The in-lab portions are generally interesting and fun. Writing the lab reports is very difficult at first due to vague instructions and lack of a rubric. However, the writing gets easier as you get more used to it. Regardless, if you want an A in the class, plan to spend 35-45 hours writing each lab report.

This class is incredibly challenging, but you also learn tons. The TAs are a huge factor in this class- a nice TA won't rip 30 points off your lab reports for not putting scales on your figures or something like that. And the groups are a huge factor, too- a group that doesn't work well together or a group where members don't work will be facing ~50s/60s on reports after doing 30+ hours of work per report. It's a brutal class, but it's required and you do learn lots.

This class is without a doubt the hardest in the BME major. What makes it bad is the fact that your entire grade depends on your group - even if a single member of your group slacks, it will be reflected in your lab report grades. Writing the reports takes forever because you have to spend lots of time just figuring out what's going on and doing the subsequent analysis. The procedures are filled with typos and errors that Allen refuses to correct, and that only makes writing the reports that much more difficult. The reports are graded according to a really specific rubric (which they give you as part of the syllabus), so if you do poorly on the first one go talk to a TA (NOT Allen) and go over it with them and have them explain what they're looking for. Dr. Allen and the TAs are on the lookout for group participation, so do well on the quizzes, be active in lab, and let them know if your group dynamic isn't working. As much as it sucks, this class is a really really valuable experience in learning how to write scientifically, conduct research, and most importantly, work in an assigned group.

Pray to the gods of BME that you get a good group. If you think it's better to be in a 5 person group don't go in Tuesday's section. It never fills up. But honestly, due to the fact that 100% of the work is group lab reports you need a good group. Otherwise, you spend 3.5 months in a constant fit of rage. If you have heard horror stories about people's group members, they are all true. It doesn't matter how ridiculous it sounds, it's true. And you may think "oh, I've worked in groups where one person is kind of lazy". No. You don't know what it's like. Don't come into this expecting anything else than a hurt butthole at the end.

Required class, but totally worthwhile. It's miserable and a ton of work while you're doing it, but I'm so glad I learned all that stuff now.

I mean, you have to take the class for BME, but just don't take it lightly and you'll be fine.

IDEAS Lab 380: Intellectuals Deal Effortfully Against Slackers.


Day 1: Introductions
"Oh hi, I'm _____, nice to meet you, yeah we haven't talked much before but it should be good working together!”

Week 2: The Honeymoon Phase
“So do you guys want to get together at my place to work on the report due soon? We can start early so we’re not doing it last minute like those CRAZY groups Dr. Allen talked about. That’ll give us time to divide up the work evenly, do it well, and then come together to organize it before the report is due. It’ll work perfectly!”
--everyone nods and agrees happily—

Week 4: Reality Settles In
“Well... we’ve done pretty badly on these last couple of reports, maybe one person should work on the main section, and we can split up the IBQs (Impossible Bogus Questions). Then we can go through it together.”
--everyone nods solemnly, but with hope—

Week 5:
Member 1: “I sent you my part”
Member 2: (Thoughts): You mean the junk that I’m not going to be able to use at all and will have to end up rewriting anyway? (Words): “Ok thanks.”

Final Week:
Members 1-3: “Yippee we’re done!”
Member 4: “Wait, what did we do?”

Just hope the random number generator Dr. Allen uses sets you up with a good group. Otherwise plan on giving up sleep and sanity for about 3 ½ months.

Challenging course requiring massive amounts of quantitative analysis, collaboration, and report writing. Pray for a decent group and prepare to spend a lot of your evenings with your group in the library. TAs are generally helpful. It can be frustrating and tiresome, but you will be rewarded for what you put into it.

It is very useful class but I did not like the organization of the class.

This class will kick your butt regardless of how much time you spend studying and preparing for it. Hopefully you'll get a good group. I learned more in this class than I have in all my other BME classes, but you definitely have to work. Allen = fantastic.