Great instructor. Answers all my questions during office hours. Makes special arrangements if I cannot make them. Lectures from power points but follows textbook exactly, helps to read before lecture. Poor comments must be from students not doing well in his course and not using his office hours. He is extremely helpful on a one on one basis.

Great professor. Awesome during his office hours. Lectures straight from the textbook. Posts all his lecture notes online. Sometimes goes a little fast in lecture but all notes are online so not a worry. Gives us practice exams. Does problem review session before exam. Goes above and beyond my other profs.

He's a great guy outside of the classroom, and now that he doesn't use so many power points in his lectures he's a pretty good teacher. He is EXTREMELY helpful in his office hours, and even will meet with you at a different time if you can't make his hours. He had a rough start, but it is his first year teaching here and now it's MUCH better.

WORST PROFESSOR I HAVE EVER HAD. Can't teach a thing. Makes tests impossible. Avoid him at all costs.

The good thing about Ruggles is that he is new and is developing his teaching styles. The bad thing about Ruggles is that he is new and is developing his teaching styles. Its a very difficult class and its made harder by someone who is not used to teaching. He's a really nice guy but be prepared to work (hours) if you want to do well in the class

Erik Ruggles is a good teacher. Alot of the comments here are from people who, after a month of his class dropped. He is new this year, and admittedly started out rocky. HOWEVER. After seeing a poor overall exam grade, Ruggles changed his teaching style, and asked for student input on what would work well for them.

Professor Ruggles is an excellent teacher. If you are lazy, perhaps like many of those who have left negative reviews, and do not want to put in hard work to learn a difficult subject, do not take his class. If you want to learn chemistry from an articulate and helpful professor, then take his class.

Decent Professor, he no longer uses powerpoints. It's a little hard to read his writing on the board sometimes. Very responsive to students, and does some cool demos too.

After having Ruggs for almost 2 semesters now, I have learned to adapt to his teaching style and know that I need to put in the extra effort (textbook problems, practice exams) in order to pass. One on one he is very good at explaining concepts, going through problems step-by-step, and gives you information about exams you would otherwise not know.

He's not that bad. Exams are a little tricky. If you know the material well, you'll be able to get through 80-100% of the exam depending on how he makes them. Some do require some good math knowledge. I'm not a math/science person at all and I have yet to get below a B on his exams. Just study a lot and go to his office hours and you're fine.

He's really not that hard, despite what some people here are saying. He's an alright lecturer, sometimes unclear, but generally understandable. People who say his exams are too hard don't study at all, as long as you devote a couple hours to it, you'll get a good grade. If you're having trouble definitely go to office hours. so helpful.

I took chem 31 and 32 with Ruggles. He is a pretty tricky teacher but he definitely gives you a lot of resources to help you with the classes. I chose to take him the second semester because I knew how he worked. Very reasonable in giving points back on the tests and will often do so if you go to office hours. Rating him poorly due to a bad grade i

Excellent proff. People rate him poorly because they did not do well, probably because they did insufficient work- it's a hard class! Very clear, organized, and helpful proff. Always available for extra help. Class is well paced and lecture is very helpful to clarify concepts. To get A takes a lot of work, as it probably should be.

I don't mind his teaching style, and his use of examples in class are helpful, but his tests are difficult to say the least. I wish he would consider adding a curve because it is definitely going to hurt my GPA :(

Awesome teacher considering it is only his second year teaching. This is not to say his teaching is sub-par. Of course his practice tests are going to be much harder than the actual tests. He only has one of them for you to go from (next year you'll have 2)! DO NOT skip lectures. Study from practice test-get a C. Study from book-sky's the limit.

Ruggles is a good professor, if you take initiative and go into his office hours he will help you. And at the end of the year the class average is a C,which is a normal average for any hard level college class. Chemistry is hard to learn, because everyone isn't getting Bs and As doesn't mean Ruggles is awful.

Gen Chem is hard but prof. Ruggles makes so that if you try, do the problems from the book, do the practice exams, go to review sessions and office hours and he'll reward your efforts.

Ruggles was easy to understand in lecture even though he made mistakes. His exams were difficult. When he says "do the practice problems in your textbook" he really means it. Do all of those plus some and you will be fine!

I had this professor for both CHEM 31 and 32. During my first semester i couldn't stand him, based on the fact that chemistry in high school was so much easier than college. But In my openion, as i started to adjust to chem as a subject Ruggles' class started to seem easy. However you absolutly have to work hard. GO TO THE REVIEW SESSIONS!!

Ruggles is not as bad people say. His tests are a little difficult and the other profs are easier from what I hear, but his lectures and clear, he is well organized and hes a nice guy. If you have any sort of chemistry background, you have no excuse not to do well. The people giving him bad ratings are just frustrated at their test averages.

Ruggles is not as bad as everyone makes him out to be. Yes, his tests are difficult but he is always willing to help in anyway possible. Explains things very well. He is a good guy and I enjoyed his lectures. He expects you know how to do the problems inside and out

He's clear, tells you what he expects. Hardest Chemistry professor, but also probably the most knowledgeable. He IS a good teacher, but likes to challenge his students. Tests are hard, but doable. He tells you outright if you get an A in his course it would be QUITE the achievement. I like the guy. Oh also he is loud, which keeps me awake

I know a lot of people didn't like him cause his exams were hard, but he's a really good professor and he has crazy almost all the time office hours to help students. That class made me love chemistry again.

I had Ruggles for both Chem 31 & 32. I didn't think I liked him at first, but then CHOSE to take Chem 32 with him instead of Sharp. Exams are long, but fair. His classes are extremely helpful. He writes excellent notes. He gives you all the tools to succeed, but is still challenging. Pay attention in class, take good notes, and you'll do fine.

This is a class that you HAVE to study for. Ruggles doesn't assign HW, but does give problems that he thinks are good practice to prepare for exams. The lectures are pretty interesting, but the exams are HELL. I think he is fair. However, if you don't do the practice problems and don't take the practice exams then don't expect a good grade.

Ruggles is a very friendly and smart professor. He makes class fairly interesting and uses demonstrations. His tests are very difficult and it is a necessity to do the suggested problems or you will not do well.

Ruggle's class isn't easy, but he gives you all of the tools to succeed. If you use the resources he provides, you will do fine. I went into this class expecting it to awful, but it hasn't been. If I didn't do well, it had nothing to do with him, it was because I didn't study enough.

The class is difficult only if you do not study. The exams are challenging, but fair if you do the practice problems and exams that Ruggles suggests. Ruggles really makes an effort to answer questions and provide support, and if you study the way he suggests, you will do fine.

GREAT lectures but pretty hard exams. This year the final exam ruined my almost guaranteed A. Just go to class and do the practice exams and you'll be fine.

Great professor, but really hard exams. If you're having trouble, go see him. He's very helpful! The book is a MUST for this class!

Not at all a horrible class. Go to office hours and do the work he assigns. Best chemistry lecturer available.

If you utilize the tools he give you, this is not a bad class at all. Ruggles is a superb lecturer and a super nice guy. His tests are challenging but doable. Don't let the other comments scare you too much, I loved his class and am taking him again next semester!

Ruggles is a great lecturer, he does great demos, music before class, and is extremely clear. His lectures make the material seem easy but when you go to the homework or the tests it's almost foreign. He gives lots of materials to utilize but expect stressful tests that are definitely not always doable.

Great Professor. Exams are generally tough, but if you put in adequate effort, success is very feasible. I would recommend Ruggles to anyone interested in chemistry.

Let me start and say that I was afraid of chemistry before I started uvm. I never got higher than a C+ (except final) in high school. Repeating chemistry was easy for but also the fact that most exams are plug n chug. The hardest part is the wording of the problem. This class is more about analysis than chem. All you need is practice and your good

Really good lecturer. It's a class where you need to do the homework and practice over and over and over. That's all. Can't blow off the work.

Ruggles is a very clear lecturer but his exams are tough. They cover all the material from the section as well as some tougher questions that make you apply concepts to unfamiliar problems. You will need to do a lot of work to do well in his class! My advice: GO TO LECTURE, and read the relevant section BEFOREHAND. These and hard work will pay off.

Ruggles is a good lecturer - he makes chemistry exciting to learn, and I don't have any particular interest in chemistry. His tests are very difficult, but if you do the homework and carefully take the practice tests and tests from previous years, you should be good. Definitely go to all classes, though. Sometimes test questions are poorly worded.

Dr. Ruggles is a great professor. He has awesome lectures full of explosions! Plus he makes chemistry exciting and interesting and is a great person. His tests are difficult but if you practice the material and go to see Ruggles to ask questions, you'll do just fine.

By far the best chemistry professor you could hope to have. Yes, the material is hard! He does his best to make it clear during lecture and provides ample opportunity for practice and help outside of class. Most of the exam questions come directly from the textbook homework. Lectures with Ruggles were more fun than I thought chemistry could be.

I took Ruggles' Chem 31 and 32 classes my freshman year and they were the hardest classes I have ever taken. I spent hours in the library studying and Barely made it out with a B. But he's one of the most brilliant professors at the school and is willing to help with almost any problem, as long as you make the effort to go to him.

He's not that hard like everyone said "Struggles with Ruggles". If you come to his recitations and take notes, you'll be just fine. Practice things alot from textbook. Texbook is da best friend.

His lectures are informational and helpful. His tests are extremely difficult if you haven't taken chemistry before.

Show up to lectures and do the homework this class isn't that bad. The test are a little tough but if you have a understanding of the basic concepts and know how to apply them you can do well. They are mostly tough because they are long (a little intimidating). He is happy to help students and takes all test questions straight from the text book.

So. Ruggles. Best teacher I've had my freshman year. Chem 31 and 32 were difficult, but if you do the homework and actually study and are taking the class because you are actually interested in science then getting an A is very easy. Tests are tough but very fair, as long as you put the work in.

Great professor, has difficult tests but if you listen to him in class and go over the textbook problems, then you will have no trouble. He obviously knows what he is talking about and offers plenty of help outside of class. If you want to learn the material, Ruggles is your guy.

Honestly I think he's fantasic. I'm good at math so I didn't find his class very hard at all. He's a great lecturer and overall very nice guy. Take his class.

Ruggles is a great guy, his lectures are really good and clear and he does a great job in class. He doesn't grade homework or have you turn it in, but its there and you should do it. His tests are really hard, that's just fact, but doable if you study and pay attention.

Amazing teacher, but hard grader

His class is notoriously difficult, but is much more manageable than rumor has made it out to be if you sit down and do the work. He is an excellent professor.

He is very helpful outside of lecture and has a lot of office hours. DO THE 'HOMEWORK' HE PUTS ON BLACKBOARD. The stuff in the textbook are similar to exams. Always 1-2 challenging questions on exams - be prepared.

The term "Struggles with Ruggles," is definitely a real thing. CHEM032 is hard and requires a lot of work. DO the homework problems and his practice exams, this will help extremely and you can not succeed without doing them. He is a tough professor but funny and cares about his students.

Great professor. For Chem031/032, don't bother with the textbook reading, do the actual problems.

great teacher, pay attention in class and do the practice problems, that's what his tests are based on. attend office hours if you're confused on something, he's really good at explaining. The class is hard but if you do the homework and go to office hours you should be good! also take the ACS for extra credit!

Struggles with Ruggles is all I heard, but he has been the best lecturer I have ever had. Listen to him, don't fall asleep. He explains everything so well. If you don't do well on his exams then just bring them in to him to go over, he throws points back at you it's unreal. He cares and he just wants to see that you do too. Give him a chance

Honestly, the best teacher and lecture I've ever had. He literally does EVERY problem that's going to be in the test in class, so ACTUALLY PAY ATTENTION! He also loves giving points back to students if they go to his office hours. Never once used the textbook though, it's unnecessary

Of all your Chem 31 options, Ruggles easily gives the hardest exams, but he also gives the best, humor-infused lectures (though that won't really make up for your grade). He takes pride in a C being average for his class (struggles with Ruggles is definitely a thing), but he's also very willing to walk through any problems during office hours.

The man is very passionate about teaching chemistry! He wants you to succeed! I loved the class!

Ruggles' exams are difficult, however, he really knows his stuff and gives you everything you need to do well on exams. He is overall a great lecturer, available readily for office hours and will answer your questions if you make them know. I recommend reading a bit of the textbook to supplement the lectures and practicing old exam questions.

Ruggles is a really great professor! Chemistry is a hard subject in general, but his lectures are as clear and straightforward as possible. He gives his students everything they need in order to succeed, it is their responsibility to do the practice problems and study. He is very approachable and his office hours help a lot!!

Professor Ruggles is a good lecturer who really helps you understand the material. If you're willing to put time and effort into doing the assignments and studying for the exams then you'll do fine in the class. His exams are very fair and the study material really prepares you well if you do it.

Ruggles is clear and concise with his lectures, making them easy to understand even though most students find the material difficult. He's also very funny! Although his tests are pretty hard, he's always available to help and he works hard to help students understand. I've taken two classes with him and would definitely take another.

Ruggles is the best professor I've had so far at UVM. Really clear lectures. Funny dude as well. Very organized and clear grading method. The whole struggles with ruggles thing is too hyped up... if you do some homework and remember the quizzes you will be fine.

Ruggles is an excellent teacher. If you are pursuing a career that will require dexterity in this field, he is without question the man to go to. However, he teaches the first weed-out class for many freshmen. Maybe about a quarter of students who want to become doctors can become them and he knows it is not his job to increase that number.

Ignore the rumors about "struggles with Ruggles!" A full year of gen chem is hard, especially if you're taking it during your first year and you're transitioning into everything else. Ruggles's lectures are engaging, and you can usually rely on them for the material (but use the textbook for problems). He's also great during office hours.

Ruggles is a nice guy and a good lecturer, but the tests are not easy. If you do all of the homework he assigns and study the previous years tests he gives you, you will do fine in the class. He holds a lot of office hours, and as long as you don't go in having not done any work he will throw you points on the tests and help you w questions

GENERAL CHEMISTRY IS HARD, Professor Ruggles does his best teaching it to non-majors (ie, kids who don't really care about chem). I switched my major INTO chemistry after having him as a gen chem lecturer. Yes, the exams are challenging, but are not impossible. With ample office hours, TA office hours and lab time, there isn't really an excuse.

Professor Ruggles is a very difficult professor, but looking back he is one of the best there is. His lectures are very clear-he gives lots of good examples that are on the test. His tests are difficult, but he is open to students coming to his office hours and is very helpful. If you want to learn chem, take Ruggles.

He is a fantastic lecturer, very knowledgeable and able to explain complex topics. Many of the topics that are covered in this class are hard to grasp, such as quantum chemistry and thermodynamics. If you can teach yourself the theory behind these topics, using the textbook, you will be very successful at deciphering the challenging calculations.

Ruggles definitely has the hardest exams out of all the chem 31 professors, but his lectures are the best and his teaching style is to the point. Many kids who had other professors chose to go to his lectures instead of their own.

Ruggles is a great professor, his lectures are very thorough. Teaches the material so that it is understood. Has a good sense of humor. This being said... his exams are very difficult.

He's a really great professor who makes sure that his students truly understand the material if they are willing to put in the effort. It takes a lot of work but it's an introductory weed-out STEM class, so you should expect that.

Professor Ruggles is very knowledgable and his lectures are really great and in depth. Sometimes the class gets boring, but he tries to keep students engaged. His tests can be sort of hard, but he is there to help.

Professor Ruggles is the way to go for General Chemistry I. He is thorough in his lectures, and he gives you everything you need to excel. If you do the practice exam questions he gives you, understand the labs and read the textbook, you will do very well. He's a fantastic, knowledgeable guy and it really isn't difficult to do well in his class.

Hard grader

Struggles with Ruggles is definitely real in that his exams are very difficult, however, he is extremely accessible to students who need help (ton of office hours, review sessions). He wants you to succeed but WILL make you work hard for it. Dont take gen chem with anybody else or you will not learn the material the way you will w/ Ruggles

He is amazing.

Great professor! Chem 31 and 32 are definitely super challenging classes but if you put the work in you can do well. Ruggle's taught this challenging material well and did his best to prepare students for the difficult exams. I would 100% recommending taking chem 31/32 with him over the other profs here at UVM.

Way better than Chant. Chem 031 & 032 are hard but Ruggles gives you all the resources necessary to succeed if you work for it.

Ruggles is a hard professor but very fair and willing to help. His summer courses are even better than during fall and spring

Ruggles truly is a great professor. His lectures are very focused and organized, making it easy to pick up on the material. He also offers very helpful review sessions the week leading up to each exam, as well as access to previous years' exams, which make test preparation a breeze. Ruggles plays music prior to each lecture, and makes gen chem fun.

Ruggles is a great lecturer, but his exams are kinda scary. All the content on the exams is covered in the lectures, so if you go to lectures you'll know what content to expect. However, he makes the difficulty a whole new level for the exams (compared to practice problems).

Professor Ruggles is a great lecturer and is always there to help. His tests are extremely hard and the average is usually around a 70. Homework is optional but if you don't do it then you're basically setting yourself up to fail.

He's really nice and approachable. You've probably heard of struggles with ruggles, and it is a difficult class but Ruggles gives you all of the resources you need to succeed. There are SI sessions, practice problems (optional homework), helpful office hours, and he has two review sessions the week before an exam. The grade you get is up to you.

Ruggles is a very difficult class even for those who have done well in previous science classes. That being said, he gives you every opportunity to succeed and the resources to do so. The tests are daunting as they are often far more complex than the homework. Study the old tests and dont be overly confident going into the class and youll do fine

Ruggles may give the toughest exams, but if you put the time in you will learn a lot. Lectures are always helpful and engaging, and he does example problems to make sure everyone understands. Ruggles gave me a lot of headaches throughout the semester, but now I have a really good grasp of chemistry and would take his class again in a heartbeat.

He is fair from the outset and you will learn.

Ruggles is an amazing teacher but a hard grader. You won't learn nearly as much from another teacher. Work hard in this class and you will do good.

He has his reputation as a hard teacher for a reason. On the other hand, he will give you everything that you need to succeed in the class. This class is required by a lot of majors so there are many people who struggle because it is not similar to their other classes and they don't use what he has provided for help

THE MAN!!!

Chem 32 with ruggles is an extremely difficult class but still fair. Do the review questions after every lecture and start studying for tests a week before at minimum. That being said, Ruggles is a boss and I've never had so much respect for a professor.

Struggles with Ruggles is REAL PEOPLE. Took CHEM031 and dropped CHEM032 with him because I literally couldn't go through another semester of chemistry. Gen Chem are definitely weeder classes so be prepared to dedicate your entire life to chemistry or change your major where chem isn't a requirement. Ruggles is a good prof just REALLY HARD CONTENT.

I struggled a lot in this class but Ruggles is a really nice guy and a great professor overall. His lectures are amazing and he's always willing to help outside of class. The exams are extremely difficult but fair. Study for the exams at least 2 weeks before and be ready to really push yourself if you want to do well in this class.

Dr Ruggles makes chemistry seem much easier than other professors do. He works through every problem step by step during class on an iPad that is seen via projector which he then uploads after every class to review. He gives lots of practice questions and old exams you can practice with. None of it is mandatory. Wish I could have him for every Chem

gen chem was one of the hardest courses ive ever taken, but it was so worth it. ruggles is a great professor and is always there to help, but its really up to you to do well in the class. go to lectures and do the practice problems! this class teaches you work ethic like no other and is challenging but highly rewarding. good luck!

Dr. Ruggles is an awesome professor. To all the incoming freshman its important to remember that college is a different animal than high school. Chem 032 with Ruggles was awesome. Don't be afraid to ask for help and stop by the office he is so personable and really cares about his students. He'll celebrate and support you as his student !

Had Ruggles second semester for Chem032. GO TO OFFICE HOURS. Get your face shown and prove you are working hard. Ruggles is super misunderstood as a professor. I was terrified of him before I went to his office hours and he really is on our side. He is willing to help anyone struggling with the material. It is a HARD class but he does his best.

Professor Ruggles is undeniably a good professor. He's personable, explains the material in a way that's eminently comprehensible, and seems to genuinely care about students. That said, his exams are extremely difficult relative to the practice material (the class exam average was a 75). Be ready to study all day, every day if you opt for summer.

A funny professor, but the content is hard. He gives many example problems during class, but a lot of studying outside is still needed.

Chem 032 is hard no matter what. Ruggles is clear, organized and knowledgeable, but his lectures drag and it's easy to check out after 1/2 hour. Since the tests are made by other professors as well, he would be a solid option for 032. I also like his pre-lecture music.

I honestly dont understand where "Struggles with Ruggles" comes from. Yes the lectures/notes can be long, but the tip is to run them at 1.25x speed and WRITE THEM DOWN!! If you do the hw and watch the lectures, you'll be fine. He's a very understanding person and will always help you out. Ppl who think he's a bad teacher most likely slack off.

Struggles with Ruggles is definitely real, esp during summer (DONT RECOMMEND unless you like pain and anxiety max level). Great professor, willing to go over questions or concerns. Pay attention to his posted and in person lectures, if not grill on the textbook, and look for major and minor trends and you will do well on the exams. Best of luck!!

Dont take the summer course unless thats THE ONLY THING on your plate. He is the best Chem prof, willing to explain and work with you, hes understanding and a good guy. But, the amount of work and lectures to learn is just ridiculous, Im sure its the courses content not him, just be warned.

Definitely a hard class but Ruggles gives you every resource available. In person lectures (really just Q&A sessions) are optional to attend as they are also recorded on Teams. You have to watch the actual lectures prior to class but they can be sped up 2x without much issue.

This class is mostly online lecture videos, about 2 hours per class that can be put on 2x speed easily. 75% of your grade is exam based , the rest is lab hw & hw tests that you can use your notes for. If you watch the videos, go to class, do the bookwork, and go to ta office hours if you need help, you'll be fine.

I love Ruggles!! The people who complain about him clearly don't want to put the work in and are blaming the professor for their laziness. He posts a TON of resources including past exams, supplemental video lectures, recitations, etc. He is always available and clearly wants students to succeed. Very fair grader, clearly excited ab the subject.

I absolutely loved Ruggles as a professor. He was very clear about everything and had many resources on blackboard. Although his lecture videos and lectures are a bit repetitive, I thought they were helpful. It takes a bit to get used to his style, but once you do it's great. He's funny and engaging. Chemistry is hard regardless of the professor.

Ruggles was great. You just had to put time and effort into the course material.

Chem is hard with Ruggles but that is because it is chem, not Ruggles. He is doing his best.

really liked him, was funny. If you are a procrastinator, be careful because the work creeps up and is hard to catch up. Can also fast forward videos and lectures to your preferred pace which is school.

Chem is really hard, but Ruggles makes it as accessible as possible. Most of the content is taught through prerecorded videos, which I liked as it allowed me to learn at my own pace where/whenever I wanted. The lectures were helpful for reinforcing concepts. Definitely do the homework.

He wasn't as bad as people said. A nice professor who lectures fairly boringly, but it's chemistry so either you find it fascinating or you don't.

Really nice guy, offered us a test 1 retake which was nice of him, I just had trouble with the actual content of the course, I had never taken a chemistry class before. Answered questions and had review sessions on Sundays which is nice of him. ALEKs was awful though, and either he didn't know exactly how to use it or had little control over it.

Stop the Ruggles hate! This course has very clear and forgiving grading, opportunities to retake quizzes, non-mandatory attendance, and completely online exams and final. His prerecorded lectures on Brightspace/youtube are much more concise and understandable. In person lectures get sidetracked, tedious, and are unneeded to do well in the course.

Ruggles is a good professor but his lectures are very long and he posts the lecture notes anyways. The exams and quizzes are not too hard and are all online.

Ruggles is a great guy. Such a contrast from the rest of the gen chem department. He genuinely wants you to do well. He gives so many ways to learn the content (video lecture at home ,textbook, in-person lectures working with a mix of teaching content and practice problems). Exams are super similar to book problems and predictable.

Ruggles is your average chem teacher. He explains topics very well and always answered questions in great detail. In addition to his office hours, he has many many videos and helpful resources on Brightspace. As long as you attend lecture (even though it's not mandatory) and stay on top of homework and study for exams, you'll be fine.

Good guy over all. Teaches well but you have to spend a lot of time doing practice work outside of class if you're going to succeed. Very encouraging in office hours.