CHEM C3045

Suggested problems that are never checked nor graded-do them and when studying make sure you review all these problems and how to do them. How every many midterms he assigns- yeah, they will span 7 or 8 chapters typically and will be riddled with random questions that will never test your true knowledge of organic chemistry and since this class is filled with over-prepared students who have probably seen this stuff lots of times, there will always be curve killers who gets 90s and 100s on these exams, but still, the averages are low, and the class is in reality curved to a B or B+ Quizzes during recitations-Myles tended to ask really direct questions but at times it was annoying because you had to memorize all the reactions from the textbook. But do that, and you're set. Don't lag behind.

Lots of problem sets, annoying quizzes staged at stressful times, exams that can make or break you (depending on your abilities to take tests), and an evil final.

1st semester: pretty substantial, you need to read all the book chapters and do all the hws to be prepared 2nd semester: really light - just do a weekly problem set (only every other one is graded by a check, check plus, check minus system) and pay attention in class and the exams/final are a breeze.

Beware---many of you might have done well on the placement exam and placed into this class, but the truth is that if you have never seen organic chemistry before and have never gone beyond AP Chemistry, you will have to dedicate an immense amount of time every week into preforming well on the exams. Unfortunately for me, I took this course in unison with other difficult courses, taking too many classes, and it ended up screwing me with a B grade (a premed and biochem major) Okay- so about the instructor. Ronald Breslow is an extremely famous person and has won every award short of the Nobel and has had students who have gone on to win the Nobel-true, but that does not excuse the fact that he cannot teach. Most mediocre lecturer I have ever met defines him. His lectures are hard to follow and dull, with a focus on a bunch of complicated and almost illegible mechanisms that never end up on the exam (also, he skips chapters and sections that usually have the questions on his exams and focuses on stupid things that do not show up on exams). Taking this class and arriving to class early made me want to gouge my eyes out as everything was taught in a boring and confusing way and I knew would not help me do well on the exams. Halfway through the semester, you will notice that about half the class has stopped bothering coming to lectures. The recitation section was somewhat helpful at…

Snyder was our instructor for the second semester of freshman organic chemistry, and there were some highlights in his class. In comparison to Breslow, who (though well-meaning) was very confusing in his style of teaching and his creation of examination and never had office hours and constantly left class too early because of his trips to Switzerland, Snyder actually had office hours two to three times a week and had a very clear and organized style of teaching. He would always refresh our memories about materials covered in prior lectures, and would move systematically in his covering of material. In office hours Snyder was very nice, helping with homework and answering questions and trying to calm the ravenous and brownosing premed hounds (foaming Harvard Medical School despair and evil cut throat ectoplasm from their mouths) at his door. That being said, the last third of the class came like a freight train to the students, with a large amorphous and gelatinous beastly caricature consisting of random and confusing topics (amines, pericyclic reactions, some weird radical material, etc.) that ultimately led to this massive panic attack in realizing how much material was covered in the class. The worst part, was his final (45ish % of your final grade) was poorly constructed and ultimately far too long. I honestly feel like there were 50 single-sinded pages all stapled into thi…

This was hands-down my favorite class freshman year. It can be kind of intimidating at first - Professor Breslow is a genius (you learn about the Breslow intermediate second semester) and some of his lectures can go pretty quickly - but take solace in the fact that everyone feels lost. If you stick close to your TA first semester, you'll be FINE. Plus, because both Breslow and Leighton consider the class "above average," it's fairly easy to make an A+ (I made one both first and second semester). I think the class is itself scaled to an A-, which is a lot better than the gen chem or regular orgo classes. So if you are placed into this class, TAKE it. Also, orgo just gets easier as you go along. I must say that I spent a lot of time on orgo first semester (you need to read and understand the book chapters VERY WELL). But if you get through first semester, second semester is a breeze. Leighton doesn't care about the book (although he took some exam questions verbatim from his "recommended homework" so if you're smart, you'll look at those problems) and his exams come STRAIGHT from his notes. He's also really good about extra office hours and his class notes are very clear. Both semesters and both professors were absolutely fascinating. I am really going to miss this class - it made me a chem major, I loved it so much. So take it! It'll be the best decision you make freshman year.…

depends on 1. how well you want to do and 2. how much orgo you already know. If 1. is A and 2. is little, you either shouldn't take the class or make sure that you have pathetically easy classes for the rest of your schedule. 2 midterms, weekly recitation quizzes that can save your grade, and homework that is not collected.

Warning: under any circumstances, do not take the class if: -you don't remember junior year AP chem -have no orgo experience beyond AP chem (knowing how to name weird-looking molecules and functional groups and their properties, while interesting, does NOT constitute knowing orgo.) -you do not love chemistry with all your being Just because you think the placement exam was a joke and were placed into this class doesn't mean you should necessarily be in it (unless you don't mind spending 15 or more hours per week on the class alone) That being said those who are prepared should definitely take this class. You are being taught by a university professor who is one of the best organic chemists in the world. For those who aren't enamoured by Dr. Breslow, Myles, the TA, is excellent. For premeds who are scared of a chem class with 'intensive' in its name, be consoled by the fact that Dr. Breslow is merciful and curves the class to a B+ (or maybe even A-). As long as you're both very-well prepared and have a great deal of time to put into the class, you should do fine.

To do well in the course, unless you're a total genius or have taken organic chemistry before (about 10% of the class), you need to work AT LEAST 8 hours a week, I sometimes worked up to 16 hours a week. 3 midterms (1 hour each), and a final exam (3 hours). One hour of testing is "dropped." Homework is not graded but you really need to keep up with it to do well at all.

This is the hardest class I have ever taken, but it was one of the only courses I actually enjoyed this past semester. Professor Breslow is the coolest professor ever. I did not really understand the way he taught until the end of the semester, but that is what the book is for. I DID learn A TON from him about science in general, and the applications of organic chemistry in medicine. I thought some of his lectures were really fascinating and felt really privileged to attend such a class. Thank goodness for the TA, who was a HUGE help!