HC199 Overview

This informal course on the art of teaching is taken by undergraduates who serve as Teaching Fellows and Peer Research Mentors in HC70A and HC70AL, respectively. Undergraduates are selected who show unusual promise as teachers. Bob Goldberg meets several times a week with these undergraduates in order to develop their skills and interest in science teaching. Teaching Fellows are taught how to: (1) develop a teaching "game plan," (2) write concept questions used by students each week as study guides, (3) teach students how to read and understand scientific papers, (4) lead "debates" on the relationship between science and society, (5) speak in front of a class, (6) use the Socratic method as an interactive teaching tool, (7) gain the confidence and poise needed to teach their peers, (8) deal with unusual student-student and student-teacher situations and interactions, and (9) be "exciting" and "dynamic" teachers. Teaching Fellows are videotaped in the classroom and their teaching styles are critiqued so that they can learn to become more effective teachers. Peer Research Mentors also learn how to (1) organize a teaching laboratory, (2) demonstrate and teach genomics and bioinformatics procedures, and (3) how to lead teams carrying out original research projects using functional genomics. In the past eighteen years, 35 undergraduates have participated as NSF-sponsored Teaching Fellows and Peer Research Mentors, including both life science and non-science majors.

In The Classroom

Guided closely by Dr. Goldberg, HC199 students get to take on the responsibility of leading discussion sections, giving them invaluable classroom experience. The students who are part of these discussions routinely praise the skill and depth of knowledge displayed by the undergraduates who lead them.


"Generally, I've found discussion sections to be somewhat unnecessary. For this class, however, the complete opposite was true. I absolutely loved this discussion section " -Comment from HC70A student, Winter 20

"Ava, my TA for this discussion, was an excellent TA. She is super energetic and passionate about this class. " - Comment from HC70A student, Winter 20

"Maddie is very knowledgable…Involved everyone in discussion which made for a very lively section and great learning opportunities." - Comment from HC70A student, Winter 20



"Discussion was always fun, and I feel like we had a good rapport. She's fantastic overall."
- Comment from HC70A student, Winter 19

"Maddie facilitated some really fun debates...I had a good time in the section! ."
- Comment from HC70A student, Winter 19

"She was fun and informative. Maddie made discussion exciting!" - Comment from HC70A student, Winter 19



"Pierce is the best T.A. I've ever had. He challenged me and frustrated me, but I learned so much. " - Comment from HC70A student, Winter 18

"Great TA. Insightful discussions and presentations." - Comment from HC70A student, Winter 18

"I loved the discussions! Thank you for being an amazing TA Helen!" - Comment from HC70A student, Spring 17


Sit In On A Discussion With Dominic Lucido
"Dominic L. was a great UA. He know what he was talking about and genuinely helped me learn and enjoy material that would have otherwise been extremely dull and difficult. He helped me engage in the material and grasp it because the beginning of this course was difficult but it got better. He's very approachable and nice."- Comment from HC70A student, Winter 16


Testimonials From Undergraduate Teaching Fellows And Peer Research Mentors On Their Experience In HC70A & HC70AL


Madelyn Gehrich, HC70A Winter 2019 & Winter 2020

"Working under Dr. Goldberg has been a once in a lifetime opportunity. Making the transition from former student to Teaching Fellow was hard work, but made me appreciate both the material and the methodology behind Dr. Goldberg's teaching so much more. I have gained so much confidence in myself and fine-tuned my skills in communicating information in an effective, yet thought-provoking way. Getting the chance to explore new strengths all while surrounded by an amazing group of colleagues, now friends, has made this experience one that I will never forget."


Helen Li, HC70A Spring 2017 & Winter 2018


"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, teaching past and current genetic engineering technology. We are on the cusp of the next big Cohen and Boyer, and witnessing and sharing firsthand the knowledge of innovative developments is a memory I will never forget."



Eden Maloney, HC70A Winter 2011 & 2012, HC70AL Spring 2011


"...as a teaching fellow, I discovered a passion for teaching.."

Eden Maloney's testimonial as an undergraduate teaching fellow and laboratory peer mentor.

Lulu Pantin, HC70A Winter 2011 & 2012


"I cannot stress enough how wonderful this experience was for me."

Lulu Pantin's testimonial as an undergraduate teaching fellow.

Kristin Gill, HC70A Winter 2010, Spring 2009 &2010


"While research has taught me how to think critically and creatively, teaching has taught me how to communicate more effectively."

Kristin Gill's testimonial as an undergraduate teaching fellow and laboratory peer mentor.

Mike Ferry, HC70A Winter 2003 & HC70AL Spring 2003


"From my experiences teaching with Dr. Goldberg I now wish to continue teaching in the future and I am seriously considering an academic career."

Mike Ferry's testimonial as an undergraduate teaching fellow and laboratory peer mentor.

Malik Francis, HC70A Winter 2003 & 2004


"There were many times where I felt that I got more out of the course than the students. I consider myself lucky."

Click here to read Malik Francis' testimonial as an undergraduate teaching fellow.

 

 

 

Get To Know The Teaching Fellows



Ava Gordon
HC70A Winter 2020
Undergraduate Student in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology



Madelyn Gehrich
HC70A Winter 2019-20
Undergraduate Student in Human Genetics and Society, UCLA



Emily Teng
HC70A Winter 2019
Undergraduate Student in Economics, UCLA



Pierce Ford
HC70A Spring 2017, Winter 18, 19, & 20
Lab Assistant, UCLA



Helen Li
HC70A Spring 2017 & Winter 2018
Project Manager at ZL Technologies



Allen Chung
HC70A Winter 2016
Translator, Tzu Chi, USA



Dominic Saadi
HC70A Spring 2015
Post-Baccalaureate Researcher at New England Complex Systems Institute



Dominic Lucido
HC70A Spring 2015
Science Teacher, Downtown Magnet School



William Barshop
HC70A Winter 2014-15
Post-doctoral Researcher, UCLA



Mike Lyons
HC70A Winter 2013-14, HC70AL Summer 2014
PhD Student in Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University



Reece Fenning
HC70A Winter 2013-14
M.D. Student, UC Irvine; MPH Student, UCLA



Elaine Chiu
HC70A Winter 2011-12 & HC70AL Spring 2011
Resident, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital



Eden Maloney
HC70A Winter 2011-13 & HC70AL Spring 2011
M.D. Student, Vanderbilt University



Lulu Pantin
HC70A Winter 2011-12
Music Attorney, Myman, Greenspan, Fineman, Fox, Rosenberg & Light, LLP



Daisy Robinton
HC70A Winter 2008-10 & HC70AL Spring 2008-10
Science Communicator



Kristin Gill
HC70AL Winter 2010 & Spring 2009-10
Resident Physician, NYU School of Medicine



Jordan Fischer
HC70AL Winter 2010
Director of Sales Strategy and Operations at Renovate America



Aycha Erbilgin
HC70AL Spring 2003 & HC70A Winter 2009
Consultant, ZS Associates



Kelli Henry
HC70A Winter 2009
Ph.D. in MCDB, UCLA



Bekah Charney
HC70A Winter 2008 & HC70AL Spring 2008
Postdoctoral Researcher, UC Irvine



Jonathan Russell
HC70AL Spring 2006
Ph.D. student in Public Health, Columbia University



Ria Yagnik
HC70AL Spring 2006
Ph.D., UC San Francisco
Department of Neurological Surgery, UC, San Francisco



Gloria Chu
HC70A Winter 2006
Senior Product Manager, Mobile at Gap, Inc



Brittan Scales
HC70AL Spring 2005
Postdoctoral Researcher, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research



Tiffany Sum
HC70A Winter 2005
Middle School Math Teacher, Garden Grove School District



Mike Gavino
HC70A Winter 2005-6 & HC70AL Spring 2005-6
Case Team Leader, Bain Capital



Erin Marsh Mellano
HC70AL Spring 2004
M.D., Obstetrics & Gynecology, Providence Health Services



Josh Wolf
HC70AL Spring 2004
Community Building and Business Engagement at Pachamama Alliance



Mai Pham
HC70A Winter 2004 & HC70AL Spring 2004
Ophthalmologist, Memorial Care Medical Group



Jinsun Choi
HC70A Winter 2004
Endocrinologist, Huntington Beach, CA



Mike Ferry
HC70A Winter 2003 & HC70AL Spring 2003
CSO, Quantitative Biosciences, Inc.



Malik Francis
HC70A Winter 2003-4
Sous Chef, Ayala Restaurant