Online immunology class...

[palooza84]

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Hey all...I am new here and this is my first post, so please bear with me.

I am interested in taking an immunology course online, because my current school does not offer it. And I am looking at 2 schools currently, and was wondering if anyone has taken these classes from these schools/professors.

UC Berkley Extension
Immunology
W/ Monica Ranes-Goldberg, Ph.D., I have read horror stories from the other teacher, so I was wondering if this one is better.

And, UC San Diego
Applied Immunology
W/ Todd Braciak, I have read and heard nothing of this instructor or course. Any help from anyone would be great.

Thank you all...😀

 

[ljpm8224]

there are a bunch of threads on here detailing the pros/cons of berzerkely extension online course (as well as survival tips if you decide to take it). plug it in to the search bar in the upper menu.

haven't heard any feedback on the UC SD class. also I believe UCSB has one as well you might want to check into.

 

[palooza84]

Ya I read those about Cal Berkley, but everyone only mentions one teacher, and there are actually two teachers. The second teacher is the one that I am curious about. I am just nervous about taking a difficult class online like that.

 

[kmich10]

This is an old thread but one I stumbled upon when deliberating whether or not to take the UC-BE Immunology course. I took this class with Dr. Ranes-Goldberg. I have heard awful things about the course as taught by the other professor, however, I can say with certainty Dr. Ranes-Goldberg is excellent. The course itself is pretty rigorous in content so you have to stay organized and do some self-teaching. Dr. Ranes-Goldberg's course commentary is very clear and she has great communication with her students. The textbook is very useful, so definitely buy the book. I didn't purchase the supplementary reading packet (I just avoided all of the discussion assignments that required me to read it).

There are 10 modules most of which have a 10 multiple choice question quiz that you get 60 minutes to complete. I finished most quizzes in no more than 20 minutes after reading the commentary once. Remember - you can look back at the module commentary while taking the quiz. Quizzes are worth 20% of the overall grade.

Discussion assignments are worth 20%. These usually consist of two parts. Part I is researching a topic pertaining to that module and a couple paragraphs about the topic. Part II is responding to another classmate on the discussion board.

There are 2 midterms worth 15% each (30% total).

The midterms consist of 1) T/F questions and detailed explanations of each question (10 Qs), 2) Short Answer questions (10 Qs), and 3) Short essay questions - these are generally 2-4 part questions (5 Qs). You have 1 week to complete the midterm questions after opening the file to see the exam (don't procrastinate! These are not short exams.). They are both open book/note and there is one midterm after the 4th module and one after the 8th module.​

The final exam is a 3-hour cumulative, proctored exam worth 30% of your final grade. It is a very similar format to the midterm exams. You are allowed 3 pages front-back of notes which I typed in super small font. I included both of my midterm exams shrunken-down and diagrams of important structures (T-cell receptors, B-cells, etc.), as you are required to recall every important detail of the course and there are a lot!

Overall, Dr. Ranes-Goldberg is very receptive to students. If you have questions she is very quick about answering them and she also grades very quickly so you know where you stand as the course goes on. I personally learned a ton in this class and am glad I took it.