Fundamental science classes vs upper division science classes

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Hi everyone

I want to ask about the science majors. Let's say I major in neurobiology at UCLA or UC Berkeley,

1) Are the upper division classes more difficult compared to the lower division classes (eg organic chemistry, general chemistry, general biology)?

2) How are the tests like for the upper division science classes for neurobiology (or any other branch of biology)?

Thanks!

 

[Ladholyman]

I graduated from Berkeley in 2010. The upper division classes are definitely more difficult (I took Immunology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomy). The tests were curved more harshly because the only people taking the upper level classes are the ones who didn't get weeded out by General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, etc. But thinking back on it now medical school classes were much "harder" in the sense that they crammed more material in a shorter amount of time. The Berkeley classes had a lot more esoteric "Hey this is what I do my research on so I will test you on the minutiae on my block 2 midterm."

 

[GoSpursGo]

Moving to pre-med as this question isn't relevant for current medical students.