3.9

Danielle Zurcher

Chemistry - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

3.9
Quality
4.0
Difficulty
77%
Would Retake
171
Reviews
3.9
Quality
4.0
Difficulty
3.9
Helpful
3.9
Clarity

77%

Would Retake

171

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

83

4

33

3

27

2

12

1

16

What Students Say

Zurcher was a fantastic professor for Chem 261

CHEM261 - 5.0 rating

Zurcher is new to UNC and she is great

CHEM261 - 4.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

94%

Textbook Required

0%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 113 grades
Most common grades:
A (37)
Not sure yet (33)
A- (17)
Grade Distribution
A(40)B(19)C(18)D(3)F(1)A-/B+(32)
Based on 147 reported grades
A: 37
Not sure yet: 33
A-: 17
B+: 15
Common Tags
Test heavy (60)
Caring (37)
Participation matters (26)
Skip class? You won't pass. (24)
Lecture heavy (24)
Clear grading criteria (19)
Graded by few things (19)
Amazing lectures (19)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.42 avg change
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Oct
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ORGO261

5.0

(1)

CHEM101

4.3

(36)

CHEM261

4.1

(95)

CHEM262L

3.5

(2)

CHEM262

3.1

(37)
Difficulty by Course

CHEM262

4.4

CHEM261

4.0

ORGO261

4.0

CHEM101

3.7

CHEM262L

2.5

Reviews (171)
2.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 23, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Shes new to teaching so Im sure thats why shes not that great. She utilizes a flipped classroom so all learning is done on your own time, during class she gives iClicker Question after Question with little to no actual instruction. This is great for those who thrive on flipped classes, but the majority do not. I would not recommend this prof.

Participation matters
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
2.0
4.0
CHEM261
Oct 25, 2017
Wouldn't take again

It's obvious that Zurcher is new to teaching. Her class is a HEAVILY flipped classroom. If you don't read the many sections and watch the multiple videos that she assigns before every class period, you won't understand anything she's saying. "Class" is basically answering a million clicker questions with the people around you, not the professor.

Tough Grader
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
2.0
5.0
CHEM261
Nov 4, 2017
Wouldn't take again

I don't mean to roast but it is very apparent that she is new to lecturing. The problems we do in class are very simple and easy to understand. She does not write her own tests, so the prep we do beforehand is tough but doable. The tests, however, create too large of a gap between the study problems and test problems. Take Crimmins!!

Tough Grader
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 6, 2017
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is pretty good for Orgo 1. She knows her stuff, she explains well, and she's nice and approachable. Questions she gives in class are easier than questions on her exams, but she tells you exactly which problems to do in the textbook to get more practice. Very organized and cares about learning. She's definitely a solid choice.

Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B+
Nov 7, 2017
Would take again

Knowledgeable, energetic, efficient, accessible, stays on top of her email, inspirational, patient, caring. Her flipped classroom is intense and challenging, but if you work hard on reading, she will not only get you to pass ORGO but also benefits you immensely in truly learning it and becoming well-prepared for pre-med down the road.

Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
TEST HEAVY
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
Nov 7, 2017
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is a great professor. She is new at UNC but she helps her students in every way she can and asks/praises feedback. She is passionate about chemistry and is happy to answer questions. Going to lecture is important to go through practice problems. Tests are fair, read the text, pay attention in lecture, study frequently don't cram!

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
Caring
3.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: C-
Nov 10, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Zurcher is super nice and is open to having students in office hours at all times. She is new to teaching and that is very evident. She dumbs down problems in class and doesn't write her own exams so we're not prepared for the level of difficulty of the problems on the exams.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 18, 2017
Would take again

She is incredibly kind and wants all of her students to succeed. She is super accessible outside of class and holds biweekly question and answer sessions, which is PRICELESS for organic. She knows her stuff and is willing to stay after review sessions to help. However, her tests are a LOT harder than what we do in lecture, so studying is a MUST.

Tough Grader
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
TEST HEAVY
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Nov 22, 2017
Would take again

Zurcher has a flipped classroom, and while she goes over some material in class, the videos are essential to gaining a better understanding of the content. Most of class it utilized for practice problems, which I find very beneficial as some of the problems are seen on the exam. Don't skip class. She is very nice and willing to help.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
Nov 22, 2017
Would take again

After learning almost all the material on your own, Zurcher does a lot of basic practice problems in class and teaches important concepts. People do not utilize the other resources on her sakai page including Crimmins practice tests and problems. Look at those to get a good sense of the questions on the exam and to help understand complex material

Participation matters
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 26, 2017
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is a great professor who is presents the material in a very clear manner. During lecture we do a lot of practice problems which are beneficial. Her tests are fair, in my opinion, and if you do the practice tests and understand the concepts you should do fine! She was willing to meet with me outside her office hours which was great.

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Caring
4.0
5.0
CHEM261
Dec 6, 2017
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is a great professor for a really tough subject. She is very encouraging and positive. Her tests are difficult, but she is very responsive to feedback. When our test average was lower than Crimmins she gave us the opportunity to do test corrections and earn points back--not something most professors would do. Overall great professor.

Caring
Tests are tough
Would take again
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 6, 2017
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is new to teaching but honestly she was an amazing orgo professor. I think she really explained everything well and you can tell she cares for your learning. Her tests are fair and the reading is something to be expected. I would definitely recommend her. Super nice and helpful!

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Tests are tough
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B+
Dec 6, 2017
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is one of the best professors I've had at UNC. She does a great job of explaining concepts, she's very approachable, and she really cares about her students. Her tests are fair, and you will do well on them if you read the textbook, do practice problems, and use her systematic approach to solving problems. I highly recommend her!

Gives good feedback
Skip class? You won't pass.
Caring
4.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 7, 2017
Would take again

It has been my experience that Dr. Zurcher teaching style is effective really only if you (the student) takes it upon yourself to consistently do the readings and complete the practice problems that she provides. She also does a good job of making the material relevant by providing real world application examples, which makes it easier to learn.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Would take again
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Dec 9, 2017
Would take again

One of the best professors I've had at UNC. Dr. Zurcher is not only a fantastic teacher but she's also incredibly kind and passionate about her job. Although the material is difficult and she doesn't throw many softballs, she explains everything in a structured and effective manner. Show up to class, do the work, study hard, and you'll be fine.

5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Dec 9, 2017
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is a great professor. She is very consistent with her lectures and uploads many resources for students to study from before exams. Her tests are not easy and it is true that many of the problems we do in class are far easier than what she includes in the exams, but as long as you study and attend class regularly, you will be fine.

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Tests are tough
Would take again
5.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: C-
Dec 12, 2017
Would take again

I like her. Explains concepts well. Accessible outside of class. Offers great feedback, plenty of extra resources. Tests are very hard but curves and offers extra credit. Assignments due before every lecture and most weekends but you only need 80% of them for full credit. Reading and videos aren't required but you'll definitely need them to pass.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Amazing lectures
Tests are tough
1.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: B
Dec 13, 2017
Wouldn't take again

This was by far my hardest class at UNC, not because of the subject, but because of the professor. Zurcher is a really nice person and will really try to make sure that students do well, however her teaching method is not very effective. She's a new professor so that's understandable. Take Crimmin's and spare yourself from her class if you can.

Tough Grader
Caring
Tests are tough
3.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B+
Dec 14, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Zurcher is super friendly, but unfortunately her lectures are not that helpful and you will probably need to go to Q&A sessions to get things explained. The main issue was the lack of practice materials to adequately prepare you for the high difficulty level of the exams. She made an effort to improve, but it was mostly too little too late.

Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Tests are tough
1.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: C+
Dec 21, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Tests did not match any material provided by her prior to any exam. Flipped classroom style is totally ineffective, but she doesn't seem to care what we thought about that. Avoid her at all costs and take Crimmins if given the chance. Or if you're lucky enough to get her, go ahead and hire a tutor so SOMEONE will teach you.

GRADED BY FEW THINGS
Tests are tough
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B+
Jan 4, 2018
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is a very compassionate teacher. This was her first semester at UNC and it started a little rough, but it improved throughout the year. This course is difficult, but I think Dr. Zurcher is a really good teacher. She provides a lot of outside practice problems and wants you to succeed

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Tests are tough
Would take again
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B
Jan 8, 2018
Would take again

She really cares that her students learn and understand the material. Very accessible outside of class and very patient. Organic chemistry is a difficult course but if you put in the work and go to her office hours/Q&A sessions, it is very easy to pass and do well. All while actually understanding the material!

Participation matters
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
Jan 10, 2018
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher was one of the best science teachers I've had. Her lectures are clear, concise, and well-structured. She's also a very cheerful, easy going person, and is always ready to help. Org. Chem is a difficult class, but she managed to make it very enjoyable. Her tests are harder than class material but doable if you stay on top of things.

Gives good feedback
Caring
Would take again
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Jan 11, 2018
Would take again

Zurcher is new to UNC and she is great. Very clear, very accessible, and funny at times. Definitely a solid choice for orgo-- not as experienced as Crimmins, but she is a good professor.

Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Clear grading criteria
4.0
3.0
CHEM261
Jan 11, 2018
Would take again

Professor Zurcher was very clear with what knowledge was required and there were a lot of resources provided to ensure that you learned. One issue was that a lot of the material was not taught with the concepts behind them, so it required memorization. However due to her enthusiasm and clear teaching style, I would definitely recommend her.

Gives good feedback
Respected
Clear grading criteria
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Jan 22, 2018
Would take again

I was skeptical of taking her class at first but am happy I did. She cares a lot about her students success and actually listens & acts on the feedback she receives which I feel many professors don't do. She offered extra credit and a slight curve. Orgo is not an easy class, but her enthusiasm during lecture and organization helps. Solid professor!

Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Jan 24, 2018
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher was a fantastic professor for Chem 261! Her lectures were clear and easy to understand as long as you prepared before class (Mastering and review textbook OR videos). Her exams were challenging but fair. Nothing came out of left field. Everything was from somewhere in the notes or clicker questions. I'd highly recommend her.

Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
2.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: C+
Mar 28, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Zurcher made the exams harder than they needed to be and spent too much time on clicker questions rather than time actually teaching the material. The videos are helpful, but do not solely study them. Use them as a guide, but study the textbook.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Clear grading criteria
TEST HEAVY
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Apr 12, 2018
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is a new orgo professor, but I think she is fantastic! You have to work really hard, I attend all Q and A sessions, and it has really helped me excel in the class. Dr. Z is always willing to answer questions, and you can tell she really loves teaching!

Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
TEST HEAVY
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
May 12, 2018
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is great! She really cares about her students and she wants us to do well (she calculates final grades 3 different ways to give us the highest grade possible) and she is very organized with all class content so it makes it a lot easier to study for exams. Do the homework, go to Q&A, and do practice problems and this class will be fine!

Gives good feedback
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
5.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: F
May 18, 2018
Would take again

Zurcher's lectures are so clear. She's a caring professor and I highly recommend her! She also posts all her notes and is very approachable.

Inspirational
Amazing lectures
Caring
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
May 22, 2018
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is very solid choice for orgo. She's so enthusiastic for teaching and the material and extremely accessible outside class. Tests are very difficult but not many surprises. She tries to give as much partial credit as she can and gives old tests as practice exams. Would definitely recommend taking orgo with her

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
May 31, 2018
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is awesome! She is very clear with what she wants us to know and is very organized with lecture notes. She provides us with plenty of practice problems. Her exams are usually harder than what we see in class, but she gave us old exams for practice.

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
TEST HEAVY
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: B-
Jun 8, 2018
Would take again

Great professor! Made time for students outside of class. Found her worksheets to be helpful to mastering material. Studying everyday is essential & going in asking for help as soon as you need it will help you to stay on track. Comein with an open mind, and be ready to study everyday which will make your studying in the end easier. You can do it!

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
2.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Jun 16, 2018
Would take again

She is a great professor! super organized which makes it easy to study for exams, provides lots of practice problems, and her exams are extremely fair.

Gives good feedback
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
4.0
2.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 15, 2018
Would take again

She is a good teacher ! She organized the lectures very well. If you pay attention to her classes and go to the office hour often you can get a good grade. Besides, she will give many extra credit opportunities.

Respected
Skip class? You won't pass.
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES
3.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: B
Dec 21, 2018
Would take again

Orgo is a tough class that I didnt truly understand until the final came around. I suggest first knowing all of the rules and then applying them through a lot of practice problems. Tests are worth 90% and class sizes are very large, but hang in there- go to problem solving sessions and youll most likely succeed.

Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
5.0
4.0
ORGO261
Grade: B+
Jan 9, 2019
Would take again

Zurcher was an amazing professor for CHEM 261. She cares so much about her students and the way she explained things made a lot of sense to me and all of my peers in class. I was getting really discouraged about my science track at Carolina until I took her class. She also gives worksheets in class sometimes which are very helpful.

Get ready to read
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Caring
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Feb 11, 2019
Would take again

She is a great choice for CHEM 261. Very organized and informative lectures and practice tests for midterms. You definitely need to work hard for this class though.

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Clear grading criteria
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B+
Mar 21, 2019
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is your best choice for Orgo 1, hands down. I think she had a rough time early on as a new professor, but during my semester it seemed like she really had hit her stride. The class is well organized, well contextualized, and Danielle is a sweetheart to boot. She is very open to suggestions. Come prepared and work hard above all.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
3.0
4.0
CHEM262
Apr 1, 2019
Would take again

Nice prof, its tough material so its easy to feel overwhelmed

Participation matters
Graded by few things
Tough grader
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
Apr 25, 2019
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher was a great teacher for Chem 261. The class is not easy, but she makes each class's goals clear and posts all of her lecture problems at the end for final exam review.

Accessible outside class
Test heavy
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: C
Jun 27, 2019
Would take again

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Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Jul 28, 2019
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is amazing. Want to get an A in the class? Go to class, do the practice problems from the textbook (mastering is OK for basics), and REVIEW THE SLIDES!! Her slides are amazing and the notes she makes on them are ALL important. The little exceptions are where chem profs get you on exams, if you know them, you can't be fooled :)

Lots of homework
Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
4.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: B+
Aug 8, 2019
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is one of the best chem professors at UNC. Her slides are easy to understand and she makes herself available to students for help at all times. She hands out many worksheets for practice problems and is very very organized. I do have to say that her exams were harder than the practice exams and she didn't curve the class very much.

Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM262
Grade: A
Sep 24, 2019
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is one of the best chem professors I've had at UNC. Her slides are clear and informative. Study the lecture notes/problems and the practice tests and you'll be fine.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
5.0
4.0
CHEM262
Apr 10, 2020
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is one of the best profs I've had. Lectures are very engaging and helpful. Exam are difficult but fair. She and the 262 team dealt with the change to remote teaching due to coronavirus gracefully and made sure to give student the necessary resources to succeed. She does sometimes goes too fast in lectures and it can be hard to keep up.

Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
Caring
3.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 20, 2020
Would take again

lets get this straight- Zurcher is only good for the UNC chem department (which sucks). flipped classroom doesn't work for me but that was her jam. tests were very long and not made to fit in the time given. orgo is hard no matter what, but she could have been better at actually teaching concepts instead of relying on us to teach ourselves

Lots of homework
3.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: Audit/No Grade
Apr 22, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Zurcher was very accessible outside of class for questions, but her lectures went very fast. She gave us the basics, but her exams were ridiculous. Never enough time for the amount of questions, every exam I barely had enough time to put an answer. All application based, which we never did in class. All worksheets were nothing like the exams.

Accessible outside class
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
3.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: Not sure yet
May 7, 2020
Would take again

I enjoyed CHEM 262 more than CHEM 261. Although there are many mechanisms and reactions to learn in this class, it is manageable if you put in the time. I thought Dr. Zurcher went through the material very fast and found it hard to follow her lectures and understand material as she sped through it during lecture.

Graded by few things
Test heavy
Clear grading criteria
5.0
3.0
CHEM262
Grade: A
May 7, 2020
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is a great professor. She explains complex topics in a way that's easy to understand. You just need to know what's presented on the slides, do the worksheets she sends out, and memorize the mechanisms, and you should be fine!

Accessible outside class
Clear grading criteria
Caring
3.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: A
May 8, 2020
Would take again

Zurcher is a good lecturer. I definitely recommend looking over her slides for studying for exams. Would also recommend doing all of the optional worksheets and doing lots of practice problems. Not a bad class if you stay on top of it and take good notes.

Gives good feedback
Lecture heavy
4.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: A-
May 8, 2020
Would take again

Truly does her job, which is more than you can say about other chem profs. Awesome at teaching complex topics and gives more than enough practice worksheets. I will say, I think her exams are a bit excessive and she wasn't very accommodating during this past online semester. Overall, she has high expectations but teaches you what you need to know.

Respected
Test heavy
Tough grader
5.0
5.0
CHEM262
May 22, 2020
Would take again

I would say pre online classes, Zurcher did an excellent job explaining the material and she really cares about her students. Her style is typical of other UNC Chem classes, so be ready for a flipped classroom. I wish the department made more accommodations for students after transitioning to online learning, however.

Accessible outside class
Participation matters
Caring
3.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: B+
Jul 26, 2020
Wouldn't take again

She is a great teacher and the slides were very informative, but her exams were impossible!! They require a lot of critical thinking and are extensiveIy long. Knowing the basics is not enough, the application and execution on the midterms were on a whole other level!

1.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: C-
Apr 20, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Organic chemistry is hard, but it doesn't need to be this hard. The way Zurcher teaches this course leads to confusion and absolute failure to grasp the material because she does not teach. She expects you to read the textbook, understand, and be able to do practice problems instantly. Don't take this with her. Don't take it at all if you can.

Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Apr 21, 2021
Would take again

I have taken many chem classes from various profs and Dr. Zurcher is easily the best. She explains concepts very clearly and in a way that is easy to understand (My favorite chem professor at UNC for sure). Tests & quizzes are fairly written. The homework is very helpful and not at all busy work. She has made me love chemistry. TAKE HER CLASS!!

Test heavy
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 22, 2021
Would take again

Orgo is hard regardless, but Zurcher explains everything very well. She assigns practice problems that are relevant to what you'll see on exams and her lectures are also extremely helpful. Content is taught pretty fast, so this class does require a lot of time, but Zurcher will make sure everything she assigns is helpful for exams.

1.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 23, 2021
Wouldn't take again

If you have to endure organic chemistry, save yourself and take it with literally any other professor. Zurcher is unclear about how she would like problems solved, does not provide notes during class, only practice problems, and overall asks students to teach themselves. The textbook is the only source of info and it's not enough for her exams.

Lots of homework
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
May 7, 2021
Would take again

I think Professor Zurcher is the best professor anyone could ever hope for from a chem professor. The exams/quizzes were challenging but doable, and you always knew what to expect from her. Yes, you had to put in a lot of effort but that's a given in any Chemistry class. She has very forgiving grading policies as well.

Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
3.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
May 7, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Most prominent thing I remembered from the semester was her saying during a class poll question: "Only 9% got this right... you guys really need to study this!" and moving on. Her explanations make sense but the class problem and homework problem difficulty don't match. IT'S A WEED OUT CLASS. Get ready to struggle.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
May 11, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is the best chem professor I've had at UNC. Orgo is a hard class but she does a very good job at explaining the material. Tests and quizzes are difficult but fair, honestly, I don't feel as though she tries to make the tests impossible like other chem professors. She drops a quiz and allows a cheat sheet for exams and quizzes.

Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
May 12, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is one of my favorite professors at UNC! She's great at explaining difficult concepts and she always made sure that her students were on track. This class is challenging, but she's very understanding and quizzes/exams were generally fair. She has a passion for teaching and, because of her, I love orgo now! Definitely take 261 with her!!

Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
Caring
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: C+
May 13, 2021
Would take again

I was scared to take orgo but Zurcher is a really nice woman and super good teacher! She uploaded her recordings, provided LOTS of extra practice if you wanted it, and made sure people were following along. Also, for a STEM class 40% of the grade wasn't exams which is good! The exams are hard, but Zurcher was a good prof. Taking 262 with her SS 2!

Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
Caring
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
May 14, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is hands down the best professor I've had from the chem department. Her lectures are great for practice questions and she really knows how to explain concepts well. You have to put a lot of work to get an A, but orgo is hard no matter who teaches it. She is also the only professor in the chem department who I've seen give extra credit

Respected
Skip class? You won't pass.
Caring
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: B+
May 16, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Z was amazing. I retook this after taking it with Beaver/Waters (piss poor)and the difference in lecture quality was outstanding. We didn't use Mastering- she gave old test problems for homework which was more helpful than MC. She actually lectures and answers questions. Problem sessions were helpful too. Her tests and quizzes were VERY fair.

Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Oct 8, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The worst professor I have ever had at this university. The entire class will fail a test and she will say its our fault instead of her own. She teaches one subject and tests on another. Avoid her at all costs.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Graded by few things
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 9, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The last test had a failing average. While you can study more from the textbook, lecture slides, or peer mentor worksheets it does not help. The test is not representative of the material in class. It is sad that no matter how much you study or how many practice problems, the test questions are not like any of the material.

3.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: C
Oct 25, 2021
Wouldn't take again

I took this course as a prerequisite for my major and by the end, I switched my major out of STEM. The difficulty of this class is not the professor's fault and is for the most part the doing of the chemistry department. It was difficult for me to learn from Dr. Zurcher. It is evident that she is more accustomed to teaching at a higher level.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Graded by few things
1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 29, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The exams for chem 262 are very unlike the textbook/lectures and are unnecessarily difficult. Also, the flipped classroom is not very effective. The exams are difficult to do in the little time provided. Very stressful and sad that you can put in so many hours of work, but the exam questions are confusing.

Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Oct 29, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The class teaching materials and textbook are not enough to do well on the tests. The test questions are unlike anything Ive every seen (have taken many classes at UNC). Its very hard to understand how to prepare for the test questions, even after doing a number of practice problems and worksheets.

Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
1.0
CHEM262
Nov 19, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The exams are impossible and lectures are not useful.

Test heavy
3.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 19, 2021
Wouldn't take again

She makes concepts more difficult than they need to be. Not hard to get at least an A-.

1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 23, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The chem dept is just exhausting. They make sure to weed out as many people as possible and it certainly works. I heard Zurcher was actually disappointed when the class did well on the first exam and wanted us to do poorly. This showed when our second exam was nearly impossible and did not reflect even the hard practice problems given to us.

4.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: B+
Nov 25, 2021
Would take again

CHEM 101 is hard no matter who you take it with, but Dr. Zurcher made the class more manageable. Her lectures were easy to understand and I felt like I walked out of each class learning something. The course is the same work load no matter what teacher you have, but Dr. Zurcher's teaching got me through this class.

Participation matters
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: B+
Nov 30, 2021
Would take again

Chemistry is hard at UNC but Dr. Zurcher made the class fun. She is so passionate about chemistry and you can see that in the way she teaches. If you love chemistry, you will love her. Although chemistry is not my favorite subject, she made me want to major in chemistry because of how excited she is about the subject! Would definitely recommend!

Participation matters
Test heavy
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 1, 2021
Would take again

The chem department is terrible and orgo is rough. However, Zurcher does the best she can with how the department is set up and is the best chem prof I've had. She does a good job keeping the exam averages around a 70 (which is what the chem department demands), and unlike other profs, will give partial credit.

Participation matters
Graded by few things
4.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: B-
Dec 8, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Z was really great this semester. I missed some classes due to outside circumstances, and I feel like my grade reflects that. She was really understanding and helpful, and her lectures were engaging. To be honest, I wish we could rate the department instead because Chemistry at UNC is just ridiculous. Chem 101 shouldn't be this hard anywhere.

Lots of homework
Graded by few things
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
CHEM101
Grade: A
Dec 8, 2021
Would take again

Definitely recommend her for Chem 101! I wouldn't say chem is the easiest, but Dr. Zurcher does a great job explaining concepts and always gave us enough time to work through class problems. She also made sure to emphasize common pitfalls to help us avoid these mistakes. I didn't need to really touch the textbook at all this semester!

Respected
Participation matters
Amazing lectures
4.0
5.0
CHEM101
Dec 8, 2021
Would take again

Chemistry 101 is a difficult class no matter who you take it with, but Dr. Zurcher is a solid choice for professors. She tries to explain concepts and questions in detail and is available for answering questions right after class and in her meeting time. Her group problem solving session is also very helpful.

Respected
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM101
Grade: A
Dec 10, 2021
Would take again

I think Prof. Zurcher is definitely the best option for Chem 101! Her lectures are really clear, and she gives us a lot of sample exam questions in her presentations. She does her best to help out all of her students despite huge lecture classes, she emails back pretty quick and does 6-minute individual help sessions if you have any questions!

Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: B
Dec 11, 2021
Would take again

Professor Zurcher is very good at teaching and is very knowledgable. She explains topics thoroughly and is open to answer any questions in class. Class attendance is a requirement since there are a certain amount of clicker points needed for 100% participation. I recommend sitting on the outside seats in her lecture since TA's answer questions.

Respected
Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 11, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The exams were way too complicated than needed. Didnt teach enough and the textbook was not enough to do well on the exams.

Test heavy
2.0
5.0
CHEM101
Grade: C+
Dec 12, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Zurcher knows the material, but her teaching style did not help me. I felt she went extremely fast and did not explain, but rather expected us to rely more on the readings and warm-ups. I would recommend taking with Curtis instead, it seems that she explains the material in a way that is simpler to understand. Tests were very hard.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Dec 12, 2021
Wouldn't take again

After taking many chem classes at UNC, this was the most ridiculous class I have ever taken (the exams are unlike any of the material). The material is not taught, but somehow she expects you to learn the material by yourself (not even similar to the textbook, questions given, supplemental material). Would never recommend taking orgo 2 with her.

Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: C
Dec 12, 2021
Would take again

I had Dr. Z for CHEM261 and CHEM262 and taking it with her was the best decision I've ever made. UNC chemistry can be nightmarish but Dr. Z is hands-down the best chem professor I've ever had. She seems to really care about students, explains things in a way I can understand, and has very useful problem-solving sessions.

Test heavy
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: A
Dec 13, 2021
Would take again

I had her for Orgo 1 & 2 and I'm unbelievably grateful that I did. She has been my favorite UNC Chem professor. She's great at concisely explaining the content and organizing her course. She's fair on her exams and generous with partial credit. Loved her!! 1000% would take again!

Respected
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
2.0
5.0
CHEM262
Dec 13, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Acts nice but has condescending attitude towards students. CHEM department tries to act like they care about students but ends up saying insulting things.

2.0
3.0
CHEM101
Grade: C
Dec 15, 2021
Wouldn't take again

I swear, my test scores got better when I just did did the practice problems on the slides, that's it. She did not really have any impact on my learning and I just had to do it myself. As a freshman, it was new to me and I did not know how to adapt quick. Honestly, I don't remember much of her lectures except that she skips information a lot.

5.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: C
Dec 15, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is the most difficult professor I've had at UNC as a junior in Bio and Chem, but she is preparing her students for the academia in medical school and for those pursuing PhDs and for that I am very thankful. She is honest with the students and shares her weaknesses when she took chemistry and due to this, she can make hard yet fair exams

Respected
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: C
Dec 16, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Z is certainly not preparing students for any future graduate program. With a "C", there is no way that people can apply to graduate school due to the effect on gpa. Therefore, a C is not okay for med school or any type of school. Also, we can deduce from the very positive reviews, that Dr. Z is responding to the unfavorable reviews.

4.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: B-
Dec 19, 2021
Would take again

I don't think the flaw in this class was Dr. Zurcher, but instead the horrible class structure. She explained things fairly well, but if you miss class, you're pretty much on your own. I understood concepts a lot better than my test scores reflected, but it's still doable if you have to take it.

Graded by few things
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: B
Jan 10, 2022
Would take again

Chem at chapel hill is what it is. You have to know going into it that it's not going to be easy. I liked Prof. Zurcher but I was just 1/300 students. Grade primarily comes from 2 midterms and a final, but attendance to class and recitations as well as warmups and weekly homework assignments also weigh in. Stay on top of concepts. Ask questions.

4.0
3.0
CHEM101
Grade: A-
Jan 16, 2022
Would take again

My problems were with the setup of CHEM101, not with Zurcher. She teaches the material well and makes the lectures interesting, but if you missed a class or struggled with a concept, you are at a major disadvantage. Attendance is counted with the iclickers for participation, and tests are challenging but mostly fair. Go to problem-solving sessions.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Mar 21, 2022

Very confusing and unclear. Does not know the material very well, makes many mistakes which causes even more confusion. Tests are impossible

Tough grader
Graded by few things
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 6, 2022
Would take again

Professor Zurcher is by far the best professor in the chemistry department at UNC! Though the class is still very difficult, Professor Zurcher has never once made me feel inadequate for not knowing something. She is kind and teaches the material very well. She knows that the course is difficult, but is ready to help you succeed.

Caring
Test heavy
Accessible outside class
5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: A
Apr 8, 2022
Would take again

I really liked Dr. Zurcher's style of lecture - definitely a lot more helpful than some of the other 101 or 102 teachers.

Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 9, 2022
Would take again

This class takes so much time and brain power but Dr. Zurcher makes it the least miserable possible. I can ask dumb questions and she will help. She realizes that the class is hard and that students don't have every waking moment to study for her class alone. She's approachable and does a great job explaining things to prepare us for the test.

Amazing lectures
Gives good feedback
Graded by few things
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
Apr 19, 2022
Would take again

Organic chem is already hard but Zurcher understands that its hard. During class, she tries to help talk through problems and the topic is literally so hard but she makes it bearable. Saying that, I dont think she has a say in the exams, I think they're fair but difficult so definitely have to do a lot of outside studying. office hours are helpful

Participation matters
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 26, 2022
Would take again

Orgo is hard regardless of who you take it with but I definitely did waaaay better than I thought I would because she explains the material very well. I usually went to her office hours and problem solve sessions and she takes the time to properly explain the material, no matter how dumb my questions were. I wish she taught orgo 2 next semester.

Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
Accessible outside class
5.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 27, 2022
Would take again

I only wanted to take Orgo 1 with Zurcher. She is the best option for lecturers. Orgo is a very difficult subject and requires a lot of work so take it during an easier semester. Same exams as Beaver, the averages are Cs and Ds.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Lots of homework
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B
Apr 29, 2022
Would take again

Yes, organic chemistry is hard but Dr. Zurcher really sets you up for success. She starts building a good base early in the course and provides so many practice resources to become familiar with content. Her office hours and problem solving sessions also cleared up many questions from lecture.

Amazing lectures
Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
Aug 12, 2022
Would take again

I have both taken this course from Dr. Zurcher and been a peer mentor. Seeing her teach from both sides has showed me that she really cares about her students and their learning. The material covered in the course is difficult and requires a lot of work to keep up with, but she teaches it in about as straightforward of a way as anyone could!

Clear grading criteria
Caring
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 14, 2022

Worst class I have ever taken. She comes off sweet but I really do think the chem department makes students suffer more than they should. Yes organic chemistry is hard, however Dr. Zurcher makes it harder than it needs to be by not going over all the concepts that are tested. Def take at a community college to save your sanity!

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 9, 2022
Would take again

Throughout lecture, you can tell she is caring! Explains details topic nicely and gives foundation that you can apply for other orgo questions. However, make sure to READ the textbook! And practice! Can't stress the textbook enough. Textbook let's you go into class knowing what to do, and Zurcher builds on it.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
Dec 11, 2022
Would take again

Zurcher is a great teacher who explains things very well. Orgo is a hard class you need to put in work in order to succeed. The test were pretty fair for the most part, but it is clear that they are trying to trick you on some of the questions. Make sure you understand the material. You have all you need to succeed.

Test heavy
Graded by few things
3.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 12, 2022

She's alright - just alright though. She does her job, however I often thought she made things more confusing than needed. Tests are tricky, but not impossible, and the textbook is useless. This class is not about sitting with your best friends -- it's about finding the smart people and learning from them. At least that's how I got an A.

Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 13, 2022
Would take again

This class is difficult, as are all chem classes at UNC. To pass, you need to put in a lot of work. It is not Dr. Zurcher's fault the orgo curriculum is grueling. She is kind, caring, and willing to explain everything to you outside of class. She will remember your name if you ask her questions and wants you to succeed if you put in the effort.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2022
Would take again

Do not skip the textbook reading. They really pile it on but don't skip if you can, or else you'll get a lot less out of lectures. She gives you everything you need for exams; the material on tests always stayed within lesson objectives, they just put in a lot of tricky questions. Go to her office hours, she's great at answering questions!

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Accessible outside class
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 15, 2022
Would take again

She does a great job thoroughly explaining topics even as the pace of the class picks up toward the end of the semester. The exams are tough, but workbook problems are super helpful to prepare. You can tell Dr. Zurcher cares about her students; in office hours she's good at guiding you to the right answer so you understand processes yourself.

5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
Dec 15, 2022
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher was amazing! You could tell that she really cared about getting you to understand the material.

Amazing lectures
Caring
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 20, 2022
Would take again

Orgo is hard but it's not impossible. Do not miss class because Dr. Zurcher goes through a lot of dense material during lectures and it's crucial to succeeding. Use the workbook!! It was so helpful in my opinion and it provides similar practice to exam-style questions. Do not fall behind because things will pile up. Orgo demands a lot of time

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 25, 2022
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher really cares about her students and is great at teaching. Orgo is a tough class, but Dr. Zurcher made the material manageable for sure. It's a lot of work, but if you go to class and practice outside of class, you'll be alright. Definitely recommend this class.

Get ready to read
Caring
Lecture heavy
3.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: C
Dec 29, 2022
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is nice, but orgo is incredibly hard at UNC. I was a chemistry major before this class and now can't bear to think about chemistry. If you have to take orgo, take it with Dr. Zurcher because she explains things well, but the class will still be insanely difficult. Its worse than every other chem class at unc; exams are superr difficult.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
Graded by few things
3.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Jan 23, 2023

My initial rating of Zurcher for CHEM 261 was too harsh, given that 262 is a disaster right now. The class is insanely difficult, and I don't like how Zurcher likes to weed people out. However, she did teach the course in an effective and organized way. Her classes were not a waste of time, and had critical problem-solving opportunities.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM101
Grade: A+
May 1, 2023
Would take again

One of my favorite professors at Carolina so far. Very caring about her students and their grades.

Participation matters
Caring
Accessible outside class
2.0
3.0
CHEM262L
Grade: Not sure yet
May 3, 2023

Didn't really have much contact with Dr. Zurcher during this class, since TAs were the primary point of contact, but the structure wasn't the best. Extremely vague grading criteria on major reports, leaving us in the dark. Workload was manageable, which was nice. Grade entirely dependent on TA.

5.0
2.0
CHEM262L
Grade: A
May 8, 2023
Would take again

The best orgo chem prof in UNC. Cares about her students, very easy-going and feel comfortable of providing support. The course design is vague and ambiguous, so your grade will largely depend on your TA, but Dr. Zurcher is nice. The office hour is helpful, don't miss it.

3.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 29, 2023
Would take again

dude. wtf. that's all i can say. the medians for our three midterms have been 68, 68, 66. that's all i'm gonna say.

Tough grader
Test heavy
Graded by few things
3.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B-
Dec 9, 2023

The class content itself is pretty hard, but Dr. Zurcher would sometimes fail to explain things clearly in class or assume that we understood content. Overall, the chem department loves to do a flipped classroom which everyone hates. She would move super fast even if it was clear everyone was confused.

Lots of homework
Test heavy
3.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 21, 2023
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is kind, but this class is so hard. Lecture is doable, but the problems are MUCH easier than those on the exams. Workbook problems are amazing and exam-level, but they don't provide answer keys to all the problems, which is frustrating. Mid 60s medians on midterms, but the final was much easier. Course was identical to Beaver's section.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Test heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
Dec 28, 2023
Would take again

Honestly, orgo is a very hard class, regardless of who teaches it. I think Zurcher is one of the best professors in terms of explaining concepts from ground up. Her GPSS is SUPER helpful and she is very patient and friendly. Attendance is MANDATORY since you get daily points and its such a hard class. Workbook problems are the biggest help.

Participation matters
Lecture heavy
2.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: C
Dec 29, 2023

Orgo is always a hard class regardless of who teaches it, but Zurcher was no help. The other section consistently got better exam grades and her explanations of content were always overcomplicated. She also told me the reason the atmosphere was so stressful/competitive was because the students were "diagnosing eachother with testing anxiety"

3.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 13, 2024
Would take again

Midterm 1 median = 80, midterm 2 median = 69. The exams have questions that can be so much more complex than any practice or lecture questions that they seem nearly impossible. Shes alright at teaching during lecture, but either way DO NOT skip class there is graded exit problems, iclicker, and you do not want to fall behind. Make flashcards

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B
Dec 10, 2024
Would take again

Orgo with Professor Zurcher is tough, but she's an effective teacher. The workbook problems are really helpful, and using Unstuckstudy alongside the free textbook can make studying more efficient. Attendance is mandatory, so engage in class to get the most out of it.

1.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: C-
Dec 11, 2024

Random weekly quizzes were terrible

Lots of homework
Beware of pop quizzes
Test heavy
3.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: B-
Dec 12, 2024
Would take again

Zurcher's tests are hard and sometimes have wack questions that don't line up with the level of difficulty taught in class. However, she is good at teaching and answering questions. She is also very approachable and nice. I can say her hard tests helped prepare me well but sometimes were hard for no reason which is frustrating.

4.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: A-
Dec 12, 2024
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is a kind woman both inside & outside of lecture. She's accommodating to students who are experiencing difficulties. However, her tests are difficult & there are questions on there that will take you aback. She also gives weekly quizzes in lecture so attend. she is good at explaining concepts, but moves through the material quickly.

Participation matters
Gives good feedback
Test heavy
4.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: B
Dec 13, 2024
Would take again

*Screams in agony* Organic chem is tough but Dr. Zurcher is probably the best professor for it at UNC. Her lectures are great but the exams are so incredibly difficult. You really have to be prepared to dedicate 3+ hours a week just to doing extra practice problems (beyond the ones in the homework) if you want to succeed. *Begins sobbing*

Amazing lectures
Test heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM262
Grade: A
Dec 17, 2024
Would take again

CHEM 262 is a hard course, but Professor Zurcher does an amazing job at making it comprehensible. She is caring to students and makes it clear that she is proud of our efforts! I think her test questions are reasonable - going through the slides helps you to focus on content that she finds important and practicing those will set you up for success!

Inspirational
Caring
Test heavy
3.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: B
Dec 27, 2024
Would take again

ORGO II is just generally a hellish class, but of your options Zurcher is probably one of the better ones. Our second exam was HARD, though-- over half the class failed. There is partial credit, but partial credit for an impossible problem is still 0 points. Take with Eskew if possible.

Tough grader
Test heavy
Graded by few things
4.0
5.0
CHEM262
Grade: B
Mar 4, 2025
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher is great. She is a straightforward teacher, she does not waste any time, in a good way, you feel like going to class is productive. Furthermore you WILL NOT SUCCEED if you skip classes. Everything builds off of the last lecture. Don't skip

Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
2.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 17, 2025

Orgo is a hard class in general but it is especially hard at UNC. Dr. Zurcher is not a bad teacher but the problems completed in class are nothing like the problems on the exam. Do not take this class if you are taking another hard stem class. Also the mean grades are never revealed, only the median which speaks for itself. All in the 60s

5.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: B
Apr 25, 2025
Would take again

Obviously orgo is one of the hardest classes at UNC so you pretty much get what you expect with this class. Dr. Zurcher did an amazing job of explaining really complicated topics and preparing you for the way material builds upon itself in this class. Lots of practice problems available and lots of review sessions (which are helpful!)

Caring
Test heavy
Accessible outside class
4.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 30, 2025
Would take again

She is a good lecturer and explains the concepts pretty clearly, this coming from a chem major who has had way worse in this department. She is a tough grader tho and I felt like she didn't give much partial credit on the exams. There's definitely a curve for the End of Week assignments, I failed most of them and got a 100 for them at the end.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Gives good feedback
2.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
May 1, 2025

Orgo is a hard subject, but Dr. Zurcher didn't make it any easier. She can explain concepts well but her tests were so incredibly hard, it was nothing like any of the practice problems. I never felt prepped for the exams, for all 3 midterms medians were in the 60s. Curves participation grades by dropping some points which helps.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
3.0
4.0
CHEM261
May 4, 2025
Would take again

Good teacher overall just sometimes skims some stuff & very loud. Gave lots of pep talks bc she could tell when we were falling behind LOL. Exams will have stuff you've never seen before but that's every chem exam. Look out for exit tickets, don't count for much but graded for accuracy. NEED to read textbook. very exam heavy. Content builds fast!!

Beware of pop quizzes
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
May 5, 2025
Would take again

Dr Zurcher was down to earth and definitely cared about every student's success. She made an awful class somewhat bearable. If you are taking chemistry and Zurcher is teaching, please take her. Definitely the best chem professor I have had at UNC.

Test heavy
Graded by few things
4.0
4.0
CHEM261
May 5, 2025
Would take again

Dr. Zurcher was passionate about the content she taught and did a good job lecturing the new content. No matter what, orgo is a hard class and you need to dedicate the time outside of class doing the readings, extra practice, and studying for exams. Grades are very test heavy but you have a lot of resources (and ULA team) to help you too.

Test heavy
5.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: A-
May 5, 2025
Would take again

She's an awesome professor who is very accessible outside of class. Take orgo with her if you get a chance and ask questions!

Tough grader
Amazing lectures
Accessible outside class
5.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: B+
May 6, 2025
Would take again

Great professor. Attend LA sessions or GPSS if you have any confusion. Exams are intense, and I figured out how to do good on them too late. Time yourself doing the workbook exam to replicate the actual one. Redo the end of week problems too. Attend class for the required participation and read the textbook everyday for easy exit ticket points.

Test heavy
2.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: D
May 6, 2025

Honestly, don't recommend. Class is super tough and exams were awful. She was nice, but her lectures didn't correspond with the exams. Have never done worse in a class!!!

Test heavy
4.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: B-
May 6, 2025
Would take again

She tells you exactly what to do to succeed - do all those things and you will. Her tests were fair, and I felt that they did not deviate from what we were taught. Orgo is a hard class, but she made it bearable. I could see that she really cared about us as students. She genuinely wants you to succeed.

Get ready to read
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A+
May 6, 2025
Would take again

Probably one of tbe best people who can explain orgo. The practice problems from la sessions were the most representative of exams and the in class slides are very helpful.

Beware of pop quizzes
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: B+
May 8, 2025
Would take again

Great professor. Attend LA sessions or GPSS if you have any confusion. Exams are intense, and I figured out how to do good on them too late. Time yourself doing the workbook exam to replicate the actual one. Redo the end of week problems too! Attend class for the required participation and read the textbook everyday for easy exit ticket points.

Test heavy
3.0
4.0
CHEM261
Grade: B
May 8, 2025
Would take again

Explains concepts thoroughly if asked, GPSS & LA sessions very helpful. Expect exit tickets (low stakes pop quizzes) & lecture moves fast- if you handwrite, be prepared to spend time after class catching up w/ annotated slides. No curve/EC, liked putting a few tricky questions on midterm that built on topics students didn't grasp in class well.

Tough grader
Test heavy
Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Jun 17, 2025
Would take again

Explained concepts well (99% of the time). Exams were extremely fair imo. Felt like the final was harder than the midterms but the grade ended up better than expected. Definitely attend lectures and GPSS (professor led sessions), and do practice. Orgo can be tough but she does not try to make it harder.

Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 4, 2025
Would take again

I only had Dr. Zurcher for half the semester while she stood in for Dr. Eskew but her lectures were incredible. Her explanations were extremely clear and gave me confidence on exam-level questions. She is very energetic and it is clear that she cares deeply about our success.

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Caring
5.0
1.0
CHEM101
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 21, 2025
Would take again

prof zurcher is great. her lectures are straight-forward and organized; she gets right to the point, which made the clarity of the content 100x better. she's my favorite STEM professor at UNC thus far simply because of her teaching. final grades in this class rely heavily on midterms, but zurcher prepares students for exams well. 10/10 recommend!!

Participation matters
Amazing lectures
Graded by few things
3.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 2, 2025

Prof Zurcher does a solid job of presenting material and making content clear in class. Note that UNC's chem department as a whole is notoriously challenging and demanding, so the difficulty isn't unique to Zurcher. Success depends on if you keep up with assignments, avoid falling behind, and not waiting until the last minute to prepare for exams.

Participation matters
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
4.0
5.0
CHEM101
Dec 3, 2025
Would take again

101 is extremely hard but its standardized in the chemistry department so it has little to do with Zurcher herself. she was a great teacher nevertheless. just a hard ass class.

Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
CHEM101
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 6, 2025
Would take again

I absolutely loved Zurcher for this class! I was really nervous because chem has a reputation, but she was a really engaging teacher, and she explained things in a way that really made sense to me! I love her. That said, I think she is pretty inaccessible outside of class (because chem is a teaching team, not a single teacher responding to you) .

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
4.0
5.0
CHEM261
Grade: C
Dec 10, 2025
Would take again

I returned to zurcher after dealing with whatever the hell orgo 2 was with beaver, and i realized she is lowkey the goat. He sucks. Shes great. Preciate u mama

5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Dec 11, 2025
Would take again

Chem101 is rough and you definitely need to put in a good amount of work outside of class, but Zurcher was a great lecturer and super kind. Explained concepts clearly and wants you to succeed.

5.0
3.0
CHEM101
Grade: A
Dec 11, 2025
Would take again

Zurcher is engaging, usually gets through the slides, and explains complex concepts in simple terms. She drops important hints for exams during lecture.

5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: A
Dec 11, 2025
Would take again

Because if the standardized and group taught structure of CHEM 101, there's only so much the professor can do. All exams and content is the same for each section. But regardless Dr. Zurcher's lectures were engaging, and she consistently showed that she cares about her students and their learning and success.

Amazing lectures
Caring
Test heavy
5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: A-
Dec 11, 2025
Would take again

Chem 101 is a difficult weed out class, but Zurcher is definitely the best professor to take it with. She knows her stuff, is nice, and is a good lecturer. I also appreciated how much in-class practice we got for the concepts. I wish she could teach 102 next semester lol

Participation matters
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: B
Dec 11, 2025
Would take again

Chem 101 is standardized, but she was a great professor! Very clear lectures and would actually come talk to her students.

Test heavy
4.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: A
Dec 12, 2025
Would take again

Professor Zurcher is a great lecturer. Overall, the class is really difficult, but not unique to Zurcher because chem is just notoriously hard at UNC. Homework isn't anything crazy but make sure to study for those midterms.

Amazing lectures
Test heavy
4.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: D-
Dec 12, 2025
Would take again

My problem is with the Chemistry Department as a whole, and since things are standardized here, there isn't anything bad that I could pinpoint on her specifically. Zurcher is incredibly friendly and will answer questions in class. This class requires a lot of effort outside of class. I regret not using a lot of the resources that were available.

5.0
2.0
CHEM101
Grade: A
Dec 13, 2025
Would take again

I love Dr. Zurcher! She is genuinely so sweet, caring, and just wants to see her students succeed. She does have high expectations, but she makes her expectations clear and holds every student to the same standard. Chem 101 is a difficult class, but she was great at explaining concepts and providing resources! She is my favorite professor so far :)

Amazing lectures
Lots of homework
Caring
5.0
3.0
CHEM101
Grade: A
Dec 13, 2025
Would take again

although unc chem is hard by default as its all standardized, zurcher is definitely one of the best profs. her lectures are very helpful, and she's frequently present at after-school review things.

Amazing lectures
Test heavy
4.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: B+
Dec 15, 2025
Would take again

UNC chemistry is difficult as a whole, but I always really enjoyed Dr. Zurcher's lectures. She is a very caring a sweet woman with a clear passion for chemistry, and she tries her best to make the subject approachable. While you do have to buy the textbook to access the homework, most test questions are pulled from the daily slides.

Participation matters
Caring
3.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: A-
Dec 15, 2025
Would take again

Good professor with many opportunities to meet outside of class, explains content clearly and wants students to succeed but teaches a very hard topic so deserves a little slack for that.

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
5.0
3.0
CHEM101
Grade: A+
Dec 15, 2025
Would take again

I thought Professor Zurcher was awesome for 101. She was great at explaining concepts and you can tell she is passionate about the subject and her students.

Amazing lectures
Caring
Respected
5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: B+
Dec 16, 2025
Would take again

Professor Zurcher was awesome and made the material clear and easy to understand. Unfortunately, Chem 101 at Carolina is a weed out class so there was a LOT of material thrown at you over the course of the semester. The class was difficult, and the tests were 75% of our grade, but that's the fault of the chemsitry department, not professor Zurcher.

Amazing lectures
Lots of homework
Test heavy
3.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: D
Dec 18, 2025
Would take again

Chem 101 without taking AP Chem is difficult. READ the textbook assigned readings before class. Use active recall, take practice tests for midterms and finals. Do all homework until you get a 100. If you do not understand a concept, PLEASE UNDERSTAND IT before you move on to the next lesson. ALWAYS review your midterms, bc graders make mistakes.

Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
Test heavy
3.0
5.0
CHEM101
Grade: C
Dec 19, 2025

The class content is very clear, but there is too much of it. The exam covers a wide range of topics.

5.0
4.0
CHEM101
Grade: A
Dec 19, 2025
Would take again

Professor Zurcher's lectures are engaging and easy to understand, reading textbook helps a little but paying attention in class and going over the slides are more important. The course is designed to be very test heavy, but the chem department provides a lot of practice materials. The chem department requires an iClicker.

Clear grading criteria
Caring
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
CHEM261
Grade: A
Dec 20, 2025
Would take again

Wish I had her for the entire semester, super engaging and clear lecturer and the one exam she wrote was extremely fair.

Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

94%

Textbook Required

0%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 113 grades
Most common grades:
A (37)
Not sure yet (33)
A- (17)
Grade Distribution
A(40)B(19)C(18)D(3)F(1)A-/B+(32)
Based on 147 reported grades
A: 37
Not sure yet: 33
A-: 17
B+: 15
Common Tags
Test heavy (60)
Caring (37)
Participation matters (26)
Skip class? You won't pass. (24)
Lecture heavy (24)
Clear grading criteria (19)
Graded by few things (19)
Amazing lectures (19)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.42 avg change
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Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ORGO261

5.0

(1)

CHEM101

4.3

(36)

CHEM261

4.1

(95)

CHEM262L

3.5

(2)

CHEM262

3.1

(37)
Difficulty by Course

CHEM262

4.4

CHEM261

4.0

ORGO261

4.0

CHEM101

3.7

CHEM262L

2.5

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