3.3
Quality4.3
Difficulty64%
Would Retake161
Reviews64%
Would Retake
161
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
55
4
33
3
26
2
24
1
23
What Students Say
“To get an A in Colonna's orgo, read the book 3 times before the test, do all of the practice problems, and every single online problems you can find”
CHEM202 - 3.0 rating“Practice everyday (I didn't and REALLY should have)”
CHM201 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
48%
Textbook Required
63%
Grade Predictor
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Predicted Grade
A-
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Declining
-0.38 avg changeRatings by Course
CHME
5.0
(1)CHEM101
5.0
(1)CHM2012
5.0
(2)CHM317
5.0
(3)CHM222
4.3
(9)Difficulty by Course
201
5.0
ORGO12
5.0
CHME
5.0
CHM206
5.0
ORGO1N2
5.0
Reviews (161)
She's a good teacher, but her tests are very hard. Be prepared to study A LOT!
this class is hard, but all orgo classes are.
This class is easy as****!!!!!!! You have to be stupid or have a poor academic background not to do well in her class. The woman's a great professor!!!!!
This class is easy as****!!!!!!! You have to be stupid or have a poor academic background not to do well in her class. The woman's a great professor!!!!!
One of my favorite Chem teachers. She is such a nice person. She is hard but a great teacher. All organic chemistry classes are hard. If you want to learn Organic, take it with her. She teaches from the book, so you will have the book to lean on. Her multiple choice exams are tricky but do-able.
easy class. if you cant get an A you're just dumb.
great curve
No Comments
She's freakin' hott!
If the class Average was a 40, is it the class or the professor? She thrives on giving some questions no one would know, even if you studied for 10927435 hours.
An amazing teacher...has a of way of making organic chemistry incredibly LOGICAL and STRAIGHT-FORWARD. As for those who say shes "too hard" or "doesn't test on material she teaches" thats false--its because she teaches on CONCEPTS, and NOT on regurgitation on info and emphasizes crtical thinking skills, unlike some mindless premed classes. THINK!
Semi-good teacher. Most of what she says is straight out of the book. Very hard as far as most science, or even orgo, teachers go. Her lectures seem easy, and then she'll drop an incredibly hard test on you.
Great professor but ridiculous tests.
Teaches straight out of the book. Be prepared to spends lots of time studying as her test are hard.
Great prof
her test were v.hard u gotta study like a few days before the exam, the night before wont cut it. I didnt find the class helpful because i never read before hand. Still ended up w/ a good grade
She is a major **** and makes her exams so hard that the average is usually below 50%. She gets off on her students struggling during exams - she sits there and smiles. Hate her. TAKE HELLER. Everyone does at least 1 grade better in his class...he is a real professor that cares about students learning and not about being the hardest professor.
Excellent teacher who cares for her students. You come to her office hours and she is extremely helpful. Many people can attest to that. Granted, her multiple choice tests are hard. I had her for regular orgo 1 and honors orgo 2 and her essay tests were pretty straightforward. You need to study. HARD. I got an A- and A in orgo 1 and (honors) 2.
She brings a great personality to the hardest course in all of college. She cares for the students and is more than willing to go over things again and meeting with students outside of class. The class requires a lot of dedication and a whole lotta time. There is too much material to start studying 3 nights before a test. READ THE BOOK!
She demonstrates but doesn't explain what in the world she is doing.
No Comments
No Comments
I think her tests are very difficult. She has to make a huge curve for everyone and still very few people get A's. I think she does an ok job teaching, but the material on test is not like what she goes over in class. This is why orgo has the bad reputation it does because of professors like her who like to make tests very difficult.
Difficult class, but to be honest, you just have to work yourself into the ground for a good grade. She couldn't be any more clear. Her tests were tough, but if you studied enough, you stuck it out.
Excellent lecturer. She is very good at simplifying very difficult concepts. However, you must be prepared to work extremely hard in her class. Her tests are about concepts and you are expected to know the information inside and out. Absolutely possible to get an A. Bottom line: if you arent interested in working, professor shopping won't help you.
Horrible teacher, but she is a super nice lady. Another problem is that she gives tests that do not reflect her class notes or the text book. Take Heller.
Orgo is brutal no matter what. Her class is very very hard. Not a terrible teacher, but her tests are insanely difficult. Heller is supposed to be easier
Honestly, she is the sweetest professor at UM. She really wants her students to do well, but you must study at least 2 hours daily. The key is study, go to class, and office hours help a ton! She drops your lowest exam, and the final is based on the previous 3 exams (tough).
good lecturer (aside form accent!) but VERY HARD EXAMS! final exam was extremely difficult! requires LOTS of studying daily so you must take her with a light credit load for the semester!
I had Dr. Colonna for Orgo 2 and Dr. Heller for Orgo 1 - neither of the teachers are "easier" than the other. Dr. Collona made up her own questions that were not like the homework or in class examples- If you knew the information and study hard you can get an A- its not that hard is you study- Dr Colonna is just a tough teacher
excellant,
She gets a bad rap as being very hard but she is one of the best teachers I've ever had. She is very clear and goes slower than Heller which makes the class easier b/c reading the textbook is a must and so you dont have to read as much before class. I highly recommend b/c orgo is going to be hard no matter what and she teaches it so much better.
good prof, hard tests
The second part of organic chemistry is hard no matter who u take so be prepared to work a lot. She is excellent in explaining the concepts behind different reactions, better at teaching than Heller. She is very nice in answering questions during office hrs. Tests are very hard but if you dedicate time & study notes/textbook well you will be fine.
Professor Colonna is the best professor I've ever had. She is literally a walking orgo book. If you study hard and understand the main concepts, you will do great. You CAN NOT just memorize!! She is very helpful in her office hours and is very approachable! great lecturer and AMAZING curve (better than heller)i suggest taking the same prof orgo1&2
Dr. Colonna teaches organic chemistry very well. I ended up with an A in her class (barely) by studying the textbook and practice problems outside of what's given. Orgo is hard in general because it's a lot of conceptual thinking as opposed to plugging in numbers into formulas like gen. chem. Study hard, ask questions, and you will succeed.
i only rated her as hot under "appearance" because there was no option for super-hot . ----ORGO 1,2 with colonna is firmly based in the textbook; if you are behind in the reading going to the class is not very useful. huge amount of material to read per term. 1 of 3 (curved / equally weighted) midterms dropped; final weighted as much as a midterm
Dr. Colonna is truly a genious. The way she teaches is very direct and explicit, and I HIGHLY recommend her. If you can manage to score an average of 14/20 on her tests, you're basically guaranteed an A. You can even end up with an average higher than 120 if you dominate the tests.
No one can deny that Dr. Colonna is an educated individual in the field of organic chemistry. However, a good teacher? NO. I had her for orgo1 in fall2008 and she was only SUB-par (out of 10, a 4/10). For orgo2, which I'm currently taking for Spring2009, she is GOD-AWFUL (out of 10, a .75/10). I dont need her to recite the book for me, ill read
Dr. Colonna is not joking when she says that she does not want you to memorize the book. She makes sure that you are understanding what she is teaching in great detail. She is NOT easy, but I will take her again any day because she is a GOOD TEACHER! She explains everything very well and that is how she expects you to learn it.
Extremely hard teacher. She does not write very good notes on the board because she goes too fast and erases before you can even finish writing down her notes. Tests are very hard and long. The only way I learned anything was by reading the book and doing practice problems from the book. The orgo book is AMAZING.
Orgo in general is pretty hard, but Colonna is pretty good. The tests are really hard though, you really have to understand the concept and not just memorize things. She's a little scatter-brained, which can be annoying when you're writing notes really quickly, but I'd probably take her again.
She is an excellent teacher but very hard. I did well on one test and rode that through for the rest of the year to get an A. Keep up with reading before class, and she solidifies what you. Not very helpful out of class and she is very lazy. She wants to get out of office hours as quick as possible. Sometimes hard to take notes b/c shes so fast.
It could be possible to get an A in this class if it wasn't for the final. Seriously, what was up with that final? She actually explains well, her test are just too challenging. 3 tests (drops the lowest) and a final. Good luck if you have to take her.
MY FAVORITE TEACHER. Don't let people scare you away from orgo, it's interesting and she makes it very worth your while. Attendance isn't manadtory but I always wanted to go cause it's interesting and it makes it MUCH easier to succeed on her exams. They are hard but if you pay attention and do the studying, you'll get an A.
Had her for both 201 and 202. Failed both the first time and I studied. It is possible to pass if this class is your life and you're not taking any other hard classes. I am a double major and have to work. She can be nice if you go to office hours but that is only if she hasn't got a lot to do.
She is amazing! Not as easy as some other teachers but if you have any interests in Chem she will definitely help you understand. Love her!!
She's the best. You CAN get an A just study... duh
Even the honors class was easier than her. Very lazy, and very unprofessional. Very imaginative with her tests though, nothing like the book or the lecture notes!
Your grade depends entirely on the other students in your class. She is incredibly lazy and doesn't care about teaching. You WILL learn a lot from taking her, but only because you'll teach yourself. Also, the tests are a crap shoot. You have to understand the concepts beyond flawlessly because the questions are nothing like lecture or the textbook.
Her lectures are based on the textbook. The best way to prepare for her exams is by doing her old exams! She'll often repeat questions, and that way you'll be exposed to the type of questions she asks. She's takes forever to post grades,and she was not helpful at all for the final exam. Try to see her when she's alone so she's helpful.
Her course was the worst experience of my undergraduate career (first grade below an A at UM, a solid C...gpa rape) Her class is useless if you dont read the book beforehand, she is lazy, writes faster than you can write down notes, horrible in class attitude, exams seem to be from another course, posted 2 out of 3 midterms on the day of the final.
I barely managed an A, maybe because my class average was so low. I speak the truth here; she knows her stuff, but she can't teach it to you. Taking her doesn't mean you learn the material better. I hate when kids say that. I forgot half the stuff and it's only been 2 years. Take an easier teacher because you'll only remember the basics anyway.
caution, several unfavorable reviews have been deleted from the fall 2009 semester for mysterious reasons. In short, don't take her if you like your life, sanity, or grade.
She IS NOT a good teacher at all! No doubt she's very smart and knows organic chemistry inside out, but she can't teach it to save her life. She goes super fast which is not good for a material as dense as ochem. DON'T TAKE HER. You're really better off taking someone else, trust me.
I'd just like to say one thing: FAIL
This woman even admitted that we never learned how to do one of the questions on her test and just brushed it off her shoulders. It wasn't even in the book!! how the hell are we supposed to know that we should learn something that she never talked about nor was in the book? HOW?!?!... bah
I took this lady for two semesters, horrible attitude, and horrible teacher. She advises not to get a tutor but its the only way i survived the class. Her notes are right out of the textbook and not helpful for her graduate-level tests. If your stuck with her, GET A TUTOR!
It's easy to get an A in this class. All you need to do is hire a pricey tutor like I did (and I wish I had done so last semester, yikes!). Literally, it got to the point where I simply hired a tutor during what would be her class time, and I went from a C- average to an A+. She never has office hours, and is a generally uncaring person.
Just don't. If you do, get a tutor.
I had Dr Colonna for two semesters, and I managed to get A's both times. Go to class, her lectures are based on the book but it helps to see her writing out the mechanisms. Do all the end of chapter problems and as many old exams as you can so you'll know what type of questions she asks. Honestly, you don't need a pricey tutor, just work hard!!
very arrogant and cocky; carrying the air of best thing since sliced bread, which she's not. perhaps more a loaf of wrinkled, stale italian bread. turn a deaf ear to students concern
agreed with previous poser, but I'd say she's a looker; she should be a muse for me, not a teacher
extremely difficult, got an A in orgo 1 (without her) and a C in her orgo 2. didn't even post grades for the third exam before the final exam so there was no way to even know how you did going into the final. her teaching style in no way prepares you for her test format. made me hate organic, avoid!
Don't let her fool you, her tests are hard. She is strongly against outside help, and the way she grades inherently is designed to make 40% of students have to take it again. ask her. I was a chem major, but now Im not because taking it again won't let me graduate on time. If you take her class, go to all of them and use outside help, do everything
Here's the real scoop. Fantastic teacher, goes too fast sometimes but clear. Lectures straight from textbook but tests are NOT. Class average on all tests never left the 40's. Take as many practice tests as you can find, it is the only way to pass. Doing problems from the book only helps to understand concepts but does NOT prepare you for the test
Just finished taking Orgo I with Colonna. As a teacher, I really like her. I think she explains things well (but goes too fast sometimes). The problem with Colonna is her exams. They are ridiculous. It's a shame, really, because I would have taken her again if her tests and grading weren't set up to make her students flunk or get C's. DONT TAKE.
Very very difficult exams. Good lecturer but goes too fast and is messy. Avoid her. If u take her, go to class, READ THE BOOK, do every question at the end of chapters, take old tests. If you don't read the book or only do some questions you will receive a C or D. Has poor grading system. If you don't get at least a B on the 1st exam, dropthecourse
She is definitely a difficult teacher, but if you go to her class and actually pay attention, read the book and practice lots of problems you should be fine. She is very easy to talk to if you show her you care. Going to her office hours helps IMMENSELY. Contrary to popular belief, she likes teaching and will help you out.
I got an A on every tests, after a while i stopped going to class and learned the material on my own. She teaches directly from the book, so you can learn everything there. The second test is the hardest, plan on dropping that one.
Dr. Colonna is a great teacher! She is really nice during office hours and is always willing to help and clarify concepts/topics. Also her tests are challenging but if you do the inbook examples you should be fine. If you want to be ready for MCAT def take her.
If you take this class, be prepared to teach yourself organic chemistry from the book and to do every practice problem in order to get an A. She writes horrible tests (not only are they hard, but they are literally poorly written) and grades on a very tight curve. The only good thing about the class is the fact that she looks great in a skirt.
Best teacher for orgo. With Dr. Colonna, you really learn the subject; if you want to do well on the MCAT, take her. Her tests are much harder than those of other classes, but if you read the book and do all the practice problems, you're set. She is actually very nice and will help her students whenever they have questions. Recommended to anyone.
Dr. Colonna is a great teacher, and VERY helpful during office hours. Her exams are really tough, but you will definitely learn the material because she presents it clearly. Make sure you you read the book BEFORE going to class. I would definitely take her for Orgo 1 because if you end up having her again for Orgo 2, you will be prepared.
Dr. Colonna is a smart woman. However, her grading system is very unorthodox making it hard to get an A or B if not in top 5% of class. Her office hours are packed, and I recommend a tutor. She will test you, but like Joe Biden says " Do not judge me on something i am not, judge against the best alternative," and for that reason she is good.
Dr. Colonna is truly one of the nicest professors at the university, and she makes learning the course material fun. She makes you learn, so if you're going to complain, just save everyone the trouble of listening and take someone else. Seldom do I have so much respect for someone, but Dr. Colonna really is the best at what she does.
With Colonna you will learn the material better than any other professor. She is fast paced and her lectures use examples from the book so you can go back and work them out later. The tests are HARD. But it's orgo... she expects you to know the exceptions to reactions. She really knows what shes talking about though.
HIGHLY recommended for Orgo 1, but I would not recommend her for Orgo 2. She is good for 201 because she will definitely give you the best foundation out of all of the professors. However, orgo 2 is much much more tedious and therefore I wouldn't recommend her. If you end up taking her anyway, do all book problems and old exams, b/c she does repeat
Dr. Colonna walks in the first day of class and says how it is her job to trick you and to make it hard. Be prepared to be tested in the hardest possible way on what is a very difficult subject. Whatever you do, make sure you do the problems at the end of the chapters several times before the test or you will pay the price.
Best teacher ever!
Dr. Colonna follows the book religiously. If you read before the lectures (BEFORE) and take good notes, then do practice problems before the test you are golden. The curve helps a TON. Plus, you will know the material very well.
Read the chapters in the book BEFORE she covers the material in class, do the in/out of chapter questions, and study from the premed411 exams. She always repeats at least a few questions from old exams. Best advice: ALWAYS go to class and never let yourself get behind on the material (this is not stuff you can cram like bio).
if you want to get an A in this class, you NEED to read the chapters, do all in chapter and end of chapter problems. the only way to pass this class is by practicing. in class is hard to keep up with what she is saying and writing. i recommend you use a book called Organic Chemistry by Kein, a friend recommended it to me and it help me a lot!
You cannot help but have a lot of respect for Dr. Colonna. Her tests are so very very hard, but grade is based on class average so it is curved. The only downside to this is if you are a weak student and get into a class of geniuses, you are hurting.
She is a great lecturer, but her tests are ridiculously hard. Maybe I'm just not that smart, but I would do all the in and out of chapter problems twice and outline the chapter and barely passed. I loved her, but if you're premed, grades are EVERYTHING so choose an easier professor if you can.
1) I love Colonna. 2) her exams are brutal,its not enough to know the material you need to be able to solve it in a timely manner 3)you really feel like youre learning 4)She is awesome during office hours 5)If youre lazy and just want to memorize,you will fail miserably.6)I would recommend her if you think you can put in the work and time.TAKE HER!
This class is just ridiculous. SHE WILL RUIN YOUR GPA with her RIDICULOUS tests.If you even want to PASS this CLASS you need to buy premed411 old tests and answers because if not you will not you will FAIL. The only reason people pass is because they all buy the old tests and memorize them. Puts thing in test NOT taught in class.
she's definitely a tough prof, her exams are killer. but she really is just trying to prep u for the MCAT, DAT,etc. Do all the hw problems that aren't stupid explanation ones, & use premed411. she drops 1 midterm & boosts grade if u go to workshop. seems nicer in the spring, got an A+ avg. took a lot of work.go to class on time & she writes fast
Out of all the professors at UM I have to say Dr. Colonna is one of my favorite! She is v. knowledgeable and extremely helpful. She's caring and wants you to enjoy the subject. I have learned so much from her class and if I could I would take it over again. If you're premed, orgo will be the least of your worries for the MCAT after this class
AVOID THIS LADY. She makes the class hard for no reason. Her tests are impossible and doesn't help you learn if anything it discourages you. Take her at your own risk
She talks fast, has an accent I can't understand, goes off on tangents all the time, and basically just sucks as a professor. 3 people got -3 on the first test as a score. How is that even possible???
I remember when I had her. I wish I didn't remember to be honest. She destroyed my science GPA. That's all there is to it. Find tutors, study like it's med school, and use premed411. Only way to get an A. Or B.
She puts q's on the tests that are NOT taught in class! And when she goes over them during the test review, she makes a bunch of mistakes. If she cannot answer her own questions, how can she expect her students to? Her office hours are 2 hours a week 2X a week for ALL of her students (about 600). There's no way you can talk to her privately. AVOID!
Best UM teacher ever
Her orgo class is an absolute nightmare. She writes questions that you could only answer by COMPLETELY understanding the concepts and deriving their exceptions; if you knew how to do that, you wouldn't be in the class. Do yourself a favor and take it at another school.
Dr. Colonna's class is not for the faint of heart, but don't let that discourage you. You will have to put a lot of effort into studying for the exams but they ARE doable if you do a lot of practice problems. You might find yourself praying for a B, but you will leave with a better education (and MCAT score) than the jokers taking an easier prof.
Do yourself a favor and take another professor, by all means. She is a good lecturer, her lectures are interesting and she follows the book accordingly, but she recently started using a book by Klein, which by the way is a really great book, but the material is not challenging enough for her test, it's basic and her test are just in another level.
This class was SO. EFFING. HARD. I failed EVERY SINGLE TEST and still got a B in the class... how is that even right?? Colonna seems really cool and totally brilliant, but her tests are straight up impossible. Just don't take her class, it's a nightmare.
You need to go to class. And it will be hard. No matter what. Her class is hard. expect to dedicate at least a week of nonstop studying for each exam. but shes fair, and tries to help.
Best teacher
Her lectures are difficult to sit through. She writes too small and goes too fast. Basically you'll have to teach it to yourself. Would not recommend, avoid if possible.
I guess it depends on who you ask, but I found her lectures to be difficult to sit through. It's a little unfair that her bad days show through so much. Would suggest you take it with another professor if possible.
Dr. Colonna's class is harder than any physics course at UM. Her test do not even closely resemble her lectures. Find a tutor, read the book, do all the problems, and read old tests from pre-med. Good luck...
Only a couple office hours are offered per week for all of her students.
If you attend class, read the book, and don't stop doing practice problems, you will get an A. The curve definitely helps those who do the practice. Her tests are designed to test understanding and not regurgitation; therefore understand the mechanisms. If you're premed I don't know how you can expect any of your A's to just be handed to you.
Nice lady. You either love her or hate her. I personally didn't learn well from her so I never went to class but read the book extremely in depth. You'll study harder than you ever have before and still come out of the test feeling like you're an idiot. Bell curves so competing against class. Can really boost or bring you down. Maybe pick diff prof
Major studying required. Have to go to class &extensively read the book AND do ALL homework assignments & then you might be confident on the exams. And then you still might walk away from the exam with a C. Exam questions are very difficult although the multiple choice and the bell curve makes it very difficult to fail. Hope you're self-motivated.
I started off liking this class but i soon realized that it's much harder than it appeared. The hardest part of the class is memorizing all the reactions and reagents and the tests are miles apart from the homework. This class would be easier if she handed out old tests on blackboard so you at least know what you're getting into. Good Luck.
Challenging course. Tests were nothing like what was taught in class nor what was in the book. Take what you think you have to know and kick it up like 10000%. Hard tests, barely any office hours. Would not recommend to be honest. Hardest teacher you could take.
1) Go to class. 2) KEEP UP WITH THE READING! 3) Do the homework in advance. You should get at least 90% on the assignments if you have the solutions manual. 4) Assign one day per chapter when studying for an exam. 5) Do the skill builders and associated questions.
You'll need to do every problem in the book at least twice in order to be prepared for her exams, which are probably the hardest exams you'll have to take. Doesn't respond to emails and has office hours once a week for ALL of her students. She's really knowledgeable and you'll really learn, but be prepared for a grueling semester.
Not only does she teach at the actual speed of light, but it's also impossible to talk to her in her office hours and her tests are like nothing have ever seen before. Honestly, only take her if you don't care about your GPA. The book is too easy for her class, if you rely on it, expect to fail.
By some miracle, I got a B in this class. If you keep up with the readings and go to class, you can get a decent grade. However, I kept on procrastinating and leaving things to the last minute, so I was always cramming for her exams. Her exams are extremely tough and you need to understand ALL of the concepts to get the questions right.
Dr. Colonna is brilliant. She is upfront from the first day of classes about her teaching style, the course, and what to expect. The few times I went to office hours, she was incredibly helpful and understanding. Her teaching style is fast paced, but read the book beforehand and you'll do fine. She makes you work for an A, but you learn a lot!
She's an excellent lecturer, though she goes quite quickly through the material. The goals are a little too ambitious, and you're best off reading the chapter the night before - you'll really suffer if you don't. Overall, this class should consume most of your study time if you expect to pass. Unfortunate.
Dr. Colonna is my favorite professor so far. The content for Orgo is tough, and she does a great job presenting the information. Yes, she writes/speaks quickly, but there is so much to teach. This is a class where you must pay attention 100% of the lecture, or you will miss something and be lost. But if you do, you will learn a lot from her.
Good teacher, she is ver knowledgable in the material but can move too fast. Her tests for organic chem II are the hardest things Ive ever seen.
Probably the worst class I've taken at UM. While Dr. Colonna is a good professor, I believe that her exams are unreasonably difficult. Homework was online and subject to many bugs and glitches. Also, she is only available once a week for office hours. I learned a lot, but would not recommend her at all. Try to take Orgo II somewhere else if you can
To get an A in Colonna's orgo, read the book 3 times before the test, do all of the practice problems, and every single online problems you can find. I didn't pay attention in actual lectures because 1, she goes too fast and 2, you can't see what she's writing on the board because her head is in the way and when you can finally see it, its gone.
She is one of the nicest professors you'll meet here at UM. I still don't know how I got through her class. I can't guarantee you'll make it to the end, but it can't hurt trying. You just have to roll with the punches.
She goes way too fast in lectures and her handwriting is illegible. If you ask her a question, she will probably sass you. She does not understand how this class can be difficult since, as she won't let you forget, she has a PhD in it. If you can take another professor, I recommend it. READ THE TEXTBOOK and get a tutor, it will help.
Finally, a class where the notes are valuable and not useless information that is already in the textbook. She is very clear, approachable, and helpful. This is a difficult class, but doable if you put in the time and effort.
Her Chemistry of Cooking class was amazing!! She is a great person and really passionate about cooking and how it relates to chemistry. Really fun and easy class, just need to come every week (one lecture, one cooking lab) and have a good time! There are lab reports (easy!) and then a final project where you get to cook anything you want. Super fun
Honestly what do you expect its organic chemistry. You have to study for it more than any of your other classes and it needs to be on your mind every second of the day. Yea she's quick but if you read the textbook, do a crap ton of practice problems, and spend time learning it on your own youll be fine. Her tests arent too hard if you know concepts
The best chemistry professor I have had. Her tests are the most difficult tests you will take but she wants you to understand. Do challenge problems. She will answer questions after class. She moves through the material quickly. Don't skip. She is amazing at explaining all of the concepts visually. She prepared me best for the MCAT. She cares a lot
She is sassy and condescending, hard to read her handwriting and the whole class is her just writing on the board, you won't understand a thing unless you have read the textbook before class. Very smart woman, not an ideal teacher. She's tough and her tests are tougher. You have to work for it in this class, although that's true of any orgo class.
Lectures go by fast. Read the material before class or you will feel lost. Read THE ENTIRE BOOK for the material on the test. ALL Chapters, ALL practice questions, ALL skill builders and ALL challenge problems. Tests are super hard but if you are able to read the book and do everything in the book you should pass. go to office hours. PICK UP TESTS.
Avoid if possible. Class was just her writing barely legibly from the textbook onto the board, and unless you read beforehand you could not understand anything she did. Tests were VERY hard and more challenging than anything seen in class. She made the class average a C for every test, but you get 1 drop. Hardest exams I've taken at UM.
Her Food Chemistry Class is absolutely amazing. She's so funny and open and teaches you so much.
Orgo is a hard class in general, so expect to put in effort. I thought Colonna's class was fair, three tests, and homework+in class problems count for 10%. Her tests are really hard, but if you read the chapters before class and do many many practice problems you'll be fine. Get the textbook and the textbook solutions manual.
Dr. Colonna is an amazing professor. I can see why people would rate her so poorly because her tests are very difficult. Frankly put, you just have to study a ton. She was very helpful in office hours and she really goes out of her way to make sure you do well in the class.
Organic chemistry tests your motivation more than your intelligence. Although she can be intimidating in class, she's great with questions and is nice and helpful outside of class. Despite difficult tests, her grading criteria is fair and designs the class so its hard fail. Her test reviews are helpful. Read before class
Hmm what to say about Colonna. She's hot. She's a great teacher. Her tests are difficult but manageable if you study. She's really hot. All kidding aside, you're going to have to do lots of studying to pass this class, but it will be well worth it. Going to office hours helps out in more than one way if you know what I mean ;) (she's freaking hot!)
Best teacher a UM, Orgo is hard no matter what. She is absolutely amazing just read the textbook in advance and you'll be fine.
Dr. Colonna is so nice and helpful if you go to her office hours and ask a lot of questions she will help you a lot. She curves a lot!!!!! She also gave us a make up exam as a chance to improve our grades.
She is the best teacher at UM. She is known to be a very hard professor, but I don't that is the case. It is the material itself that is hard because the exams are reasonable and you can definitely get As if you dedicate time to study. She is very helpful at her office hours. If you like curves, you will like her.
Honestly she was probably the most disrespectful teacher I've had. This is obviously supposed to be an extremely challenging course, but she teaches to prove that she has a PhD and will show that off in any way she can. She may be smart, but she has no compassion, little respect for students and is not easily accessible.
Hard class but amazing professor! Take her!! Really feel prepared for mcat
Impossible notes to follow. Tests don't exhibit students' skills. Teacher teaches way beyond the level of the class. Needs to be your only class of the semester to even do well. TAKES A LOT OF YOUE TIME.
Best orgo teacher here
I really loved taking Dr. Colonna. So many people criticize her and say negative things about her, but she is an amazing professor. Her class just isn't easy. You need to read the textbook, attend class, and do lots of practice. That is how you learn orgo, the information needs to be LEARNED not memorized, she emphasizes that. Listen to her advice.
Great professor, always kind, never makes you feel stupid and tries her best to help and will explain the same thing over and over again. Took her for 1 & 2. Yes this is the hardest class you'll take; you have to read the book, come to class and go to office hours.
Dr. Colonna is incredibly intelligent- however the lecture are very scrambled. The powerpoint was not followed half way through the semester making it very confusing to know where we were. Practice everyday (I didn't and REALLY should have). Hard class, requires constant attention.
Orgo is probably going to be hard for most people. Colonna, along with being a fantastic person and professor, provides resources to struggling students if they reach out to her after class or office hours. Having a good attitude about orgo, reaching out for help if needed, and forming study groups will prep yourself to succeed in her class.
Not a great teacher. Expects you to know as much as she does, goes very quickly in class. No point in attending the lecture besides for attendance, as she goes too fast and skips important topics.
I went to office hours frequently/ did tutoring / went to workshops every week/ didnt procrastinate and still ... Colonna made me question if I wanted to be a scientist. The material is interesting, however avoid taking her for orgo if possible. Ive heard the new prof Gonzalez is great!
Hardest classes I've taken at UM (orgo 1 and 2) but I left knowing way more than I have known about anything else I've taken. Dr. Colonna is so helpful in office hours and is really passionate about the subject
She is really a great professor :)
Dr. Colonna is a great professor. The class itself is hard but as long as you put a lot of time into studying and doing practice problems you'll get a good grade.
WOW! where to start, Barbara Colonna knows so much about organic chemistry. ORGO everywhere is dreaded by students who need to take the class. Her lectures are great, but not mandatory, and her tests exactly match the problems she does in class! Take her if you want an easy A in Organic Chem! If you want an A just make sure you read the PP. (:
To be honest I have never had a professor like cologna. I want to say she was fair but she wasn't. I would study for hours on end to do well and still fall short because of her impossible tests. Do not take her. If I had to sum it up in a song lyric "if it hadn't been for Barbara co, I would've passed orgo a long time ago."
One of the better chemistry professors at UM. She has a rep of being a tough prof, and not going to lie: She is. However, she is very helpful and nice if you go to office hours. Show her youre passionate about chemistry and learning!
Probably one of the kindest souls I've ever encountered. Be warned both classes in this series (ORG 1/2) require DAYS of studying (LEARN THE MECHANISMS PEOPLE). I would not recommend taking either of these classes with a dense class and/or working schedule. In any case take her you will love her.
Honestly, I have struggled immensely in this class. Being an honor student here, I have always loved being challenged but colonnas class is just much more difficult than it needs to be. I may not even get a C! book problems do not mimic the test & her lectures are very confusing / messy to read & write down. worst experience i've had at UM. rip 4.0
Colonna is a probably one of the best professors at UM. While the exams are very difficult, her curve is very generous. There's one midterm drop and after I did poorly on the first exam, I started going to her office hours regularly and my grade improved immensely. Read the book, office hours(HUGE), and write down the problems she does in class.
Colonna is a cool person, i'm sure that she is great outside of class. Having said that most people do not like her class because it is extremely difficult. Going to class doesn't help (unless you have already read the book).You NEED to pour your soul into learning this material, if you get it you will do okay, if not.. exams and final are veryhard
I took Colonna for 201 & 202 and I absolutely love her. She is caring and wants you to learn the material NOT JUST MEMORIZE. Always read the book before class, participate and ask questions, do the book problems and practice test and youll be golden. Dr. Colonna is a hard prof but orgo itself is a hard subject so dig in. Absolutely love Colonna!
Hands down favorite professor at UM!! She is very passionate about her subject and always available to help. Youll really have to work for it in this class, orgo is a challenge no matter what, but I came away having learned more than I ever have about any other subject.
Colonna has notoriously difficult exams, but I have found that I've learned so much in Orgo 1 and 2. She gives you all the keys you need to succeed, and her office hours are EXTREMELY helpful. She has also made a lot of changes to her teaching to accommodate students recently - she gives topic lists, does problems on her ipad, & has practice exams.
Colonna is extremely knowledgable as well as a very good lecturer. Orgo II is an extremely difficult class to teach and I believe she taught it well. Her exams were very very difficult even with tutors, TAs, and copious hours of studying.
worst teacher i have taken at UM. doesnt care about students mental health, wellbeing, or actual understanding of the content. unable to manage actual class time and gives optional mini lectures (you need to watch them to remotely get the class, 42 minutes compared to 50 of class) and expects good grades in class and doesnt curve. BAD teacher
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
48%
Textbook Required
63%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
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Rating Trend
Declining
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