2.5
Quality3.9
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake87
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
87
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
9
4
19
3
15
2
19
1
25
What Students Say
“He says he isn't tricky, but he is”
CHEM352 - 5.0 rating“talks as if course is tougher than it turns out to be”
CHEM131 - 3.0 ratingClass Info
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.37 avg changeRatings by Course
CHEM352
5.0
(1)131L
5.0
(1)CHEM131132
5.0
(1)CHEM131L
4.1
(10)CHEM1311
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
CHEM352
5.0
CHEMLAB1
5.0
CHEM1311
5.0
CHEM
5.0
CHEM120
4.2
Reviews (87)
He says he isn't tricky, but he is.
No Comments
No Comments
talks as if course is tougher than it turns out to be
grades labs tough, don't be late for his class! overall, not too bad
JJ's a hottie but don't let that fool you! Follow instructions, and it'll be ok
Coolest guy ever...if you have to wake up at 8 for a chem lab, pick this dude
Loves chemical equations and math ... very tricky.
Gotta love JJ... if he likes you, lab will be tons of fun
No Comments
Gotta love this man!! If you make yourself known he will help you in every way possible. He tells you everything that he wants on a lab report and shows you everything step by step. What more can you ask for? He does grade hard.
JJ is such a cute little man. Like to joke around. If you let him get to know you better lab will be fun an easy. As long as you put in some effort you'll get at least a B
Great Lab! JJ is a tiny little man who makes you laugh and he's so helpful. He tells you exactly what you need to do for the reports. He loves talking with students during labs, be friendly and he'll love you. Pretty easy grader, just watch those sig figs
Great teacher, make friends with him and you'll be good to go.
tests are tricky, he picks favorites and makes up grades at the end of semester, dont take him
He is a very boring teacher, his tests are really hard, teaches very little in his lectures. You will have to teach yourself!
you only take 2 tests all semester in the accelerated course and that's all you are graded on. All you do in class is problems on the board. He likes to tell stories and overall it's a pretty easy class
Worst class ever...imagine the dad from american pie trying to teach chemistry.
He does his own thing. Studying doesn't even help much because his tests are impossible and aren't like the problems in the book.
tests are impossible... I got some good laughs during his class just because he is the most odd man ever created. pick another teacher
Nice guy, but definitly not a good teacher. Tests are literally impossible. He tells you to study with someone in the class that is doing well however the majority of the class is failing... so that's a bit difficult!!!
I just want to shoot this man every time I have to hear his voice. He is incredibly unclear and he puts material on his tests that is not in the book or notes. Class is very boring and worthless. If you take this class, I would read the chapters in the book and take your own notes!! DONT TAKE HIM
I don't know how someone so smart can be such an idiot! He is so unclear, flies through info, looks at you like you're stupid when asking questions and then gives a smart-alec answer. Class average is a failing grade...he is horrible. He is high and mighty on his chemistry pedastal-thats for sure
He cannot teach for the life of him. Amd his tests are impossible to pass, although he did take the last test from the review in the text book. My advice, avoid at all costs!!
are you kidding me? how is he a teacher? i dropped this course when i was failing and i had an A in chemistry during high school. 56 average on tests, everyone failed. his lectures made absolutely no sense. didnt even answer questions students had. he was horrible! DO NOT TAKE HIM!!!!
Be prepared to teach yourself from the book. I never understood what was going on in class, and he acts like a real smart ass when people ask him questions. Test averages are always low.
Horrible Teacher!!! Don't even bother asking questions, you're reply will be "This is only Chem 120 you don't need to worry about that", okay thanks for the help~jerk. If we don't need to worry about anything why is everyone failing?
the past comments say it all. JJ is very unhelpful and lectures are ridiculously difficult to grasp. He doesn't seem to want to help the students learn so we don't, thus explaining the failing test averages.
We just got our 4th test back today and the class avg. was a 47- this is sooooo bad its almost comical. DO NOT TAKE HIM YOU WILL FAIL.He makes the tests much harder than they need to be. I would only take this class if you are trully a genius or if you would like to spend MANY extra hrs. studying.
nice guy, class is boring, no attendance policy, u wont really learn nethin in class, it's pretty much individual work. theres 4 tests, a couple quizzes. just go to class on quiz n test days coz its pointless to go to class. just kno how to do problems n ull do fine. tests r kinda hard though...
BASICALLY... WORST AND MOST FRUSTRATING CLASS I HAVE EVER TAKEN...PLEASE DONT TAKE
You won't learn much going to class and learning from the book doesn't even seem to help much on his tests because they are impossible-until you take the final, which is much easier. He's a bad teacher, but in the end, he curves a lot! (failed all my tests but got a C+ in the class)
Leary will help you if you go out of your way to go to his office hours. the tests are hard but the final is much easier. dont quit if you are failing. he curves alot! i had a 55 average going into the final and i got a C+, stick with it even though its hard. and pay attention and do good on quizes
He's not that bad. he****the main points in class but you have to read the text and teach yourself the rest. he's very fair on curving! if you have to take chem...take leary.
This was the worst class ever in history. Tests are hard as anything, you never know what to study. He does curve at the end of the semester though, but you will be worrying about your grade all semester long. Dont take if all possible.
Looks like the dad off of America Pie! As long as you READ, attend EVERY lecture, and go to his office if you have a question, you will do fine! Just be prepared to work a lot. He offers his time for study sessions before the tests. And he curves. But what ever you do, GET A STUDY GROUP!!! It helps!
Ok, here's the basic issue. So the tests are impossible.....yes. But, even though the class average is a 44, he acts like it's no big deal. Don't worry though, he puts a massive curve on at the end. My test average on the 4 tests we had was a 72, final grade A. Talk about a curve.
If you are thinking about taking the accelerated 131/132 class, definitely do! JJ is an awesome professor and loves what he does. He could be perhaps the most knowledgeable person I have ever met. Just go to class on time, everytime, and you will do well in this class. Great head start if you are a chem major.
I do believe that "JJ" himself wrote that last comment. He is by far the most unclear and unhelpful professor I have come by. NO ONE understands his class and EVERYONE is getting horrible grades. Do not take this class, it's just not worth it.
He sucks at teaching. He doesn't explain things well and if you ask him a question, he makes you feel stupid.
absolutely terrible!! not an easy class and doesn't explain things very well.
He thinks his jokes are so funny and they are not. When you have a question, he looks at you and repsonds in a way that makes you feel like the dumbest person alive. Avoid him!
always refers to himself in third person 'JJ' tries to be funny. smart guy, but doesnt have good teaching skills. you basically have to teach yourself. last test is the easiest. no homework. but you DEF have to study to understand anytthhhiinnng
I hear there's a good curve, and I hope so because this is a pretty hard class. You do have to teach it to yourself, but I find myself not doing any work until he gives the previous year's tests as practice... Not a good way to go about it I guess, but at this point it's the best way to learn. Large class, one on one would maybe help. Who knows.
if you are good at chem or can teach yourself you will be fine if not well good luck. you could probably get a C without getting help other then that have fun!
Attendance isn't required, but it definately helps to attend class. I'm not good at chemistry, but if you study, go to class (and pay REALLY good attention), and go to the study sessions the nights before tests, you should AT LEAST pass
No, he's extremely unhelpful and cannot teach. Yes, he does give a HUGE curve at the end of the semester but if you would like to suffer through a semester of jumping through his obstacles, studying hours on end for tests that you will fail, and stressing out, its your choice..i know i made the wrong one.
Hard class, I failed almost every test but came out w. a B thanks to the big curve at the end. I freaked out all semester for nothing. Annoying/horrible/boring teacher. Just dont bother going to class. Teach yourself
No Comments
Knows his stuff. Willing to help if you need it. Class can be a bit boring sometimes but overall not a bad teacher. Get on his good side, do the work, and you'll be fine.
I've heard a lot of bad things about him...I suppose they are true. I remembered my CHEM really well from H.S. and my H.S. teacher was like 10 million times better than him at teaching. He's smart--very, but his teaching abilities are sub par.
Really nice guy. I just don't like the way he teaches. He's really abstract and you're not sure what you really need to know until you get the practice test. Even then, it's confusing. I will live though. Wonderful curve at the end!
this class was out of control. i went to class every day and managed to fail basically every test. he talks really softly and is really boring. i definitely would not recommend him.
Unless you have to take this for your major or have an amazing background in chem and can teach yourself from a book, DONT TAKE THIS CLASS! He's a nice guy and is willing to help. But almost everyone fails the tests. Sit in the front, go to the review sessions, and there is a big curve at the end, a lot of people at least get a C with the curve.
really nice guy, but the class is horrible. this was my second time taking chem120 and i would much rather go back to my first professor. Does not explain things in simple terms at all. do the problems and know what you are doing, if you start to struggle in the beginning GET HELP! does not explain things well!!
Prof. Leary wasn't all that clear or helpful during lecture time but his review sessions before the test were all you needed to pass. He gave last years exam for every tst and quiz and I passed so it can be done.
i am writing this after i finished the semester. i got in the 80s on the first two tests, 50 something on the second one, and a 70 something on the third. i walked with an A. yea, he's a little confusing during class, but when the final rolls around you will realize that you learned something! not bad...but then again i like chemistry.
Honestly not a bad class. I got high 70s on 3 tests and an 85 on the 4th test. I got an A in the class. didn't give us back the final, but like the person before said while taking the final you really know that you actually learned a lot by taking his class. GO TO REVIEW SESSIONS. VERY VERY HELPFUL! DO NOT MISS CLASS.
Inconsiderate.
Everyone seemed to hate him but I love this guy. His lectures are dull and his tests are hard but he is so amusingly sarcastic that I didn't care. Not great to take if you don't have a nack for chemistry though because he doesn't make things very clear for the average thinker. I understand him, but I'm a nerd. Rely on the homework problems!
Awful teacher, and such an ass. He is not helpful at all, and can not expain things well. Tests are rediculous, and he expects you to just know everything we are talking about, so he doesn't have to teach it. I used google to learn what was on the tests because he is worthless. God forbid you ask a question in that class, he'll bite your head off!
Terrible class. Lectures are impossible to understand. Not helpful and very inconsiderate. Used tutoring center and google to get through. Curving is good, but he uses a weird method. Don't bother asking questions...he's rude and expects you should already know what to do. Aren't allowed to ask questions week of test. Tests are extremely hard!
I LOVE HIM!! He is soo sarcastic and funny. Lab Reports are super simple and doesn't stress about the small things. Def get this guy for lab he is great!!!
I just took the final today at 8:00 AM. I spent hours the past couple of nights preparing, and I somehow felt confident in almost every answer I gave today.I got 89, 85, 63, 50 on his tests. The two low test grades were a result of low class attendance. I recommend going to class when you can, but I had to tech many things to myself. Good luck!
All in all boring lectures, he expects you to know everything already and is not very helpful. Posts last years test/quizes, go over them, they really help. Go to review sessions. No sense in reading text or doing practice problems, they are pointless and a waste of time. Not a horrible professor but not anywhere near great. Can be funny.
Chemistry is just a sucky class to begin with. Compared to the other chem 120 teachers, this guy is a Saint! Go to review sessions, do practice quizzes and tests, and you'll do great (at least with his huge curve)!
This was my 3rd time taking chem 132, and Dr. Leary was the best I had. I took him in the summer and enjoyed it. He is pretty sarcastic, but I liked it. The class is tough, but he was very helpful in and outside of the classroom. I'm not the best at chem, and there's no easy way around it, but if you study it will pay off.
i took this class summer '08...the class is hard no matter who u take it wit...i failed all his tests but wit his huge curve i passed wit a C+!!! still go 2 his practice sessions n 2 class b/c it does help a lot!!! work hard n u'll benefit (n u do need the book!!)
very hard class! he's pretty boring but does know what he's talking about. make sure you do the practice quizzes he posts and go to the review sessions. He gives a really big curve. Tests are all multiple choice..make sure u enter your student ID correctly or he takes of points!
This man is impossible. When I am confused in class and ask those around me what is going on- nobody ever knows either. He has an awesome TA though. I go to the TA review sessions and it is all clarified! He is nice but so hard to understand. He makes everthing more complicated than it needs to be.
Super hard teacher, impossible tests, not clear at all. He has an awesome TA, she helps so much.. go to her review sessions. Pulled all nighters for the past 2 tests... got a 56 & a 45..... apparently he curves a lot though
Dr. Leary is not great at explaining things, but having the TA helps SO MUCH. go to every review session and you'll be fine. From what i hear, compared to the other teachers, he is the best one. for sure take him if you need chem120
Get some outside help, go to the math center for help, form a study group, go to his office hours because his lectures do not help much with the tests. Hard class but passable, he curves really well. I did poorly on every test but got a B over all.
worst teacher I have ever had at JMU. Without the TA definatly would have failed. Also, thank god he has a huge curve
good curve however you leave the class knowing just as much as you walked in knowing. Without an SI i would have been lost. Even if you study and do review sheets chances are you will still do bad
Hardest class I have ever taken in my entire life... only took it cuz it's required for my major. Teaches to show off how smart he is, not to make sure we understand. I pulled all-nighters twice & even cheated on one test, I got 40s & 50s. Ended up w/ a C- tho so awesome curve.
JJ is a horrible teacher, gets frustrated when people ask questions, doesn't know how to explain concepts in more than one way. Luckily i had an amazing TA who held study sessions that really helped. An A is not impossible, i got a B, two Cs and a D on his tests and ended up with an A - His huge curve is probably the one good thing about him.
I dont even know where to begin. Thank god I had a good TA. JJ cant teach at all. Hes too smart for his own good. I barely went to class, but went to every study session with my TA and passed with a B. Its a hard class but a good grade isnt impossible..plus he curves the tests ridiculously! :)
"JJ"Leary is probably the HARDEST professor i've had so far.you basically have to teach yourself the material because the man has no idea how to teach.He is very smart-but definitely cannot explain even the basic concepts of chem.all i can say is if you get stuck with him GOOD LUCK-pray you have a good TA because the TA is your only hope.
I know a lot of people didn't like him, but I'm not sure why. Jj is entertaining, and while his standards are higher, he tell you EXACTLY what he expects of you. I had him for lab, and he'd help with almost anything you needed. I enjoyed being in his class even though I hated lecture and I'm not a fan of chemistry.
This guy really has no idea how to teach college students Chemistry. He needs to be teaching a higher level than 120. If you have him I recommend you switch to a new professor as soon as possible.
He is probably the most entertaining teacher i have seen in class. He is extremely comical when he is one on one. He is very boring when he is teaching lab though. He tells you what he is expecting. He curves all of his tests. And he doesn't give any one below a b in the lab course. If you put forth a little effort, you can easily get a b.
At first I thought he was annoying but he is actually a goofy guy. He says "experiment" really weird and its annoying. He majorly curves his test and its impossible not to get at least a C. He is very helpful. I especially loved his attire he wore to class. Take him for lab!
Absolutely impossible.
You MUST go to his class and read and annotate the book. Really learn how to apply what he teaches in class and what he says to cover in the book. You really have to work for the grade in this class.
Horrible professor. I went to his office hours for help and he laughed at me. Was absolutely no help. The only good part of the class was the curve. I worked so hard in this class and earned a C. Don't take him!
Jj! My friends. Prof Leary was an awesome person. I loved coming to his class as much as I hated chemistry. He is an open, approachable guy who will help you if you ask. He isn't easy. I got a c and worked my ass off, though chem is my worst subject. I wouldn't have preferred another L teacher, just wish I would have done better..
Class Info
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.37 avg changeRatings by Course
CHEM352
5.0
(1)131L
5.0
(1)CHEM131132
5.0
(1)CHEM131L
4.1
(10)CHEM1311
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
CHEM352
5.0
CHEMLAB1
5.0
CHEM1311
5.0
CHEM
5.0
CHEM120
4.2