I think he is okay. He needs to work on his social skills, he's not that great at communicating with the class on grading issues. Not sure if he plays favorite b/c he doesn't really tell us the average, and our class happens to be a much smaller class than his earlier classes. I think his class is possible, you can do well in the class.

Since he doesn't grade the exams, it is not possible that he is 'playing favorites'. He's a nice guy and I enjoy his lectures, but he could make it more clear exactly what you need to study prior to each quiz/exam. Still, the class IS doable. I am bitter about VCU changing the chem professor twice in two years though..

Le me clarify the statement I wrote below, I do not believe that Dr. Roesser favors any class when grading. However, I wanted to make clear that he does grade the exams...they each grade a section. Also, people should understand that the free response is not the same for each class. Dr. Roesser teaching isn't great, but it's not impossible.

Fantastic professor. Fair grader. Very helpful. Interesting and helpful lectures.

He isn't too bad. If you come to all his lectures, take good notes, go back and read and take some more detailed notes...you will just fine. He basically tells you what to expect on free response part during exams (worth approx. 50%). So its doable. Also he/his TAs grade fair. 86+ is an A (depending on the class average).

Whoever wrote the comment below is a loser..."cough"writer"cough". Dr. Roesser isn't the best teacher, however, he is fair and he does respond to emails. You all need to study and stop expecting for your grades to be handed out. I am at a A/B average right now, but that's because I studied my butt off. He's gotten his act together, and it's okay.

A is doable. I studied my butt off for that A. Go to class, read the textbook thoroughly take detailed notes and you will be fine. Free Resp. quest. come straight from his notes & textbook. (he also tells you what to expect on FR) MC can be a bit tricky, but if you know your stuff and have read the book you will be in good shape. Plus he curves!

Said 5% of grade would be clickers, never used them once. Few practice problems so very hard to prepare for exams. couldn't figure out how to use projector& apparently nobody could teach him how over the course of the semester. he is great in office hours and 1 on 1 teaching, but his lectures are ineffective & don't prepare you for the exam

Grades fairly. His lectures are a bit too simple compared to questions on the test. 50-50% MC and FR questions. Use lecture notes as a summary of what you need to know for the test. Reading the textbook is what got me an A. He curves & gave 10 free points.

This is my 2nd semester with him I had him for biochem 1. He's really improved his teaching style. Even though he came to class without a pen most of the time, his notes were well organized and he was willing to help students. He was great at emailing, willing to meet with students, and negotiable when it came to making up missed tests and quizzes.

A bit disorganized, but brilliant.

Okay, so I took Dr. Roesser several semesters ago and I did not think he was prepared at all the entire semester. Yesterday was the first day of spring classes & his focus is definitely there. I never thought he had a bad attitude. He seems more engaging & interested. We'll see how the remainder of the semester pans out. This is my 2nd class w/him.

I expected Biochem to be the hardest class of undergrad. It seems that someone has beaten Roesser down into ridiculously easy quizzes and exams. I keep spending 2-4 days studying for each, then finish a quiz in 2 minutes or an exam in 20. He's a smart guy: I wish he had the freedom to teach this class as a challenging one.

I was terrified to take Biochem because of the horror stories I'd been told. I ended up really liking the class. He expected you to really know your information, but he is not unreasonable. Just go to class and take great notes. Know them and the practice problems really well. I did that and made an A, and I'm not even a Chemistry major.

He is the best (and only) professor for Biochemistry at VCU. This is a pretty hard subject but Dr. Roesser made biochem seem like a piece of cake. Although stand-offish, he is very good at explaining concepts and takes time to review at the beginning of every class. I passed with a high A.

Attend lectures, take notes, and ACTUALLY pay attention to what he is saying. There are always a couple of questions on the exam that are from class discussion, but not necessarily written down. If he goes to the slides, write down the location in the book (ex: Fig. 9-23) and read up on what he talked about Got an A. Wasn't hard. Good lecturer

His tests are directly related to his notes, nothing from the book. He never goes off topic, and only tells you what you need to know. Don't bother asking questions that don't have anything to do with the subject. He is a little rude when you speak to him personally but very clear as a professor. Exams are half multiple choice & half free response.

He is extremely reasonable. You are given everything you need to know in lecture and should write down every thing he writes AND says. The material is not too difficult but you should spend quite a bit of time studying for exams and quizzes to do well. Roesser honestly is very good at teaching, he just seems a little scary when you ask questions

takes good note, record lecture and write down everything he said. exam are straightforward and easy. teacher is fine an nice. easy A class if you study ^_*

If you can't pull an A or B in this class and want to go to med school or something then you're in some trouble. Just go to class, take good notes and record his lectures. Moderately difficult class but nothing crazy. Tells you exactly what to know for the tests. He is way nicer then people say too. If you have a question just ask him after class

This class was very manageable and quite interesting. The grading is based on 4 exams and 4 quizzes, which all come straight from his notes so be sure you go to class to write everything down. In my opinion it is not necessary to buy the textbook or MasteringChemistry. I'm also not sure why I heard that he isn't friendly... He was very nice!

I got an A by one point. I had to study a lot in this class--it's a lot of information but he goes over all of it. It's a lot of facts. I was off to a rocky start and messed up royally on a quiz, but still got an A. You don't need the textbook. Class is curved at the end--an 86.3 was an A. Tests are not curved along semester. Go to SI!!

Course is 440 pts 4 100pt tests and 10 qzs Test and quiz material taken directly from notes. Tests are difficult. He's great at explaining things and does handwritten notes. Study your notes a lot. Don't ask stupid questions. Glad i took him.

Very strict professor, 4 exams and 4 quizzes. No homework, so don't even bother buying any of the SaplingLearning (wasted $70). I got a B simply by writing his notes down and memorizing them an hour before tests. Would probably be ideal to put more hours if you want an A, because tests are pretty hard. As others stated, class is curved, tests arent

I would highly recommend taking Professor Roesser for Biochemistry 1. 4 exams and 4 quizzes. Do not skip the class. Everything comes strait from notes. Class is curved.

Dr. Roesser's class definitely wasn't easy. However, if you go to class and take good notes, you should be fine to get a B. It is 100x better and more straightforward than Orgo! Just make sure to study!

Lectures are important because it where all the notes of the class comes from. Show up to every class for the lecture. Grades are 4 100pt exams, and 4 10pt quizzes, and there is some curve to the class, like about a few percentage points. Just go to class and pay attention and it will make the class a 100x easier.

As long as you go to class and pay attention you'll do fine. Recording the lectures are pretty helpful. Don't buy sapling or the textbook but make sure to go to SI sessions!!

Class grade is 4 100pt exams, and 4 10pt quizzes. The class has a slight curve to it, but show up to every lecture to make your life easier. His questions come directly from lecture, and the powerpoint slides are not that helpful. Go to lecture and pay attention.

James Roesser is not good professor - bad at explaining and sometimes he even confuse himself. 4 Exam 4 Quizzes (440 points total) Exam are hard, not well explained and his wording is bad, but Quizzes are doable. However, I recommend this class because of the curve he provides at the end > 84% was A and 77% was B and 60% was C.

I have no problems with Prof. Roesser except the location of the classroom was an issue with my learning. There were multiple faults within the classroom such as the loud buzzing of the A/C. The camera he used to show the notes was blurry. Prof. Roesser was difficult to hear at times due to him not using a microphone like some classes I have taken.

Roesser doesn't like when you interrupt him and will give very blunt answers to questions but I thought it was pretty funny. Your grade is based only on 4 exams and 4 quizzes so you really have to study. He gives you an outline of the exams the class before which is helpful. He also uploads lectures from when he taught the class online.

I agree with the previous comment. He is a great professor, very clear on what he wants you to know and teaches WELL. He writes down notes and you copy them and that is everything that will show up on the exams. No need to read the text so that is a plus! That also means you HAVE to attend class. He is not fun and not very approachable but idc

I had Roesser for Biochem I and II. He is tough; I will be honest about that. But, the material I learned in Biochem II helped me so much on MCAT and now, being in medical school, I am so glad I took Biochem II. Yes, the class is graded only tests and quizzes, but the information he teaches is very important (i.e. the details of metabolic pathways)

He is an amazing professor, the lecture videos he posts are the best. The videos are so easy to follow, he makes the information easy to understand. Only graded on 4 quizzes and 4 exams. They're super easy though, they're extremely similar to the practice exams. He tests on memorization. He does curve!! My D went to a B because of his curve.

Exams are hard but go off of lecture and practice exams. Only grades are exams and quizzes. Make sure you go to lecture and watch videos. People say he is mean but I find it funny.

Great professor, but graded on 4 tests, 4 quizzes. Can seem unapproachable during lecture, but he is welcoming and explains what you need help with 1 on 1. He is honestly really nice, just talk to him during office hours or quickly at the end of class. If your test is potentially graded wrong or too harshly, you can talk to him to get points back.

Roesser can come across as blunt, but his lectures are clear and helpful. The grading is challenging, but using Unstuck study and the practice exams made studying more efficient. Worth going to office hours.