I'm currently in X105 Introductory Biochemistry as well, and I regret ever having signed up. There are several specific issues. One, there is no guidance from the professor. The prof exists only to grade and, maybe if you're lucky, respond with a dismissive and sometimes condescending 1-sentence email that doesn't address any of your questions. I asked her about ten times for feedback on my midterm (not exaggerating), and she never once wrote me back except to accuse me of wanting to cheat. Furthermore, there are no lectures or class material from her. The class is literally just long reading assignments, regurgitative and vague 10-page writing assignments, and that's it! And it costs $850!
The test grades were another matter entirely. This professor writes extraordinarily vague questions and then gives harsh penalties (20-30% off the final grade!) for not including details she didn't ask for, even on a tightly timed test! Many students in our course felt this was unfair, and the general consensus at this point seems to be that nobody is satisfied. I complained to her and the administration about this, only to be formally accused of cheating on my midterm despite a lack of evidence to suggest this. I actually feel like they are trying to silence me for complaining. Furthermore, the administration simply couldn't care less about students' problems, and getting them to respond to emails (most admins don't apparently have phone numbers) is like pulling teeth. I'm actually considering withdrawing and petitioning for a refund on the basis of discriminatory grading, even though I've completed the entire course up to the final, because I'm so afraid of the arbitrariness of the grading and feel there's a real chance I could fail (you need at least a 70% on the final to pass no matter what).
I say all of this just to give you an idea about how apathetic and harsh these professors and administrators are. This course appears to be designed to make UCB Extension money, not to educate. For the sake of your transcript and your sanity, do not take this course! Kaylacake, I wish I could offer advice--I know exactly how you feel.
I feel very similar as for the course. I feel the expectations were very vague. Perhaps I am just not good at learning straight from the text...the assignments didn't help either.
