Molecular and Cellular Biology 54, "Cell Biology"

Professors Robert Lue and Ray Erickson comprise the Jekyll and Hyde tag-team that teaches BS 54 (a.k.a. MCB 54) and clearly shows the pitfalls of a team-taught course. Watch Lue as he describes the actin kinetics behind "dicty" movement (you wouldn't think that nausea and laughter could be experienced together), Lue also likes to show off his tech savvy with animations that are pretty cool to the science nerds that populate the course. He even modifies the trailers of popular movies into short clips about BS 54—but watch out, that grin he wears during them means that you'll actually have to pay attention soon—a breakout question is coming.

Though these breakouts actually mean something in terms of your final grade, there's a way to ace these: Step 1: Find the smartest kid you can during the first few classes. Step 2: Make friends; alternatively, sit directly behind him or her. Step 3: “Confer and discuss” when a breakout question pops up. Unfortunately, these breakouts are unannounced, which makes class attendance not strictly optional, despite the fact that lectures are taped.

In a past career, Ray Erickson perhaps defused hostage situations or drug addicts’ highs—at the very least, he once put a BS54 student on No-Doz to sleep. Picture a biology professor version of Ben Stein in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and multiply by ten. Just make sure you don't snore (another real-life occurrence).

Don’t bother even buying the textbook; you only really need to read the pages on the exam outline, which is given out a week before the exam. But make sure you know the lecture slides cold. Also, try to get a chill section leader—this is critical to

your success during the course.