4.7

Dean Tantillo

Chemistry - University of California Davis

4.7
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
75%
Would Retake
84
Reviews
4.7
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
4.7
Helpful
4.7
Clarity

75%

Would Retake

84

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

72

4

7

3

1

2

3

1

1

What Students Say

He teaches chemistry like he loves it

CHE118A - 5.0 rating

Second he is a great teacher

CHE118B - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

25%

Textbook Required

88%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

62% confidence
Based on 4 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (1)
B+ (1)
A- (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(1)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 5 reported grades
A+: 1
B+: 1
A-: 1
Drop/Withdrawal: 1
Common Tags
Gives good feedback (3)
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS (1)
Clear grading criteria (1)
Inspirational (1)
Lecture heavy (1)
Graded by few things (1)
Accessible outside class (1)
Amazing lectures (1)
Rating Trend

Stable

+0.13 avg change
Apr
May
Dec
Nov
Jun
Mar
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

128

5.0

(1)

CHE118B

5.0

(9)

OCHEM118B

5.0

(1)

118B

5.0

(1)

CHEM118B

5.0

(3)
+12 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CHE150

5.0

128

4.0

CHEM118

4.0

OCHEM118A

4.0

CHEM007

4.0

Reviews (84)
5.0
2.0
CHE118B
May 11, 2004

Very clear and nice. Straight forward lectures. He'll keep explaining things until you understand. Great Guy

5.0
4.0
CHE118B
May 21, 2004

Awesome! I have always struggled with Chemistry but this class is great. He really wants his students to learn and he will keep explaining until they do. His lectures are clear and concise. I am actually enjoying this.

5.0
3.0
CHE118B
May 23, 2004

Best O-Chem prof ever. Very clear and easy to understand. He only tests on the main concepts, not exceptions to rules to trick you. Very helpful in office hours.

5.0
3.0
CHE118B
May 25, 2004

The best prof I've had at Davis!!! Highly recommend!!

5.0
2.0
CHE118B
May 26, 2004

very clear and easy to understand. Makes ochem enjoyable!

5.0
3.0
OCHEM118B
Jun 4, 2004

good teacher...straight forward...funny guy...red sweat from hippos? What the?

5.0
2.0
CHE118B
Jun 19, 2004

He is a good professor...he explains things very clearly...his tests aren't that bad either...i was actually able to understood ochem...i highly recommend him...

5.0
3.0
CHE118B
Jun 27, 2004

great prof! clear, concise, to the point...likeable, helpful and even holds reviews for as long as u want before tests. Learned a lot in his class

5.0
1.0
CHE118
Jul 5, 2004

There isn't a better professor out there! He's extremely nice and helpful. His lectures are clear and coherent. He made me understand chemistry! That's miraculous! His one class made up for every vague concept all the other chem classes created.

5.0
1.0
118B
Aug 2, 2004

i loved the fact that he doesn't use tricky questions on the tests. very straight forward. the best ochem teacher ever!

5.0
1.0
CHEM118B
Sep 8, 2004

I love Dean!! He's the best

5.0
1.0
CHEM118B
Sep 13, 2004

If you can take Ochem with Dr. Tantillo , do it!! I hated Ochem, now I actually understand it. Thanks Dr. T!!!

5.0
1.0
CHE118B
Sep 20, 2004

He is my favorite teacher. I loved his class.

5.0
1.0
128A
Oct 25, 2004

Great teacher, explains things clearly. Gives a reasonable amount of homework. Quizzes before each lecture were a hassle but helps students stay on time for readings. Grades fair.

5.0
2.0
128A
Oct 27, 2004

Tantillo is great! his lectures are a little boring but helpful. You learn a lot in the class and it's not too hard if you just keep up with the readings. The midterm was EASY! I highly recommend him for the class.

4.0
5.0
CHE128A
Oct 30, 2004

The average grade for the first midterm was a failing 65%. His tests are ridiculously difficult and even if you get the answer right, he will still mark you wrong if you don't thoroughly explain it -- which is difficult to do on a 50 min test. Take Ochem from any other professor.

5.0
3.0
CHE128A
Nov 2, 2004

helpful, clear and willing to explain repeatedly hard concepts; don't think md 1 was difficult but it was not exactly the easiest (it was fair considering this is 128 and intended for chem majors and chem related majors)

5.0
3.0
CHEM128A
Nov 11, 2004

Honestly, I think he is the best professor I've had so far (I also had Kouba, so that means a lot)! He explains one of the hardest courses possible in a middle school language, simple and understandable. I'm not saying the class is easy, he just does a good job and makes it interesting.

1.0
4.0
128A
Nov 22, 2004

beautiful.

5.0
4.0
128
Nov 22, 2004

his mechanisms are like art and most of the kids aren't very good artists.

5.0
3.0
CHE128A
Dec 14, 2004

very clear, organized and logical. do the work he assigns and attend all lectures and everytrhing makes sense...as far as ochem goes

5.0
5.0
128A
Dec 15, 2004

notice that all those comments predate the final.

5.0
4.0
CHE128A
Dec 16, 2004

Great teacher. He actually teaches!!! It's becoming more rare these days. Class is crucial, go to every lecture and study (this is O chem after all...), and you'll do well.

5.0
4.0
CHE128A
Dec 22, 2004

Dean gave challenging but very fair exams. Wanted students to understand concepts thoroughly, not just memorize specific examples. Great lecturer.

2.0
5.0
CHE128A
Jan 2, 2005

very motivated and enthusiastic about o-chem

5.0
4.0
CHE128A
Jan 18, 2005

wow! i hope that explains it. Beautiful lectures and explainations, its very refreshing to have someone who not only fully grasps what they are presenting but is able to actually teach it and make you understand it. Highly recommended.

5.0
3.0
CHE128A
Jan 23, 2005

Tantillo has a very informal style of teaching. It's cool.

5.0
3.0
CHE128A
Jun 14, 2005

the way he lines up those mechanisms to patterns-- makes me want to become an organic chemist. his teachings gave me a very strong background of ochem. he simplifies what others complicate.

2.0
5.0
CHE128A
Aug 25, 2005

He's nice, but don't let that fool you. His tests are killer!!! The curve is awful, worse than Nasiri's! If you want to do well in this class, you need to memorize everything!

5.0
4.0
CHE118A
Nov 8, 2005

Very interesting and competent teacher. My favorite in chem so far.

4.0
4.0
CHE118A
Dec 9, 2005

I haven't seen anyone take such pride in making difficult questions for tests. However, I have to admit that he knows his material and is willing to help students understand. I also have to admit that this is Organic Chemistry and notoriously one of the more difficult courses here. Take this professor if you can. He's hard, but you'll learn.

5.0
3.0
CHEM118
Dec 11, 2005

Word of advice...don't bother trying to learn all the little details in the text, just study your notes b/c what's not in lecture will not be on the exams. Also, he likes to trick you on exams, so watch out for that. Other than that, he's a pretty good professor. He uses simple terms to explain stuff rather than using confusing o-chem vocabulary.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Grade: A+
Dec 12, 2005

He is an awesome teacher. His practice exams reflect the difficulty and the type of questions on his exams.

5.0
4.0
CHE118A
Grade: B+
Dec 13, 2005

Amusing professor who gives good, clear lectures. Exams are very similar to the practice exams. Just KNOW the notes and don't read the book. Small mistakes on exams pay a big price...as simple the problem it MAY seem (he's a tricky guy!). Hope he teaches 118B.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Dec 14, 2005

great teacher, exams reflect the practice exams. forces you to learn material through daily online quizzes... i learned a lot. definitely reccommended.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Dec 15, 2005

No Comments

5.0
2.0
CHEM118A
Dec 18, 2005

My favorite Chem teacher hands down. Lectures were very intertaining. Class was as easy as ochem can get. He tells how how he will try to trick you on the exam, so pay attention and you can get an A. Exams are exactly like practice exams. And yeah, i don't think he liked dan, that's why he tried to make him feel stupid by giving him applauses.

3.0
5.0
CHE118
Dec 21, 2005

He's an alright teacher. Nothing special about him. Yes, he does keep vocab. and topics somewhat simple, but that doesn't mean his exams are simple. The curve sucked and what'up with giving Dan a round of applause all the freakin time?!?!?!? Weird to say the least.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Dec 22, 2005

Dr. Tantillo is a very clear, organized, and entertaining professor...im glad that i had him for intro to ochem~! Do all the problem of the days, practice midterms, go to lectures..and refer to the book when you dont get the concepts..u can definitely ace this classs..yea, wats up wit clapping for dan all this time?!

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Dec 24, 2005

His lectures are very clear and his test are very straight forward. Be careful about under estimating his exams though, if you do well keep it up, he will keep you on ur toes. The lectures are absolutely essential.

4.0
3.0
CHE118A
Dec 31, 2005

Maybe it's just me. I wasn't used to his teaching style. Just pay attention VERY WELL in lecture and his practice midterms and know what he wants you to write on the exams and you'll do fine. He doesn't ask problems the way the book does, and you practically have to write short paragraphs for every problem on his tests.

5.0
2.0
CHE118A
Jan 3, 2006

He teaches very well and he's a funny guy. He makes sure that everyone understands the material and explains concepts well. His tests are a lot like his practice tests. Go to the review sessions and ask questions.

5.0
3.0
OCHEM118A
Jan 9, 2006

He is an excellent chem professor. Go to his lectures and do the practices problems. You will get at least a B. highly recommended!

5.0
3.0
CHEM118A
Jan 13, 2006

Tantillo is a great instructor for Ochem. He is very organized and clear and his exams are very similar to the practice exams, he doesnt like to make it a secret what he's going to ask. The only thing I didn't like was how difficult he graded on some problems, like you could get 2/3 of the problem right and only 5/20 pts. But considering everything

4.0
4.0
CHE118A
Apr 3, 2006

Great guy and teacher etc. But he teaches a lot differently from everyone else. He doesn't really help prep for 118b/c at all. So in that regard I'd say don't take him. Nambiar and Nasiri teach a lot differently so if you take them for 118bc you're going to have a lot more work. Like I said great guy and he teaches well, just doesn't help for 118bc

5.0
3.0
CHEM118A
Apr 5, 2006

Great professor. He writes everything out clearly on the board (contrary to Dr. Michael Toney -- terrible method of teaching O. Chem on slides). Make sure you go to lecture and pay attention in discussion. His notes are clear, and you could simply do his practice exams to expect what will be on the exams. Very helpful outside of class too.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Oct 27, 2006

Great lecturer. Class is tough. That's expected since it's O Chem. Practice exams are good indicator of the real test.

5.0
4.0
CHE128A
Nov 25, 2007

Actually he didn't teach 128a for fall 07', but he subed for Beal. In comparison to Beal, Tantillo is simply crystal clear in his methods of teaching! He makes O chem so interesting and easy to understand. I am just sad that he's not teaching 128a this quarter.

4.0
5.0
CHE118A
Oct 25, 2008

Dr. Tantillo is awesome. Keeps it interesting during lecture with his witty remarks which have the whole class cracking up. Makes fun of the head T.A....a lot. Overall, he's a great guy. Fun to listen to, fun to learn from.

4.0
4.0
CHE118A
Oct 30, 2008

He makes Ochem fun and if your'e willing to do the work, he's willing to help. He does expect a lot from students. And yeah, he does pick on the T.A. during lecture, but it's so hilarious!

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Nov 2, 2008

Ochem is definitely one of my fave classes, probably because of Dr. Tantillo. He's a fun character - super entertaining. Not too bad on the eyes either.

5.0
2.0
CHEM118A
Nov 6, 2008

He's pretty funny and helpful during lectures. the practice exam is very similar to the real exam. Even though there is a curve, everyone does so well so it's like theres no curve =[

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Nov 9, 2008

I love Dr. Tantillo, he's so cool. Very knowledgeable and answers all questions. Ochem is difficult, but if you're going to take it, this course is highly reccomended!

5.0
4.0
CHEM007
Nov 16, 2008

The best professor ever!!!!

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Nov 18, 2008

Dr. Tantillo is awesome. Great sense of humor. Also, he's direct; he'll tell you what you're expected to know for the tests. Yeah, the curve's pretty high most of the time, but that just proves that he's a good prof.

5.0
2.0
CHE118A
Nov 20, 2008

Cool class! Supercool Prof! he really prepares everyone for the exams thoroughly and for review sessions he stays as long as students need him. Now I have a newfound appreciation for ochem because of him.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Dec 7, 2008

An extremely bright professor and super nice. He's very helpful in office hours, during class, after class, and during the review sessions which he stays until no one else has any questions usually ~3 to 4 hours. He's very passionate about the subject and a really admirable person. Crystal clear and a fair grader. Organic Chemistry is my world!

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Dec 9, 2008

Best ochem professor ever! I wish he taught the whole 118 series. Explains really nicely, tests can be tricky but very doable if you study and you can tell he cares about his students. He actually made ochem somewhat fun and that is very hard to do.

5.0
4.0
CHE118A
Dec 9, 2008

Best professor I've had at UCD (so far). Extremely helpful, facilitates conversation (even in 400+ person lecture hall), always takes questions. Exams are incredibly fair, draws upon *understanding* instead of rote memorization. Draw backs: makes you take 5pt quiz online before every lecture.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Dec 15, 2008

Teaches very clearly and well. Expects you to understand concepts, which he tests you on very thoroughly (You can not get a good grade by memorizing). He makes organic chemistry very understandable. Take him if you want to really learn organic chemistry. Got an 89% in the class and it was an A+.

5.0
4.0
CHE118A
Dec 18, 2008

Clear. Focused. Tests are fair.

5.0
5.0
CHE118A
Dec 21, 2008

Picky grader, but one heck of a teacher. He's clear and really helpful when you need help. Really cares for students (holds long review sessions which usually last 3hrs). Uses chalkboard and gives good lectures. Emphasizes on understand the reasons for everything (like why a mechanism occurs the way it does). Good teacher overall.

5.0
4.0
CHEM118B
Dec 27, 2008

Nice personallity, very respectful to students, stays over ofter lecture paiteintly, tests are from the lecture, tests are resonable if you studied hard. i got C. I recommend him. lecture are very helpful, and can substitute the book if you have excellent memory. His problems are harder then in the book.

5.0
3.0
CHEM118A
Jan 5, 2009

Dr. Tantillo is a great professor and he's super smart. He's a very nice guy who always answers all questions with a smile on his face.

5.0
5.0
OCHEM118A
Jan 17, 2009

very very good teacher and a very hard grader. I would rather take him and get a B than someone else and get an A

5.0
5.0
CHEM118
Jan 20, 2009

Helpful

5.0
4.0
CHE118A
Jan 28, 2009

Dr. Tantillo is a great lecturer and a funny guy. He has a deep understanding and love for the organic chemistry. And answers ALL questions during lecture. The sample tests are a fair indicator of the real thing. The Saturday review sessions are EXTREMELY helpful. Take his class if you can.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Feb 20, 2009

He is an amazing professor and a very clear lecturer. He is very clear about his expectations from his students and if you put a great effort you will surely do well. He is extremely helpful during office hours and is always willing to help. Definitely an admirable and unique professor.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
Mar 13, 2009

He is an awesome professor. I am a transfer student, so I think that having him as a O.chem professor during my first quarter was really helpful. He teaches chemistry like he loves it. This quarter all my professors are horrible in teaching, so I will always miss Tantillo.

4.0
2.0
CHE128A
Dec 15, 2009

He has an interesting sense of humor that makes chemistry fun. The textbook is useless. All the info you need is given in lectures so you must go! His problem sets and tests are kinda hard so just try your best. He really loves O-Chem and you can tell. He makes O-Chem not as bad as other people make it out to be.

5.0
3.0
CHE128A
Dec 20, 2009

He's a great professor! His exams asks similar questions to his previous exams, which he posts online. He really does teach you to understand more than memorize. He assigns homework every once in a while, but they're not too bad... if you work in a group of friends. He's a very fun and helpful professor; always welcomes questions.

5.0
4.0
CHEM128B
Dec 23, 2009

The best chem professor i've had at davis. Extremely enthusiastic about what he teaches, jokes around in class, and willing to answer the same questions 50 times. Genuine interest in helping students. Class is challenging and he mentions things not in the textbook in lecture. My favorite class this quarter though. Highly recommend this professor

5.0
3.0
CHE128A
May 14, 2010

Great teacher. He is genuinely interested in teaching and presenting the information in a way to help you understand it, rather then just telling you what everything is.

5.0
4.0
CHE128A
Dec 18, 2010

Professor Tantillo is one of the best professors I've ever had. His tests and problem sets can be tricky, but they're manageable. If you go to lecture and pay attention, you don't really need the textbook at all. He is extremely clear on what he wants you to know and what he expects of you. The problems of the day help too. Overall great professor!

5.0
2.0
CHEM118A
Mar 10, 2011

Best chem teacher I ever had. Very clear and approachable. Tells you what you need to know for the test very directly. Explains why certain concepts are important and he ingrains them into you--yes, he will definitely ingrain them into you. Made me see chem in a new way.

5.0
1.0
CHE118A
Mar 18, 2011

Best professor I've had in Davis so far. Crystal clear in his lectures. They're all you'll need in this class.

5.0
3.0
CHE128A
Mar 18, 2011

First qtr at UCD, absolute fantastic OChem teacher. Don't need book because he actually teaches you, unlike M. Kurth who followed him. Sets the std high for all teachers, more should be like him! You'll learn so much, but even get additional info on the side without being overwhelmed! Really wish he taught the whole series... Enjoy!

5.0
4.0
CHEM118A
Apr 6, 2011

Best professor at UCD, hands down. Crystal clear lectures, writes on the chalkboard, the practice midterms are exactly the concepts covered on the test, grading is fair. If you hate multiple choice and are better at explaining your answers, his tests are a dream come true. Best Organic Chem professor ever, you are lucky if you get him.

5.0
4.0
CHE118B
Apr 19, 2011

First of all Professor Tantillo is B-E-A-UITFUL. Second he is a great teacher. Very clear and loves questions. His class is very interactive. Everyone shows up. First midterm is easy, second harder, final-very difficult. I think he curves it so 80% and above is an A-. Take him if you have a chance. He really is the best teacher at Davis.

5.0
3.0
CHE118A
May 22, 2011

Really great teacher. Makes everything very clear. Doesn't mind if people ask questions multiple times. Office hours are extremely helpful. Very approachable. Grades fairly. Tests are hard, but if you are willing to do the work, you will do well. Definitely take him if you have the option

5.0
4.0
CHEM233
Grade: A-
Dec 14, 2016
Would take again

He is an amazing professor who is very clear on the level of understanding needed to do well in this class. It is definitely a difficult class, but he is very willing to answer questions. He holds weekly problem sessions that gives more practice to better understand material. Final is brutal, but the material learned is invaluable.

Gives good feedback
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Clear grading criteria
5.0
3.0
CHEM233
Nov 11, 2022
Would take again

As a chem grad student, Dean is probably the best professor I've ever had. He does his absolute best to accommodate everyone's learning styles and reexplain things for you if necessary. He truly cares about physorg and his students success, in and out of the classroom. A great guy with great funny shirts! Check out his Esty shop: Scienceforeveryone

Gives good feedback
Inspirational
Lecture heavy
2.0
5.0
CHE150
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Jun 28, 2023

His teaching did not fit my style of learning. He didn't have lecture slides- he would just pull up a random scientific paper or write stuff on the chalkboard- It felt disorganized to me. The TA also was not that helpful at all. Exams are crazy hard to finish in my opinion and all test questions are worth 100+ pts EACH.

Graded by few things
Accessible outside class
5.0
1.0
CHEM233
Grade: B
Mar 2, 2024
Would take again

Very very amazing lectrue content and the knowledge, and useful if your research is about molecular dynamics or physical organics related. Will retake it again just for fun!!! Love and respect the Dean and Yusef, thry are really nice instructor and TA, respectively!

Amazing lectures
Gives good feedback
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

25%

Textbook Required

88%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

62% confidence
Based on 4 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (1)
B+ (1)
A- (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(1)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 5 reported grades
A+: 1
B+: 1
A-: 1
Drop/Withdrawal: 1
Common Tags
Gives good feedback (3)
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS (1)
Clear grading criteria (1)
Inspirational (1)
Lecture heavy (1)
Graded by few things (1)
Accessible outside class (1)
Amazing lectures (1)
Rating Trend

Stable

+0.13 avg change
Apr
May
Dec
Nov
Jun
Mar
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

128

5.0

(1)

CHE118B

5.0

(9)

OCHEM118B

5.0

(1)

118B

5.0

(1)

CHEM118B

5.0

(3)
+12 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CHE150

5.0

128

4.0

CHEM118

4.0

OCHEM118A

4.0

CHEM007

4.0

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