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Yeah, he's hard, but his tests are fair. He's either covered everything on the exams or the book mentions them. Put the effort into his class and you'll do well.

He is somewhat difficult, but not the hardest teacher at Drake. He does a pretty good job explaining things and prepares you well. If you devote time and effort to the class, and still get a bad grade, you are just not very smart.

I had trouble in his class but I think he is a fair teacher. The classes are weed-out classes, there are suppose to be easy.

His accent makes it very easy to understand what he is saying because he speaks very clearly

He seems like a cool teacher, but a little boring...

He's pretty hard, it's easy if you've already taken AP Chem in HS. Make sure to do the practice problems, repetition works. He's easy to talk to if you go get help in office hours. The irish accent can get to be pretty bad, but he's an intelligent man.

Good.

The reason I left Drake.

hes a nice guy, hes very understanding, his tests are hard i must admit but you do have to work well sort of to get atleast a B.

Cairns is funny and a nice guy, but impossible. His tests are an awful representation of what you learn in class. His questions are made to trick you and practically no one gets As. Biggest mistake I made was taking him again for Chem 2!!

I found his class good and he has a clarity in teaching. But you do have to have a previous knowledge of in this subject if you want to take his classes

There have been a lot of complaints about Cairns just because he wants you to know your material. You have to actually study to get a good grade. Chemistry is supposed to weed out students who aren't meant for the major so put in the effort to get a good grade. He is very accomodating to help you if you get lost. Just make sure to go to class!

The tests usually don't cover what he talked about in class so you have to read the book! Class isn't mandatory, but it's usually a good idea to go.

You will definitely learn a lot if you work really hard but remember, there is no easy A! I think Cairns is too smart to teach undergraduate course..

Cairns is a genuis! Sci. and Soci. was a good FYS. Harder than most FYS classes, but you learn a lot. Assigns a good deal of readings and papers, but most were interesting. He's not afraid to change the syllabus to add current events, which is a good thing. Take Cairns for your FYS if possible; you'll learn a from him.

Great Class, very interesting. He's a great guy and extremely helpful. Take his FYS if you can. For some students he may seem hard, but if you get to know him and actually pay attention in his classes and show interest he will help you get to where you want to be.

You dont have to, but should go to class everyday. Otherwise, the tests and material are going to seem really hard. However, if you do go to class, take your own notes, and study some, you should have no problem. His tests are not too bad. They do however test on things he specifically says in class, which is why going to class is important.

A good, yet difficult teacher. Go to class, pay attention, go to the si sessions. This is a lot of work, but if you do this succesfully, you will be fine. Don't expect to breeze by, you will learn chemistry and science like no other, when finished with his class.

A great, yet difficult teacher. Go to class, pay attention, go to the SI sessions. This is a lot of work, but if you do this successfully, you will be fine. Don't expect to breeze by, you will learn chemistry and science like no other, when finished with his class.

Cairns is amazing. I almost got a D on my first exam...then I tried really hard, read the book, went to his SI sessions, went into his office hours for help, did practice problems, and studied some but I learned so much and I got an A for the class! If you make the effort, he will definitely get you to where you want to be :)

He is an incredibly hard teacher, but he is extremely smart. He wants his students to learn, and because of that, he is extremely helpful. I took AP Chem last year, and I still feel that I learned a lot of new things from him. You have to go to SI sessions and go in for help, so it's a lot of work. It is so worth it in the end though.

Too smart for undergrad. He's a great guy and you really learn a lot, but his tests are quite difficult. Keep up with the reading and go to SI sessions and you'll get a good grade.

Collin is the man when it comes to teaching chemistry. He is exceedingly helpful with outside of class office hours and weekly study sessions. The thick Irish accents only adds to the classes variety. Because of it, it should be a multicultural experience too...in all seriousness you have to try.

Collin is a great professor and really helpful guy. I had an easier professor first semester and am doing better with Cairns this semester. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he's Irish and likes to wear all denim outfits to class! Bonus!

If you had previous chemistry exprience his class is interesting because of his unique way of explaining concepts. If you haven't had previous classes such as AP Chem. DO NOT TAKE

This class comes down to how well you take notes in his lectures and how much time you spend practicing. Its as hard as you make it like any class. I think he is easy to approach, but most people are intimidated by him. if you try you should at least get a B.

Really nice guy and very funny. One of my favorite professors at Drake. Very very difficult though.

Professor Cairns is very difficult and will challenge you, but as a student at Drake University you shouldn't expect any less. He is always more than willing to help with office hours and will reply to emails and make personal appointments. I have had to work so hard, but have learned so much. Get ready to live and breathe chemistry.

Colin has an intimidating reputation, but is in reality a very quirky prof. He's incredibly intelligent yet willing to help his students with any questions. Great guy, sweet accent.

Don't let people scare you by saying that the class is difficult. It is, and you'll have to work hard, but it pays off. Go to office hours and SI sessions, make sure he knows your name (he'll figure out everyone's eventually.) He cares about your success, but he won't hand it to you on a silver platter. Just work hard and your grade will reflect it

His lectures can get confusing, and he tends to tangent off on things that are less important, but he at least gives an overview of the concepts you need to know. He also has weekly SI sessions that are SUPER important to go to, and his exams are very straightforward. I wouldn't say he is the easiest, but he is fair and you will learn a lot.

Amazing professor. Does everything to make sure you pass, gives you Lecture Notes, Practice exams, and holds sessions outside of class on his own time to discuss problem sets and help you with any questions you have regarding homework, lectures, and exams.

I don't understand why this man has such a bad reputation. Lectures teach you what you need to know, he's helpful at office hours, he gives you homework AND practice tests that are just like the tests, SI sessions give you extra practice, and he' funny! He can't even be a hard grader because tests are multiple choice and all have extra credit.

Cairns definitely wants students to succeed. He's very approachable during office hours, but his lectures can be hard to follow at 8 am. Much outside work is needed to pass.

Took Chem 1 and Chem 2 from Dr. Cairns back in 2002 and 2003. Learned as much in those classes as any classes I took in undergrad. Class was difficult, but fair. One of the academic highlights of my time at Drake were his classes. Tips for success: do the homework and prior exams several times, and study with someone who is better at chem than you.

Dr. Cairns's class is difficult and lectures move very quickly. You are definitely going to need to put in lots of effort outside of class if you want to do well, but this is where Dr. Cairns shines. It is extremely willing to help you outside of class and he is super accessible. He really wants you to succeed. Make sure you go to SI sessions!

Dr. Cairns is the smartest professor I have ever taken a class with. Although the tests can be difficult, you will do fine as long as you do everything he tells you to do (which is a lot). That said, having some background in chemistry would be very helpful. Going in to office hours is very important. He will give you the grade you earn.

The first half of the semester is mainly review and sprinkles in some new concepts. All the tests are takehome and there's homework every week. Most of it is done in groups of 2. There's a lot of information you need to look up so some of the homework takes a while. If you put in a little time each week, it's easy.

Dr. Cairns is one of my favorite professors I've had at Drake. He does not teach material so students pass exams, he teaches so students can have a true understanding of the material that can then be examined on. You WILL have to put in outside work, but that is the case with all the chem courses I've taken at Drake so far.

Dr. Cairns is one of the smartest individuals that I have ever met. His knowledge of chemistry supersedes that of any professor in the chemistry department. His classes are difficult, and if you don't have at least some background in chemistry it will be hard, but he knows his stuff and is willing to help you succeed.

Professor Cairns is a wonderful teacher, if you like lectures. If you do not learn by someone talking at you, then do not take this class. He really knows what he is talking about, and is always willing to help outside of class. He attempts to be funny, and if you laugh at his jokes, he will like you a lot more. I would definitely recommend Cairns.

Its a chem class so its gonna be hard if want to take the easier version of chem take it with zweir. Easier than vitha. Offers extra credit through quizzes and the HW. Tests are hard but not to difficult just read your notes and skim the textbook and you should be able to survive.

Although this class is very difficult, I found it more beneficial than taking Zwier who relies on group work. If you pay attention, take good notes, and READ THE ONLINE TEXTBOOK, you will do just fine. He goes off on lots of tangents during class that isn't really applicable so if you zone out in class you'll be fine.

I took ap chem and was totally fine, pretty much the same content. If you didn't get a lot of chem in hs, you might struggle, but I think it's still a manageable class. Lectures can be long. Study in groups. Think conceptually instead of memorizing. Cairns is really knowledgeable and wants his students to be successful - extra credit on tests :)

second semester was definitely a notch harder than the first. test questions were a lot trickier. cairns is really accessible outside of class and approachable during his office hours, so definitely utilize those if you're confused on something. your grade will thank you if you show up to class.

Dr. Cairns is admittedly a harder than average professor, but he genuinely wants everyone to do well. Going to lecture is important, because he doesn't post notes, and examples in class are very important. His tests are very similar to the past, so do the homework and practice exams, and you will be fine.