Tele-bears is not a perfect world….please don’t mention O-chem" »

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Posted by Fabian Collazo at 0:48 | Permalink

It's nearing the end of April, which means for me, it's almost time to sign up for classes via telebears -.- It's a pain in the butt for a lot of people, especially those who have no idea what to sign up for when that vital 24 hour period comes around- the one they call "phase 1." I remember people telling me "don't worry about what classes you take your first year. it doesn't really matter as long as you get your prerequisites them done eventually." And to those people, i say BOLOGNA!! Of course there's some breathe room to take some "just for fun" classes, but I recommend by all means to figure out some sort of plan to figure out when to take your prerequisites.
I'm an undeclared student, and for the last 2 telebears appointments I've had (fall 07 and spring 08), I've ripped out a lot of hair when the stressful time comes around to choose what classes to take. After a (almost) a full year here at berkeley, I highly recommend you to check out your college advising center.

Continue reading "some tips for incoming freshies :)" »

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Posted by Angela Hsu at 8:39 | Permalink

I went to talk to the MEB advisor this afternoon since I really need some advice on planning for my upper division curriculum. I guess some students would probably roll their eyes and like: “it is just continuing in a bunch of science classes as the introductory ones we have been taking.” But trust me, the upper division requirements are quite different! In lower division, you would take Chem 1A, Chem 3A/3AL and Chem 3B/3BL to fulfill the chemistry requirement. For the biology requirement, it is Bio 1A/1AL and Bio 1B. For the physics requirement, it is Physics 8A and Physics 8B… You know all those mandatory, huge and competitive courses…

However, you have a variety of courses to choose from for the upper division requirements. For example, I am majoring in Molecular Environmental Biology, and there is the Upper Division Biology Requirement where I am going to take a course from each of the seven categories. In addition, I would have to choose an area of concentration and take another 12 units from a list of approved course.

Continue reading "Schedule Planning" »

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Posted by Yang Cao at 1:41 | Permalink

When considering where I wanted to go one of the things people told me about Cal, was that professors rarely teach, most classes are taught by grad students. This in my experience is not true. I've had a GSI (grad student instructor), give a lecture once sometimes twice a semester but it usually was planned for a professors absence. I know many high school students are deciding about which college to go to. Don't let silly rumors about different colleges shape your decision, I'm glad I didn't. I highly recommend taking a tour of campus and asking the tour guides about them, they'll have a better idea of what classes are really like instead of your high school counselor. Here is the link for information on free tours of Berkeley so you can come check it out for yourself. http://www.berkeley.edu/visitors/free_tours.html

Continue reading "The GSI myth" »

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Posted by Marissa Ponder at 5:57 | Permalink

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! Wait....except I have a paper due on Monday and two presentations due on Tuesday. That basically sums up what I'll be spending this week on. Well that's not too bad because I've decided to go visit family in Palm Springs because I need a break. Even if I'm doing homework at least I'll be by the pool! This semester has kept me extra busy, I don't recommend 17.5 units and 15-20 hours of work. Yes it's possible to do it, but it's really not that much fun. On a side note...I got my first C+ on something in college. I'm really annoyed because 1/3 of the class got D's and they get to re-write their papers but I don't and my grade is close to being just as bad. I plan on spending every waking hour of break working on my second paper...okay so maybe I'll spend some time in the pool, but I am determined to get an A on my next paper now.

Continue reading "Spring Break" »

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Posted by Marissa Ponder at 8:53 | Permalink

Fret fret freezing cold, fret fret freakout, fret fret fret fret.

Wake up late? Rush, run faster, catch a random bus, and make it to class earlier than you usually do.
Get an exam back? Hit the books again and maybe worry some more until you improve your grade, or, alternatively cheer!

Today was one of those fret fret freeze fret fret CHEER!!!! days, which makes it significantly better than average.

Continue reading "My day, every day, as an average UC Berkeley student" »

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Posted by Christina at 4:48 | Permalink

Telebears Phase I begins in mid-April!!! The online schedule of classes for the fall semester is already up, so start planning your schedule! Remember, during Phase I, sign up for classes that fill up quickly, like organic chemistry and the other general science classes. The labs for these classes fill up really fast. You should schedule your other classes to fit around these lower division science requirements since their labs take up so much time.

I've already started planning my schedule and so far, I know I'm definitely going to Chemistry 3B/3BL (this is the second part of organic chemistry) and Biology 1B. Most students take Biology 1B before they take Biology 1A

Continue reading "Fall 08 Semester Planning!!!" »

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Posted by Victoria Eng at 3:44 | Permalink

If you're in GPB or MB, you're going to meet the awesome Undergraduate Advisors Trey and Dana. If you haven't spent time with them yet, you will be required to meet them soon. Be sure to ask them all the questions you have about course requirements - they can tell you all about creative ways to meet your elective requirements, or let you know that you don't really need that insane MCB class you were planning on taking.

Now, something to know - they're new! And dangit - they know their stuff. But occasionally some paperwork gets lost in transitions like this, so don't be shocked if you need to remind them you've completed a requirement.

For any of you transfer students out there - you're going to want to make super good friends with Trey and Dana. That's because they approve all of your course substitutions. If you've attended another four-year school like me, it can get pretty tricky. Like most upper-division transfer students, I took almost all of my lower-division requirements at another school. That means that Trey and Dana have to work some magic to make each one of those count toward graduation. It can be tricky at times, but worth it to not re-take courses.

Continue reading "Thanks, Trey & Dana!" »

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Posted by Christina at 1:57 | Permalink

Miami University of Ohio is a small school with a well-established Botany department. I am considering them for my graduate studies. Their graduate Botany department offers a small student - to- faculty ratio, ample funding, and graduate course offerings to drool over.

While I was meeting with faculty, Tom spent his afternoon touring campus and taking photos.
A few highlights.

The Botany & Zoology Building

The Administration Building


The Stadium

Miami Univeristy is small, well-maintained, and filled with beautiful brick buildings. 

Continue reading "Miami University Photos" »

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Posted by Christina at 9:14 | Permalink

It's hard to believe, for me anyway, that the beginning of the Spring semester is fast approaching. I've been out since December 15th and although I know I get a month off, it certainly doesn't feel like it. It's gone by way too quickly! I feel like I have so much more I need to do and although I love venting on Fresh Faces, I'm feeling pressured to keep it short! So I hope you all have had a great break and get everything together before the 15th! I'm going to miss just hanging out at home and not worrying about readings, problem sets, or anything else, but I am looking forward to being back at school. 'Till then, then, take care!

[edit]
Hmm...it seems that in my haste (from looking at a particular website, and for other reasons which will be touched on shortly) I was under the impression that classes began on Tuesday, January 15th. I feel foolish, very foolish (lmao). It must have been while looking at this (yes, I admit I only glanced at it and then proceeded to close it) that I somehow got the idea that the semester started on the 15th. I mean, it is in bold! And another thing: why the "heck" (substitute appropriate word here, lol) aren't the dates listed on either the schedule, BearFacts, or Tele-BEARS?! I think it'd be helpful having that information available! Anyway, lesson learned though. Next time I will definitely make sure to look for the "instruction Begins" date. Yeah, how about we bold that one instead?! :-P

Continue reading "Less than a week...SIKE, or Psych if you prefer" »

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Posted by Juan at 5:32 | Permalink

I try hard to monopolize your attention. This time my new tactic is to write during vacation when I assume that nobody else is writing because their lives do not revolve around school like mine does. Yes. Today I am going out to buy lead for my pencils - this day is rife with excitement and pregnant with pungent anticipation. I am very picky about my pencil lead. I only use 0.7 mm 2B lead because it gives me the darkest line and the strength to hold up under my hard pressed hand.

Being on semester schedule is unusual. All my other UC friends are on the quarter schedule so their classes start today. This essentially leaves me with more reading and eating time. I wonder if this semester thing is a plot from Berkeley to deliberately isolate itself and its students from the rest of the system. The chess club in my high school did this too and it lead to two things: 1) Unparalleled chess genius-ry - I mean seriously. They'll win even if they give you their queen and let you continually beat them over the head with it. and 2) They danced with only themselves during the school dances.

My search for peace, purpose and good TV reception on CBS continues. I HAVE to watch the Patriots game on Saturday even if it means me wrapping myself in aluminum and sticking my arms out of a 2nd story window.

Continue reading "Letters from Winter Vacation" »

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Posted by Jonathan Yu at 6:18 | Permalink

I've got a lot of great ideas for blog posts. The obstacle, however, is that these epiphanies usually come when I have lots of work to do. Actually, now that I think about it, I *always* have work to do -- usually with impending deadlines of 1-2 days away. So, how can I make time for all the small stuff -- like blog posting?

My idea is to separate your to-do list in half: one with priorities and deadlines, and the other with all that small stuff you never get around to doing. When you find your brain fried and in need of a break -- pick up your 2nd to-do list and get a cracking! (PS. TeleBEARS phase II is coming… Don’t forget!!!)

Continue reading "Time Mgmt" »

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Posted by Tay Feder at 3:42 | Permalink

The funny thing is that when I first came across the phrase, Orly, I literally pronounced it "oarlee" instead of how it is supposed to be pronounced, "oh really?" I still think my way is the better way and all the other ways can hit the highway. Buzzah!

What is my life like? I know you all want to know. You want to know what is it like to be Jonathan. I know that in your dreams you walk down a lonely beach and look down to the horizon all the dolphins and crying seagulls and you ask yourself in the very bottom of your heart, You know what, I wish I knew what Jonathan's life is like. Well your greatest dreams are about to be fulfilled! You are about to know what my life is like.

So in the morning I wake up for my 8 o'clock class at around 7:45. I somehow manage to change into some decent clothes and then I stumble out onto campus like that squirrel who got into the bottle of Jack Daniels. Then I go to class. I listen to the lecture and then I go home. I eat. I sleep again. I do homework and I study.

So I bet you are asking yourself, so Jonathan what do you do that makes you happy? Your life seems so bleak! Well let me explain to you what makes me happy. It's the little things that makes me happy. I like it when I go home and I see that someone's taken out the trash. I like it when I catch the street lights going my way. I like it when I meet someone and they're already waiting for me instead of me waiting for them. I LOVE it when I walk down the street in socks I just washed. I think I enjoy all the little things in life but my friends say I'm just easy to please.

What are my plans for this semester? This semester I am applying to Haas. Then maybe next year I shall study abroad. Haha. My friend said that once and it realized to me something funny. Study ... a ... broad! I thought it was hilarious. My friend thought I was a weirdo. Aish, maybe I am kinda out of there. Ah! Poppycock! Alright. Jonathan has class. Jonathan will talk and write again down the line. Jonathan knows that y'all will wait for Jonathan right? Jonathan happy.

Continue reading "Orly?" »

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Posted by Jonathan Yu at 2:03 | Permalink

Six Weeks! (well now, it's a little closer to 7!) Of course, like many of you, I have NO idea where the time has gone. Let me try to recap: eighteen units, a staff position in one of the recruitment and retention centers, tutoring in San Francisco, facilitating a field studies course, and working. Just the typical life of a college student I suppose. Hmmm, as I sit here rolling my eyes and sense a little queasy feeling sink into my stomach I realize just how much that sounds like now that I put it out as a laundry list! As busy as it all seems, I am enjoying every moment of it!

Now to the breakdown of things
My courses.
SO, I am taking two public policy classes: the introductory class and a negotiations class, a class on environmental justice, an agroecology class, and an education class on literacy: individual and societal development. Classes alone are keeping me quite busy with the hands on work, service-learning components, and all the readings. I am actually on campus on Thursdays from 9:30am to 9pm, it's a good thing I have breaks inbetween classes or I don't know how i would survive.
Through PASS, Pilipino Academic Student Services, I serve as the assistant director of internal affairs, which in normal people's words would simply mean that I am in charge the behind the scenes component of the organization and also have the privilege of running the internship program and facilitating the Asian American Studies field studies course. This is a lot of fun because I get to hold my own meetings and work with Cal students towards understanding educational policies, developing leadership skills, and talking about topics that shape students today. At our last meeting this past Tuesday we went a little bit into the the Dream Act and current issues/stories in the media that point to inequality, assumptions, and racism/intolerance/discrimination that still exist in the world today. This included CNN footage about English in the United States, comments from Tom Tancredo (a presidential hopeful), and a comment on Desperate Housewives when Teri Hatcher's character had been told some news by a doctor and replied:
“Can I just check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines?”

It was a good discussion and will continue into our next meeting. :)

I am also tutoring at the first bilingual Tagalog-English after-school program in San Francisco at the Filipino Education Center with students ranging in age from kindergarten to middle school. The students are so adorable and so intelligent, they have a lot of potential, hopefully we can help them realize it! Then there's the YMCA, where I work and coach. Right now I'm only teaching two classes. One is a Parent/Child 3/4 year old soccer class and the other is a 4/5/6 year old soccer class. I can probably tell you more about this in another entry. They're adorable too! The best part is that even though our miniature soccer goals are 5-10times the size of some of these kids they always impress you with their power kicks, dribbling, and goals.

Yes Life has been pretty busy, but so much fun! I'm definitely loving it.

Continue reading "What? We've been in school for six weeks?" »

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Posted by Nikki Fernandez at 1:06 | Permalink

Again. The busyness of my life consumes me like a fire consumes a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. I hope to be able to clear my life up a little more so that we CAN talk a little more. Again, to the like three people out there who actually read my words, I apologize.

So what's been up with my life? I took an internship in San Francisco. This means that every Monday and Friday I have to take the BART to SF. This usually takes 22 minutes and usually I end up just staring out the window because the people inside glare back at me and they aren't anything to really look at anyways. If I were sitting in a trainful of America's Next Top Models, maybe I can think differently. Until then, yeah not really.

What bothers me about riding to San Francisco all the time? First the cost. It costs me 3.25 one way between the great City and Berkeley. It adds up, dude. I can go buy an iPod Touch with that cash and I do want an iPod Touch sooo badly. Also, what bothers me is that the world seems to take the train at the same time so there are never any seats. This bothers me less because standing burns calories but my legs are old and my butt never misses a chance to plant its face somewhere.

How is class? Somewhat fun. I am taking an interesting addition this semester: Play writing. This means that I have to write a whole bunch of plays and submit them to criticism from 15 people, including my instructor - Mel Gordon - who is a funny guy but he pulls no punches. I haven't written my first script to be presented as of yet, so I have no idea what's coming. I hope ...

Continue reading "Riding to San Francisco" »

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Posted by Jonathan Yu at 0:57 | Permalink

Erin Martin asked 1) what program I'm in Moorea with, and 2) how I found out about this opportunity.

I'll answer the 2nd question first:
You find out about cool study abroad opportunities like this one while attending CNR's Welcome Week new student orientation. Someone in the CNR staff mentioned the program, and I thought, "I need to look into that."

Now for that 1st question:
I'm here in Moorea through a class offered under the course title ESPM 107 and IB 158. It's a semester of research in French Polynesia, 13 units of coursework that can typically count as the bulk of your elective units. Check out the past semester of blogs under "Tina" in the categories, to find a few more entries that give background on the program and a couple different tours of the Gump Research Station.

In the meantime, here are some more photos....

Continue reading "Moorea Program Details" »

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Posted by Christina at 2:27 | Permalink

Well it’s been however many weeks since school started (I’m not keeping track, I’m just enjoying it as it goes) and I’m pretty used to my routine—BART, my classes, readings, etc.
The one thing I’m not used to, though, is Friday classes! I’m a junior transfer so I’m not sure what the “norm” is here at Cal, but for me, at least this semester, it’s having classes (2 of ‘em) MWF. I had been so used to MW and TTH classes; I haven’t had a class on Friday in over 2 years. This semester I have a 5 day week…which is a little too close to a “real life” schedule for my taste.
Oh well, it’s not too bad, I like being on campus. So for all you prospective students from a CCC, Friday is now a “work day” :-P
Anyway, I have a Stats test tomorrow…so I should end this.
Ok there, I’m done.

Continue reading "Hmm...it's not Friday?" »

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Posted by Juan at 0:45 | Permalink

Well, we're here! Moorea is a truly beautiful island. And this program is just incredible! 22 undergrads learning how to become scientists. Goodness - the past few days have been a complete rush. No time to sit and rest- much less check e-mails and do research. Oh, but it's a good busy.
Before we left for the island, we had a few weeks of class where we learned what to expect from the island. During those few weeks, we did preliminary research on potential projects, went on a field trip to the Bodega Marine Lab, took a swimming and snorkeling examination, wrote a paper, and took our midterm. That coursework was mingled in with hunting down supplies, getting our visas, and all the other hassle that comes along with making sure we can leave the country safely.

Coming up on Moorea by boat, from Tahiti


Now that we're on the island, we've had a great time.
Monday we went on a tour of the island. Dr.Jerry Lipps and Dr. Carol Hickman gave us a geological tour of Moorea, from the estuaries, to the basalt mountains and the coral reefs. Beautiful!



Today we visited one of the Motus of Moorea. They're tiny coral islands off the coast of Moorea. Since the motu we visited was isolated from tourism, we were able to see how very close the fish would come to the shore -within feet, all happy and healthy. On the way there, we stopped to snorkel with domesticated stingrays, little sharks, and fish along the small barrier reef that surrounds the island. We also caught glimpse of a humpback wale from the boat on the way back to the station. Goodness - what a good day.

Continue reading "First few days in Moorea" »

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Posted by Christina at 3:59 | Permalink

I know it has been some time since I have posted a blog but I have a very good reason for that. Oh wait, no I used that excuse last year. Well, it's true...Berkeley is taking over my life and I never have free time to do anything any more...if dinner wasn't scheduled at my sorority house I would probablly never eat! This semester I am taking chem 3B, chem 3BL (no they are not the same class and yes they both have finals and seperate grades), math, public health (for my healthworker position), upper division arabic language, and upper division arabic philisophical texts. AND I started my first job ever at Bare Escentuals on 4th street because 1. I LOVE MAKE UP and doing make up on people 2. Its really hard to get into cosmetics if you haven't had lots of experince and so getting a job offer from them was rediculously amazing 3. I need to put something in the empty space under "work experience" on my resume so that I can apply to internships and medical school and not look like a complete non-responcible spoiled teenager. AND I am also pledging a pre-med sorority (Kappa Gamma Delta) AND I have my existing social sorority (Alpha Phi). Yeah, AND my parents are freaking out because they think they're never ever going to see me again which may be true to some extent. Yet I still have to admit it has been absoloutly FABULOUS not having class on Fridays and starting class at 1 on Mondays...and I also must admit that I work a lot better when I stretch myself really thin so this is going to benifit me rather than kill me. Well, it might kill me but at least I'll have accomplished a lot so it'll be a memorable death =)

So that's the 411 on my semester in a nuttshell. Hope you are having fun!

Continue reading "Second year, twice as much fun!" »

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Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 5:35 | Permalink

Hi!! I have been meaning to write in this blog for the longest time, but i've never gotten around to it. Bummer. Just goes to show how easily it is to get caught up in all the things there are to do here at berkeley.
So tomorrow marks my third week of class, and my fourth week here as a berkeley student. I have finally figured out my way through campus and can figure out the way to all my classes (except I always get lost on the way out of dwinelle! that is one confusing building...)
Looking at my schedule, I think it's fair to say that I'm pretty content with the courses I am taking:
1. Elementary Italian
2. PE: Stretch, Strength, and Alignment
3. P Chemistry
4. Nutrition 10
5. Astronomy 10
6. MCB Decal course
7. What would your life be as a babylonian student?

Continue reading "courses courses courses..." »

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Posted by Angela Hsu at 1:20 | Permalink

AOI, for anyone who isn't familiar with all the acronyms Berkeley has to offer is Area of Interest. One of the best parts about being a CRS major is that you get to pick what area you want to study/focus on..or is it? Yes for all you indecisive people like me who keep the waitress at the table with those needless which dish do you like better questions..you'll feel my pain. I've always been indecisive, which was my excuse for keeping my room messy in high school (I'd pull out 5 shirts before I would pick one). Back to the AOI. So the first day of class we were asked to fill in the blank...what do you want to study?? Before I transferred to Cal people would ask me that same question and I replied with...

Continue reading "AOI...yes all CRS majors will have to face this" »

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Posted by Marissa Ponder at 0:06 | Permalink

I've always heard that scheduling was a nightmare, but my schedule seemed to work out perfectly. All my classes were evenly distributed throughout the week, averaging about 3 lectures/discussions per day. Sweet, no?

Since I'm premed (forgot to mention this in my first post...), I have to take a year of math. So, of course, I opted for the easier calculus course: Math 16. Then...

The Nightmare:

On the second day of school, I freaked out because my friend told me that premeds are supposed to take Math 1, not Math 16. So....I sent an email to the Plant and Microbial Biology advisor Marjorie Ensor, asking if Math 16 fulfilled the math requirement for premeds...but,

Continue reading "Scheduling Nightmare" »

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Posted by Victoria Eng at 2:30 | Permalink

Since I am taking Biology 1B and Chemistry 3A this semester, I have 8AM class every single day. Even though I am not a morning person, but it is not that bad as most people would think.

First, since I wake up about the same time every morning, there is no need to adjust the alarm several times throughout the week. I have one of those alarm clock radios, where the hour is in 12-hour format. So when setting my alarm, it is easy to mess up with the AM and PM. And I remember last year, I often set the alarm to 9PM when I needed it to be at 9AM.

Second, because of my 8AM classes, I have to go to bed before midnight so that I don’t wake up in a cranky mood. Yay! No more staying up late at night for me, which in turn requires better time management in the daytime.

Oh, at last, one highlight from my Chem 3A professor: “For those of you who are interested in videotaping or film-making, you may want to consider making a film out of this class and naming it ‘The Berkeley OC – organic chemistry at Berkeley’ ”.

Continue reading "When Bio 1B gets together with Chem 3A..." »

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Posted by Yang Cao at 3:34 | Permalink

The typhoon is coming so we have canceled classes tomorrow. yay? It would be yay...except we're trapped inside...and that also means more work next week. Well, it's interesting at least. heh.

Continue reading "Canceled Classes in Japan" »

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Posted by K. Lee at 0:58 | Permalink

So here at Cal we have these things called DeCal classes. DeCal is short for democratic education at Cal and the classes are really a lot of fun. This semester I’m thinking of taking two DeCals: archery and swing dancing. I going to get course credit for swing dancing and practicing archery! I went to the swing class last night and more than a hundred people showed up but the class only seats 50. Wish me luck. I think I’ve got a good shot at it because I’m a lead with 9 months of Ballroom experience. Alas, there are about 5 girls to every boy, seems like I've got a moral imperative to dance with these girls. How very hard my life is... ;{p

Decal classes are nice ways to round out a schedule and take your mind off mind bending academic loads and because decals are only 1-2 units pass fail they can help you meet Cal’s semester minimum of 13 units. Three academic classes and one decal makes for a manageable and non-psycho semester. Learn more at http://www.decal.org/

Continue reading "DeCal" »

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Posted by Eric Thurston at 4:16 | Permalink

Hey everyone--all the Fresh Faces authors, readers, and stragglers to this site!
I'll begin with the compulsory 'first post' type information.
My name is Juan and I was conceived on...hmm, not one of my best ice breakers lol.
My name IS Juan though and I'm a Junior Transfer to CNR at Berkeley. It's taken me a while to set everything up (it was actually Eva's fault, j/k ;-)) but I'm real glad to be here! A week has gone by already and life at Cal has been fast paced...even now, I should be reading for Stats20 and EEP100, but I'm here instead! ;-) It's been fun and challenging so far and I'm looking forward to the next 15 weeks (I'm sure that tune will change at around week 10 maybe, lol).
Well, I don't have much time to write a whole lot, but will certainly be back to ramble on a bit more! Go BEARS, Go CNR, and definitely...GO EEP!

Continue reading "My First..." »

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Posted by Juan at 2:52 | Permalink

Wow so the first week was everything I did and didn't expect it to be. What I expected prior to starting class: lots of reading, being sooooo excited, enjoying having class at 2:00, finally getting into details of environmental issues that were broadly mentioned in lower division classes, expensive textbooks, and the joy of sitting around between classes on Cal's lawns.
Didn't expect: how nice everyone was, getting my car keyed (very crappy), how truly comfortable the CNR couches are, 25 page term paper, everyone talks in acronyms ( I even almost abbreviated many phrases in typing this), getting into a class being number 56 on the waitlist, CNR really does a "smaller" feel to it, and how much I miss my dog. Now let's recap what I've learned...

Continue reading "First week is over...15? more to go..." »

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Posted by Marissa Ponder at 2:58 | Permalink

I'm so excited to be finally be moved in. I'm way excited for welcome week to start. I'm nervous about my schedule because I am on a waitlist for one class. I don't think being 11 on the list is too bad. I have friends who are 99 for some of their psych classes...so glad I changed majors. Oh so I had breakfast with some friends from Vally Rock gym today and my friend is going to grad school for sustainable international development, which I thought was very interesting. I tried to spend my summer talking with teachers, friends, and whoever else I meet who is in the field of environmental jobs/school. There is such a wide range of fields to pursue with CRS as a major, at least according to my professional expertise.

Continue reading "Moved in...yay!" »

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Posted by Marissa Ponder at 3:09 | Permalink

So before I drove 8 hours into the less fortunate half of California someone left a comment about CRS as a major. Well now that I'm in civilization I will make my official response. So I'm a transfer student at Berkeley and this fall will be my first year there, so I hope what little knowledge I have helps. I did however take a class through a concurrent enrollment program and loved it. I was so nervous that students would treat me different because I wasn't a "real" Cal student, and I was sooo wrong. Everyone was nice to me. I loved my teacher (Sally Fairfax), and my GSI, and all of the students. I still keep in touch with some of them. It really allowed me to get a feel for the college. The really nice thing about our college, CNR, in general no matter what your major is, is that it defiantly has a small feel to it. Now in regards to the major itself and why I choose it.

Continue reading "Response to interest in CRS" »

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Posted by Marissa Ponder at 1:54 | Permalink

Firstly, Christina's friend. Nobody should have to lose a friend at this part of life. I offer my deepest, most sincere sentiments. I know what you are feeling.

In the same way I began my two weeks at Berkeley summer session, so thus I end my Berkeley summer session - with nobody living in the dorms. Everyone seemed to be Session D or something like that and they all filed out on Friday. This means that I can now walk around the place in a bathrobe with alot less apprehension, but unfortunately I still cannot find the light switch for the fixtures in the halls. They make for terrible shocks in early morning "draining the lizard" runs.

I have a week left before I take my Chinese final and then move out of the dorms right into the apartment that I have been slowly moving things into for the past three weeks. I won't be home for Welcome Week - as Lilo from Lilo and Stich always says, "Ohana means family." So I will be Ohaning for a well deserved week. I pray to everyone and everything necessary to get through this course with an A.

This coming semester is going to be a beauty. I have no class on Monday or Friday. Whatsoever. Isn't that amazing? I have 17 units (pending URAP) and yet no class on Monday/Friday and not on a single wait list. Life is good.

Continue reading "No Need for Spinach. I got Enough Irony in my Veins. " »

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Posted by Jonathan Yu at 1:35 | Permalink

Good News!!!

I just found out that I am no longer waitlisted for Chem 3A, even though I was still No. 104 on the waitlist yesterday. The department increases the enrollment limit from 480 to 625.

Here is some advice from Christina (another blogger for Fresh Faces) and Irene (GPB Peer Advisor) about signing up for classes. Oh, big thanks to both you for your comments to my previous entry.

Here are the classes that you should not try to wait until Phase II to sign up for:
Chem 3A & Chem 3AL
Chem 3B & Chem 3BL
Bio 1A & Bio 1AL
Bio 1B
R1A & R1B: They are filled up very quickly since the English/R&C requirement is one of the university general requirements. Plus the small class size, you probably won’t have a chance unless you are within the top 5 on the wait list.

If you want to take those lower-division science classes, but absolutely have to devote some of your precious 10.5 units to other classes in Phase I, at least sign up for the lab if it has separate lab components. Lecture is almost always guaranteed when you sign up in Phase II, even though you might be waitlisted.

Oh, Bio 1A & Bio 1AL maybe an exception. From what I read from the note at schedule.berkeley.edu, it says that students must enroll in both 1A and 1AL at the same time. If you enroll in only 1A or 1AL during Tele-BEARS Phase I, you will be dropped at the start of Phase II (unless exempt). Enrollment only in 1A or 1AL does not guarantee enrollment in the other part of the course.

Continue reading "Good News!!!" »

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Posted by Yang Cao at 3:06 | Permalink

I just had my Tele-BEARS Appointment for Phase II Appointment this morning. And I was at no surprised to find out that I am No. 104 on the waitlist for Chemistry 3A (the lecture part). Plus, the waitlist of ESPM 50AC, a class I really want/have to take, is full so that I cannot even add myself to the waitlist.

I do not intend to complain since
1). I know my Phase II appointment is late
2). People will drop classes during the first few weeks
3). I was able to enroll in Biology 1B, English R1A and Chemistry 3AL(the lab part) during Phase I
3). Maybe I should just have a 3-course workload for Fall 2007

But I am still a bit annoyed and frustrated…

Continue reading "Schedule, Schedule and Schedule" »

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Posted by Yang Cao at 4:38 | Permalink

Yeah I really can't believe it but one week from today I will be back in Berkeley. One week from today...it's ON! Sucky thing is I just finished summer school and now I have to go back to Cal a good 3 weeks before the semester even starts. The first week I am back (the 11-16th) I have healthworker training, then the week following I have polish week (what my sorority calls the hectic week we use to prepare for fall rush), then I have welcome week and actual sorority rush before the semester begins. And of course I haven't forgotten about my new tough classes: chem 3b, calc, upper div arabic, and philisophical arabic text...talk about work. On the bright side, I managed to get fridays off so no classes, labs or section Fridays..wohoooo for three day weekends! I guess I learned some tactics from my freshman year mistakes...wait...omgosh...I am a sophmore...ahhh!!!!

Continue reading "So long summer days!" »

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Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 1:17 | Permalink

A few college freshmen have asked me for my opinion on the difficulty of social science and natural science.

I would say social sciences are more complex to study because you deal with human beings, which gives rise to special problems. Abortion, evolution, Darwinism, genetic engineering, capitalism, Marxism, culture, human rights, et cetera, are all huge topics and involve a lot of thinking. Natural sciences are much more rigorous, as they follow the scientific method. It still makes you think deeply, about the world around you, and how things operate. However, the thinking is much more abstract.

By the way, there are currently changes in the way we distinguish between the natural and social sciences. Mathematical modeling is often applied to the social sciences - without forcing them to be reduced to more “fundamental” natural sciences.

Indeed, both sciences are very interesting and I think they are complementary instead of arguable over "harder". Pick the one you like best to study.

Continue reading "Are social sciences more difficult than natural sciences (as disciplines…)? " »

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Posted by Yang Cao at 5:13 | Permalink

The Organic Chemistry professor prefaced today's lecture with these words:
"I have not graded enough of the exams to give a decent interpretation of the scores, but I will say this: I wrote this exam with an intended mean of 50%. If the class as a whole scores around there, I'll be happy. If the class averages better than 50%, I will make the next two exams more difficult. If the class averages worse, I will not change the difficulty of the remaining exams."

In other words, he set it up so that at least half of the students would leave the exam saying, "I failed!!! What do I do now!!?!"

So, we'll see. I still think I failed. Time to study the new stuff and eat a peanut butter & honey sandwich.

Continue reading "Bleh Examness" »

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Posted by Christina at 1:40 | Permalink

You know you're in for a lot of studying when you walk into your Organic Chemistry midterm, see this on the board and your first thought is...


"Why did someone write something on the board in Chinese?"

Continue reading "Oh dear" »

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Posted by Christina at 9:26 | Permalink

It's been a crazy intensive first week already. whohhhh. Think intensive x5. 12 unit class. >< wah wah wah. haha. Two vocab quizzes for the two chapters that we've covered. We have a test on teh coming Monday. At least tomorrow will be a nice break. I'll be going on a field trip (wow! field trip! I haven't been on one since middle school!) to the National Theater in Japan for a Kabuki event. That should be superb. I'm not sure if I'll like it, but it'll be an interesting experience.

Homework has been quite heavy and tiring. I have not taken Japanese in four years, so I'm quite a bit rusty. Wish me the best!

Continue reading "First Week is Almost Done" »

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Posted by K. Lee at 8:20 | Permalink

Hey. So, this summer, I signed up for yoga classes. This yoga class definitely beats all the other ones that I have gone to. I see results, I have effective teachers, and I actually enjoy it. It's also very philosophy-like so I get to get more out of it(i like to think). For instance, every day towards the end we recite this saying:
I honor the place in which the entire universe dwells
I honor the light in you, which is of love, of truth, and of faith?( i don't remember)
When you are in that place in you
And I am in that place in me,
We are one.
Namaste.

Yoga derives from different cultures and philosophies. Being able to be open minded allows anyone to experience new ideas and views that enrich one's life. I mean it. You should try it. Take it as a PE class for .5 units!!

Continue reading "Yoga" »

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Posted by Casey Wang at 7:40 | Permalink

Not a lot of developments over the summer. Usually you hang out with friends, go to class, do homework and hang out with friends. Rinse and repeat, dry and erase, cut and dry, cut and run? Err, enough with the weird phrases.

Interesting thing about living in the dorms. I went to costco recently and bought a gazebo's worth of canned food. Unfortunately I had no can opener. I thought this was a no problem until I went to the nearest Wal-Greens and tried to purchase a can opener for myself. There was none. I went to many stores since then and have yet to find a single can opener. I was not unpissed. I had to have my can opener mailed in from home. Doesn't that very idea kind of makes you laugh? I had my can opener sent in from Anaheim, it's as if the can opener was some sort of mystical savior device that can feed and redeem you in a single twist. Which of course that it is.

I am taking Chinese 1 which is essentially a 10 week accelerated language course. It's the best one of its type in the world. I cannot think of any other university that offers a one year course in two and a half months. Harvard don't do that and Yale don't do that and Stanford ESPECIALLY don't do that. Nuh uh!

My classmates hail from far and wide. There's a guy from Tufts and a guy from Upenn and a guy from Stanford. Gotta admire the mixing pot. Give the mixing pot props.

I got a trillion stories to tell (most of them highly illegal) but I'm going to have to leave you with just the infamous Can Opener one only. Ha! Keep checking the blogs, mistah!

Continue reading "The Greatness of Summer" »

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Posted by Jonathan Yu at 7:47 | Permalink

So I am number 46 on the waitlist for Advanced Organic Chemistry (chem 3B). There are at least 150 others on the waitlist along with me. What's odd is that there is enough room in the lecture itself but no rooms in the lab. If I don't get into Chem 3B for the fall semester it's going to completely throw off my entire schedule. The only way this will work is if 46 people magically dropped out of the highly demanded chem 3B before August...or on the more realistic side, the chem department opens up a few more lab sections before the fall semester begins. Let's just hope option 2 happens so I can avoid starting my 2nd year completely stressed out! Pray for me...and if you find out anything about chem 3B let me know!

Continue reading "Freaking out about chem...and the class hasn't even started!" »

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Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 0:03 | Permalink

Who ever said community college was easy obviously never attended a community college class. Here I am in the midst of the Sacramento summer heat waking up every morning at 8 to get to my "easy" community college macroeconomic class and sit through two hours and ten minutes of ridiculously crammed 3 months worth of economic material! Who ever said community college was easy is WRONG. My easy community college econ professor once taught at Columbia University, Sacramento State, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, and MIT, do you think he changed his material to better fit the community college? Absolutely not. So much for an easy summer. Oh well, I guess now I'll better understand how my shopaholic habits affect the economy of my country! Good luck with your classes if you are taking any!

Continue reading "Uh, this is going to be a HOT summer.." »

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Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 0:51 | Permalink

I am back at Berkeley after an amazing four weeks at home. I really did not want to go back at the end of it and i am still kind of bitter at my past self for screwing with my summer by deciding to take me to summer class. Even though that past self really wanted to help my future by taking a couple classes and keep me from rotting my brain. But really what else is summer for but fun fun fun?

I am taking a full plate here at Berkeley. I am taking Chinese 1, which is a combination of Chinese 1A and 1B. Brutal set of courses. As we speak I am repeating line after line of chinese characters. I doubt I will get an A in the class. I am honestly freaked out.

And as if my life could not get any harder, I piled on Math 54 and summer URAP research on with that too. Sigh. Woe is me.

I am going to try and keep my lives up with y'all. After all, you read me before, I bet y'all are really interested in what I have been doing right?

Day1: Character writing, pronounciation repeating, chinese
Day2: rinse and repeat
Day3: rinse and repeat

Oh don't worry there are more interesting things around that I am sure will make for wonderful bloggerfluff.

Jonathan ... signing out. May the Fours be with you.

Continue reading "Been a While" »

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Posted by Jonathan Yu at 9:28 | Permalink

I remember my first day on the UC Berkeley campus, it was coincidentally CalSo and the first time I had ever seen the campus. I loved m orientation because I felt like the counselors really cared (which of course they do) and I felt like I belonged at Berkeley.

One of the hardest things was I found was choosing between all the classes. There are so many! So here are a few of my favorites (in no particular order) and if you're lucky even an explanation why:

Continue reading "Favorite Classes" »

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Posted by Nikki Fernandez at 9:20 | Permalink

I'll be taking an exciting crash course on plant microtechnique this summer. ie: learning to make microscope slides of plant tissues. Pretty slides, like this grouping from last year, source metioned later:

In order from top to bottom: a pollen grain sticking to the stigmatic surface of a Passiflora, Thistle stem cross-section, Iris petals in bud, Melilotus Ovule.
I'm looking forward to this course!

Here's the description of the course:
The Biological Imaging Facility at UC Berkeley offers during the first week of June a one-week workshop in Plant and Animal Microtechnique. The course covers paraffin sectioning and associated techniques using microwave techniques. This class is designed to familiarize the student with up-to-date methods in making microscope slides from specimen material for anatomical and molecular investigations. The more traditional techniques of paraffin embedding and histological staining are also covered. Alternating with laboratory exercises, lectures are presented covering the theoretical aspects of fixation and slide preparation, immunolocalization, and in situ hybridization.

Here's a website that tells you a little more about the course, the photos I mentioned, and general information on the state-of-the-art Biological Imaging Facility here on campus: http://microscopy.berkeley.edu/courses/microtech/index.html

Continue reading "Microtechnique!" »

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Posted by Christina at 1:15 | Permalink

Finals are done! Whew! To celebrate the end of the semester, I went with the Specht lab to the UC Botanical Garden, where we took a new lab photo and individual photos of each lab member with their plant of interest. It was very fun!

Click on this link to see more of the new photos! http://pmb.berkeley.edu/~specht/labmembers.html

With each semester that I pass all of my courses, I feel a little more worthy of a Berkeley education. The tradition of excellence here at UC Berkeley has messed with my mind since I've arrived on campus, and has made me feel like I'm not intelligent enough to be here. With each passing grade I say, "See, you can do this." With each A grade: "Ha! You can cut it in the scientific world!" My friend Benta and I speak often on our feelings of insignificance in the face of such greatness. One difference, though, she belongs here, and I don't! Just kidding. Well, not really...

Tomorrow I leave for Paris, France. I'll be in the Paris Herbarium for a week with Dr. Specht.

(image from www.myparisnet.com/wp-content/images/JardinDesPlantes000.jpg)

Continue reading "Whirlwind over, new storm on its way" »

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Posted by Christina at 9:16 | Permalink

So this past weekend I went on a field trip (one of the cool things of forestry classes are the field trips). I went with my ESPM 134 class: Fire, Insects, and Disease. We started off at 8am, and drove 4 hours, stopping on the way. Our destination was Blodgett Forest, a research forest owned by the UC in the Sierra Nevada. Our purpose was to see firsthand interactions of fire, insects, and diseases in the forest.

We were really able to see these agents at work in the forest, so the trip was pretty educational. What I really enjoyed was being able to talk with my fellow students and professors in a more intimate setting. In the classroom, we don't get much opportunities to chat; on the trip we were able to just sit around and hang out. Plus we got to stay over in cabins, which was pretty fun.

Continue reading "Fun Forest Field Trips" »

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Posted by Joel Kim at 2:11 | Permalink

Hyun-joo asked what courses I've enjoyed - so here we go! I'm addling a little information on professors as well.

PMB C107 & C 107L: Plant Morphology. This is my favorite course in the major. It teaches you the ins and outs of vascular plants. Be prepared to do a lot of quick drawing in the labs. You're trained to have a critical eye when viewing plant structures. You also learn the general layout of plant lineages. In the lab, we get to look at microscope slides of plant anatomy, living plant samples, and even fossils! Be warned - those upper-division students that came in without a decent understanding of plant descriptive terminology are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of material covered in this course. In the Genetics & Plant Biology major, the majority of students have a good background in plant biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics. Take at least one non-biochemistry or non-molecular biology plant course before this one. Meeting with study groups and bringing your questions to the graduate student instructor during office hours are essential to success, no matter your background.

The professor, Dr. Chelsea Specht:

She is perky, incredibly knowledgeable and ready to share what she knows, so don't miss out on a class from her. Sometimes she speaks very fast in lecture! Never miss a lecture, always read background material before coming to class. Otherwise, you risk getting lost in the fast pace.

It's probably a good idea to take some of these before PMB C107:

IB168: Plant Systematics. This course gives you a general understanding of plant families, and just gets you comfortable looking at plants. For the lab, you'll need to learn the main characters of most plant families. For the quizzes, you'll need to look at a plant and know its family. Bring your camera, sketchbook, and colored pencils to lab. Don't think you know how to draw? If you choose to sketch the plants in this course (rather than just taking photos), you'll get the hang of it by the end of the semester, and you'll be better prepared for PMB C107L. You'll enjoy the small class size, individual attention in lab, and the enthusiastic students. Get to know people and form study groups before exams - it helps to exchange notes.

The professor, Dr. Bruce Baldwin:

He's the Curator of the Jepson Herbarium. You want to get to know this man. Find any excuse you can to take a course by him. He is soft-spoken, and incredibly kind. He likes to bring up silly facts and stories about the plants, to make his students laugh. Don't miss a lecture, it all shows up on his multiple-choice exams.

IB 102 & IB 102L: Introduction to California Plant Life. Who wants to leave California without knowing its flora? Here's an excellent course where you'll run into plant-minded people with interests in forestry, ethnobotany, range science, and so forth. These are folks that you won't run into in your other major courses, but you'll have a lot of fun with them on the field trips and in the labs. You're introduced to the plants of California by their habitat, as well as by family. Watch out! There's a lot of plants to know for this course. It focuses on sight-identification of plants by family, genus, and species. You'll learn a little morphology in this course, since you'll need it to navigate the Jepson Manual, the key to California plants.

The professor, Dr. Dean Kelch:

Dean knows his field well. A great speaker, and definitely a big part of what makes this course fun. Watch out when he writes on the board - he doesn't have the best hand-writing. The key to enjoying his course - ask questions!

PMB C102 & C102L: Diversity of Plants and Fungi. I have not taken it, but several of my friends have enjoyed this elective. Here's the course description: "An integrated treatment of the biology and evolution of the major groups in the plant, algal, and fungal kingdoms." My friends say the instructors have a great sense of humor, and make these plants come alive. It's the only introduction you'll get to marine "plants." I haven't had a semester where I could take the course, but a friend gave me their textbook: Diversity of Plants and Fungi by Rudolf Schmid. It's an excellent resource for getting your mind around an upper-division understanding of plants.

Other Great Major Courses:
(These happen to be required.)

PMB 135 & PMB 135L: Physiology and Biochemistry of Plants. Here's a course that threw me for a loop. Make sure that you take all of Organic Chemistry before embarking on this adventure. I didn't, and boy was it a rush. Other students seemed to have an easier time of it than I did. Here's where you learn C3, C4 and CAM photosynthesis in detail, including the nitty-gritty of how chloroplasts capture energy. Also covers nutrient deficiencies, a bit on soil and water potential, just how turgor pressure works, and, well... all of the math and chemistry that you'll need to understand when it comes to plants. Watch out for the chalk dust - there's a lot of learning, and neither professor uses power point. This course also has frequent quizzes. Don't miss lectures, they're the most important part.

The Professors,

Dr. Anastasios Melis:

When speaking with other students in Genetics & Plant Biology, his name is the most common when you ask about a favorite professor. A Greek accent, incredible smile, and detailed organization are the most notable aspects of this professor. He outlines his lectures well, and brings even the most challenging concepts to a level that we all can understand. He doesn't like textbooks, so take good notes in class - it's all you have to work off of!

Dr. Norman Terry:

You can see a more current image of him if you watch the first 30 seconds of my "day in the life" video from last semester. Dreamy English accent aside, Dr. Terry is older but he's quick. Organized, and thankfully he works with the course website to give us all of the important notes from his lectures. Sit back and take it all in when he teaches. There's some difficult concepts to master, but he makes it all clear- what you need to know and what you don't.


PMB 150 & 150L: Cellular and Developmental Plant Biology. Interested in cell signaling, or genes that control specific functions? Those are two main topics that this course covers. A couple of my friends tell me that this course is much easier if you have already taken PMB 160 and 160L. Be prepared to write a scientific paper, and be sure to come to class for frequent quizzes. Neither professor believes much in textbooks. Be sure to take good notes, and go through their lectures online before attending each course. They won't stop to explain terminology if you've had a chance to look it up.

The Professors,

Dr. Sheng Luan:

His lecture slides are filled with the information he wants you to know, while his gentle voice fills your ears with analogies and stories to help you remember the challenging concepts. His office hours are worthwhile, and his eyes light up when answering questions. You'll find he offers great advice on graduate schools and other pertinent life topics, as well as the course subject material.

Dr. Renee Sung:
Another professor whose lecture slides accurately depict what she expects us to know for quizzes and exams. She's great at gearing the information she presents to the students she has in her class. If you don't have the proper background to understand a concept she presents, be sure to visit her during office hours to ask for clarification. She also responds quickly to e-mails. A straightforward lecturer, though some may have a difficult time with her Taiwanese accent.

Continue reading "For the Plant Freaks - Courses and Profs" »

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Posted by Christina at 8:46 | Permalink

So I decided I wanted to take summer school after all. However, I don't want to take it at Berkeley because I want to spend the summer with my family and friends in Sacramento. Plus, a summer wouldn't feel like a summer if I didn't "travel" even if it is just go go home, lol.

I talked to a CNR advisor about summer school and she helped me a lot. Here is what I found out:

1. You can't take summer school at a UC like UC Davis because they run on a quarter system and UC Berkeley is a semester system so the dates won't line up.
2. In general, you can't take summer school at a State school like Sacramento State University because people don't usually transfer from State schools to UCs so the classes are not transferable (for the most part).
3. You CAN take classes at a community college as long as it is a UC Transferable course and the course you are taking must be equivalent to the UC course you want credit for. You can find what community college courses are equivilant through assist.org
4. The grade will not be counted into your Berkeley GPA but if you are applying to let's say medical school, you must send them ALL college transcripts and they will calculate another GPA. So you still have to take the JC class seriously...bohooo right?
5. YOU are responcible for sending Berkeley the official transcript at the end of the term if you want them to count for units.
8. Classes that satisfy a major requirnment will count towards your major so long as they are transferable/equivelant.
9. If you want to repeat a course you took at Berkeley you MUST repeat it AT Berkeley so if you take the same course (even if it is equivalent) it will not replace the course you want it to.
10. Don't stress. Keep up with the paper work and everything should work out fine.

If you have any questions about this you can contact your CNR advisor.

Hope this helps!

Continue reading "Summer here I come.." »

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Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 7:19 | Permalink

Telebears Season.
Well, it has been for the past month or so.
DSP students get super crazy priority- they get theirs on the first day.
Then grad students, upper divs, lower divs.
You priority is determined based on which category you are in (1st year, 2nd year, etc) which is determined by the number of units you have. For example, once you hit 30 units, you're a 2nd year, and once you hit 60, you're a 3rd year. However, there is no difference between having 30 units and have 59 units. Within each category, the actual day and time you get is assigned randomly. Telebears are assigned every 20 min. 9 am, 9:20, 9:40, etc. and you get one hour to complete your telebears.

Good to have great priority.

Continue reading "Mol Tox Progress & Telebears Priority" »

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Posted by K. Lee at 4:45 | Permalink

Today my Plant Morphology lab course took a little trip up to the Botanical Garden.  We were given a scavenger hunt of sorts, where we were to find examples of specific mophological traits.  Who wouldn't love roaming around a beautiful garden with a bunch of your friends, learning something new at the end of a stressful week?



Jose Arevalo, Reihaneh Fakourfar, April Dobbs, Danielle Johnson

Today was also our midterm for Morphology.  In preparing for the exam, I realized something this week.  CNR offers something that is difficult to find around campus - a community.  Our class size for Morphology is small.  20 people.  I know all of them.  We all know one another.  We meet up for study groups, we ask one another questions.  When one of us can attend office hours, we pass along the information that we gleen to those in the study groups.  It's different in the College of Natural Resources than the other courses I've attended on campus.  It's a cooperative feel.  The competition that comes along with hundreds of high-pressure students is on the other side of the campus.  We're over here, studying microbes, forestry, genetics, and so on... studying what we love, enjoying what we learn, and making friends that walk with us through our journey.  We were in classes together last semester, we're together again this semester.  We know how to study together, and we're not afraid to help one another understand the difficult concepts.  The more we're able to teach one another, the more we're able to enjoy the subject that we're learning.  I love this program.

Here are some more photos of us having fun with morphology today.


Reihaneh


Me with a member of the Cycadales.

Continue reading "Morphology" »

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Posted by Christina at 9:40 | Permalink

I'm taking five courses this semester, four of them for my major, one for fun.
MCB 102 Survey of the Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
NST C114 Pesticide Chemistry and Toxicology
PH 150A Epidemiology (the study of diseases)
UGBA 96 Personal Finances
Chem3BL OChem Lab

Guess which is the fun class....Personal Finances. =) That's the great thing about Molecular Toxicology. There's so much room to explore since our only breadth requirement is 22 units in the Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Philosophy & Values, or Foreign Language. That covers pretty much everything you would want to study. Actually, it doesn't cover my Personal

Continue reading "Classes I'm taking Spring 2007" »

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Posted by K. Lee at 6:14 | Permalink

This semester is going to be just as full as last semester no matter how hard I try to shed off extracurricular activiites! I was pretty dejected in December when I found out my new college GPA, and I concluded that it was because I went to meetings every night of the week and always had full weekends with volunteering or dancing. All this resulted in homework coming second to activities.. so maybe I got an A in trying all that Berkeley student groups tempted me with, but, well, not an A in academics. As a suggestion to incoming freshmen-- LISTEN to people when planning your schedule.. like how they said take the minimum class units, don't overload yourself, take time to adjust.. etc. Sophomores on my floor predicted my personal failure (I am no longer a 4.# student), but I thought I was a superhero.

This semester I love my classes! Well, they're not always crazy interesting, but I chose them all and got them all and I have fluent GSIs. I'm taking Nutri Sci 10, Chem 3A (organic), Math 54 (linear algebra), Span 25 (literature), and an archeaology seminar. If you haven't noticed, no more environmental economics and policy major. I am hoping to switch to Nutritional Science in CNR, since I've been fascinated by nutrition since sophomore yr of high school and I detest working on making more money. I laugh at myself now, but I was naive. I took EEP thinking I could use it to be a policy-maker or at least understand how the world deals with the environment in the business and political realm. I learned what I wanted- but much more than I asked for.. so many line graphs and economic concepts, not too hard, but just not interesting. I recommend the class, even if it's not my major anymore- if you want to learn why pollution still exists.

As a small note, Cafe 3 opened up this semester! (Unit 3's Dining Commons) And it has a fun ambiance and the best juicy cucumbers. It doesn't match up to Crossroads as far as vegetarian hot food options, but there is a Pho station, tons of fresh fruit, a waffle maker, a sushi bar, good pizza, custom-made omelettes, and daily pastries like at the GBC. They also have great cauliflour- haha..yes I look forward to that more than the pastries. It's fun there meeting more people by chance than at Crossroads since it's smaller and it's right in front of my building, Norton. I can't write up a whole review of all the DCs yet.. I have to visit Foothill and Clark Kerr more.

Continue reading "Working on Working" »

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Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 7:42 | Permalink

Last semester was my last fall semester of my undergraduate career and i took some really interesting classes. My favorite class of last semester was Economics 181: International Trade taught by Professor Ann Harrison (in the fall at least). This class is available to Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors and it is only taught in the fall. This class is a four unit class with prerequisites of Econ 100A-100B or 101A-101B. Here is the class website if anyone would like to check it out: http://emlab.berkeley.edu/users/webfac/harrison/e181_f06/e181.shtml. I am also providing the class description from the course sillabus. All this information is coming the course website listed above.
"This course covers the microeconomics of international trade, and related issues of US trade policy, developing country trade policies, foreign direction investment and multinational corporations. We begin with a brief introduction and then develop a theoretical framework to help us understand (1) why countries trade with each other and what determines trade patterns (2) whether trade is beneficial for a country and (3) how trade affects the distribution of income within a country. We then analyze the effects of commercial policy (ie tariffs) on trade and economic welfare. We conclude with a discussion of recent issues, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), regional trade agreements such as NAFTA, the impact of trade policy on growth, and other current concerns. Since I feel that there is not enough data analysis conducted in most classes, I will supplement the readings and the text with handouts whenever possible. I will expect you to become proficient in reading tables, graphs, and figures. An understanding of basic regression analysis, although helpful, is not required." (Harrison, class website).
I recommend all students who are interested in these issues to take the class. The class is only three hours of lecture and an hour of discussion every week but it doesnt feel like three hours at all. At least for me it didnt. The Professor is really nice and approachable and really knows her stuff. He has had a lot of experience in the field and is always will to talk about in office hours. She also does a really good job of applying the material to what is happenning in the world today.

Continue reading "Recommended Class" »

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Posted by Mayra Ceja at 0:17 | Permalink

Continue reading "A Day in Tina's Busy Life" »

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Posted by Christina at 2:37 | Permalink

What is a "jerk"?

Definition 1:
The third derivative of position, the second derivative of velocity, or the first derivative of acceleration.

Definition 2:
Imagine that your friend was driving and you were in his car. Your friend saw the traffic light turned yellow and believed that he could make it. So he stepped on the gas pedal and you experienced a pull forward. Suddenly, the traffic light turned red and your friend had to stepped on the brake. You felt being pushed back and were like "Shoot, what a jerk..."

This is from my math professor when he was trying to explain higher derivatives and how useful they are in kinematics. So I guess the moral of the story is do not be intimidated by the huge lectures and do approach your professor during their office hours. They are very friendly and willing to help.

Continue reading "What is a "jerk"?" »

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Posted by Yang Cao at 1:48 | Permalink

For a Conservation and Resources Studies major, one of the most interdisciplinary majors offered at Cal, there are few hoops you must jump through, but ESPM 100: Environmental Problem Solving is one of them. You want to be in CRS, you take ESPM 100. Non-negotiable.



It’s funny how required things never seem like they’ll be much fun. Before I had even walked into 141 Gianinni for the first time, I had already made up my mind: just because the College of Natural Resources mandated that I learn how to environmental problem solve didn’t mean I had to enjoy myself. I secretly prayed I was too far down on the wait-list to get in the course, and not-so-secretly groaned when I discovered that one third of the class was to go on a compulsory field trip – counting for twenty percent of our grade – that weekend. Of course, fate was such that not only did I get into the class (even with a phenomenally large waitlist), but I was also selected for the field trip. I anticipated lots of dry lectures and awkward campfire silence.

Continue reading "Nothing better than a weekend with your professor in her pajamas" »

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Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 5:53 | Permalink

I'm taking Art 14 this semester, which is an intro to scuplture course. This weekend's assignment was to come up with directions for a sky-writer. After a great deal of conversation with a pilot friend, here are some directions for a sky-written heart directly above the Campanile.

Continue reading "Art Project" »

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Posted by Christina at 2:05 | Permalink

Alright! Post numero uno for me. I suppose we should start off with some background info, right? Well, I'm a junior transfer student, very excited to be in the Conservation and Resource Studies major. The major itself is awesome - from the ability to take classes that run the gamut of offerings (due to the fact that you write in your own area of interest into the major) to the superb advisors and support staff, my interactions with all aspects of Cal have left me in a state of quasi-euphoria.

Living off campus some might argue that I'll miss some of the "college experience," but I'm extremely satisfied with my situation. In a quaint little apartment in north Berkeley, not only am I a six minute bike ride away from Cal, but much of what Berkeley has to offer is right outside my door. One thing that I'd recommend to any new Cal student -- explore Berkeley! Yes, the school has more than enough to offer, but there's much more outside its doors as well. From the three farmers markets per week that bring in mostly organic farms, to the fabulous restaurants, and a myriad of earth-friendly events that can be found through the ecology center, there is a true wealth of activities to explore.

Continue reading "post one: in which we get some background, and start some classes" »

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Posted by Rola Abduljabar Rabah at 1:17 | Permalink

Actually, this was supposed to be posted yesterday. But anyway, here is an account from a procrastinator. Oh, by the way, I am a first-year intended Molecular and Environmental Biology Major (MEB) at College of Natural Resources (CNR).

Yesterday (Monday, August 28, 2006) was my first official day at Cal. What I mean by “official” is because even though I have been living here since last week, it is the day when instructions begin. I woke up pretty early in the morning since I was kind of afraid that I might need extra time for this very first day. But everything turned out to be ok.

My first class started at 10:00 AM but I arrived there (1 Pimentel) around 9:25 AM, so I was able to oversee the last part of Chemistry 1A lecture where the professor did some “explosion” stuff (Hydrogen gas + Oxygen gas + sparkle, I guess). 1 Pimentel was a really huge lecture hall, and its front stage can be rotated so that the settings for each class would not disturb the other. I encouraged you all to check this out!

Then I was commuting between different buildings since I have back-to-back classes…

Even though most of the lectures I am in are huge and intimidating since you are sitting with hundreds of people, the professors were really trying to make class atmosphere as dynamic as possible.

Or by the way, the Freshman Seminar I am taking is really engaging since there are only 20 students there – allowing a more intimate and approachable environment. It is nice to be such a small class within the context of a public research institute, namely Berkeley.

That is about my first day, and I am really looking forward for my first semester of college life. GO BEARS!!!!

Continue reading "My First day at Cal" »

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Posted by Yang Cao at 3:13 | Permalink

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Recent Posts

Ephemeral stability

Finals, Life and Confusion of a College Kid

Habitat for Humanity

It's the Final Countdown!

East Bay Vivarium!

EDITED: What goes on in those bspace chat rooms

It's been a year!

A Breath of Fresh Air

Food-related Joke

Academy of Sciences

Syndication

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