Chemistry · Columbia University
3 exams + weekly hw assignments, each exam has a ton of long questions (MCQ, fill in and equations). I 100% recommend to really try on your first exam, it was not as complex as the next two. Lowest grade gets dropped.
Weekly homework assignments on Achieve with unlimited attempts. Total of 10 for my semester. 3 midterms worth a total of 28%. Your worst midterm grade is dropped, so each midterm is worth 14% Gen chem lab counts for 32% of your grade Final exam is worth 20%.
Weekly problemsets, two midterms and a final.
Marisa was extremely nice and open to answering any questions. Each lecture had balanced content, but not explained fully in detail. What is explained is usually broad and I would often learn much more outside of the class with videos or tutors than in class.
Great prof!!!! Reads a lot from the slides, but not in an annoying way! Expands a bit on every slide and is great at explaining things! It feels like she can answer any question you ask and she is so approachable and kind and understanding! Out of all the gen chem professors you can take, definitely take her! She's the best one!
Professor Buzzeo is one of my favorite teachers of all time. Not only is she extraordinarily dedicated, if you can't make it to office hours she'll always make time to meet with you, she is also a talented teacher who has a gift for explaining difficult concepts. She's also just a great person, and always someone good to talk to about grad school, managing your workload, etc. Since she went to Barnard herself, she knows what it's like to be a student here and always has great advice. Although the material isn't easy, it's definitely manageable and you're definitely given the tools to succeed. The problemsets are time consuming, but if you utilize office hours or meet with Buzzeo separately you'll be fine. The tests are extraordinarily fair. There are no surprises, and even if they are hard it's definitely clear how you should prepare for them. Take any class offered with Buzzeo, she truly cares about her students and is a great teacher.
three exams, lowest is dropped. DO WELL ON THE FIRST I know so many people that failed the first exam and needed it to be dropped when in reality it can carry your grade! never received our final exam grades which was quite annoying. TAs grade
Achieve problem set (10-20 questions, some of them are multi-part and very tedious, as a warning) every week, generally not super bad especially since you have an entire week to do it. Occasional in-class problem sets/worksheets that are fairly short, with a random sampling of people chosen at the end to submit theirs. Graded only for completion, basically just to take attendance.
One problem set each week (6-8 hours), 2 midterms, 1 final. Class participation (go to class) was 5% of the grade.
I was worried about this course having no chemistry background and the gen chem department was so unhelpful. TA's are a godsend and without them I would not have passed this course. Buzzeo missed a lecture mid-semester and the class received no apology or acknowledgement of her absence. She is not helpful when asking questions in class and honestly a little condescending.