4.0

Alexander Wurthmann

Chemistry - University of Vermont

4.0
Quality
3.9
Difficulty
66%
Would Retake
169
Reviews
4.0
Quality
3.9
Difficulty
4.0
Helpful
3.9
Clarity

66%

Would Retake

169

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official
169 total ratings

5

106

4

20

3

10

2

12

1

21

What Students Say

You gotta show up everyday, and work on problems everyday

CHEM141 - 3.0 rating

Sandy doesnt give up on you

CHEM141142 - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

31%

Textbook Required

36%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 77 grades
Most common grades:
A (19)
B+ (15)
B (15)
Grade Distribution
A(24)B(17)C(5)D(4)F(0)A-/B+(28)
Based on 90 reported grades
A: 19
B+: 15
B: 15
A-: 13
Common Tags
Test heavy (37)
Graded by few things (22)
Hilarious (19)
Lecture heavy (19)
Accessible outside class (16)
Amazing lectures (15)
Skip class? You won't pass. (13)
Respected (12)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.84 avg change
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CHEM143

5.0

(1)

CHEM140S

5.0

(1)

CHEM42

5.0

(1)

CHEM042

4.5

(2)

CHEM141

4.4

(76)
+6 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ORGO141142

4.3

CHEM141ORGO

4.1

CHEM143

4.0

CHEM142

3.9

CHEM2580

3.9

Reviews (168)
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Nov 1, 2005

He's got a Scottish accent which makes it much more fun to go to class. He's really helpful and willing to go outside office hours to meet with students to help them.

2.0
5.0
CHEM141
Nov 11, 2005

No Comments

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Nov 13, 2005

Hard teacher, but let's face it, organic chemistry is SUPPOSED to be hard. Was new at the beginning of the year, but is getting the hang of teaching, and offers a lot of review sessions and extra practice. Comes into lab, chats with you, knows the names of a lot of people in the class. Funny, cute accent :)

3.0
4.0
CHEM141ORGO
Nov 20, 2005

He is a OK teacher, doesn't explain things that he writes on the board though. For people that have not read the book before coming to class, things will not make sense. Plan to take A LOT of notes, and remember that a 63 on an orgo exam is actually a good grade

4.0
3.0
CHEM141
Dec 12, 2005

Such a sweet guy. Try to get to know him and you might get some extra points on a test.

5.0
4.0
ORGO141142
Mar 2, 2006

Sandy is an amazing teacher. He isn't even a tenured professor yet you wouldn't know from attending his classes. He is highly knowledgeable and extremely helpful in office hours. He really goes the extra mile to make sure you understand things. More then I can say for most teachers here. Yes, Orgo is hard, but Sandy makes the class without a doubt.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Apr 12, 2006

has a good sense of humor

5.0
3.0
CHEM141142
May 5, 2006

Sandy makes this class so much fun. He is very helpful during office hours and knows his stuff. And it doesnt hurt that he has a hott accent and a nice ass to stare at durig lecture :)

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Jul 28, 2006

Sandy is simply the best! He is funny and he actually showed a clip of a movie in class abt chemistry jus' to make it funn....Orgo is hard but he tries to make it flow smoothly...EXTREMELY HELPFUL outside class!!! Plus he's HOT =)

5.0
3.0
CHEM141142
Aug 4, 2006

Dear Sandy, I came to your class at the start of the semester to hear your lovely accent. By the end of the semester I actually liked orgo. I'm not saying that it was easy, but is interesting and certainly relevent to any pre-health scientist.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Nov 17, 2006

Sandy is funny, passionate and knows his material very well. Orgo can be a tough subject and he knows it, so he is willing to spend the extra time to help you understand. Willing to answer questions in class and out, goes slowly and writes all definitions on the board to ensure students get all the important aspects in their notebooks.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Dec 18, 2006

No Comments

3.0
5.0
CHEM141
Dec 18, 2006

No Comments

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Mar 23, 2007

Sandy rocks!! I don't know what I would have done if anyone else had been teaching orgo. Sandy makes the class interesting, and he works really hard to make sure everyone understands the material. (And as a bonus he has the most wonderful Scottish accent ever and is absolutely gorgeous.)

5.0
3.0
CHEM142
May 21, 2007

Sandy is a gift to the world and his students. amazing. just read and take notes on what he lectures on and it is not too bad of a class.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Oct 15, 2007

He brings donuts to review sessions.... enough said!

5.0
4.0
CHEM142
Nov 7, 2007

If you need to take organic chemistry.. this is the man to take it with!!!

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Nov 12, 2007

I´ve heard horor stories about organic chemsitry, but with Sandy it ended up being one of my favorite classes. He´s constantly entertaining and very interested in what he´s teaching. Also, he makes great cookies, so make sure you show up to fill out the evaluations!

5.0
4.0
CHEM142
Dec 3, 2007

No Comments

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Apr 4, 2008

Teacher. Hero. Legend.

5.0
4.0
CHEM142
Apr 17, 2008

I hate organic but Sandy is the greatest. He wants you to get a good grade in his class, and he'll do whatever he can to help you get one. He's willing to clarify things and to make sure you understand as much as you can of this extremely difficult subject. Also if you go in to talk to him about your exams he gives points back that the TAs took off

5.0
5.0
CHEM142
May 4, 2008

Amazing

5.0
4.0
CHEM143
Feb 6, 2009

Sandy was an awesome, clear, and helpful.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Apr 1, 2009

Best Teacher at UVM, hands down. And the guy can outski anyone. He made one of the hardest classes on campus enjoyable and doable.

5.0
3.0
CHEM140S
Apr 13, 2009

Sandy is AMAZING!! He makes organic chemistry accessible to everyone, is funny, engaging, and is happy to meet with you outside of class to discuss any issues you may have. He brings in a lot of outside anecdotes and examples that make the class interesting and fun to go to. If you have to take organic chemistry, take it with Sandy!

5.0
5.0
CHEM142
May 6, 2009

Extremely hard course. Be prepared to study for hours upon hours. Sandy, however, is absolutely amazing. Smart, funny, entertaining to watch, and is GORGEOUS. Can't stress that enough. Beautiful, beautiful man.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Jun 23, 2009

A gifted teacher! He has a wonderful lecture style and is always available for help. Highly recommended!

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Sep 11, 2009

He has an awesome accent, he's hot!, organic chemistry isn't easy so he tries to use metaphors and examples you'll understand, he has a great sense of humor, he's a really great professor, I'm so glad he's my organic chem teacher. I'd choose him over any other professor in the chem dept.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Oct 29, 2009

hands down best teacher for the hardest class.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Nov 6, 2009

Sandy is awesome! He's really engaging and his exams are fair and skills-based. Highly recommended!

4.0
5.0
CHEM141
Dec 15, 2009

I hate chemistry, but I loved Sandy. He is a great teacher who is always available to answer questions and clarify the material.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Apr 8, 2010

great teacher. made orgo interesting and easy to understand. always ready for help. If you have to take orgo, take it with this guy..not to mention, hes gorgeous!

5.0
5.0
CHEM141
Apr 28, 2010

Really great class! Its pretty hard though, but sandy makes it really easy to understand

3.0
5.0
CHEM142
May 1, 2010

His hand-writing is nice which helps when RXNs are being drawn on the board and often he's clear, but his exams are SO hard. They usually are more difficult than HW/recitation/in class problems. Kind of not fair. He does give lots of partial credit, though. He's nice enough and helpful but slightly cocky. You can tell he thinks highly of himself.

4.0
3.0
CHEM142
May 10, 2010

Good lectures - they're broken down into easy-to-understand pieces. He's a funny guy and he's really approachable and available for help. Exams are fair, especially if you do all the practice sets and look over old exams. The book was only somewhat helpful. I would recommend Sandy to future students.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Oct 28, 2010

This guy is the MAN! He is hilarious and makes the lectures interesting. His handwriting is really neat and I did well on all the exams without needing my textbook at all (the class notes and practice exams were great). The exams can be a bit tricky, but not unfair. and he lets you drop the lowest midterm grade at the end

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Dec 3, 2010

Sandy is a phenomenal teacher. He's very comfortable teaching to a large lecture hall and is very adept at making the material clear and accessible. He is very helpful during office hours/review sessions to do whatever he can to help you with the material.

3.0
4.0
CHEM141
Dec 12, 2010

Sandy is a good professor, not as good as people on her will lead you to think but OK. Tests are hard, you can drop your lowest. Everything is much clearer in class/practice than the test. People do poorly and then there is a weird standard deviation scoring system. Helpful during office hours, give points back on tests sometimes.

2.0
5.0
CHEM141
Dec 15, 2010

let me just say his exams are really unfair. his review sheets are so easy and then his test questions are total curveballs--epoxide ring openings before we even learned alcohol chemistry then he wonders why the exam average was a 56? Take brewer he grades alot fairer

5.0
5.0
CHEM141
Dec 18, 2010

The class is not easy what so ever. Class attendence is strongly recommended and there is not much of a curve for this class. He tried his best to help and really encourages students to attend his office hours. The textbook for this course is not good at all, I did not like the new book that UVM picked up.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Dec 19, 2010

I told a friend mid-semester that Prof. Wurthmann is the best professor I've had, and I wasn't exaggerating. Organic chemistry is often thought to be one of the most challenging courses one has to take in college, but he is very clear and explains things impeccably. Always has an informed and clear answer to questions.

4.0
4.0
CHEM141
Dec 20, 2010

Organic chemistry is hard no matter who's teaching it. Sandy is a great teacher and you can tell he really loves the subject. He is really nice at office hours and happy to help. You need to attend every class and review his notes. His exams are pretty hard and sometimes too hard. Its not a guaranteed A or even B but its possible with this guy.

4.0
5.0
CHEM141
Jan 7, 2011

The class itself was ridiculously hard. All of those reactions made me dizzy. Sandy was clear and nice during lectures with his jokes but once you go to his office hours he becomes a different person. He was very rude during the office hour and rushed through concepts to get me out of there as fast as he could.

5.0
5.0
CHEM141
Apr 28, 2011

One of the best professors I had at UVM. His main goal is to help his students learn and try to make organic chemistry as interesting as possible. Plus he was just a really cool guy.

5.0
3.0
CHEM142
Jun 3, 2011

I really enjoyed his class and studied hard for it.. He is very clear and really likes to teach.. best prof at UVM.

5.0
3.0
CHEM142
Sep 30, 2011

He is your Benevolent guide through the hellish valley of Organic chem! His blatant Scottish accent makes the lecture! Note the subject is hard his class/teaching isn't.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Nov 4, 2011

Sandy is a wonderful teacher, one of my absolute favorites. He's funny and makes organic chemistry approachable. Watch out when he has too much caffeine though. He talks too fast and the "R"s start rolling pretty hard. He's always willing to slow down and try again though. All in all a great teacher.

5.0
2.0
CHEM141
Nov 7, 2011

Great teacher

5.0
5.0
CHEM141
Dec 10, 2011

Sandy is the best professor ever! He is very charismatic and really funny. He makes Orgo very understandable for those who are not Chemistry majors. However, his exams are pretty tough.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Dec 14, 2011

Amazingly brillant, gorgeous and a tremendously fair professor. I would not suggest going to office hours because it's too distracting looking at him.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Sep 17, 2012

Helpful, clear, fair and accomodating. Makes organic chem do-able. He makes a tough class and subject more enjoyable.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Nov 16, 2012

Definitely one of the best, if not the best professor I have ever had. His lectures are fun, interesting, but also challenging. Keep up with the work, practice and you will do just fine. He is very knowledgable on the subject, can answer questions, and knows a lot about learning in general. I wish he would teach chem 142!

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Dec 6, 2012

One of the best professors at UVM. Great lectures, funny jokes, challenging but do-able. With steady practice and a good amount of effort, B's and A's are obtainable. I found that the book problems assigned are helpful. Review sessions are also very helpful.

5.0
2.0
CHEM141
Oct 25, 2013

Easily the best professor I have ever had at UVM. Wonderful nice guy I strongly recommend taking his class. He makes my day every MWF. The class is hard but he really puts the time in to make sure student comprehend material and makes himself available for extra help often.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Nov 10, 2013

I was initially very nervous about attempting organic chemistry, but Sandy (Wurthmann's nickname) soothed all my fears. It is a hard course and you must put the time in, but lectures were always pertinent and interesting and exams were fair. Textbook problems and reading are a MUST to do very well and Sandy is a great help if you're struggling.

5.0
2.0
CHEM141
Nov 21, 2013

Sandy is a pretty funny guy and he gives very clear explanations . The tests are not that bad, reading and practice problems help considerably.

2.0
5.0
CHEM141
Dec 4, 2013

Not helpful at all! Lectures seemed crystal clear, but exams were not very fair at all. Made the exams harder then the review sheets and textbook problems. Not very helpful and told me to give up during office hours.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Jan 2, 2014

Sandy is an awesome professor! I was really nervous about taking organic chemistry to begin with, but he makes classes interesting and relevant to the world around us. I learned quickly that textbook use and doing all the practice problems were necessary for success and applicable learning. Sandy is awesome! Take this class!

1.0
5.0
CHEM141
May 7, 2014

Sandy appears to be well-meaning, and he certainly is passionate about organic chemistry. While his lectures are clear and well-organized, his exams are not appropriate for the level of intensity he covers in lecture. Sandy expects students to understand the basics in lecture, and then synthesize all concepts on exams. This is problematic.

2.0
5.0
CHEM142
May 7, 2014

I have to agree with previous raters. Sandy is the man! And he makes damn good cookies. But while class and lecture are interesting and fair, his exams seem to transcend the hardest problems in the textbook. I could never understand why Sandy didn't ask more conceptual problems on exams like he asked in lecture. I would not recommend.

5.0
3.0
CHEM42
Grade: B+
Aug 26, 2014

I love this professor. Highly recommend.

4.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: A
Dec 10, 2014

The guy is a nice professor. I heard from people that his class is really tough but, the class isn't hard. First off, when people say the class has to do with "memorizing mechanisms and everything" they mean know the general rxn and how to apply it to a certain molecule. As long as you know the rxn and how they work and practice, you're golden.

5.0
3.0
CHEM142
Grade: A+
Dec 17, 2014

Sandy Wurthmann is easily one of the best professors I've ever had. Organic Chemistry is notoriously difficult, but Dr. Wurthmann makes it fun, clear, and easy. However, you should do the homework problems that he gives you, read the book in addition to his notes, and practice, practice, practice. Orgo is a language - you can't cram and do well!

4.0
3.0
CHEM042
Grade: B+
Jul 8, 2015

I absolutely love Sandy. He's a really great teacher and overall a really great guy. If you actually take the time to get to know him, he truly does care for you and usually helps with your grade as well. Go to the reviews each week at night, try hard on the Sapling, actually do the homework problems he assigns and you'll do very well. Great overal

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Nov 5, 2015

Sandy is the best! He is so funny and going to class is never boring or long. He is very clear and not afraid to be creative in order to teach us (for example we learn how to draw Newman projections from dinosaurs). It is orgo, so of course the class is very hard. But by having Sandy, you give yourself the best shot to do well in the class.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: B
Nov 16, 2015

Amazing, amazing amazing teacher, although a very hard grader. He puts so much energy into teaching and will do whatever it takes to help students understand. That being said, orgo is extremely difficult and is not something you can master just during class time. When I didn't do well it was always because I didn't put enough practice time in.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: A
Dec 8, 2015

Sandy is so great I had him for CHEM042 and now CHEM141 and 142. He is very clear in his teaching, but you really need to do the outside problems in order to do well on the test. Lab is easy, gives homework too to help balance the grades out.

4.0
3.0
CHEM141
Grade: B
Dec 9, 2015

Great lecturer - hilarious, energetic, brings cookies. Orgo is just really hard so its a lot of work even with the best lecturer like Sandy. He is really helpful in office hours and comes to check in on lab. Tests are very fair and he prepares you well. Definitely attend lectures and do practice problems if you want that A. I did not...

5.0
5.0
CHEM141
Dec 15, 2015

Sandy is an amazing lecture. He is very clear in his lectures and very helpful in his office hours. He cares a lot about his students and wants they to do well. However his exams are extremely difficult. If you are not a tester you will most likely not do well on his exams. Study hard, and you will pass just fine though.

5.0
4.0
CHEM142
Apr 4, 2016

Sandy is the best. He makes orgo bearable. He cares a lot about his students and is extremely helpful during office hours. He does expect a lot from his students, but considering that everyone who takes this class is pre-med, pre-vet, chem or bio, this is the norm. When you take orgo, make sure to take it with Sandy!!!

5.0
3.0
CHEM142
Grade: A-
May 9, 2016

Awesome teacher, great lectures, material can be tough especially if you don't enjoy chemistry.

4.0
5.0
CHEM142
Grade: D+
May 16, 2016

I did not do so hot in this class. His lectures are great but you definitely need to put in more effort besides coming to class. The exams are SO DIFFICULT. And the sapling online homework assignments are the worse.

5.0
4.0
CHEM142
Grade: B+
Jun 9, 2016
Would take again

Sandy is the best Professor, I wouldn't want to take orgo with anyone else.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: A
Jul 3, 2016
Would take again

One of the best professors I have ever had. Genuine, caring, and funny. He makes sure that everyone has the tools they need to succeed. However, it's up to you to determine how well you do. You need to work on your own and practice, practice practice. You're giving yourself the best shot of earning an A with Sandy as prof.

5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Grade: B
Jul 7, 2016
Would take again

Professor Wurthmann is the best professor I've had at UVM. He's very approachable, very friendly, and genuinely cares for the success and well being of his students. He was readily available to help outside of class, was very patient and non-judgmental, and definitely make a tough class manageable. His tests were also extremely well designed.

4.0
5.0
CHEM141142
Grade: A
Oct 27, 2016
Would take again

Sandy isn't the alright at teaching but if you teach it to yourself w/the textbook and then do the homework he assigns, you should be able to do decently. I cannot emphasize enough that when you are struggling with problems, go to office hrs right away! don't wait until the test week, it's not enough time & there's always a line. VERY nice guy.

Respected
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Hilarious
3.0
5.0
CHEM141
Nov 1, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Sandy is passionate, kind, and funny, but his exams are more difficult than you'd expect based on the lectures, problems sets, and other parts of the course. You gotta show up everyday, and work on problems everyday. He cares about students and wants you to learn, but despite engaging lectures, doesn't adequately prepare you for the exams.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
Hilarious
5.0
5.0
CHEM141
Grade: C+
Feb 7, 2017
Would take again

Tests are much harder than you would imagine.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
5.0
4.0
CHEM141142
May 6, 2017
Would take again

Hands down the only professor that I'd want to take organic chemistry with. He simplifies the material, makes it relatable, and has all students' best interest at heart. He is well-rounded and fun to be around.

Respected
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
1.0
5.0
CHEM142
Grade: B+
May 10, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Worst of the worst!

Tough Grader
5.0
4.0
CHEM141142
May 18, 2017
Would take again

Sandy is the BEST. Organic chemistry is not an easy subject, and this class is far from a guaranteed A, but you'll learn a lot. Sandy really cares about his students and makes orgo both approachable and interesting. Go to his office hours!

Tough Grader
Respected
Hilarious
5.0
4.0
CHEM141142
Grade: A
Jun 9, 2017
Would take again

Sandy doesnt give up on you. Even though he uses the textbook, I advise NOT immediately purchasing the text unless you know thats how you learn best. There are SO MANY OTHER resources: Sapling, Kleins 2nd Language book (much cheaper than the textbook), recitation, SI, practice exams, lab, and office hours. Wait on the book. Seriously.

Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
1.0
5.0
CHEM141142
Grade: Rather not say
Jul 14, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Very bad teaching style and very bad exam difficulty level

1.0
5.0
CHEM141
Dec 20, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Sandy is the worst professor i ve ever had at UVM. His orgo lecture is not interesting and the exams are extremely hard. He makes me hate orgo even more than before.

Tough Grader
TEST HEAVY
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: B+
Dec 28, 2017
Would take again

I really enjoyed this class. Sandy made the lectures engaging and really got me interested in organic chemistry. It's difficult material for sure, and is really on you to do well. If you don't practice the material somewhat often you probably won't do well, but I wouldn't want to take this class with any other professor

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
5.0
4.0
CHEM141142
Grade: A
Mar 24, 2018
Would take again

Organic chemistry is a generally hated subject because it is really hard (especially the second semester) but Sandy made it as painless as possible. He's a funny guy who really wants to help you understand the material and uses a lot of hilarious comparisons to describe concepts. Overall enjoyed the class despite the difficulty.

TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
Amazing lectures
5.0
5.0
CHEM141142
Grade: B+
May 13, 2018
Would take again

Best and most caring professor Ive ever had

Tough Grader
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Hilarious
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Jan 7, 2019
Would take again

loveee Sandy. Many people say that orgo is one of the harder classes ever, but Sandy makes it less intimidating. He really cares about his students and is very accessible outside of class.

Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
2.0
3.0
CHEM141ORGO
Feb 3, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Considers post baccalaureate students unworthy of a letter of reference. Refuses to even reply if a post baccalaureate student requests one.

5.0
4.0
CHEM141142
Grade: A
Mar 20, 2019
Would take again

Sandy is an amazing professor, 10/10 lectures and personality. This is a class that going to lecture really helps but that isn't enough to do well. Orgo is something that needs to be practiced daily to get it to stick. Practice problems from class and practice exams are your best friends.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Hilarious
Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM141142
Grade: A
Jun 5, 2019
Would take again

Sandy is an exceptional lecturer. Office hours might seem intimidating, but when you're confused, just do it. Sure, be prepared, have specific questions, don't go only for the sake of going, but he is 100% willing to put in extra effort for you.

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Nov 22, 2019
Would take again

Sandy, is definitely the best professor to take organic chemistry from. His lectures are extremely clear and never boring. He takes difficult organic chemistry topics and simplifies them in ways that are easy to understand and remember. 10 out of 10, highly recommend!

Accessible outside class
Inspirational
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: B
Dec 9, 2019
Would take again

Sandy is an amazing professor and should be your first choice when taking Organic Chem. He is the funniest prof I've ever had and makes the orgo extremely manageable. Granted, the topics are very difficult, but he makes it as easy as possible while still ensuring you know the material.

Respected
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
1.0
5.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: D+
Dec 16, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Sandy was the worst professor I had at UVM. He told me a day before the withdrawal deadline that I had to withdraw from his class because the grade I was going to receive was an inconvienence to him. No matter how much outside work was put into the class it was never enough for him. I would never recommend him to another student taking orgo at UVM.

Graded by few things
Test heavy
4.0
4.0
CHEM141
Dec 18, 2019
Would take again

Sandy was a great professor. He is very approachable during his office hours and makes lecture so much fun. With that being said, Orgo was a tough course and should be taken seriously. Those who work hard will receive good grades, but sometimes if you work hard you will still receive a mediocre grade. Orgo, for me, takes time to click.

Participation matters
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
4.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: B-
Dec 31, 2019
Would take again

Sandy is an amazing professor and lecturer. As difficult as orgo is, he makes it doable by providing many out of class opportunities and practice problems/sheets. He goes at a decent pace and is so funny. Despite orgo's torturous nature, Sandy makes is doable (combined with hard work outside of class).

Respected
Graded by few things
Hilarious
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: A+
Apr 23, 2020
Would take again

Sandy is one of my favorite professors at UVM thus far. He makes his orgo lectures entertaining and engaging despite the difficulty of the material. He is always open to meeting with you one-on-one, so if you have questions do not hesitate to meet with him! Do the suggested practice problems, review problem sets, keep to a consistent schedule.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
4.0
4.0
CHEM141
Apr 27, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Sandy is a good lecturer, and makes success possible. However, he acts relatable and funny, but only wants some students to succeed, especially access students. I put in a lot of work outside of class because he was dismissive of me in office hours. TAs are a better resource. His curve was seemingly undefined... He's a good prof but isnt that fair

Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
4.0
4.0
ORGO141142
Grade: A
Jun 22, 2020
Would take again

Sandy is an interesting, challenging, overall great teacher To pass his orgo classes, I highly recommend the following: Go to lecture and LISTEN to his explanations. He explains things in a consistent way so the more you buckle down and pay attention, the easier it will be Go to his review sessions Do HW and the practice tests.

Respected
Accessible outside class
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 18, 2020
Would take again

Sandy is the best Chemistry professor I will ever find! He is very knowledgeable about everything Organic, and loves to keep the nerves down and mood up in class! He is a self-proclaimed "Man of the people," so he will listen to student input about the class! He is also very willing to meet outside of class. All you need to do is ask to meet!

Gives good feedback
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
5.0
CHEM141
Grade: A-
Jan 13, 2021
Would take again

Sandy has been the greatest teacher I have ever had so far. He makes a commonly feared subject such as orgo very approachable. His lectures are very engaging and he explains difficult concepts in a very understandable way. He is also very easy to meet with outside of class time.

Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
3.0
5.0
CHEM141
Jan 15, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Sandy is a great professor and a nice guy but is actually very unaccommodating when it comes to having issues outside of the subject of organic chemistry. Puts on a front of a super great and understanding professor but I have known multiple people to have issues with him when it came to personal problems and him being not understanding.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Graded by few things
Test heavy
5.0
5.0
CHEM142
Grade: Not sure yet
May 13, 2021
Would take again

I am sad to be done with Sandy's class since I took the final today. For better and for worse, I can't believe Orgo is over. Sandy's a consistent lecturer in how he describes things and always willing to meet for guidance in the class or to answer questions. Go to review sessions! Very encouraging about a difficult topic! Just stay smart & relaxed.

Gives good feedback
Inspirational
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
CHEM142
May 17, 2021
Would take again

Sandy is the best professor I have had at UVM by far. He always makes sure his students understand the material and is willing to meet after class for one on one help. It is not an easy class and he expects you to learn the material, but what else would you expect for orgo 2?? I would recommend him any day. 11/10 love this man

Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
CHEM042
Grade: A+
Jul 2, 2021
Would take again

Sandy's enthusiasm and passion for orgo is infectious and make orgo - dare I say it? - fun. On the downside, Sandy can be a little disorganized, online exam questions can be tricky, and is known for being reticent about writing letters of recommendation. Kill it in lab, read the textbook + 2nd Language, do practice problems, and you should be ok.

Get ready to read
Hilarious
Caring
5.0
3.0
CHEM141142
Nov 9, 2021
Would take again

I loved having Sandy! I always looked forward to his class because he made organic chemistry fun and he was engaging and interesting to pay attention to! His review sessions were super helpful, and I'd strongly recommend attending them. Orgo was obviously difficult but Sandy helped make the subject not dreadful.

Accessible outside class
Hilarious
Caring
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Dec 6, 2021
Would take again

Orgo is really hard and I wouldn't be surviving without Dr. Wurthmann. He makes the lectures interesting and has a great understanding of the material. Definitely the best chemistry professor I've had so far.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Graded by few things
Test heavy
3.0
4.0
CHEM041
Grade: B+
Dec 18, 2021
Would take again

Sandy is an amazing lecturer, but his tests were simply too hard. There were multiple times the class average for an exam was below a 70% and he would still not curve the exam. I am a chem major so I cared enough about this class to do well but it is too hard for a requirement.

Respected
Amazing lectures
Tough grader
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: A
Dec 23, 2021
Would take again

Professor Sandy Wurthmann is one of my favorite professors here at UVM in the chemistry department. He tells amazing stories in organic chemistry and provides great feedback alongside how to grow as a chemistry student. I would take this class 10 more times just to listen to his humor and lectures. Professor Sandy is a real gem!

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Test heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: A-
Dec 28, 2021
Would take again

Sandy is an amazing prof for orgo. I was petrified of taking orgo, but somehow, Sandy makes the class manageable, and ... fun??? It was stressful and difficult, but what can people expect from an orgo class. I was so grateful to have Sandy as my orgo prof. Make sure to study and use all available resources, and you should do well in the course.

Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: D
Feb 20, 2022
Wouldn't take again

Everyone says this guy is so cool and interesting in class, but I found most of his lecturing meaningless because it's just regurgitated from his previous year's iPad notes. His teaching style is SLIGHTLY better than the gen chem ones but he is truly unaccommodating and seems not to care about his students' wellbeing. Do better Sandy

2.0
5.0
ORGO141142
Grade: B
Apr 19, 2022

Orgo will make you feel stupid, I'm sorry to say. It's MAD hard; be prepared for curve balls on exams. I thought he was chill and fun in the beginning, but one-on-one proves very different. He WILL give points back, but it really depends on his mood that day. He also definitely knows people like him so he has a bit of an ego...

Tough grader
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
4.0
CHEM142
May 9, 2022
Would take again

Ochem was very difficult, yet manageable. Can't believe I actually finished a whole year of ochem; never in my life I thought I could. I found that Sandy gave engaging lectures. Some complain that his exams very bs and unexpected; however, I found comparable to the practice exams. Use all resources for this class, its a pain but it'll pay off.

5.0
4.0
CHEM142
Grade: B
Aug 23, 2022
Would take again

I was terrified to take this class because obviously organic chemistry is a beast, but Sandy made the class enjoyable and was very happy to work with me outside of class. His lectures are entertaining and the practice exams are very helpful. Make sure to do the homework problems, and take questions in BEFORE you take exams.

Get ready to read
Caring
Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
CHEM142
Grade: A-
Sep 8, 2022
Would take again

Sandy is the best prof I've ever had! I graduated from another school and decided to retake orgo before applying to dental school and I'm so happy I took it with him. I genuinely understood the material and he made orgo so much fun to learn! Because of Sandy, my DAT orgo score went up 4 points!!

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Inspirational
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 30, 2022
Would take again

Sandy was one of my favorite teachers at UVM. Orgo is definitely not an easy class but he makes it manageable and engaging. He's helpful outside of class and provides a lot of materials to prepare for exams. He's very funny and likes to joke in class.

Caring
Respected
Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
CHEM141142
Grade: A-
Dec 14, 2022
Would take again

If you pay attention and ask questions when you dont understand you will do well. He is good at explaining the material. Engaging. Caring. Makes funny jokes sometimes. Labs can be little annoying, but a lot of TAs are super nice and understanding. Not all... I wish the chem department at UVM was more like him.

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Accessible outside class
5.0
2.0
CHEM141
Grade: A
Dec 18, 2022
Would take again

Sandy is awesome! Very accessible outside of class and a really funny guy... I didn't think the material was too challenging and he does an excellent job teaching it. 10/10 would recommend.

Caring
Respected
Accessible outside class
4.0
3.0
CHEM141
Grade: A-
Dec 27, 2022

Orgo is tough and Sandy moves at a fast pace. The textbook and second language book are not very useful and cover different things than is prioritized in class and on exams. He does not make practice problems very accessible or clear what to do. Your lab TA makes a big difference too and you don't find out who they are until add/drop has passed.

Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
Accessible outside class
1.0
3.0
CHEM142
Grade: Not sure yet
May 8, 2023

His teaching style didn't really work for me but if long tedious lectures are your thing you'll be fine. Office hours was a mixed experience, it doesn'tn't look like he treats everyone the same when it comes to one-on-one support.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
Graded by few things
4.0
4.0
CHEM142
May 13, 2023
Would take again

The course content is difficult, and requires a ton of practice. Lectures are helpful and not dry. Sandy covers things slightly differently than the book, but I found the suggest practice problems to be very helpful. Labs are not too challenging but the reports and quizzes can be time consuming

Clear grading criteria
Respected
Test heavy
3.0
4.0
CHEM142
Grade: C+
May 13, 2023
Would take again

Sandy is a great guy, but at times, I get the impression that his positive attitude is a facade. Recently, he made the decision to lower the lab grades of some lab sections. This was due to discrepancies in grading between the TA's. Unfortunately, this decision had an impact on my academic standing, as it dropped my final grade from a B- to a C+.

Test heavy
1.0
4.0
CHEM142
Grade: B
May 15, 2023

Exactly what this person said right below about his attitude! Avoid his classes if you can unless you absolutely have to take orgo.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM142
Grade: A
Jul 28, 2023
Would take again

Sandy was by far my favorite professor I've ever had. This course is difficult and requires a lot of work outside of class, however the lectures are clear and incredibly interesting. Labs aren't too difficult if you study the class material and writing the lab reports really helps with further understanding. Inviting & helpful during office hours.

Clear grading criteria
Lots of homework
Test heavy
5.0
5.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Oct 30, 2023
Would take again

Best Professor at UVM. I had to withdraw due to taking way to many courses, but I plan and can't wait to retake this course next year. Genuinely kind prof, makes me actually want to take Orgo.

Gives good feedback
Caring
Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Grade: A-
Nov 15, 2023
Would take again

Charismatic professor who is willing to help

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM041
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 10, 2023
Would take again

Professor Wurthmann is one of the best teachers I've ever had. He is so funny, engaging, and relatable. He likes to make jokes and funny analogies during lectures. Overall nice to be around and makes the content easy to understand.

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
Graded by few things
2.0
3.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 10, 2023

Honestly I have no idea what the rave is about. His teaching style is a solid 'meh'. Almost everything in this course was meh. He tries a little too hard to be relevant and "funny" and it looks like some people enjoy that.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
4.0
CHEM141
Grade: A-
Dec 12, 2023
Would take again

Sandy is easily one of the best professors I have ever had at UVM. Orgo is not an easy subject, but he does his best to provide assistance to students and teach it the best he can. He is exceedingly helpful during office hours and always seems willing to help students learn. He also keeps class light-hearted which is always appreciated.

Amazing lectures
Respected
Graded by few things
4.0
3.0
CHEM041
Grade: A
Dec 13, 2023
Would take again

CHEM2580: Orgo 1 Sandy (Alexander Wurthmann) was a great professor, lecturer, and funny guy. The subject matter for Orgo at some points was interesting and others not which really isn't Sandys fault. If you have to/want to take Orgo Sandy is definitely the professor to take it with. I think he was a solid 4.5/5 professor and class rigor 3.5/5

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Accessible outside class
1.0
3.0
CHEM141
Grade: A-
Dec 13, 2023

a little condescending, average teaching style

Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
CHEM141
Grade: A+
Dec 19, 2023
Would take again

I mean I feel like I don't need to say too much, his ratings on here reflect how good of a professor he is. Great lectures that are easy to follow and understand. Makes you like orgo which is a hard thing to do! My TA Ray also made the experience awesome so overall had a great time! Only issue was webassign and Sandy is fixing that!

Amazing lectures
Caring
Lecture heavy
3.0
3.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: B
Jan 18, 2024
Would take again

This class is difficult but sandy makes it easy to follow. He sometimes is not very helpful if you got to office hours and can come off a bit sarcastic or uncaring in that sense. He is a funny guy in his own way but webassign was awful with harsh grading yet he is getting rid of it now. Definitely do not skip class and attend his Thursday help.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: C
Apr 25, 2024

Out of all my years at UVM, Sandy was the hardest professor I have ever had because I felt like he genuinely did not care about me nor my success in his course. No matter how many office hours I went to, I usually left feeling belittled and like I was "not smart enough" to do well in his class. Don't recommend, take Amy's class instead if u can.

Tough grader
Test heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
4.0
CHEM142
Grade: Not sure yet
May 6, 2024

If you take chem 2580/2585 with him, I hope you're at least lucky enough to get a good TA/grader. The professor himself has this kind of lukewarm personality where you really don't know if you can rely on his help but on top of everything else, I had the worst grader TA too. Try to find resources outside his class early on.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
4.0
ORGO141142
Grade: Not sure yet
May 7, 2024

If you take chem 2580/2585 with him, I hope you're at least lucky enough to get a good TA/grader. The professor himself has this kind of lukewarm personality where you really don't know if you can rely on his help but on top of everything else, I had the worst grader TA too. Try to find resources outside his class early on

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
4.0
CHEM142
Grade: B
May 10, 2024
Would take again

Sandy is a good professor the tests are hard and weighted heavy but the material on them is fair. He is always willing to help if you show the effort, go to foodie hours ! I loved the class it was one of my favorites and I appreciated the way he supported me and encouraged me throughout the course. do as much practice as possible !

Hilarious
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
1.0
CHEM141142
Grade: B
May 10, 2024

He belittles and badmouths students in the presence of TAs which is then reflected in how the TAs treat you: rude email replies, having an attitude like they're doing you a favor by just being your TA, discrepancy in grading. Take Amy's class if you can. It's not just that she's a better instructor; it's that she's a better person!

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
CHEM142
Grade: B+
May 11, 2024

By far the worst TA experience I've ever had in a science class... dismissive, rude, and likely enabled by Sandy. If you have to take his class, maybe go to the SI sessions like someone else here suggested.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: A-
Jun 9, 2024
Would take again

Sandy is amazing, truly one of the best professors that I have had. He keeps the class engaged and makes learning ochem fun. He is a funny guy, personable and cares about his students grades and their lives outside of class. He never shamed students for not knowing even basic questions and answers them in depth. Wish I could say more but limited.

Inspirational
Caring
Test heavy
1.0
3.0
CHEM141142
Grade: A-
Jul 5, 2024

this guy has an obnoxious ego. probably in the wrong career.

2.0
3.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: A
Nov 21, 2024

this prof is extremely unaccommodating for documented ailments. I was in emergency surgery and he wasn't going to let me make up the exam until I contacted the dean and had them threaten him!

Test heavy
4.0
4.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 6, 2024
Would take again

His lectures are exactly what he tests you on in his exams, however some lectures were very confusing to me and fast paced. Orgo is a naturally hard class but he does explain complex concepts well and is very accessible if you need help/have questions. He is a little bit strict about having to make up exams/quizzes, but overall a great professor.

Respected
Lecture heavy
2.0
5.0
CHEM2580
Grade: B+
Dec 9, 2024

tests are VERY difficult - they don't reflect the difficulty of the practice problems. sandy is kind of a creep and doesnt seem to care about his students. decent lectures but does not hide the fact that he wants you to leave office hours. lab section is not all that bad but your TA will make or break it. I struggled hard throughout this course.

Tough grader
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
4.0
CHEM2580
Grade: A+
Dec 14, 2024
Would take again

Sandy is a really amazing teacher, and his style just clicks for me. I found his exams to be harder than the practice material, but I studied using a variety of different resources and found that to be most beneficial. SI Jake was the best & really helped me prepare, I owe my success to him :)) go to the review sessions!!

Amazing lectures
Test heavy
Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
CHEM2580
Grade: B+
Dec 14, 2024
Would take again

Super cool guy. Class was difficult as chemistry always is, but he has been my favorite chem professor by far. He streams all of his lectures on teams. Explains things in a creative way, and always went at a good pace. However you need to expect to put in a lot of work outside of class on your own (there is not much homework) if you want to do well

Participation matters
Caring
Test heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM2580
Grade: B
Dec 17, 2024
Would take again

This class was super hard, but Sandy made lectures as fun as they could be for orgo. He is great at answering questions and explaining concepts, and he is always happy to talk outside of class. There weren't many grades outside of exams and lab, and labs were also fairly hard and not consistent across TAs.

Amazing lectures
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
4.0
CHEM2580
Grade: C+
Dec 17, 2024
Would take again

His lectures are always great, but you NEED to show up to class if you want to do well. I fumbled the second half of the semester and got a horrible grade on the final (25% of my grade). Don't be like me, go to class, Sandy is an awesome professor.

Amazing lectures
Test heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM2580
Grade: A
Dec 17, 2024
Would take again

Sandy is a great professor with engaging lectures. Lecture attendance is not technically mandatory, but you NEED to go to lectures if you want to do well. Expect to put in a lot of work outside class to practice the material. Tests and lab are pretty much all that determine the grade. I highly recommend going to the weekly SI sessions.

Amazing lectures
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
5.0
CHEM2580
Grade: B+
Dec 29, 2024
Would take again

Sandy is a great professor. He is very passionate about chemistry and knows what he is talking about. He understands that orgo is a very challenging course for many people and gives information in a way that is easier to digest. He live streams his lectures every day and posts them afterwards, but I recommend going to class.

Caring
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
CHEM141142
Grade: B+
Jan 8, 2025

tests are VERY difficult - they don't reflect the difficulty of the practice problems. Sandy is kind of a creep and doesn't seem to care about his students. decent lectures but does not hide the fact that he wants you to leave office hours. lab section is not all that bad but your TA will make or break it. I struggled hard throughout this course.

4.0
5.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: B
Feb 6, 2025
Would take again

Hysterical and Brilliant! He moves very fast though so it's hard to take notes and learn at same time. The content is out-of-this-world difficult which is unfortunate and the exams are cumulative. Its a very traditional class: attend lecture, study hard, take tough exams. No corners cut but no malicious rigor either. LABS hard and writeups LONG.

Hilarious
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: Rather not say
Feb 6, 2025
Would take again

Dr. Wurthmann, bouncing off the walls. He had a lot of energy, and everything felt easy with him. Orgochem was bifurcated into those who loved and hated it. I loved it - it was fun puzzles. He clearly loved it too. Be wary! He makes everything seem easy in lecture, but you need to do the work on your own before you get it. But he's fun!

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Hilarious
1.0
3.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: B
Feb 6, 2025

Not accommodating whatsoever, it doesn't seem like he wants me to succeed. I'm ok at orgo so I did alright, but no thanks to sandy.

2.0
5.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: B+
Mar 13, 2025

Something has clearly changed compared to older reviews. Exams are extremely difficult and don't align with course materials. Practice tests are misleadingly easier. Homework is unnecessarily hard. The professor is unavailable outside of class, and even attending review sessions won't guarantee above a B. The class average is a sad 70.

Tough grader
Test heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
5.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: B
Mar 17, 2025

TAs constantly make mistakes on grading exams and students have to then regrade their own exams to even have a chance at getting a good grade. The professor is creepy towards women but gets a pass because he's charismatic, which is NOT ok. But of course UVM won't do anything.

Tough grader
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: B-
Mar 21, 2025

Exams are confusing and designed to make you fail. If you really need this class take it at another school, the entire chemistry department here is terrible.

Tough grader
1.0
5.0
CHEM141ORGO
Grade: B
Mar 23, 2025

Homework quizzes are unforgiving and time-consuming. Exams suck. If you're never going to use chemistry find other options to get the credit.

Graded by few things
4.0
4.0
CHEM2580
Grade: A
Apr 29, 2025
Would take again

I really enjoyed how Sandy taught Orgo 1. Yes, TAs made mistakes grading exams, but if you go to office hours to talk about it, you'll get points back. I've put in more effort for this class than any other college course... start studying way earlier than you think is necessary and put in the work. The 2nd language book is amazing.

Test heavy
Graded by few things
2.0
5.0
CHEM2580
Grade: B+
Apr 29, 2025

Sandy's teaching style doesn't click with me, but I appreciate his jokes and real-world examples that he throws in. I don't appreciate that the practice doesn't match up with the difficulty of the real exams. I spent most of my time re-teaching myself. Definitely go to the tutoring center, SI sessions, and to his office hours to get points back!

Hilarious
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM2580
Grade: A
May 10, 2025
Would take again

Sandy is great at explaining a tough subject in a way that is comprehensible. Go to class and put in the effort and you will be fine. TA's tend to make mistakes when grading your tests, so go to his office hours and get points back. Do all of the review problems and SI work as well they are great recources.

Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM2580
Grade: A
Nov 10, 2025
Would take again

Go to class. It really makes all the difference if you actively take notes during lectures. Sandy is a great lecturer and he mixes in practice problems throughout class which really help you understand the material you're learning. Ask as many questions as you need and utilize his office hours (they get really busy sometimes).

Participation matters
Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM2580
Grade: B+
Nov 13, 2025
Would take again

His exams are harder than the examples we do in class, which makes the class difficult for sure. But in lecture, he is really good at explaining the concepts and how they work. I wish we did harder examples in class, but he is a really good teacher, and I am excited to take Chem 2585 next semester with him

Tough grader
Hilarious
Graded by few things
1.0
5.0
CHEM2580
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 21, 2025

This guy needs a lesson in humility. His exams don't come close to what he does in class and he needs to check his ego.

Tough grader
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
CHEM2580
Grade: C
Dec 11, 2025

Sandy and his class are nothing like previous reviews state. Exams are disproportionately hard compared to in class problems and practice tests. I had no problem breezing through HW and practice, it just feels like its set up for you to fail. I highly recommend taking it elsewhere, especially after being set up to fail by Ruggles in genchem.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
CHEM2580
Grade: A
Dec 11, 2025
Would take again

Sandy is a really great professor, he is good at explaining things in multiple ways if you don't understand something. He is very accessible after classes and really cares about people doing well and understanding the material. He's a really nice professor and I would definitely recommend taking him for orgo.

5.0
5.0
CHEM2580
Grade: A-
Dec 16, 2025
Would take again

Sandy is amazing! Orgo is a difficult class by nature, but he is great at explaining and very accessible. Super challenging, but he's a great lecturer, and it is possible to be successful if you put in the work needed. Lab was really hard & sometimes unrelated to the lecture, but overall, he is so good at explaining and provides a lot of resources.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Test heavy
5.0
1.0
CHEM2580
Grade: A-
Dec 23, 2025
Would take again

He is hot.

Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

31%

Textbook Required

36%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 77 grades
Most common grades:
A (19)
B+ (15)
B (15)
Grade Distribution
A(24)B(17)C(5)D(4)F(0)A-/B+(28)
Based on 90 reported grades
A: 19
B+: 15
B: 15
A-: 13
Common Tags
Test heavy (37)
Graded by few things (22)
Hilarious (19)
Lecture heavy (19)
Accessible outside class (16)
Amazing lectures (15)
Skip class? You won't pass. (13)
Respected (12)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.84 avg change
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Ratings by Course

CHEM143

5.0

(1)

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5.0

(1)

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5.0

(1)

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4.5

(2)

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4.4

(76)
+6 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ORGO141142

4.3

CHEM141ORGO

4.1

CHEM143

4.0

CHEM142

3.9

CHEM2580

3.9

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