2.8
Quality4.0
Difficulty32%
Would Retake87
Reviews32%
Would Retake
87
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
22
4
16
3
7
2
12
1
30
What Students Say
“He is using his authority to put the students down; callousness, bad temper, disrespectful jokes, and flawed grading policy”
CHEM121 - 1.0 rating“The course's progress was TERRIBLE and the average scores are bad”
CHEM121 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
78%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.11 avg changeRatings by Course
CHEM120121
5.0
(3)CHEM121
3.1
(53)CHEM108
3.0
(2)CHEM120
2.2
(28)CHEM1293
2.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
CHEM120
4.5
CHEM1293
4.0
CHEM121
3.9
CHEM120121
3.0
CHEM108
2.0
Reviews (87)
Overall the class was incredibly difficult. The tests were long and stressful. Some of the multiple choice questions required more work than the free response.. His syllabus schedule was constantly changing because he didn't have his stuff together. I was expecting a very low C in the class but apparently I did worse on the final than I had thought
He really knows his stuff. Hard class but he is very reasonable. He knows if you know your stuff. I understood how to do most of my stuff but his test are hard. He does curve at the end of the semister so thats good. He does tend to fall behind schedule, but he always atends class. Good teacher, but lectures sometimes lack a link to labs/tests.
sure he is a hard teacher but if you can't pass his class then I suggest you think of majoring in something like Sociology and leave science to people who actually have a brain.. most science classes are hard, but Dr. Gerken is a good teacher and can explain things quite well.. his lab skills do need to improve though
Good prof, one of the better ones. Very organized in lectures; one of the few classes that I actually have a set of notes for the term! Tests are tough; but it makes you think; you have to use that noggin for something! Prepares you for the real thing; ie. 4 year college Picky and grades tough on labs. Helpful when you see him in office hours.
Not a good teacher. He plays favorites. I swear if I wasn't good at chemistry I would have failed. I ended up with an A but he had no help in getting me that. I don't recommend him.
He is a great teacher that knows what he's talking about. Office hours are the best way to help when you get stuck, very helpful and pushes you to think about what's going on. Tests are really hard, the practice questions are not similar to exams, just make sure you do hw. Lectures a lot before labs, explains everything in lecture. Cool, fun
Great lecturer, knowledgeable in his field. Helpful when you go to office hours. Exams can be tricky and thought provoking. Returns exams promptly and goes over it in detail. Rushed the last 1/4 of semester a bit. Only one complaint, for some reason he never returns labs...some, he takes forever to return and some you never see again for the term!
Fantastic professor. He's funny, his lectures are informative and include examples. There's homework assigned from the book that helps with the concepts, but the tests are straightforward, but occasionally there's a tricky problem. Great professor, definitely recommend him.
Can come off as a smart alec in lecture but really nice one on one. VERY PICKY GRADER You will learn the basics of chem very well, just not the abstract material he has on his impossible tests....
Great Professor. Study for test and you'll do fine....
I had Dr. Gerken for chem 121. Smart prof with a passion for teaching. Couple hws a week, tests were straigh-forward. TAKE HIM.
I took this class last spring 2013. He really knows his stuff. I`m not gonna say he`s a kind & generous person, but he is such a professor. Plus, you will have to get into this course if you want to succeed. TAKE HIM if you`re planning to take 121 as well as ochem courses.
This is the worst teacher i have ever taken. He cannot teach. His tests go way beyond the scope of this course. He also belittles us going over any work and while explaining the lab. I am an A student who works my butt off for good grades and have accepted that, but this teacher is a totally different level. I hugely regret taking him.
Do not take him for chem. He is condescending and unorganized. He has passed back two labs all semester, even though it is a huge portion of our grade. So there is no way of knowing your grade. His tests are very hard compared to what is practiced in class or for homework. Therefore studying is very hard aswell.
Really helpful professor, reply your email within 45min, and always being in office for your questions. Lectures are really clear, and he gives review for many concepts. Exams are not easy, but he curves a lot(He will tell you which grade you are in after each exam). Overall, a professor worth taking.
An EXCELLENTTTT!!! professor for general chem. Explains well!His notes are important and useful to review for quizzes and exams. He gives practice exams, which are similar to the true midterms. All the possible answers are on multiple choices, I finally got all right on his final. Office hours help a lot. He always replies to my emails quickly.
I like Professor Gerken. Sometimes he does seem condescending,but he really means no harm. His tests and quizzes can be tough, but if you study the notes and do the HW and go over past quizzes you'll know what to expect. And he gives you a study guide and practice exams. Also, 65% and up in the class is a C,75% and up B, 85% and up A
Gerken is a strange guy, with a dry sense of humor. Really passionate about his subject, but he often comes off as belittling and arrogant, which is daunting when asking for help or instruction, especially during lab settings. Tests are really hard, and if you don't do all the homework and/or have other demanding classes, forget it.
Very passionate and knowledgeable, so his lectures were clear and humorous. We fell behind a lot in lab and he took forever to give back labs. Exams are tough but he gives a practice exam. Also gives quizzes based off lecture. He seems scary but he's very helpful in office hours and replies to emails quickly. Curves a lot. Fair teacher!
The Gerkenator!!!!! he is the MAN. his lectures are clear and concise. He is obviously very passionate and knowledgeable about chemistry. I highly recommend you take him over any other chemistry teacher at DVC. You will not be disappointed.. PS if you take him during the fall, Halloween its the day to go
Craig Gerken aka the Gerkenator, aka the Napoleon, aka the Penguin. Balanced tests. Crazy lectures. Has a dry humour. Passionate about Chem; you will learn Chemistry! Take him.
Great professor. Very helpful and very knowledgeable. He truly wants you understand chemistry. Chem 121 is not as easy as 120, but if you try, an A is feasible. Study groups are great. His tests aren't crazy hard, and 80 and up is an A. Does great experiments in class and is hilarious. Don't cheat, though, or you will regret it.
Gerken really is a great teacher. He does have a dry sense of humor but he is very passionate and really wants you to do well. This semester was actually a lot of FUN...I hope he ends up teaching o-chem. Take his class. You will learn so much and enjoy chemistry.
Dr. Gerken is very helpful. I went to his office hours all the time because the material is really hard and he really tries his best to explain the answer to you. His class is fun and he for Halloween he made some interesting experiments, even the quiz was Halloween related. Highly recommended! You will learn a lot and tests aren't so bad.
He is using his authority to put the students down; callousness, bad temper, disrespectful jokes, and flawed grading policy. He is more concerned with delivering the lecture in theatrical manner, and infantilizing the audience, than presenting the material in a professional and useful way. Don't take him, he will crush your spirit & joy for science
HE IS TERRIBLE TEACHER!!! All I want to say. Horrible communicator and educator with not so helpful teaching and office hour and NOT ON SCHEDULE course. The course's progress was TERRIBLE and the average scores are bad.
If you take his class over the summer you'll get wrecked. I've never invested and worked this hard for a single class in my life. I would recommend you to not take any other classes if you take him in the summer. As hard as he was, I learned so much in his class. He seems quite intimidating but will help you if you come to him outside class.
He is the best. Work for it and you will get an A.
Dont believe all the bad comments. He is a very good professor and he grades fairly. His teaching is very nice and understandable. Probably those bad comments are from the students who couldnt make it in this course.
Dr Gerken is very intelligent and really knows his chemistry. Personally, I enjoyed this class and felt like I learned a ton. His lectures are really interesting and he will often do a fun demonstration for the students. He is very accessible outside of class. This course is not easy and his tests can be challenging. The labs are also difficult.
Dr Gerken is knowledgeable and good at lecturing/teaching. However, he does not post the grades until the end of the semester, so you won't know your overall grade for sure until the end of the semester. He is not the most approachable professor, he can be sarcastic. The tests are hard, but if you work for it, you can get a good grade, he curves.
Fun and informational lectures. He is friendly and willing to help. A LOT of homework (from book, no WebAssign). Tests are very long (2 class periods) but not too difficult; definitely easier than those of other DVC chem professors (Burns, Hickey) but he's a very tough grader. Final was very hard though and nothing like the tests.
This class is not for the weak. His quizzes and exams are math-heavy rather than conceptual so do the homework - repetition works!! He may be intimidating to some, but take one for the team and ask questions - he'll gladly clarify anything. Try not to miss out on lectures bc they can be funny and even eye-opening.
Gerken is knowledgeable and passionate about chemistry. I enjoyed some of his lectures and he explained particular subjects rather well. He is, however, one the toughest graders I have ever encountered. I studied for countless hours and threw away my social life for this class. Needless to say, I left the class prepared, yet thoroughly frustrated.
Gerken is okay. only goes over how to do problems in class and he vaguely goes over why. Class is boring. To pass you have to write down basically every word that comes out of his mouth. His exams usually have the same questions. Hands out own calculators. Gives back 1 lab in the whole sem. Mocks students. Curves tests. Performs in class at times.
He's funny, but he can be very sarcastic and condescending whenever you ask him a question. For exams, he gives you study guides to study with solutions, but don't forget to refer to your notes too. He eats a lot of your lab time with lectures because he runs out of time in lecture; work with good lab partners to get the job done efficiently.
No PowerPoints. Unprofessional. He lies and tries to persuade you to do the wrong things. He uses his hands and fists to describe the motion of atoms. Tests are curved. More than half the class dropped escalating the curve Test scores are 65% of grade and were 85 A, 70 B 60 C. Chemistry is generally difficult, but he makes it extremely difficult.
Truly a great teacher and you'll definitely learn, but be prepared to spend A LOT of time if you want a good grade.
Dont believe the bad comments about Dr. Gerken; yes his class is very challenging and you really have to go the extra mile if you want to do well. But he is a fantastic lecturer and is really helpful in and out of lectures. He tries his best to get the class to understand everything. Put in the work and show that you care and you'll pass.
I literally quite my job because of the workload his class is. Partial credit is rare, even if most of the question is right. Schedule in this semester specifically was very very disorganized. I've gotten A's is all of by biology, physics, and chem class so far (STEM major btw) and I BARELY passed (I think? His grading scale is WILD)
Professor Gerken is an EXCELLENT professor. This was the first chemistry class I took where I actually understood chemistry. He doesn't use PowerPoints, but he thoroughly explains the material. However, because he teaches the material well, he expects you to study hard. You have to truly understand all the concepts in order to ace his class.
Professor Gerken is a really good lecturer and is willing to spend time if you have any questions. That being said, the class itself is hard no matter who you take. He grades fairly and also has fair tests, but he expects you to know the material very well and this can be intimidating when you feel confused in class.
I'm not sure why Gerken has so many good ratings, but if you're an average Chem student like me, DO NOT take him! He's an extremely tough grader, condescending, and although understanding at some times, this man will cut you absolutely no slack on the assignments that matter- that being tests and quizzes. Do your best to avoid him!
Pls don't take Gerken if you have other options. He's a tough grader and barely gives any partial credit. If it's not perfect then it's wrong. He is very slow in lectures and is quite intimidating to talk to. We had a midterm every 2 weeks due to how behind we were. He does care about his students though and will answer questions if you have any.
Dr Geken was an AMAZING professor! the most amazing CHALKBOARD lectures (!) his tests were pretty easy and similar to in class examples with different numbers. never asked those weird questions that required deep thinking. DUE TO THIS, HE HAS THE MOST HARSH GRADING. even if you get a question mostly right, don't expect too much partial credit.
Run. Don't do it to yourself. Let me put it this way, the second exam grades were handed out during the middle of a lab. Half the class immediately packed up and walked out. As of 1 month before the end of the semester, although I had received 2 DISASTEROUS exam grades and poor quiz grades, I had 100% on canvas. He never entered any grades!!!!!!!
helpful advice: when you register for this class and see this professor's name show up as an option, scroll past it immediately. Don't even consider it. Run. He is condescending and not helpful, and does NOT offer partial credit. He is a tough grader and acts like you should understand everything right away. He didn't put in any grades online!!!!
didnt grade a sigular assignment. Awful and made inappropriate comments to girls. Run run run. our class had an 85% drop rate with him for gen chem 2. Easily the worst teacher I have ever had. Multiple choice questions on tests were A-P not A-D. do not expect to pass.
professor gerken was easily the worst teacher Ive had at DVC. He was extremely rude and condescending and wasnt willing to help with your questions. Tests were nothing like the lectures and practice exams. Multiple choice had up to 16 options. Never graded anything for the first 2.5 months. Terrible teacher and not a nice person. Just steer clear
Take a different professor for Chem 121 if you can. On his good days, he gives great feedback and his lectures are interesting and well presented. The problem is though that those days are not the majority. Most days he's VERY hands-off and is often condescending to students. Worse: he puts questions on tests that are not like the review problems.
Just don't take him if you don't want to feel bad about yourself. Study guides were nothing like the exams and even included stuff that wasn't taught. Was constantly condescending and will truly make you feel stupid. Midterm every 3 weeks. Never put anything into the grade book. Lectures were unorganized and really rushes through the material.
Gerken was one of the most awful teacher Ive ever had. He was rude and intimidating l, and taught nothing close to what was on his tests. Before his class I loved chem but now it gives me a bit of anxiety.
As someone who took both Chem 120/121, do NOT listen to the bad reviews about Dr. Gerken. He is an amazing professor, intimidating yes but he cares. Students who show that they care and come to OH, he notices that. It's not an easy A and his exams are difficult but that's the point. Love this man.
I wanna give better rating to him if possible. His lecture is fantastic, and makes contents clear. But, he has an immature personality-intimidating and rude. Please consider other options.
this guy's rude. he's a good chemist and clearly knows the stuff, but he's really disrespectful, acting like a mess-up on an assignment is a moral failing on the student's part. will never take a class of his again to save my own sanity
Dr Gerken is one of the best professors for chem. He is always available for questions on office hours. Though grading. Exams are in 2 parts in which one is multiple choice, this tends to be the hardest as you get no partial credit. Read the book before coming to his class. It will help you. Dr. Gerken is amazing for chemistry majors
DVC needs to improve their chem-121 department, he's the best professor out of all. lectures were amazing and thorough; grading is very harsh. Prepared for hours for exams and nothing worked. He curves tests and only takes your top 5/7 quizzes. He's a bit sarcastic but show that you care and you'll do fine. Learn the conceptual part, seriously!!
if you participate in his class and learn the conceptual part; you'll end with an A. he's sarcastic but he's the best chem-121 professor you can get. his lectures were amazing but tests were tricky
Literally don't even think about taking class. Worst professor I have ever had and made me have a strong hatred for chemistry. States that tests are curved when they aren't. Graded all, and I mean all, assignments last day grades were due, no clue where we stood in the class through the semester. Wish I had more words to describe how awful he is.
Dr. Gerken gives the most entertaining and interesting lectures and his labs are so fun. His exams are challenging, especially the multiple choice questions. I can see how other students might find him intimidating or condescending if they're unconfident. Taking this class is the closest thing you'll ever get to taking Potions from Snape.
Positives: gives good lectures, is veryyyy knowledgeable about the subject. Negatives: EXTREMELY rude, will laugh at you if he thinks your question is dumb, insanely hard tests, way to much work, not forgiving, etc. He yelled at my class and got visibly upset, to the point of shaking, 3 times during our 8 week course. His behavior is unexceptable.
Don't take his class, he's very condescending and has a very fragile ego. I took him over summer and won't be taking him over the normal semester, his exams are nothing like the practice problems he offers. AVOID HIM AT ALL COST.
Pros Grades quickly 1 on 1 he is very caring and willing to help Accommodates emergencies if you tell him University level toughness Cons Negative verbal communication when students don't understand Lost his temper and yelled several times Forced class participation *If you get triggered from men yelling or get discouraged easily do NOT take him
Dr. Gerken gives really good lectures. As long as you understand the lecture and the homework, the exams should be fine. He curves heavily which also helps your grade. The only con is that he can have a condescending attitude and he grades very slow.
Professor Gerken is super approachable and he is willing to spend time helping your homework outside the class. Practice exams really helpful and have extra credits in the exam. Lectures are organized and workloads are manageable. I will def take him again! Highly recommended.
His grading is very harsh. No curve, no extra credit. So rude and sarcastic.
Professor Gerken is amazing! He genuinely cares about his students and does everything he can to give you the most amount of points possible on quizzes and exams. His class is very well organized and his lectures are easy to follow. chemistry is hard, but prof. gerken makes it manageable.
There is lots of good things about him he is fun he tries to make us laugh and fun experiments he also does give you time to understand one on one. Unfortunately there is more negatives about his class.His tests are HARD he will give lots of quizzes lots of HW and the lab reports are awful You need so much time for this class
If you think you'll be able to survive in the class with the partial credits on the exam, be ready to fail the class hahah. He's very knowledgeable but has very harsh grading and the amount of work he assigned was ridiculous. if you wanna get an A in this class, you'll definitely have to ignore the other classes you have.
Do not take the class, seriously. I've already transferred and every day I am grateful that nothing can be worse than the class I took with him.
Definitely the hardest class you will ever take in your life. You have to dedicate a lot of time outside of class to succeed, and he can be passive-aggressive if you ask the 'wrong' question. Exams are HARD, hard to prepare for, but honestly, he stresses that the long work problems will be there. It's the multiple choice that get you. Overall okay.
He looks intimidating but he's actually pretty chill. Quizzes and tests are pretty hard but manageble.
Awful. Just awful. He's very passive aggressive, his lectures don't make any sense and you end up having to learn everything yourself. Extremely disorganized. Gave out basically 20 assignments for finals week. Class is so bad that in the end there were only 12 students and many would fail or get Cs on midterms. If you can avoid him, please do.
I would avoid taking this class.
Just don't take him.
please do you gpa and yourself a favor and don't even think about taking class with this professor nothing he does makes sene have two part exam each 12 pages and he dose not give partial credit extra credit nothing. he dose not care about students at all i had an asthma attack and almost died in his class but he still give me zero on the quiz
This class is extremely difficult. The professor doesn't teach clearly, gives very hard exams and quizzes, and grades harshly with no partial credit. You have to teach yourself and sacrifice other classes. If you value your GPA or mental health, avoid this class. I hope the professor sees this and understands how students feel.
Avoid plz this guy makes the hardest exams
His tests are very difficult, and he does have a little bit of a condescending tone, but he does care about his students. He is pretty helpful in his office hours, and he is a nice professor. However, I would not take him again because he actually made me put in effort into the class and earn my grade. If you want to skate by, take someone else lol
If you Love God don't take him. I'm not joking.
I just wanna be nice and save someone from him. ( don't take him you end up failing or dropping).
Dont take this professor you will regret it.
I want to be nice because I know this professor has feeling too but he is not good at teaching.
I want to say that everyone dropped his class two weeks before drop day.
lots of homework, self-study, hard test and quizzes, hard lab, and he is not available or not giving clear answer for your question you need to go in tutoring center and ask another chem. professor.
besides being genuinely mean to his students, he's a good lecturer as long as you don't ask him a question he doesn't like (most of them). fortunately for you there are other profs at this school!
Gerken is a tough teacher! He knows his material very very well and lectures better than most. His exams are hard but a B in the class is also only 85%. Just study, do the HW, and do all of the extra practice sheets he hands out and you'll get an A
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
78%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.11 avg changeRatings by Course
CHEM120121
5.0
(3)CHEM121
3.1
(53)CHEM108
3.0
(2)CHEM120
2.2
(28)CHEM1293
2.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
CHEM120
4.5
CHEM1293
4.0
CHEM121
3.9
CHEM120121
3.0
CHEM108
2.0