2.4
Quality3.3
Difficulty30%
Would Retake296
Reviews30%
Would Retake
296
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
296 total ratings5
30
4
44
3
64
2
77
1
81
What Students Say
“You will get stronger”
CHEM121122 - 3.0 rating“Everyone needs to take this class for the most part”
CHEM121 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
11%
Textbook Required
55%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
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Rating Trend
Improving
+0.31 avg changeRatings by Course
ANALYTICALCHEM
5.0
(1)CHEM120121
4.0
(2)CHEM121AND12
4.0
(1)CHEM2
4.0
(1)CHEM500
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
GENCHEM
5.0
CHEM110
4.3
122
4.3
221
4.0
CHEM
4.0
Reviews (295)
DENLEY IS THE WORST PROFESSOR I HAVE EVER HAD!!!
monotone
He talks too fast and he is the only teacher that I've had that wouldn't slow down when a student asked him too.
Since, he covered the material fast and had the notes available, I skipped class and utilized my time better.
not a very good teacher
Although the course does not cover extremely difficult material - the exams contain pointless and misleading questions.
No Comments
Class consists entirely of powerpoint and him talking as fast as possible. He puts all notes online. I find it near impossible to pay attention in his class. Very monotone. 90% of what I know on this subject is from highschool and do not get much from him
for the love of god, would he just not talk the way he does...and the exams, forget about it
Jacobson's voice lulls you to sleep. I think doing more visual, and hands on teaching would work better in a chemistry class then just reading to us. Seriously if he just keeps reading his notes just print them off and read them yourself.
He talks like the teacher on Southpark. Mmkay...
Denely's favorite phrase:"Corresponding Concepts"
Very boring. Everyone in his class sleeps.
I'm not paying you to regurgitate notes you put on blackboard.
Mr. Jacobson's class is more boring than a WNBA game with all the reserves playing. I would rather drink ether than go to chemistry and I liked chemistry very much in high school.
When i attended class i did bad on the tests, when i didn't attend class i did well on the tests
He once said "thermometer" 42 times in one slide. I actually counted.
No Comments
He just goes on and on about the most useless information. Watch out for the words simply, measure, equation...actually pretty much everything he says. Enjoy!
His note must be helpful for us, so we don't need the text book. He just read hie note in the class. But if you saked some questions, he would answer for you.
Wow, i didn't know any class could be so boring. It is entertaining some days such as when he was talking about orbitals, I thought his head was going to explode. It's entertaining when he says SHUBSHELLS instead of subshells, and others tudpid stuff like that
by far, the worst professor i have had my whole educational career. i've never seen someone talk for an entire 50 minutes without really opening his mouth. he clenches his teeth togegher and moves his lips--no joke! all he does is repeatVERY FAST...jacobson, you need to be an auctioneer not a prof.
When i attended class i did bad on the tests, when i didn't attend class i did well on the tests. Thank god for Landon Bladow!!!!!!!!
Well, I never go to class
Wow, what a boring class, I learn nothing, and plus some of the words that he says just drive me nuts. I wonder what type of accent he has because i know it is not from around here. I am glad i only have one more semester with him.
"Well it turns out that Hydrogen is actually the first element on the periOOOOdic table." Good god this guy is boring.
Jacobson was a horrible professor .. definately the worst I had this semester. His favorite word is obviously "simply." don't believe me? check out: www.geocities.com/simplyjacobson He didn't explain anything and he has some slides that go on for 10 pages .. it's a ridiculous class.
very boring but the easiest thing to do is not go to class if they have the si sessions go to those and buy the $5 old test booklet to study from from the chem club. I strongly recommend the si sessions!
He does extend his words a bit but he is really a good teacher. You just have to go to class and follow the notes. Also buy the old test, they helped me get an A. Also very willing to answer questions.
No Comments
His class is easy to get an A in. Study hard, which is something I am doing right now for the test tomorrow, and anybody can get an A.
Tests are pretty easy, if you study right. Most people don't go to class, but he does use examples from the notes on the test sometimes, so going to class helps. Rather boring lectures, but it's a large class so there's not a whole lot he can do. Lectures are the online notes practicaly verbatim.
Extremely boring, says "simply" a lot, but grading curve tends to be easy, and the tests are not impossible.
bOOOOring. its nAAAAp time.
Naptime, if I ever went
I fell asleep in every class I went to and mostly just didn't go. I only went to 122 on test days. I can just listen to someone say simply for an hour and get the same affect as class.
"Simply" the most boring and least helpful teacher I have ever had. Why go to class when you can do just as well sleeping in and reading the notes online? This teacher for these classes was a huge waste of everyone's time!
he isn't very good.
Go ahead and take this class, buy the old tests from the chem club, and never go, except on test days. I would highly reccomend going to the study sessions, however.
he is the****tiest teacher on the face of the planet. He does not teach he reads. My mother who is not a chem professor or professor of any kind could do his job. Quite possibly a monkey could his job.
Took his class over the summer, am normally a UND student. He wasn't a very good teacher, but better then the chem professors at UND. Nice guy though...
Nice guy, nice teaching style. I had him for analytical chem though, so most will be his gen chem lecture, which is a bit different class.
Boring as Hell
I can't sleep when everyone else is snoring
Indeed, Denley's class is one of the most boring I've had in my corrresponding academic career. Consequently, I sleep every day.
Notes are helfull but thats all he goes off of. Not much clarity. Tests are only 25 points so if you get 3 wrong your already into a B and i really dont like that bout his tests.
The tests are pretty much straight from the notes. Buy the sample exams from the chem club (very helpful).
most boring class i have ever taken. Tests are hard and confusing and only 25 points. stopped going to class because class is pointless. he goes so fast and is so incredibly boring....
he reads the notes he gives you online pretty much word for word. i don't go to class and just go to study sessions and go over the practice test and i have an A in the class
talks to fast, tests are only worth 25 points. not even a good teacher. lecture is word for word from the notes. why did i take this class?
The notes are online and they're pretty helpful. Unfortunately, he just reads them word-for-word (with the occasional joke squeezed in), so there is not much point going to class. Be sure to get the practice tests. The tests for all CHEM 121 classes are only 25 pts, so every questions counts. He does drop your lowest test score, tho.
lectures = dull
Ugh, I thought I was finished with him after I took Chem 121. This guy just sucks. All he does is read off his damn powerpoint slides and doesn't really add anything to lecture. Just go to class the 1st day to pick up the syllabus, then don't go to class until the tests. You're better off studying on your own.
denley...what a stud...if u want to take an easy gen ed class or have to take 121...take it from denley...u don't have to go to class...he sits and reads the notes word for word...you can get the notes off the internet and read them for urself and never have to go...and he drops your lowest test...his lectures may be boring but u don't have to go.
No Comments
Hard to go to class. Fall asleep. Weird with his vowels. Easy class with help from Prof. Morris.
The most boring professor I have ever had. Fell asleep during the first lecture and attempted a couple more. He just blazes through his powerpoints talking a million miles an hour. The tests however are easy and attendence is not required. Best off taking this class and studying on your own and doing the suggested book problems.Powerpoints r online
No Comments
Praaaablems, need I say more
He's a nice guy - tries to be funny with alcohol jokes or jokes about falling asleep... but most of the class is sleeping so most of them don't catch it.
He needs to do more examples and vary the wording he uses. It gets way too monotonous.
Good teacher, lectures are a bit dull, tests are moderately easy.
At best he knows the material but does not know how to teach it. I got better test scores when i skipped class and studied myself than when i went to class. His classes are good for only one thing: catching up on sleep. ZZZZZ!
NOT INTERESTING. NOT HELPFUL. ACTS LIKE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN STUDYING CHEM FOR 50 YEARS.
Doesnt speak clearly. Not interesting. Not helpul.
Knows his material but is unable to make it an interesting enough topic to want to learn in class. He should try talking about drinking beer or something.
No Comments
Boring, Nap Time, and Fridays a class of 450 turns into 75-100, I'd just like to remind you all our next exam is fast approaching!! If you have is class you will get that last line.
I think that he is ok. The class isn't hard.
This is simply the coolest dude ever.
Denley is a fun little man his lectures may be a bit repative going over slides every day but he really knows his stuff and is very easy to understand and its funny to hear some of his remarks and little jokes
Terrible teacher who doesn't care about the students grades.
no words can sum up denley
No Comments
boring
HE is boring and teaches you nothing...Just buy the practice exams at the begining of the year and study for those for the test...The notes can be printed off
His lectures are like overkill. He will introduce something and talk about it so many times, you will forget what he is talking about. Class is pretty much pointless and so is reading the book. All of the test is based off his blackboard notes. Also if you buy his sample test at the beginning of the semester you will be golden if you look at it
Class is really easy and reading the book is almost pointless except for the extra examples. Test material comes completely from the Blackboard notes. The sample exams are a huge help so buy them and you should be good.
easy to fall asleep in class. boring. drops worst exam in class. tests are hard
The exams were simply based on the notes... read them, you'll do fine.
worthless
His lectures are boring and pointless. He is not a good teacher.
this guy needs to learn how to teach and not read the notes ALL THE TIME!
Awsome!!!
No Comments
worthless professor, classes are pointless, not a good professor
He is a very boring man when he talks--reminds me of the teacher is Ferris Bueler's day off. But, he sells old exams and puts notes online. He is always welcoming help and answers questions. Don't bother buying the book for the class-he derives all of his exam questions from his notes. Just read his notes and take his old exams, and you'll be o
Simply an easy class if you read the book go to class drink an ass load of coffee during the class and do problems he assigns and buy the old exams!!!
very boring lectures, but the notes are all posted online, so id just look over the notes once the night before the test and got A's and B's on all of them. VERY EASY!!
Denley is probably the most intellegent profs I've ever had. It's unfortunate that he must devliver his curriculum to 500 students in one lecture hall.
HE is a tremendous fellow. makes me laugh...but not because hes funny. Simply a great man. i would hang out with him on the weekends.
No Comments
He has some wonderful catch phrases, and its part of the experience of going to NDSU to be in one of his classes-For the class, I havn't opened the book and if i do go to class im facebooking all hour, but as for studying, the old tests are a must-have-and check to make sure the pages aren't out of order, it messes you up (been there)
Worst teacher possible. Choices are: bring a pillow or the whole coffee pot. My advice sleep in, skip lecture, read notes or look up the material online. It is pointless to attend he drones on in his boring monotone voice. AVOID THIS CLASS!!!
Good teacher i like his notes
Totally awesome guy!!
Everything he says is in his notes, if you can read them and learn by that, there's really no need to go to class. He really stresses where you can go to get help. I'm TERRIBLE at chem and still managed to do okay, and it's fun to listen to him repeat his famous 'fast approaching' line.
"Simply" Don't go to class and do the practice exams because the test is fast approaching!
Very smart man. Every now and then he throws in a bit of history or a chemistry related joke to make it interesting. He puts his notes online but it is a good idea to go to his class and add what he says to the about the notes everything that is on the tests he teaches you in class.
I really loved this class. Jacobson is so smart and the extra things he puts in his lectures are great! One of my all time favorite Denley quotes: "He was a real snake in the grass" and lets not forget about them husky railroad workers!
He was soooo horrible. Everytime I didn't understand something he just said, go see a tutor. He never replied to any of my emails. I have no clue why he calls him self a teacher, he doesn't teach at all! Don't take classes from him.
Jacobson is not teaching to the class.He is teaching at the class.He doesn't leave any time for questions.He doesn't explain the formulas.This Chem 121/122 is a beginning Chemistry that is the only chem required for some majors. Why is a prof whose test avg is consistently 62%, still teaching? DO NOT TAKE CHEM 121/122 FROM JACOBSON
HORRIBLE teacher. He could care less if his students do well on his tests.. tests average in the 50's and 60's.. impossible to get A's with this guy unless you teach yourself. He talks about uselss information like the history of a stupid scientist not even related to testing material. Only 25 questions on tests... 4 off for each. Good luck
The class is graded based off of the tests and online homework, which is not too bad! He reads right off of the powerpoints, which he posts on blackboard, therefore going to class is definitely not needed but it keeps you on track!
Horrible teacher. Shouldn't even be considered a teacher. His tests average in the 50 and 60 percentiles. All he does is talk about the history of everything instead of talking about something useful. When he actually does talk about chemistry he's just reading off of the slides. Avoid getting him for chemistry unless u want to fail. Goodluck!
This man could talk all day railing off chemistry material and never get tired. His lectures are rather boring, but his tests are easy. If you read the notes, have a brain, and have common sense you will get an A or B.
He is not very helpful. I have relied on my chemistry skills from high school to get me through this class. I can not imagine what I would do if this was new to me.
This man could talk all day railing off chemistry material and never get tired. His lectures are rather boring, but his tests are easy. If you read the notes, have a brain, and have common sense you will get an A or B.
Talks the whole lecture. Easy to fall asleep. Does TRY to crack jokes every once in a while. Still. Bring a pillow.
Reads directly off online notes, terrible at explaining in a helpful way.
Jacobson was an interesting professor. However, he only reads directly off the notes, and never emails back. If you have questions, you will basically have to ask your friends or a tutor. It was hard to get ahold of him. However, if you study it's not hard to get an A in this class.
He's really boring... I mean he tries to lighten up the lectures with some jokes once in a while, but usually it falls flat. If you want an A, be prepared for a lot of book reading/teaching yourself.
I think he's a good lecturer. There is no time to address individual questions in class.
Tests are fairly easy if you study the notes. Lectures are worthless, he just reads the notes that are posted online. He is very hard to get ahold of so you pretty much are forced to teach yourself.
Unbelievably boring. He knows chemistry but can't teach it.
Lectures, as many have stated below, are extremely dull and boring. I relied a lot on my High School AP Chem skills, so I don't know how I would have made it through if it was all new material to me!
Chemistry 122 is very difficult with Jacobson. You have to teach yourself the notes and he is very unhelpful. If you email him he never gets back to you. Prior to taking this class, be prepared to teach yourself. It's very difficult.
Chem 122 is very difficult. With Jacobson you have to teach yourself. If you email him he never gets back to you. Be prepared to teach yourself EVERYTHING in this class, he is not any help. This class was very hard while having to teach yourself the concepts.
Denley is like the energizer bunny. He just keeps talking from the beginning of class to the end without hardly breathing. And he keeps going weather anyone understands it or not.
He can talk for an hour without taking a breate. He repeats the word "here" around 1 time per 10 seconds. It will drive you nuts, plus the fact that he just reads his slides and talks about global warming...If you can read a powerpoint, class is pointless.
He reads word for word from his slides, can't say measure or ratio. He says in the beginning that this is a gen chem class but not the way that he teaches it. homework is easy points. I don't think that he takes more than two breaths per class, its ridiculously boring, I recommend bringing a pillow.
Don't remember Chemistry being so boring.
Come on guy. He just reads his notes on slides (which we can already do on our own) but doesn't say what it means. Everyone agrees that he doesn't answer emails either. The class is easy if you read the book and notes by yourself.
I'm taking this class late to fill a general education requirement and I'd rather retake any of my engineering classes before this class because at least its being taught to me and by far more intersting even though it is harder.
All you have to do is read his notes. The tests are taken directly from his notes. I only go to class on tests days and I'm doing just fine in the class.
The test is FAST approaching
"Once again, You will need to know all these notes committed to memory as well!" - Denley Jacobson "When studying, you will need to master one concept at a time." - Denley Jacobson
Classes are extremely boring. Doesn't really teach anything. The homework assignments are easy points.
"Simply" the most boring classes I have ever taken at NDSU. Bring something else to do because it is impossible to listen to him read the slides for an hour. and remember, "The next exam is FAST Approaching"
Oh Denly, you made Chemistry so boring. I attended class from my room by looking at the posted powerpoints a day before the test. Going to class isn't required if you can read your book.
joke...
worthless. he reads directly off the notes (which are posted on blackboard). The class is half empty every day except test days. The homework is easy and he curves test grades. This class is great if you are having trouble sleeping!
NOT looking forward to taking chem 122, i wish there was other options. looks like i wont be going to class. "these concepts are hard to master, so you need to master these concepts one concept at a time." trying to listen is like shoving a pinecone in your ear. its impossible to accomplish, and it hurts.
He does not teach the class at all, so no point to go to class. He puts not fun to class so you want to sleep while in class. Tests are hard and I found out at the middle of the semster that there's homework so if he doesn't tell you that there is and you have to find it yourself.
Very easy A.
If you like really big lectures then this is for you. I am not a fan of huge lectures and having someone stand there and talk. He doesn't respond to your emails. The grading scale is pretty easy. The tests are multiple choice and there is no cumulative final
good teacher if you actually study and try in the class
I wanted to wait till the end of the semester but this is just ridiculous.
I couldn't tell you one thing he said all year, besides "master these concepts one at a time" What an awful class and I didn't know chemistry before hand so it was awesome paying that much so I could pretty much teach it to myself
You must master the material CONCEPT by CONCEPT. Also you must say "equation" in a weird voice. He's not a bad teacher really, the class sizes are just too large and chemistry is too boring to give a shiit
Incredibly difficult for me, i didnt take chem in high school and so had no experience with any of this, my cousins a chem teacher and has been helping me as much as he can and that's the ONLY reason im passing. he explains nothing, just drones for 50 minutes. I've been informed he's the best teacher to take 121/122 from, lesser of 3 evils
In all honesty, he's not that bad of a teacher. He does what he has to do: teach the class about what will be on the exam. If you do the homework and practice exams, you're set. I think he has such a bad rating because all the kids who don't really care about class have to take this and end up failing because they answer choice A in all his tests.
OH Denley, you are horribly boring. I can still hear him say "the inner molecular forces of atttttraction" in my nightmares. But on the bright side, I guessed on all his tests and passed the class with 46%! He curves the class a lot.
Professor Jacobson truly loves chemistry and he is willing to explain difficult concepts so do ask for help if you need it! Definitely read the textbook because the notes are not enough if you want to understand everything. Buy the practice exams (they help a lot!) and study,study, study! Take tests very seriously and you will hopefully do well.
Easily the hardest class I have taken at NDSU so far, and I've taken a number of 400-level classes. Be ready to teach yourself the material. My roommate and I dreaded his homework assignments like no other because they were so time-consuming and frustrating most of the time.
He is extraordinarily awesome....I love his classes..You just have to listen...He explains indeptly.
I just Love Denley....He explain things clearly and if you dont understand just go to his office and there is no way you wouldnt pass his exams with reading in addition to that....he is just an awesome teacher....he's not comparable to any other..
I loved Denley. He's a great teacher if you pay attention and actually put in a little effort. His tests are ridiculously easy if you know the material; don't let the average scores fool you, 50% of the class skips every lecture and guesses on every question or is completely clueless. You get what you put in.
Good professor. Reads his slides, but best to go to lecture to add things. Go over all homework and suggested chapter questions along with the old tests.
Very easy and the homework assignments give you three tries and the same answers every time. All you have to do is study the practice tests he sells you for fund raisers and the answers are almost identical. The tests are multiple choice and most of the time 4 of the 5 choices don't even make sense so it's very easy to guess.
He is a great teacher. He knows his stuff, but he does cover the material fast so if you dont understand something go ask him, not during class though. Tests are all multiple choice and not too difficult
Super nice guy! Not the most lively of lecture, but cracks a few jokes from time to time :) For me it was easier to lear on my own than in lecture but do the homework, practice problems, and study all earlier than the night before the test and you should be fine.
Awful professor, guy just reads off his slides and you will never get a hold of him...this is a teach your self class, if you want an A good luck, its near impossible if you are taking a heavy course load. Chemistry at NDSU is pretty bad, all the professors arent very good in this subject.
The guy's a genius but the problem with that is most geniuses can't teach. If you want an A you need to teach yourself. Practice problems before the exams. The exams are easy if you prepare.
Very intelligent man, but he struggles at communicating his knowledge. During lecture, he just reads off his power point slides. I stopped going to lecture after 2 weeks. He holds review sessions every monday, that's the only class I went to. They're helpful for the homework. Getting an A was difficult because of the grading, but it is possible
Chem I and II. Fast speaker but a good teacher. Very helpful and willing to work with you to correct mistakes and consider boardline grades.
Talks to fast, cant say English words correctly. Gives the same advice every time before a test on how to do well and it never works.
Awful. He talks way too fast to grasp the knowledge. Can't pronounce things even remotely right. You can tell he knows his stuff but he can't teach it for crap. Take Nyachwaya if you can.
This guy knows his stuff, but doesn't communicate his knowledge very well. Lecture attendance is not very helpful, as all of his presentations are online. The tests don't reflect the online homework very well, but the text (Chang) is a good one and it is very possible to self-teach this class. Also had him for CHEM 122, which is more difficult.
Jacobson can be a hard person to learn chemistry from, especially if you're not very good at chemistry to begin with. He teaches all off of powepoint slides, meaning you don't get much practice at doing problems and concepts were very hard to grasp.
Anybody who wrote on here saying tests are easy and he is a good teacher is high.. worst class ever..122 is even harder
Exams are easy. Attendance at lecture is pointless (he just reads the powerpoints, which are online, way to fast to follow along, but the HW was easy and about twice a month. I got an A on every exam just by skipping lecture every day and then teaching myself the two chapters on each exam the night, or two nights, before the exam.
Denley is a genius, but definitely not a great professor. Going to lecture is useless since he just reads through the slides (which are on BB) at warp speed. If you read the slides you can basically teach yourself, but I'd suggest doing some practice problems in the book and doing the practice exams. If you do those things you should be golden.
He is a good teacher. He talks really fast, but if you go in to his office hours he is more than willing to help. He knows what he is talking about and makes chemistry easy. Often, if you go in for help he will show you short cuts and simple ways to do chemistry. Memorize his notes and you will ace the tests. Also, go to class and pay attention.
Basically have to teach yourself if you want to succeed. Going to class isn't important and will probably leave you more confused than if you didn't go.
This class was a piece of cake and Denley did not try and confuse you on tests!
Absolutely terrible, made me more confused during the lecture than I was before going to class. I liked chemistry in high school, but I hated it after his class.
If you buy past exams for this class from Chem Club, and do those problems and know the concept behind it, you will get "A", I am pretty good at Chemistry, so I did not have to put lot of effort into it to get "A", but this class is not hard. If you go over his powerpoint on our own before the exam and do old exams, you will pass his class with A
The class was very bland. The only interesting part was when he would go on some funny tangent about one of the chemists personal life.
He is possibly the most boring professor I have ever had. The class is not terribly difficult, but it is not easy either.
Learning the notes is the most important part! Read the book if you are having trouble. Go to the study sessions and ask questions, he will answer them. Buy an old exam booklet, all of his tests are formatted the same with different questions. Memorize! Going to class is helpful but not necessary
You pretty much have to teach yourself the material. If you have no ambition you'll probably still do okay. I never did any recommended problems or read the notes and I did just fine.
Not a good professor. He is very smart but not good at teaching. Good luck teaching yourself everything.
Denley is the number one bro of all and will pleasure you with his exciting voice. Also, at the end of each semester Denley offers insight on how to pull trim. he is the ultimate bro and you should take him if you can.
Worst professor I have come across during my time at NDSU. He knows his stuff but is a horrible teacher and just reads off of his slides. The discussion nights are helpful but this is definitely a class where you have to teach yourself the material.
You do not need to go to this class at all. I STRONGLY recommend at the beginning of the semester to buy the $7 old test practice booklets that students sell in class! I have never read the book. His tests are completely from his notes. If you memorize and read through his notes before the test and do the $7 practice exams you will get an A.
Chemistry is a difficult subject. People need to quit complaining. Denley knows it well and has swag for days. Master the concepts one at a time and you'll be in good shape for your upcoming chemistry exam.
Doesn't actually teach anything
Lectures are pretty dull. He just reads through his slides with no elaboration or clarification. Lectures explain concepts and the exams ask for mathematical equations. You will need to teach yourself everything for this class
Teaching yourself the material is a must for this course. Pay attention to all of the math and learn how to do the equations. Jacobson's lectures are long since he just reads from his slides and does not really elaborate on concepts. He explains the steps of each equation but does not write them out and talks very fast so it is difficult to follow.
Denley is a super smart man. He knows his material. His class is set up like a standard intro class. That being said, be ready to learn. Just listening to him won't get you an A. He advises you learn the material one concept at a time. Listen to him. He wants you to do well in his class, but you need to put in the effort.
Denley really is brilliant and he seems like a nice guy, but he sometimes has a hard time translating that in teaching. Lectures are recited from the powerpoint (and when I mean recited I mean the man rarely breathes), so going to class definitely isn't mandatory. Be prepared to read from the book and teach yourself.
Talks in a 50 minute long sentence at 100 mph, very hard to grasp anything in the lecture so nobody goes because you can't learn anything from him
Denley teaches the way most intro teachers teach.. lecture for 50 min. That being said these intro level classes like 121 and 122 are NOT impossible. If you don't go to class (it can get insanely boring) you will NEED to read the notes and understand the concepts on your own. His famous phrase is "master each concept one at a time". SO DO THAT.
He reads from notes the entire lecture and throws in questions from his notes that aren't even covered in the textbook. If you're going to take this class, don't take him as a professor.
Funny guy. If you ask him for help he will help you. He does read the lecture notes but it is best to go to class anyways! Also, you will have to do some self-teaching. Knows his stuff but again be prepared to teach yourself & if you do go to class, print notes!
Lectures are long and the professor talks fast. Luckily, they're online, so if you skip class you can catch up. There is no attendance or participation points; your grade is based solely on tests and online homework. I literally missed getting an A by 0.34% and there is no way to bump it up; grading is strict.
Many say lectures are pointless, although his monday night review sessions are great if you have questions and issues with the material.
He is an incredibly fast talker and his lectures are more like history courses. Within the first two weeks I resorted to self teaching myself the material. Barely went to lecture. Somehow managed to get an A. Not retaking him for chemistry 122.
If you don't attend lecture, you need to read the book. This class is not hard if you actually put in a little work. Attending lecture and paying attention half the time is all you need to get, at least, a B in the class.
Solid Professor. It's chemistry so you have to work hard but getting a good grade is obtainable. Go to office hours if you have questions as he will explain it much better than during lecture. Overall, Dr. Jacobson is a solid general chemistry professor.
You have to do the homework and read and attend lectures! Pro tip: supplement lectures with YouTube chem videos. Chemistry is hard either way. He will help you If you ask. He knows his stuff but just pay attention! He also says random funny things tying chem with real life situations.
Test are only 25 multiple choice questions, but get a few wrong and grade drops fast. Very few points in the class, and only 10 points extra credit. Very hard to get a good grade. He reads notes form his slides word for word, and doesn't do example problems. I took his class Fall14, and had to withdraw. Taking Oswald now, much better teacher!
Jacobson is a good professor. Study the material and work hard and you shouldn't have much of a problem. Overall good professor.
If you aren't doing as well as you'd like to in this class, GO TALK TO HIM. He loves to see that you care enough to go talk to him about it and he's more likely to bump your grade up at the end of the semester. Extra credit is long, but worth it. Lectures are tough to pay attention to, but the class is possible!
Denley is amazing. Many mixed feelings on him for most people. He was always there to help and you can really tell he loves his job. Tests can be tricky but if you know your material you will do fine.
I personally struggle with Chemistry, but when I put in the extra effort for this class, it's manageable. I definitely recommend studying with others or going to ACE at least once a week.
He only read off of his PowerPoint and did not explain much. Don't bother going to class, it won't help you. Unless you are going to be a chemistry teacher, this material will not be of use in your life.
Denley is a good professor. If you take his class, you will not regret it. He is funny sometimes. You take 5 exams during the semester and he drops 1. Many people do not do well, but put in the work and you will do fine. His lectures are long, but sometimes you don't even have to go. He gives the notes before his first lecture and reads right off.
Weirdly funny if you pay attention
Denley is really a great guy. However, you will not learn from his lectures. I'm sure part of it is because he is so limited time wise but it is EXTREMELY annoying. If you have an easy schedule, affording you hours and hours to study for a 100 level chem class, you will get an A. But if you have a hard schedule you will be terrorized by this class
HE clearly understands what he is teaching, but that doesn't mean YOU will. You need to read the book and FULLY UNDERSTAND concepts to do well in this class. Anything not covered in notes wont be on the tests unless he says so, but that doesn't mean the test is straight from the notes. You get out what you put into this class. Don't procrastinate.
Denley Jacobson is an extremely intelligent man, he clearly loves teaching what he teaches, but since he has had his PhD for over 30 years, his lectures are pretty dry. You need to take time out of class to study for his exams, or you will fail. He's very routine, and he curves very heavily.
Denley is hilarious, and he loves what he teaches. His lectures can be very hard to listen to sometimes, but grab some coffee and pay attention, it helps. The tests are only 25 questions so there's room for error, but if you read your text book, take notes, do the homework, do the extra credit, and go to class you will at least get a B.
Denley is an interesting man. His tests can be difficult but fear not - go into his office and he will bump you up. i had an 86 and got bumped to an A after talking to him, and the guy in front of me got bumped from an 83 to an A. get a B, and you'll get an A. (you don't need to go to class to get a B.
He is not an interactive teacher. He lectures the entire time without interupption. Going to class is not necessary. The only grades are the homework and tests so if you do bad on one it is hard to catch up. He drops one test each semester which helps.
Not really a chemistry person but the course was required. Hard to follow along without reading, and he talks a million miles a minute.
He don't think it be like this, but it do...
Probably the worst class I've taken here at NDSU thus far, Denley does not give specific guidelines on what the exams are on and they are sometimes very vague test questions. His teaching style is a very boring lecture, so many people skip. Teach yourself this class more than he teaches you..
Just regurgitates the lecture slides. Doesn't actually teach the material.
Be prepared to teach yourself everything. Very time consuming and hard to understand. Doesn't check or reply to email. Hard to find time to communicate about what is going on but when he is available he is helpful.
Just reads the information from the slides, doesn't teach the material
Dr. Jacobson is actually really funny. If you go to class and actually pay attention, you may find that you actually somewhat enjoy chemistry. He does read from his slides, but he adds things that make the class interesting. Attendance is not mandatory, but GO TO CLASS! You tell yourself you will go over the material on your own, but you won't.
You pretty much teach yourself, he doesn't answer your emails, and basically just reads off the notes.
The entire semester consists of 400 points. You are given 5 exams but you can drop one of the test scores, just not for the fifth exam. He gives you the opportunity to purchase a booklet of the exams from the year before with the answers. It only costs $10 and I would HIGHLY recommend you take advantage of this opportunity.
Denley Jacobson is not the best at teaching lower level chemistry, but I have heard that when he teaches the 600-700 level chemistry classes that he is a good teacher. His class requires a lot of work and studying in order to get a decent grade. My suggestion is don't skip every class, do the practice problems, and go to his discussion sessions.
After discussing my test scores with him, he was unable to identify his teaching flaws. I said I was succeeding in all of my classes but his, and he reasoned that it was because chemistry is more difficult. He justified my low test score by saying the third exam on average is the lowest, which is a D! That is absolutely not acceptable.
Tests are graded really stupidly, hate it
Great public speaker. The only two things needed to pass his class: attend every lecture and master the donkey teeth method of test taking.
Denley's pretty funny and his lectures are fine, but they're so dry and hard to pay attention to. He basically starts talking at the beginning of class and doesn't breathe until the 50 minutes are up. However, if you're willing to put in the effort to pay attention, getting a good grade in his class isn't hard.
He talks fast and does not stop until the end of lecture. Only interacted with class once by asking a question. He does not care about you. You do get one extra credit point per chapter, 10 chapters, homework is 5 points per chapter, there is 5 tests each 100 points.
Mr. Jacobson loves Chemistry. He is funny at times, but you have to pay attention in order to get the jokes. Skip class, you will be fine, just watch his lectures on Tegrity. You don't necessarily need the textbook unless you're looking for more study materials.
If you don't like listening to lectures he's not your guy. The slides are all online so you can do the entire class independently. I think he puts things into perspective well, but it's sometimes hard to pay attention in class.
He is awful. He doesn't seem care if his students learn or not. I think he would be a nice person outside of school but as a professor he is horrible! His lectures, if you are one of the 20/250 people who attend class, are read word for word off the slides in a monotone voice and you can tell he has had the same slide show presentation for forever.
Love this dude. Wish I could take more classes with him that WERE NOT Chemistry. He's pretty hilarious when he wants to be, uses the same jokes from 2000.
Denley is a sweet old man that wants his student to do well; however, the structure of his class makes it very difficult. The class is very lecture-heavy and sometimes hard to learn from his teaching, since he only reads word for word from the slides.
I had Denley for Chem 121 and 122 last year, you can tell he cares about his students and always has a smile on his face. He loves to crack a couple jokes in lecture. Lecture isn't necessary since notes are posted online, but i went to every lecture. If you want to learn on your own take this class.
There are a lot of second chances. You can take the online homework as many times as you want, drop one out of the five tests, and get 10 extra credit points. Tests are completely lecture based, and power points are always given to print out on blackboard.
Reads off powerpoints. No need to go to class. The book is a much better teacher and is a lot more exciting even as an inanimate object. You get a lot of chances to do poorly and still pass though. The exams are all multiple choice but are still fairly difficult. The online homework may make you pull your hair out.
If you don't have to take denley, don't. You need to completely understand chemistry to do good in his class, tests are very hard. Class averages are 68% at best.
Lectures/talks for full 50 minutes at a very fast pace Study sessions are very helpful if you come prepared with questions Print off notes before coming to class Can drop one exam(not the final)
Dr. Jacobson is a man who loves to talk and doesn't stop. I don't even think he breathes when he lectures. All of his notes are provided online, and attendance is not mandatory. I did not go to class, his lectures are boring and talks way above everyone's head.
his idea of help master the notes concept by concept.... Really...
13 reason why u shouldn't take a class w/ denley 1. Horrible teacher 2. Horrible jokes 3. Horrible hair 4. Hard to get an A (tests are your grade) 5. Tests are only 25 questions (4 wrong B) 6. Reads off of slides 7. Dull, boring voice 8. Doesn't curve unless u really dum 9. Doesn't care unless u busty 10. Doesn't brush his teeth
Chem I and II were just fine, all the equations are given to you on the test it's basically just highschool level algebra. Skipped almost every lecture and still got an A, I think everyone in the class must just be freshman babies who expect college chem to be just like highschool.
Awful teacher. just reads off the slides and does nothing more.
he is nice professor
He puts the notes up online, then in class all he does is read over the notes. He skims through the parts that are on the homework, but spends 20 minutes talking about who discovered it.
I have taught myself the course. I never go to class, except for exam days, because I sit in my dorm and read the textbook. I haven't learned anything from him.
A lot of students don't go to this class because he just reads right off the slides. All of the notes can be found online so it's usually easier to go over them yourself. Make sure to buy the $10 Chem Club Exam booklet. Most of the exam questions are recycled and can be found it that book :). But still this class isn't fun.
Horrible teacher. He reads off the slides, and goes on rants about the history of things, but never covers the content in depth. Monotone, very high-speed lectures. He's on academic probation because so many kids fail his tests. Contantly empesizes the wrong things. Never explains what is on the slides in enough deatin to understand it. GL in class
Denley seems like good guy but he has no idea how to teach.
He gives notes via power point. Lectures he reads them very fast, no time to ask questions or get feedback. Tests are scantrons, most of the time the questions will be curve balls and you'll be lost. Class test average is very low, he's okay with this. You are basically teaching yourself in this course. Good for those who took chem. in high school
Reads of slides you can access at home. NEVER ANSWERS HIS EMAIL, go talk to him in person. Get the practice exam for $10 in Ladd Hall at the beginning of the semester. Hes been placed on academic probation before, so you might be able to negotiate your grade with him. Not good for freshman, you might have to retake his course.
He seems like a nice person, but not as a professor. Easy enough class if you've taken chem in high school and once you figure out how he works. Very predictable. Loves to discuss history - not on exams, except who discovered what. Doesn't respond to emails. You should buy the $10 chem exam booklet at the beginning of class.
If you find the lectures useful, go to them. If not, study hard. Do the homework ahead of time and make sure you understand EVERY detail of each chapter. Don't cram study or wing tests. Buy the test booklet. I was lazy made all the mistakes and will have to take him again but now that I know what is expected of me, it should be pretty easy to pass.
Be prepared to teach yourself the material. He goes too fast in his lectures for you to comprehend what is going on, and there isn't a lot of room for you to ask questions. Start the homework ASAP because it takes a while, and study hard for the tests. I would never take his class again, stay away if possible.
He is very boring, but the classes are not mandatory. He just reads off of the power point that is online. So if you don't understand what is in the notes, go to class. But I mainly just taught myself off of the notes. There isn't ever anything on the tests that isn't in the PowerPoint.
He gives out practice tests at the beginning of the year that make it very easy to study off of. If you use these, pay attention in the lectures, and actually try, you can easily pass his classes. I would take his class again. He is good at explaining things as long as you pay attention and put in the work.
Get the practice exams and know how to do those. Won't learn anything in class, very difficult instructor. If you have a bad grade after the final go to his office hours at the end of the semester and ask for a curve, curved me up very high.
Denely gives you everything you need to succeed on exams. He is a very nice fellow and people are just stupid and don't understand the amount of effort a college class needs. He never tries to trick you on exams and gives you all the formulas you need. He will bump your grade if you go and talk to him. Class is pointless but his notes are good.
Everytime he say's the word "measure" go down and do push ups. You will get stronger.
Although there is absolutely no point in going to class because of his fast paced lectures, his office hours are very helpful and he is much better teacher in a 1 to 1 setting. He really does care about student's success and will bump up your grade if you ask, I just think he should teach in a smaller setting with less responsibility.
Lecture is composed entirely of Denley reading from a powerpoint in an un-anunciated, monotone breathless manor. The notes are posted online at the beginning of the semester so you don't get anything out of attending lecture.
Denley is nice, but has the personality and speaking voice of a whole wheat cracker. Bland as hell. My advice is to suffer through the lectures as much as possible and do the practice exams he sells. It helps to take notes on the power points if youre not already sleeping.
Professor Jacobson is such a cute old guy but man are is lectures painful. Just reads straight off the slides. No extra notes/ explanations. Notes are hard to understand and poorly laid out. The only review material are two sections of last year's exams that you have to buy, and even those aren't helpful. Exams are short but extremely challenging!
As long as you study the slides he puts online and do all of the homework you should do fine. He talks pretty fast but really cares about his students. Overall a pretty good class.
I took Denley's class in the summer (8 weeks). It was demanding but he is very kind and always willing to help and answer questions. Definitely work the practice exams!! Attendance was not mandatory.
I took Chem 122 Fall of 2017. The class is a bit demanding but he is very kind. If you do decide to take his class, meet with him outside of class (office hours). Do the practice exams, and review, review, review!
Does not grade any homework, only tests. Its a difficult class.
Denley teaches straight from the powerpoint every day. All his powerpoints are online and every answer on the 5, 25 question multiple-choice tests can be found somewhere in the note packet. When he says "Master the notes" he is being serious. If you master the notes you will do well. He talks fast so I would print the notes and write in the slides
I didn't think Denley was as horrible as people say. He does however read off his power point slides every lecture. People will tell you not to bother going to class, but the people with better attendance DO BETTER in the class. If you're worried about your grade, visit his office hours early in the semester. He respects that.
Everyone needs to take this class for the most part. Do not take it from Denley. Yes, he is smart and kind, but is not a good teacher. You will have little room for error as tests are 25 questions. Take 121 from someone else, you'll be glad you did.
Denley's class is nearly impossible to pass. His lectures don't provide you with any information as he reads straight off the slides. He gives no homework points and his tests will most likely include questions you have never seen in the notes. DO NOT take this class unless you live and breath chemistry and want to study it 8 hours a day.
If you have this professor, don't show up to his class. You'll learn nothing. buy his "test booklet" and you'll pass.
GO TO CLASS. Everyone says not to go because he reads off the slides but you WILL do better if you power through his lectures. He's pretty funny and a really nice guy. If you actually try you will pass! Go to his office hours early in the semester. There is also extra credit I recommend doing!
I got a C on the first test and after that, I decided to work super hard and ended up getting A's on all the others. So basically it is difficult material, but if you really want to get a good grade, you have to work hard. People overreact when they say how horrible it is. Also, PURCHASE THE PRACTICE TEST PACKET CUZ THEY ARE EXACTLY LIKE THE TESTS!
Entire grade is based off of 4 tests. You take 5 and your lowest score gets dropped. Buy the test booklet since they are exactly like the test. Memorize the notes and you'll do fine. Its a lot of studying but if you actually study and understand the material you'll do fine. Tests are only 25 questions so getting wrong wrong lowers your grade alot.
I have heard grerat things about his upper level classes but his general classes are tough Grades only on tests. Going to class he just reads the slides word for word. I would take notes everyday and there was still quesitons we never learned about. Went to his office hours and he didn't help me at all. MAJOR GRADE CURVE. My C- became a A-
He goes through the content really fast in lecture. He talks really fast and doesnt really explain it very well. Whole class is based on tests but he does drop one test score. Towards the end I stopped going to class and just read the book to teach myself
DOES THE BEST HE CAN. Hard class, but if you study the night before for like 3 hours you will probably pass.
Online class and face to face class are the same. Uploads all notes online. Print them out, don't write your own. Doesn't teach. He reads the notes off his powerpoint and proctors tests. He doesn't teach. There is no curve on tests. No extra credit. All points come from the 5 exams. You can drop 1 exam, not the 5th exam though.
Get ready to fall asleep in his lecture, buddy has the most monotone voice in the god damn universe. Only grades are on tests that are usually rough. Buy last semesters exams to study from.
He just stands up there and reads off the slides the entire 50min. He doesn't actually explain chemistry. I used to fall asleep all the time because he's so monotone. There's no homework so everything is based on the tests. If you do poorly on the tests, then you're screwed. Best way to learn anything is to read the book.
Enjoy memorizing pointless facts for exams, learning everything on your own, and wasting your money to slap a grade next to your transcript. Stupid tests + boring and pointless lectures good professor.
If you don't mayster the notes then you won't pass the exams. All notes are fair game for the exams. You have to break everything down concept by concept to pass the class.
He seems like hes be a nice guy outside of class, but... he speaks so quickly you cant even understand him sometimes. I think because the material is so basic to him, he expects it to be easy for everyone to catch on quickly. Im awful at trying to teach myself math, so I really struggled in this course.
Probably a really smart guy, but awful at teaching. He talks SO fast in lecture sometimes you can't understand him.
buy the test packet!!
Make sure to buy the test packet. He is a nice guy, but the lectures do not help at all. It is more of a teach yourself the material type of class
Class is lecture heavy with difficult tests that are only 25 questions. It is possible to do well in this class if you attend class a few times for each chapter and study the notes well. Also buy the test booklet it is exactly like the tests.
Unless you are someone who is gifted in math/chemistry, run. Chemistry isn't easy to teach yourself and that's exactly what you'll be doing. I have straight A's in every class, but this one. Really disappointing. NDSU knows students do extremely poorly in his classes, but don't care. Average test scores are barely D's but he's okay with that.
Rumor was there would be a big grading curve at the end of the semester. There wasn't. The grading scale for chemistry is different than other classes and maybe people just didn't realize at the start of the semester. A-88, B-75, C-62, D-50, F-<50. If you're signed up with Denley, I strongly recommend to consider another professor.
People judge him rather than the class itself. Chemistry is difficult at a college level no matter what! People do not seem to understand they have to put work in to get the grades desired. His notes/lectures are on test material - no surprises. He gives you the information you need, but it is up to YOU to really understand it! Overall a good guy!
Avoid taking a class from Denley, DO IT!!! His lectures are extremely boring and he never does examples that he puts on his exams. I honestly started doing better in his class when I stopped attending and taught myself. Also, don't bother emailing him, he'll never answer. Office hours are a joke. He is not helpful and only makes you feel stupid.
Terrible professor, only teaches on the history of chemistry, and doesn't go over examples that relate to the exams. Take it online instead, I wish I did that.
Went to class but the material covered would not be on the exam. He talked so monotone it was difficult to stay awake. People say to use the textbook but I tired, but when I went to the chapter the exam was supposed to be on it was not what we were covering in lecture. Your whole grade is based on 5 exams with no curve on them. Don't take his class
The class is basically self-taught most only show up on test days and do better than those who go to every class. Buy the test booklet and read the notes its possible to do well. Finding a study group is a good idea too.
He's an amazing teacher. He is very lecture heavy and he provides a lot of slides. You should take advantage of his office hours for things you do not understand. if you still don't understand you can speak to him and set up an apt with him for more understanding. if you do these things you should get a decent grade.
Professor Jacobson is a very smart professor but he tends to speak a mile a minute when going through lectures. He's a nice guy to visit with and will explain problems you got wrong if you go to his office hours. Only grades are 5, 100 point exams which he drops 1 of the first 4, and the exams are only 25 questins. Buy the test booklet he offers!!
This class is only graded on 4, 25 question tests. It is very difficult to receive an A but it is possible with lots of studying many days ahead of time. Due to Covid-19 about half this class was online so that helped making it easier.
If you struggle to understand Chemistry even the slightest bit, do not take it with Denley. He lectures for 50 minutes straight without taking a breathe. I'm pretty sure he is a robot. If you have a question, I'll save you the embarrassment; don't raise your hand, he won't acknowledge you. Ended up retaking w/ a different professor and got an A.
He gives everything you need to pass the class. The notes are helpful but also read the book. His office hours are a great time to clear up confusion, also if he knows you're trying and you ask him a question during the test he will help you get the right answer. He loves his students. Too many freshmen take this, skip class, don't try, and fail.
He is the worst.
Hands-down the worst professor I have had at NDSU. If you get stuck with him and can't transfer, make sure to get the test packet. The exams are the only thing you're graded on, so if you're a bad test taker you will fail this class.
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