2.0

Cameron Forde

Chemistry - Simon Fraser University

2.0
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
6%
Would Retake
96
Reviews
2.0
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
2.0
Helpful
2.0
Clarity

6%

Would Retake

96

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

8

4

11

3

9

2

18

1

50

What Students Say

Hes so bad at teaching and anyone who is thinking about taking a class with him should reconsider

PHYS101 - 1.0 rating

This guy was the worst prof I've ever had

PHYS101 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

50%

Textbook Required

67%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

92% confidence
Based on 14 grades
Most common grades:
Not sure yet (12)
Rather not say (5)
B (5)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(5)C(2)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 31 reported grades
Not sure yet: 12
Rather not say: 5
B: 5
B+: 4
Common Tags
Get ready to read (19)
Beware of pop quizzes (11)
Tough grader (10)
Lots of homework (10)
Tough Grader (8)
TEST HEAVY (7)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (6)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (4)
Rating Trend

Declining

-1.74 avg change
Apr
May
Jul
Nov
Mar
Feb
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CHEM332

4.8

(4)

CHEM230

3.1

(7)

PHYS100

3.1

(15)

PHYSPHYS

3.0

(1)

CHEM122

2.8

(6)
+6 more courses
Difficulty by Course

100

5.0

PHY101

4.5

CHEM121

4.3

CHEM126

4.1

PHYS101

4.1

Reviews (96)
2.0
4.0
CHEM322
Dec 12, 2006

He doesnt explain stuff very well. In fact, he doesnt explain most of the stuff that you probably have never seen before. Get read to study his lecture summaries over and over again.

5.0
3.0
CHEM332
Dec 16, 2006

Super nice prof. He's very interested in teaching chemistry, unlike other profs in university. Seems like he's always looking to better himself as an instructor. I suck at inorganic, but I was able to learn the material no problem from his notes. Very good notes! I hope he stays at SFU and teaches some other upper level courses. A+ in my books!

4.0
2.0
CHEM332
Dec 24, 2006

No Comments

5.0
1.0
CHEM332
Dec 31, 2006

The trick to the course is to read his very helpful online notes in conjunction with the textbook. The textbook alone will not teach you enough. Come prepared to his office hours with questions and you should do fine. He needs to find a way to get the class more involved during lecture.

5.0
2.0
CHEM332
Jan 20, 2007

It's better to read his lecture note and the online note together for better understanding. Overall i think he is the best chem 332 prof in sfu.

1.0
4.0
PHYS101
Jun 23, 2007

His notes absolutely suck + he's actually ignorant enough to believe that the lecture is helpful. It would make sense if midterms were comprised of demonstrations but how does he expect us to solve extremely difficult questions for homework assignments and on midterms if all he does is show us how a wheel spins or how to throw a ball up in the air?

2.0
5.0
PHYS101
Jul 25, 2007

very hard...his midterms are challenging...he doesnt know how to explain the concept tests he does in class thoroughly...seems like he tries too hard...not good in physics...maybe back to chem he should go?

3.0
4.0
PHYS101
Jul 26, 2007

really nice guy and wants students to understand and do well. but class would be incredibly boring if he didn't have any demonstrations (some of them are actually cool :P) but he doesn't really communicate the material well.. i think i have to retake this class though... :'( but he seems like an excellent chem prof :P

1.0
4.0
PHY101
Aug 1, 2007

He is a nice guy, but as a professor, he stinks. He doesn't explain anything in lecture, all he does is write down a bunch of formulas and mumble. His TAs also have rotten attitude and the workshop only opens once a week. You're pretty much on your own in his class.

1.0
5.0
PHYS101
Aug 30, 2007

unfortunately, i'll have to agree with the comments below about the phys 101 class..make sure you do a lot of the practice problems online (Giancoli website) because thats basically what his exams are based on...lectures were pretty useless and i didn't get anything out of the course...i'm surprised i even passed...KEEP DOING PRACTICE PROBLEMS!

3.0
3.0
CHEM122
Nov 20, 2007

If you had Hanlan for Chem 121, you MIGHT find it easier taking him for chem 122. He's not as bad as that horrible woman, BUT HE'S GETTING THERE...His multiple choice section on the midterm's worth 3 marks each so if you get one wrong, tough luck...Yes I know, he's a jerk but at least the course is alot easier to handle with than 121.

1.0
2.0
CHEM230
Dec 1, 2007

he can't explain anything to save his life! he goes on about the confusing theories behind everything which doesn't help you solve questions. however, he did make the mid terms easy. he just copied most of the homework questions. avoid him if u can.

4.0
2.0
CHEM230
Dec 22, 2007

A good professor he is interested in the subject, exams were very fair and lectures were very interesting if u listened and attended class. He uses the chalk board which is old-fashioned but great. Text book was ok and problem sets were interesting.

4.0
2.0
CHEM230
Dec 22, 2007

A good professor he is interested in the subject, exams were very fair and lectures were very interesting if u listened and attended class. He uses the chalk board which is old-fashioned but great. Text book was ok and problem sets were interesting.

4.0
2.0
CHEM230
Dec 26, 2007

Good prof, he kept the lectures interesting answering the weirdest, hardest and most stupid questions in a very appropriate manner. Tests were similar to the notes and homework slightly harder, he gave us at least 10% by telling us to learn this and that. Very clear and makes the class interesting. I think hes the best chem prof at SFU.

1.0
4.0
CHEM230
Jan 29, 2008

he did not give us the materials that we should have to prepare the finals. the fianl was out of my preparations.

3.0
4.0
CHEM230
Apr 15, 2008

I thought he was unorgainzed in he teaching. I don't think I really learned much other than the periodic table which was one thing we were tested on. Problem sets were hard but the tests were representative of the problem sets which was fair. Overall, I didn't like his disorganization and that made me not learn the material

1.0
5.0
CHEM122
Apr 27, 2008

talks to himself

3.0
3.0
PHYS100
Sep 21, 2008

Needs be clearer in explaining. He knows his stuff, just isn't really good at making sure the students understand, and he needs to erase the chalkboard properly!

5.0
4.0
PHYS100
Oct 20, 2008

such a nice prof! he's a little random during lectures and if you miss one, u pretty much need to read the text. tests are fair and pretty easy and he scales alot. very helpful and wants students to do well. didn't like physics or want to take it, but he makes it okay. overall, recommended prof!!

2.0
2.0
PHYS100
Oct 22, 2008

wastes too much class time. want my money back.

3.0
3.0
PHYS100
Oct 29, 2008

really wish he'd explain concepts a little better and actually do some teaching instead of spending 30 minutes walking up and down the stairs answering clicker questions. did all the learning myself from the textbook even though i attended all the lectures. his blackboard notes are messy too :( nice dude though

2.0
4.0
PHYS100
Nov 8, 2008

Ok so pretty much i have had to teach myself this whole course. He wastes so much time walking up and down the aisles... not worth my time

4.0
3.0
PHYS100
Nov 20, 2008

He's a reasonable prof! While I think we might have become the guinea pigs for the iClicker part, I still think he does a good job of explaining the concepts to the class. Just remember to study and read questions before hand.

2.0
4.0
PHYS100
Dec 3, 2008

lectures were useless..textbook is way more useful.

5.0
3.0
PHYS100
May 21, 2009

If you read the textbook and go to lectures, exams are very straightforward and you will do well.

4.0
2.0
CHEM122
Sep 5, 2009

overall great prof. Exams were fair, just study the textbook.

4.0
4.0
CHEM122
Oct 7, 2009

not bad but not great either

4.0
2.0
PHYS100
Dec 9, 2009

He makes you go to lectures because of the iClickers. He seems fairly interested in the material. Overall I learned a lot in this course so I'd say he's pretty good. READ the book though, because otherwise you will be lost.

3.0
4.0
PHYS100
Jan 11, 2010

I really did not like how this guy taught, he was not helpful at all and never did any examples in class, his iclicker is his life. Hes also prettyy boring.. i get very tired in his class.

4.0
2.0
PHYS100
Jan 24, 2010

I don't see why people are so infuriated with his iClicker questions. They test your understanding from your readings in the course textbook, which everyone should be doing once in a while anyway. Overall, a nice professor who's willing to help whenever, IF you ask for it.

5.0
2.0
PHYS100
Mar 17, 2010

Really good prof. His lectures mainly consisted of just i-clicker questions which helped keep me interested and not fall asleep. He takes the questions for exams and tests straight from the assignments.

4.0
2.0
CHEM122
Apr 20, 2010

Very engaging, easy to understand lectures. Used I-clickers so most students attended class. The tests were fair.

2.0
3.0
PHYS100
Nov 17, 2010

His equations written on the blackboard during lectures were somewhat sloppy and hard to follow. The class mainly consisted of iclicker questions and he also diverges most questions asked in class yet the exams were fair and the TAs were helpful.

3.0
2.0
PHYSPHYS
Dec 7, 2010

Labs for this class were not helpful at all, TA was of very little help. The prof was disorganized for midterm resulting in a drop in students grades, his classes were not very helpful for assignments. Lectures consisted of iclicker questions and his written examples on the blackboard.

2.0
4.0
PHYS100
Dec 3, 2012

Lectures are useless but mandatory and consists of all iclicker questions. Labs are even more useless. He gets his examples wrong during lecture. Bad prof altogether.

1.0
4.0
PHYS100
Dec 10, 2012

midterm averages were barely 50%, doesnt go over any notes just some examples but he gets most of them wrong anyway so whats the point. i gotta admit he is pretty chill, but he cant teach. if you want to learn by yourself like 90% of the time then take it with him, but go to a dif prof if you want notes and stuff

5.0
5.0
CHEM230
May 8, 2013

Good teacher overall ! Fair midterm but the final is too hard

1.0
5.0
100
Oct 12, 2014

If you've never taken physics in high school and you don't have much logic, this is not the class for you. His lectures consists of useless clicker questions and he gets them wrong half the time. The midterm average was 50% and he had to scale it cause it was too low. He's worse than an average high school teacher teaching physics 12.

3.0
5.0
100
Dec 8, 2014

One of the midterm marks was so low that he had to raise them up. He gets some of the questions wrong so it can get a little bit confusing. The class consists of mainly iclicker questions.

2.0
5.0
PHYS101
May 12, 2015

If given the opportunity, I would not take physics 101 with this professor, ever again. In a nutshell, a fair midterm followed by one a few octanes tougher, topped with the most brutal physics final. The TAs probably did a far better job of teaching in this course.

1.0
4.0
PHYS101
May 19, 2015

He was the worst prof you can possibly have. He didn't even give lectures in class. He told us to read the textbook ourselves before every class and then do a lab in class lecture time, so you're all on your own! His midterms were pretty easy, but his final was brutal - I don't know how I passed the final. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND.

2.0
3.0
CHEM121
Grade: Not sure yet
Jun 17, 2018
Wouldn't take again

lectures are real dry! He likes to dance around to try and explain concepts. Be prepared to read the textbook to understand concepts

Get ready to read
1.0
4.0
CHEM121
Jun 25, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Not a great explainer. Reads off of slides and is unwilling to answer questions. Does a lot of distracting hand motions while reading his lecture slides. Midterm review was just a copy of the previous semester's lecture slides with blanks and formula sheet was lacking many formulas compared to previous iterations of the course.

Get ready to read
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
4.0
CHEM121
Jul 3, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Cameron is actually useless in his lectures. About half of his slides are irrelevant, and he goes on unrelated tangents to physics. For his midterm review, he combined all of his lecture slides (including the irrelevant ones), and then went over only two questions as a "review session", but then goes over the entire midterm after we wrote it.

Get ready to read
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Jul 24, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Cameron forde has a very monotone voice and is very unprepared. If you want to learn the concepts, I recommend textbook readings and looking up online because he his lectures are not good. He even put stuff on the midterm which was taught AFTER the midterm. If I had a better professor , I am sure I would have done better.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
1.0
3.0
CHEM121
Grade: Not sure yet
Jul 31, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Be aware: Quizzes/Exams you on stuff you haven't even learned!

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
4.0
CHEM121
Grade: Not sure yet
Aug 8, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Cameron Fordes lectures are dry, unclear and often not helpful for understanding the material. He also provides very minimal information about upcoming exams and how to prepare for them, and the exams themselves are difficult because of this. All in all, this course was absolutely miserable because of this prof.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
2.0
4.0
PHYS101
Oct 26, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Lectures are super unhelpful, you have to teach yourself the material from the textbook and the 30% midterm is super long and none of the questions reflected anything he tried to teach us or what was given on assignments. The formula sheet was changed with half of the formulas removed, he wont acknowledge that it was an unfair exam.... brutal.

Tough Grader
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
4.0
PHYS101
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 26, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Cameron is a horrendous professor. His lectures are so unorganized and he has no lecture slides. The chapters that he has in the syllabus arent what he teaches in class. Hes so bad at teaching and anyone who is thinking about taking a class with him should reconsider. Im pretty sure taking physics 101 with him has given me depression.

TEST HEAVY
1.0
4.0
PHY101
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 18, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Cameron Forde is the worst prof I have ever had in my post- secondary career and I recommend taking another prof for physics 101 than him. Avoid taking him at all cost!

Respected
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
4.0
PHYS101
Nov 27, 2018
Wouldn't take again

This guy deserves a 0. Very unplanned lectures, never teaches and does few examples. The class usually ended 10-15 mins early even though it was only a 1 hour lecture because he ran out of stuff to say despite covering only about half of the material on the online assignments and tests. Do not take this class with Dr. Forde if you want to do well!

Get ready to read
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
2.0
4.0
PHYS101
Dec 3, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Cam seems to be a pretty chill guy, but the way he teaches this class has not been great. Assignments are often several times harder than whats covered in lecture (although that could be more of the course contents fault than his, honestly). IMO the midterm wasnt that hard but many concepts on it were ones he just didnt elaborate on at all.

Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
1.0
3.0
PHYS101
Grade: C+
Dec 4, 2018
Wouldn't take again

He's hardly prepared to teach, and his explanations are hard to follow. His tutorials were not very helpful as well, so learning is very limited.

TEST HEAVY
1.0
4.0
PHYS101
Dec 12, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Don't do it. Just don't. Drop his class as soon as you can and run for the hills, take refuge there until a better prof teaches in the following semester. I could not, for the life of me, handle the way he approached his responsibilities as a prof in both his mannerisms and knowledge. Brushes off and ignores questions posed in class!

Get ready to read
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
5.0
PHYS101
Grade: Rather not say
Dec 12, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Run away and avoid at all costs. I'm a hard worker and an A student who tries his hardest in all courses. Yet, no matter how hard you try in this course, you wont get a good grade unless you are some self proclaimed genius. Hope I never have to go through a class with him again.

Tough Grader
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
5.0
PHYS101
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 15, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Cameron Forde is very disorganized and does not post answer keys for assigned homework. He blames his students for not understanding the material while not acknowledging that his posted lecture notes are a bunch of incomprehensible scribbles that are useless. I would recomend waiting for another prof instead of taking a physics course with him.

Tough Grader
TEST HEAVY
3.0
3.0
PHYS101
Grade: B
Dec 22, 2018
Would take again

Although he is sometimes disorganized his lectures are useful if you actually pay attention. He does not post his lectures which is inconvenient. I found his exams to be fair. You do have to study hard and make sure you do a lot of practice problems because his lecture notes alone are not enough.

Get ready to read
1.0
4.0
PHYS101
Jan 7, 2019
Wouldn't take again

This guy was the worst prof I've ever had! My GPA sunk like the Titanic after taking this hell hole of a class. Drop the class and don't look back! His exams were fair, but due to his inability to teach, made you want curl up and die. He doesn't go over concepts in class, he expects you to know them, and jumps straight to examples in class.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
1.0
5.0
PHY101
Feb 7, 2019
Wouldn't take again

I would rate this prof zero if I could. He is the worst prof in the world. I've been as SFU for a while now and he is by far the most unorganized and uncaring prof ever. He doesn't give a sample midterm. His doesn't teach properly. He is by far the hardest marker ever. RUN, DO NOT EVER TAKE A CLASS WITH HIM

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
1.0
5.0
PHY101
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 22, 2019
Wouldn't take again

He is very unorganized, i signed up for this class expecting a lecture but instead it was a 2 hour lab that did not help in understanding the material at all. He never explained any concepts in class and when asked questions he would not answer them. He does not offer any help or practice exams. Wait for a different professor. RIP my GPA

Get ready to read
Tough grader
1.0
3.0
PHYS101
Grade: A-
Jul 25, 2019
Wouldn't take again

This class was supposed to be in lecture format but on the first day, he just decided that he would run the class in a lab styled class. He put NO effort into anything at all. All of the in-class lab booklets were ripped off from the PHYS 141 course and he never once explained any concepts to the class. Be prepared to teach yourself everything...

5.0
3.0
CHEM121
Grade: A-
Apr 20, 2020
Would take again

If you're expecting him to spoon-feed you information or take it easy on you, you won't be able to learn from him. However, if you do as he suggests and do pre-readings and actually work to learn, his lectures are extremely helpful in understanding concepts. If you ask the right questions, you can learn from him.

Accessible outside class
Hilarious
Caring
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Grade: B
Apr 26, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Not sure if this guy knows how to teach took his class and make me want to skip probably shouldve because I didnt learn anything ended up reading all day which I couldve done at home

2.0
2.0
CHEM121
May 17, 2022

3 lectures into the semester and all he has done is babble about the history of Chemistry, stuff that we will not be tested on. He even got extremely upset when students asked if the material was going to be on the exam. Well yeah obviously students will be upset if you spend 3 hours of lecture time covering material that won't be examined on!!!

1.0
3.0
CHEM121
May 19, 2022

Dr. Forde is a pretty bad professor with a super high ego. He refuses to use anything but the worst overhead projector there is. And he covers his hand across the whole paper its super weird. Also he simply reads off slides way too much, you can see his nasty bald spot when he turns around. He also turns the lights off in lectures which is annoying

1.0
4.0
CHEM121
May 19, 2022

Teaches completely irrelevant concepts during lectures you literally fall asleep within minutes. Do not take a course with this professor he is worthless. Also he uses extremely old technology to teach, it's super cringy. Like get with the times, don't use a low-quality overhead projector in a lecture hall designed for projection via computer...

Beware of pop quizzes
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
May 19, 2022

Cant even balance an equation right, useless information for 3/4 lectures and every lecture has useless info for half the class.

Get ready to read
1.0
4.0
CHEM121
May 31, 2022

Goes over random questions during lectures that won't help you, just don't go to his lectures, they are a complete sh1tshow. He also turns the lights pitch dark you can't see when you try to write notes!

1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Jun 1, 2022

The lectures are confusing and boring. Mr. Forde isn't the best professor. He doesn't explain any of the concepts. He just solves problems on an outdated overhead projector. He shows you the problem, solves it, and moves on without much explanation. This class is basically self-taught. good luck!

1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Jun 2, 2022

Cameron Forde simply isn't a good prof, plain and simple. He's subpar in every aspect. There isn't one thing that he is really bad at, he is just subpar at everything that it all adds up to him being a terrible prof. Lectures are just him turning all the lights off and writing stuff without explaining on the oldest overhead projector I've ever seen

Lots of homework
Beware of pop quizzes
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Jun 2, 2022

Literally regurgitates sentences from the textbook that you can just read it yourself. In lectures he barely goes over any problems and just rambles about how chemistry affects our lives. That stuff is cool for a few lectures, but not every gawdam lecture! Lectures are complete misery, I recommend going to tutorials if you want to learn.

1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Grade: Not sure yet
Jun 5, 2022

Prepare to learn the course on your own. His lectures are useless as he doesn't review any relevant information making the Lon-Capa questions damn near impossible.

Get ready to read
1.0
2.0
CHEM121
Jun 6, 2022

Lectures are easy and the class seems easy at the start because the professor literally teaches stuff about how chemistry affects our life. But Dr. Forde teaches nothing about the Lon Capa questions that are going to be like the ones on exams. So we simply have to teach ourselves how to do the questions that will appear on exams and its super hard!

Lots of homework
Beware of pop quizzes
Graded by few things
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Jun 21, 2022

Absolute pinnacle of bad professor. He has the worst lecture setup ever. He skips around through chapters in random orders and either finishes 15 minutes before lecture is over, or finishes 10 minutes over time, it's horrendous! And he constantly coughs while he teaches it is extremely disruptive. This elderly man needs to step down from teaching!!

Lots of homework
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Jun 21, 2022

Every single homework and quiz question has nothing to do with anything he covers in lectures or any of the readings! Cameron Forde is the worst professor at SFU. Do not take a course with him. For our homework problems, we are forced to either google everything or find one single line of information in our 1500 page textbook. AVOID FORDE!!!

1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Grade: Rather not say
Jun 23, 2022

Worst professor ive ever had. Terrible just awful

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Beware of pop quizzes
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Grade: Not sure yet
Jun 24, 2022

Save yourself and don't take a class with this prof. He barely teaches during lectures, makes tutorials "optional" but gives pop quizzes at random, and whatever he does "teach" has no correlation to homework/lab problems. He also made the midterm online due to "covid concerns" even though he doesn't record/stream lectures for people unable to come.

Get ready to read
Beware of pop quizzes
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Jun 30, 2022

tried to give this prof the benefit of the doubt and take his course... big mistake. he's so lazy and provides the bare minimum, really bad lecturer and his exams dont correlate with anything he teaches. midterm was only 80 minutes, which was not enough time to get through all the questions. only take this course with him if you want to suffer

Get ready to read
Beware of pop quizzes
Graded by few things
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Jul 6, 2022

Absolute disgustment of a prof. Gives an online midterm to make his life easier and student's lives harder! All the exam questions correlate nothing with what happens in lectures! I am pissed! I listened attentively every lecture and took full notes of everything he went over in lecture and none of it was on the exam! Absolutely unfair! F Forde

1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Grade: Rather not say
Jul 8, 2022

He told our whole class that the avg for the midterm was 60-65%. we got the results and it was a 50% avg in reality. Waited to give the marks the day after the withdrawal date on purpose. Never take a class with him

Tough grader
Beware of pop quizzes
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Grade: Not sure yet
Aug 9, 2022

The lectures are not very helpful barely anyone showed up, waste of a tuition. What he teaches about in class has very little to do with the homework. Enjoy teaching yourself chemistry for a semester. scam class!

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
2.0
5.0
CHEM121
Grade: B+
Aug 11, 2022

Lectures aren't worth going to but isn't like completely uninterested in improving like it might come off from these reviews. Over my time with him he did make progress in terms of presentation and was trying to triangulate a lecture style that worked, he just never got there. He also lacks skill with a longbow.

2.0
4.0
CHEM121
Aug 11, 2022

Forde is ok. He isn't great (lectures are unorganized, you will be reading the textbook a lot to learn, pop quizzes in tutorial) but when I reached out to him with questions he would try to help. He is a decent guy, just not the best teacher. So many reviews paint him to be terrible but he is far from it. This is chem; it's supposed to be hard.

Get ready to read
Beware of pop quizzes
Test heavy
4.0
4.0
CHEM121
Grade: Not sure yet
Aug 12, 2022
Would take again

Frode is a goof Professor. Although we need to study a lot by ourselves. Gives midterm and final exam from the book. Go through the book thoroughly if you want to get a good grade. His presentations are easy to understand but nothing much in them.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Test heavy
2.0
3.0
CHEM121
Grade: B
Aug 20, 2022

He definitely at least tried to improve but it was too little too late. In lectures he often rambles about un-related things so prepare to read the textbook to learn concepts. Pop quizzes in tutorials and lon-capas are brutal. Midterm was fair but the Final was difficult.

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
Beware of pop quizzes
1.0
5.0
CHEM121
Grade: C+
Aug 31, 2022

Attended every lecture but still didn't learn anything. Forde doesn't teach, but rather solves problems without providing any context whatsoever or even what the question is to begin with. Although he tried improving his teaching at the end, it was too little too late. The only reason people passed was due to great TAs & the class being scaled.

Get ready to read
1.0
5.0
CHEM122
Grade: Not sure yet
Jan 13, 2023

I already have a bad impression of Dr. Forde. I was asking for help on the pre-lab, and made sure to thoroughly explain my problem. Unfortunately, he basically repeated what I'd already told him I knew and I felt pressured and rushed to ask my questions as there were other people waiting for help. Would drop 126 if I wasn't taking Chem 122.

1.0
4.0
CHEM126
Grade: Rather not say
Apr 22, 2023

126 was a difficult course and Dr. Forde exacerbated its quality. All he did during labs consisted of aimlessly walking around. He also provides minimal resources for students and speaks too quietly. A boring class with an even worse professor. I would NEVER take a class with Dr. Forde again.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Beware of pop quizzes
2.0
3.0
CHEM126
Grade: B+
Apr 26, 2023

Dr Forde's a decent human being when approached outside of class, but a bad teacher overall. His presence didn't make or break the lab experience for me, the labs were just generally hard/took a while. Marking for lab reports was sometimes slow but it was fair. TAs were always nice if not 100% knowledgeable. Midterm/final were easy.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Beware of pop quizzes
2.0
2.0
CHEM126
Grade: B+
May 10, 2023

Nice guy but did not benefit me whatsoever in that lab. The TA's carried it hard.

1.0
5.0
CHEM126
Grade: A+
Jul 27, 2023

Worst prof at sfu. Never take a class with. Drop course if possible. Horrible experience. Not very helpful with questions when asked. Seems like he doesnt know much and repeats everything you just asked him.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
1.0
5.0
CHEM126
Grade: B
Jul 27, 2023

Not the best prof to take a course with. He is not helpful with questions the TAs were amazing tho.

Tough grader
1.0
5.0
CHEM126
Grade: B+
Nov 20, 2023

A joke of a professor. Not too sure how he is able to be allowed to teach.

Hilarious
1.0
5.0
CHEM126
Grade: Rather not say
Mar 13, 2024

Dr. Forde is a mediocre professor at best. He doesn't speak very loudly and the homework given for this class is insane (126 is 2 units). Expects you to have pretty everything written in your lab manual cut-and-paste into your notebook, which is very unnecessary. Not to mention there's pre-lab LONCAPA and he'll sneak up behind you during lab time.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Lots of homework
2.0
4.0
CHEM126
Grade: B
Feb 13, 2025

Dr. Forde is a hit-or-miss professor. The labs are tough, but the TAs are supportive. Unstuck ai was a lifesaver for study prep - way better than just relying on the textbook. Overall, a challenging course, but manageable with the right resources.

Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

50%

Textbook Required

67%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

92% confidence
Based on 14 grades
Most common grades:
Not sure yet (12)
Rather not say (5)
B (5)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(5)C(2)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(6)
Based on 31 reported grades
Not sure yet: 12
Rather not say: 5
B: 5
B+: 4
Common Tags
Get ready to read (19)
Beware of pop quizzes (11)
Tough grader (10)
Lots of homework (10)
Tough Grader (8)
TEST HEAVY (7)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (6)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (4)
Rating Trend

Declining

-1.74 avg change
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Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CHEM332

4.8

(4)

CHEM230

3.1

(7)

PHYS100

3.1

(15)

PHYSPHYS

3.0

(1)

CHEM122

2.8

(6)
+6 more courses
Difficulty by Course

100

5.0

PHY101

4.5

CHEM121

4.3

CHEM126

4.1

PHYS101

4.1

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