3.0
Quality3.5
Difficulty82%
Would Retake124
Reviews82%
Would Retake
124
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
19
4
38
3
32
2
21
1
14
What Students Say
“He wants his students to succeed”
BCHE5080 - 4.0 rating“A little hard to understand”
BCHE5180 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
13%
Textbook Required
17%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.74 avg changeRatings by Course
BCHE
5.0
(1)CHM1030
4.0
(1)BIOCHEM
4.0
(2)BCHESECT
4.0
(1)BCHE5190
4.0
(12)Difficulty by Course
CHEM1020
5.0
BCHE001
5.0
BIOCHEM5080
4.5
CHEM1
4.0
BCHESECT
4.0
Reviews (124)
Can't understand what he says in class or his writing. Works the problems incorrectly. Over 50% of our class failed the second test, even with extra studying and tutoring outside of class (every single day for 2 weeks). But he is new.
Doesnt explain problems when worked. Hard to understand. Extra hard if you've never had chemistry before. First time teacher. Hope he changes his teaching style if u get him next year.
This guy is impossible. You can't understand what he's saying 1st of all. He is the worst teacher I have ever had. He doesn't explain anything. If you get him next year, be prepared to learn EVERYTHING on your own!
Not to bad, curved pretty substantially and was very fair about a bad test.
very difficult to understand but it was his first semester teaching so he will learn how to improve. i went to talk to him some and he did try to help but i still made a D in the class.
Dr. Duin is hard to understand and numbers on the board are not clear. Sit up close.
He is not very easy to understand in class, and you can't read what he writes on the board, BUT his test are pretty easy. Just study the things that he tells you to, and if you have any questions, go to him and ask. He is very nice and understanding.
An extremely nice guy, but the accent is pretty think so he's hard to understand. He's very willing to help, but he's not very good at explaining. His tests are pretty fair and easy, if you teach yourself how to do it!
He is really willing to help, just extremely hard to understand. Try to get on top of your work and do the problems ahead of time, so if you have questions you can try to ask him or a tutor.
He's a nice guy, but he's hard to understand because of his accent. He tries to help out as much as he can, especially with the 2nd test. Be prepared - that test is really hard!!!
works problems & does not teach
DROP THIS CLASS!!! He is a horrible teacher and you can't understand a word he says. Get another class ASAP!!!
Horrible is all I can say! He works the example problems from the book and never gives notes. You have to learn everything on your own. He failed a good portion of his class!! Never take him if at all possible.
I am sure he is a nice guy but he has a thick accent which makes him very difficult to understand. Test are pretty tough!
you can barely understand him
Sit close to the front. He's hard to understand from the back! Attend the help sessions! He mighy give the questions off the test!
You really have to teach yourself chemistry if you want to get anything above a C in this class. My friend took two years of chem in highschool and made a C and a D on the first two tests. Take someone else if possible.
AWEFUL Professor!!!!!!!!!!!! do not get if possible!
He is sometimes hard to understand but if you just go to class, take notes and study your butt off for the tests, you can make an A!!!!!
He tries he really does, but it's just not there. He wants you to leard and to understand but he just doesn't quite know how to get his points across. His accent is Austrian or something, like Arnold Schwarz. Really hard to understand.
tests are very hard, uses the hardest problems he can find, works problems but doesn't really teach you how to do them
some people didn't like him but i think he is cute. he has this cute german or austrian accent, is tall, and has great style. if you get to know him he is very helpful. so make yourself known to him and he will appreciate it!
he is very hard to understand!!! do not take him. his tests are hard and he doesnt even teach you how to do them in class. he is not helpful and will not give you any extra credit if you are trying. HE IS AWEFUL!!!
Yes he is a little hard to understand, but you get used to it. Sit up front and do the homework. You may have to teach yourself some things, but making an A is definitely not impossible.
He's a nice man, but he doesn't explain anything and I can't understand a word he says!
I took him last year and got an A. You don't have to go to class if you can teach yourself. Overall he is a nice guy who wants to teach people.
He is Dutch you morons, plus he is VERY easy unless you are retarded. I went maybe 5 times and had an A.
This Professor really knows what he is talking about BUT does not know how to express it to students. His tests are also unpredictable; ranging from easy to super hard. Avoid @ all costs
Nice Guy. Wants people to do well and curves fairly. Lets put it this way. I made a 73, 65, and a 55 for my 3 tests. He dropped the 55 since i made a 93 on my final and gave me a B for my overall grade. His accent fits chemistry anyway. From Holland.
One time I was taking a make up exam and he helped me out a lot. I think that he works better with small groups of people or something. Study your ass off and you will be fine! He doesn't do your average mathematically, he gives you what you deserve.
Go to class and u will be fine. The study sessions before each test help! Get 10 pts on each test just for writing ur name. Curved the final 15 pts and droped the lowest test grade(as long as u did well on the final). I ended up w/an A. I reccomend him
Very young and very foreign. Difficult to understand. Seemed helpful if you talked to him. Average difficulty on tests. Good guy
This class is VERY difficult. Very hard to understand in class and doesn't cover anything important. He does curve most tests and dropped our lowest grade at the end of the semester.
He is a great teacher. The first few days of class you may not be able to understand him because of his accent. Sit close to the front and it is much easier. He tries so hard to help you by giving you 10 points for just filling out your name on every test
Does not return e-mails, tests are hard. At the beginning of the year he asked how many people would be taking CHEM1030 for the 2nd time and it was over half the class. There was 200 people in the class.
He is so nice if you talk to him one-on-one but his tests are ridiculously hard. He puts things on the test he never talked about in class. And he only curved one of our tests even though everyone failed them all.
He is a hard teacher, but what Chem teacher isnt? He is a reasonable teacher and is very passable if you are willing to work hard outside of class. I made a B and didnt go to class but spent many hours teaching myself and getting help from study part
he is a little hard to understand, but he posts his class notes and writes everything on the board. he will help you out if you come to him and ask. his tests are ok and you will do well if you go to class. chem is a hard course but he is a great teacher.
As they say, chem 1030 is a weed-out class. Definitely hard to understand Duin and therefore hard to understand chemistry...I took 2 years of chem in high school and still couldn't pick up some of the stuff with Duin. His tests are killers.
Plan on teaching yourself from the book. Buy the solutions manual and work all problems and outline each chapter. Tests are DIFFICULT, but you can do well if you study hard.
The accent is a little tough but you get used to it, and he gives you a pretty good idea what is going to be on the test. If you work hard you can pull out an A, and he is one of the most helpful teachers that I've had
Hard to understand sometimes. Went to Study sessions and asked questions but still was left in the dark. Asked him if something would be on the test and he said no. Took the test and a large part of the test was on the stuff he said not to worry with.
Horrible!!!!!! I dropped the class!!!!
Not as bad as some people are stating. It is key that you go to class and not just cram because he does work out examples to help you get a grasp on the material. Is also willing to help. I got an A but had to work for it.
chemistry is hard no matter what teacher it is.u do have to learn the material but duins tests are very easy. he works problems in class that are on test. and problems on test are same as the problems in the book.
For biochem he mainly uses power point and rarely writes on the board. Almost never works examples on the board. Tests do however represent the material in the book.
He is hard to understand, but if you sit at the front of the room it is much easier to understand him. He is VERY helpful & if you have any questions he will be gald to help you! Most of the material he covered I learned in HS. GREAT TEACHER and easy A-B!
He is not very clear on any of the material. I do not recommend taking him.
Never in my life have I had someone as terrible of a teacher as this. His tests have no relevance to his class "powerpoints" and overall a terrible instructor. Do not take him!
Although he is a nice guy personally, he is quite possibly the worst teacher I have ever had. He made this class impossible: the test were very difficult and did not cover the core concepts. His "reviews" were inadequate mch like his lectures. If you value your GPA do not take this course from him.
Majority of his tests are composed of calculations, so if you master that, you're good for an A. He also gives out lots of partial credits, so that's another plus. I don't know why some people find that class hard, but he is kinda hard to understand, but I thought it was pretty easy.
He is by far the worst nightmare of students. I am not sure whether he speaks english or not. It is a pitty that such a teacher is hired by this university!
its a shame he was hired by AU. hard to understand, hard tests
I had to drop it mid-semester.I failed the first test;I studied for hours and knew the material, but the entire test was calculations and I didn't finish.Only a few did.If you're good and fast with calcuations then you'll probably be alright,but if not then you probably don't want to take him.
He is hard to undestand and hard to read his writing, but after a few weeks you get used to how he teaches and writes. His review sessions are the BEST to go to, he helps out SOO much. You can pass, but you really have to study a lot. The SI sessions help a LOT too. Possible to get an A but hard.
I'm in honors and make staight A's, but even with hours of studying his tests are hard. He does a crappy job of explaining and he expects you to memorize every table in the book and every exception to the rules.
Very easy class to pass, if willing!!Will give extra help and posts all test so final is very easy!Must do homeowrk, some questions come straight from homework.
Dr. Duin is awesome! His tests are hard,but he does his best to give you the highest grade possible in the class. Go to the SI Sessions because the instructor goes over old tests. I got an A and never went to class but I'd advise going class because he gives pop quizzes that help you grade a lot.
You guys that are writting bad posts are stupid! He was the coolest teacher I've ever had. The best chemistry teacher you will find. I made a B, C, C on my three test and made an A on the final. He gave me an A in the class. Go to class, do well on the quizes,study every once in a while! Easy!
This teacher is the BEST!!! If you think this class is hard good luck in college. Yall come on. You have to study but not much at all. Mr. Duin ROCKS... Just go to Class...
Very good teacher. He is helpful & wants his students to succeed. I went to the study sessions and to class & made an A.
Dr. Duin was a good teacher, but his accent didn't help any. He puts all of his notes up on WebCT, but it helps to go to class anyway. STUDY HARD for his tests! He expects you to know the calculations, but if you get stuck on a test, he will help get you on the right track.
This man can't speak English.
Very helpful if you approach him. Just be prepared to figure out his poor english. This class was the hardest I have ever taken, even though science is my best subject. If you took Chemistry in high school, it won't be TOO hard, but expect to work hard.
it is hard to understand him in class but if you ask him for help he is more than happy to meet with you. if he sees that you are trying in class he will def. work with you in the end. he gave me a ton of pts on the final to make an A just because i went to talk to him and he knew i tried in class. don't be afraid to ask him for help!!
i had dr. duin my 2nd time taking chem and he was a lot better than dr. death!!! he is hard to understand but if you go to him and let him know your having problems he will help you and go to him after your final if you didn't make what you needed, he helped me out a lot!!!!!
It's true that his accent is strong but he can definitely speak English. He really knows his stuff and as a result, expects you to know it too. He is one of the most helpful professors I've ever had at Auburn and really wants students to do well (he does curve grades). His lectures are on WebCT so there's no excuse not to do well.
Very very nice man - always willing to help. He wants everyone to do well.
I had no idea what this guy was saying b/c he sounds like Arnold Swartzinagger (spelling?). Even when i asked him for help i didn't know what he was saying and he explains everything the same way each time. nice guy though, but that doesn't make a good teacher. F in chem1 and got a B in chem2 with a different teacher. Theres something wrong w/that
Dr. Duin is not hard to understand. I think people say that because they don't listen in class and therefore miss things that he says. He uses Powerpoint and you have the slides too, so there's no problem. Chemistry is hard no matter who the professor is, but he's helpful, knowledgeable, and fair.
I had him several years ago and I have to say he was one of the better professors at auburn. Unlike most professors at auburn he actually cared if his students passed or not. His class was not ridiculously easy but it wasnt ungodly difficult either. He goes straight from the book and he tells you this in his class. A great man and a great teacher.
He was actually a good teacher. I don't know why everyone thought he was that bad. If you took chemistry in high school and REMEMBER it then it is kinda like a refresher. His test are long and you HAVE to study but it wasn't ridiculous. Just go to class, study and you will do fine. He gives pop quizzes but they don't hurt you, they are extra credit
He is sometimes hard to understand. Bonus quizzes are helpful but not too easy. The material is confusing and it's not explained very clearly. Go to class, listen well, work the problems in the book, and study hard (for an A).
Prof. Duin is a really nice guy. If you ever have trouble, he is always more than willing to help if you go to his office hours. Sit up front because he's a little soft-spoken. The material is easy if you have taken Chem before. My only complaint is that sometimes he wouldn't explain a concept fully and if you have no background, it's hard to learn
Great teacher. Balances bad grades with a poster.
Very nice man, and is willing to help if you make an appointment and go to his office. That being said I hated his class. I went everyday, and tried to listen but he has an accent, and his handwriting is hard to read. It's hard to understand anything he tries to teach. I had a good background in chemistry and felt like a failure after this class.
Accent, weird Handwriting, that being said, you can skip every lecture and do his homework list and get an A with moderate effort. He does give three nice bonus quizzes, 1-2 bonus points on final grade for each one if you pass. Tests not incredibly hard, and he scales a tiny bit. He tries very hard to make his class interesting, and understandable.
I loved Dr. Duin! He's such a nice man, he really tries to help you understand, and he knows his stuff. He has an accent and is hard to understand at times, but he will always explain it to you again if you need him to. If you study a little, his tests are pretty easy, and he grades very fairly.
Nice guy, very-difficult-to-understand accent. Essay-style exams. He really wants you to understand the material and will meet with you during office hours for extra help. Not a difficult A if you just put in the time to study and learn.
Dr. Duin is amazing. I took Fundamentals of Chemistry once before and failed miserably (this is after two years of chem in high school). I retook it in the summer with Duin and, yes, I had to study a good bit more than I was used to, but I made an A in the class. There are only like 4 tests and a final, so that could make or break you.
Great guy, but does have a very strong accent. I barely studied for any of the tests and came out with a B. For my tests, most of them were questions straight from old tests...However, I've heard it's changed since then (I took it in Fall '08). Really great guy and a very helpful if you go talk to him.
Dr. Duin is a very nice man. Biochem is very tough. Lectures and notes are so detailed it is hard to get the big picture. You can't really understand as much as memorize tons and tons of little details. If you don't have a background from other classes to help you, it is even harder. Tests are slmost essay style and there is so much information.
you cant understand him but he gives you a study guide for every test know it backwards and forwards and your good, old tests help too hes very nice and if you go see him after a test he almost every time gives you points back his test graders make a ton of mistakes
You go to office as much as you want to for asking for help for studying and everything. But even with enthusiasm for the class, he will not give you any leeway for any bade grades you make.
Super nice. A little hard to understand. As someone else said, there is so much information that it is hard to get the big picture. Know the material in excruciating detail and an A is easy.
Very nice. Tests are extremely detailed, but if you study an A is very possible. Make sure to go see him about any bad test grades as you will most likely get points back.
His tests were extremely detailed and long, but you can make a decent grade as long as you write everything you know. He also cares about the student's well-being, which is different than any Chem. professor I have ever had. He curved at the end and dropped an exam grade.
The class wasn't extremely difficult. As others have said, just know the notes inside and out. The more detail you know, the easier an A is due to the testing method (discussion based). The final for us was extremely difficult, moreso than he intended, so we got a nice scale. He will help the class if he feels he was too tough.
More difficult since he stopped doing the night exams. He has to boil some of the information down to multiple choice questions, which are worth 4 points a piece. It makes the exams challenging. But, he now uses homework and a poster to help everyone out. Not too bad, but an A is tricky.
Dr. Duin does have a thick accent that takes some getting used too. The class is boring because it is mostly slides, but he writes on the board occasionally. Go to class and his office so that he knows you care and he will help you. He will bump and scale the class at the end of the semester. Overall, not a very hard class if you study hard!!!!
Dr. Duin is pretty straight forward on what he requires out of his students. Class is hard to be interested in because it is only pathway after pathway. Do well on the hw! It will save you. 3 tests, 1 project, hw, and a final. Everything you need to know to make an A on the test is on the study guides he gives. Study hard and you'll do fine!
Very nice professor; he cares about the students and he is willing to do a lot to help you out. If you can find old exams, they are VERY helpful. His exams are difficult, but he is very keen on partial credit. His lectures aren't incredibly interesting but the info is clear and his notes are easy to understand. I would take another class with him.
Duin, although has a German accent, does well writing out everything on the board during class. If you have old tests, he usually reuses the same questions so those are super helpful, but his test answers can be found straight off of the powerpoints/notes from class that he posts on canvas. Optional online homework replaces your lowest test grade!
Duin is a great professor! He is good with giving points back on exams if you see him in his office hours and justify your case. He reuses old test questions but make sure you know the material for the final. He is very funny and he made Biochemistry a much more enjoyable class!
Duin is one of most fair professors I have every had at Auburn. He wants his students to succeed. He provides study guides for every test and if you do those there will be no surprises on the tests. He is also always happy to go over the test with you to see if there is any chance of getting points back.
Dr. Duin's class was overall a good experience. Old tests are extremely helpful since he recycles some old test questions on his newer tests. He is a nice guy and seems like he truly wants his students to do well. Final was pretty tough but just because there was so much material. Drops your lowest test grade.
Dr. Duin is such a nice professor. Biochem is a difficult class, but if you look over the study guides and are familiar with some of his old tests you will be fine. Our final was so difficult but he scaled it a lot and gives you an A if you've earned it. Go to office hours and ask questions so he knows you care. Am taking him again for biochem 2.
ppts (on canvas) have the answer to every single test question he will throw out at you. Group projects take up a week of class where you work on a packet with partners-EASY and worth 25% of grade. If you have an A, an 88%, you do not have to take the final. Old tests are extremely helpful. Study old tests and ppts and you'll have an A, easy.
He posts all of his lectures online as well as "Study Guides" that, for the most part, he stays true to come test time. He goes through the powerpoints very fast in class, but gives group projects to help you understand the material better. Also gave the Fall'18 class the option to opt out of the final due to high group project participation.
All lectures are posted and he gives out the study guides for his exams. If you know those backwards and forwards you will pass his class. Projects are weighted really heavy which is nice because they help pull up your grade. Super nice guy and always willing to help his students. If you put in the time to study the material you will make an easy B
Dr Duin is a solid choice for biochemistry, and his tests are definitely challenging but doable. He lectures very quickly and youll get something out of them but the heavy lifting in this class comes from you going home and studying his PowerPoints. He gives a study guide for every exam and has several group projects but they arent too bad.
You can't really go wrong with Duin for biochemistry. You don't really learn much from lectures but the tests are straightforward if you study his study guides, projects, and old tests. Very approachable and willing to help you out if you need it. I may not have learned much about biochem but it's not too difficult to make an A.
Dr. Duin is an okay professor. He runs through the lectures really quickly and then gives out group projects where you teach yourself the material. Tests arent too bad because he gives out a study guide before hand. Only went to class on group project days. Overall, not the best but I did learn some stuff and Im taking him again for Biochem II.
Really nice guy but lectures are pretty useless (he just reads off powerpoints). Exams are all open ended questions and very doable. Study the study guides and old exams and an A is very manageable. 88+ is an A and final is optional. I didn't show up to class except for project days. You probably won't learn all that much but I think he's good.
A true legend. Cheers.
Dr. Duin is a great teacher for Biochem 1 & 2! Definitely helps you learn the material. Has group projects for each unit and is easy to talk to about test scores/corrections/etc. tests are mostly open ended so you really need to know the study guide but they aren't too hard. Would definitely take again! Cheers!
Dr. Duin knows what he is talking about in his lectures, but as a student with no past experience in biochemistry this class has been nearly impossible to do well in. Tests in his class are pure memorization rather than understanding concepts, and because each test is on about 200 powerpoint slides, feeling prepared for a test is not attainable.
Lectures are long and he reads off of ppt. Just read it yourself. The tests are similar to the study guide and group projects. Graded on a points system and drops lowest exam. Group projects for participation. Great professor, accent can be hard to understand. Use AK lectures.
Duin's class wasn't terrible considering it's biochem. Grades consist of 4 tests, group projects, and there is no final. ONLY TAKE THIS CLASS IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO OLD EXAMS! 70% of each exam is pulled directly from previous exams. The tests are all open-ended, with less than 20 questions per test. He has graders so he allows points back if emailed
3 tests. Groupwork throughout graded for participation. Optional retake of an exam for the final. This was just a hard class with difficult material. But, lectures are boring and long. There's A LOT of info. The tests are 100% free response so u have to know you're stuff. U have to make an A on everything to get an A so it's nearly impossible.
Dr. Duin is a very nice professor but not good at explaining the material. Reads from the slides. Tests are hard because this is biochem but her grades very fairly. Grade consists of 3 tests and 6 group projects. No room for mistakes. Study guides are helpful
He will just read off the slides so the lectures are not as important. I think that he would have been a much better professor in person. The class is test heavy so not much room for errors. He is fair on his tests though.
Duin is the boy fr. Exams are hard but just study the study guide and old tests and you'll be fine. Super nice guy and he works with you. I had him for both Biochem 1 and 2 and I don't regret it.
Dr. Duin may be a nice guy, but he is not a good professor. He consistently took 7+ days to respond to emails, asks obscure and complex questions on exams, and explains things poorly. He essentially reads directly off of slides, but these slides sometimes contain incorrect information. He is a really caring professor, but avoid him if possible.
Dr. Duin is so kind; I loved him as a person. People complain that he just reads off slides, but that is not true; the slides just match what he says. The exams were awful; they are 200 pts and only 10 free response questions with a highly detailed rubric. If you can get old exams, you will be fine. This class was so stressful, but I liked Dr Duin.
Dr. Duin is nice but you will not learn anything from his in class lectures. Several group projects which are graded for credit and help you prepare for the exam. Some of his exam material is reused from old tests but he is not afraid of making all new questions. Memorize his slides from class you will do well. Test are 100% written.
Not a bad professor. Going to lectures did not help at all, I just studied the slides on my own time but be sure to do the group projects yourself because they are on the tests. He is the worst at answering emails, so if you need to talk with him go in person. Very accommodating though, study guides and old tests are a must.
This class is HARD. Study outside of class. AKLectures, Ninja Nerd, & online resources help. If you have access to older examinations, STUDY THEM. HOWEVER, Dr. Duin may make novel exams. It happened to us. Group Work material is on exams too. If you get behind, talk with Dr. Duin IN PERSON. There is no easy BIO 5810 at Auburn (I looked).
Duin is awesome! I had him for BCHE 1 and 2 and I made A's! He's intelligent and gives simple group works. His tests are difficult but he always has slides with all of the info and if you ask him, he will tell you what is on them. Most students in his classes are going to grad school so he cares! He can be hard to understand but you get used to it!
Dr. Duin is a great professor. While his class is challenging as opposed to other Biochemistry instructors, I promise you that you'll learn a lot and be prepared for grad school.
I really enjoyed his course. His exams make you actually think opposed to memorization which I found helpful as a pre-med. Everything on exams came from the lectures or in class activities. Take him if you want to learn biochem and not just memorize it.
Duin's class is a challenge, but doable with the right strategies. Utilize resources like AKLectures, Ninja Nerd, and Unstuck ai for study prep. Group projects are important, so don't slack on those. Overall, a tough but rewarding course.
Hes a chill guy
Was scared about this class bc he is very hard to understand. But, he gives ample opportunities to be successful. His slides are laid out well and he gives study guides for every exam that tell you exactly what to study. Does groupwork that equals the same amount of points as a test, so if you do them you get a free 100 points. Take him he's great!
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
13%
Textbook Required
17%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.74 avg changeRatings by Course
BCHE
5.0
(1)CHM1030
4.0
(1)BIOCHEM
4.0
(2)BCHESECT
4.0
(1)BCHE5190
4.0
(12)Difficulty by Course
CHEM1020
5.0
BCHE001
5.0
BIOCHEM5080
4.5
CHEM1
4.0
BCHESECT
4.0