3.0

John Sheridan

Chemistry - Rutgers - State University of New Jersey

3.0
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
15%
Would Retake
91
Reviews
3.0
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
2.9
Helpful
3.1
Clarity

15%

Would Retake

91

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

22

4

19

3

19

2

5

1

26

What Students Say

Your best bet of passing Chem 2 is in NJIT or some other school, with transfer credits

CHEM116 - 1.0 rating

This was the worst chem class ever

CHEM116 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

50%

Textbook Required

56%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

83% confidence
Based on 11 grades
Most common grades:
A (3)
B+ (3)
B (2)
Grade Distribution
A(3)B(3)C(0)D(0)F(1)A-/B+(4)
Based on 12 reported grades
A: 3
B+: 3
B: 2
A-: 1
Common Tags
Test heavy (4)
Tough Grader (2)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (2)
Lecture heavy (2)
Tough grader (2)
Get ready to read (1)
Caring (1)
Lots of homework (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.65 avg change
Jun
Nov
Apr
May
Jul
Aug
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CHEM2

5.0

(1)

GENCHEM1012

5.0

(1)

CHEM413

5.0

(2)

CHEMLEC

5.0

(1)

CHEM102

4.1

(7)
+23 more courses
Difficulty by Course

GENCHEM2

5.0

CHEM1

4.7

GENCHEM12

4.7

CHEM160

4.7

CHEM114

4.2

Reviews (91)
3.0
5.0
CHEM115
Dec 30, 2002

hard as hell course, teaches right from book which sucks, but is hot w/an accent

4.0
2.0
CHEM115
Jan 13, 2003

he was my TA... was very helpful

3.0
5.0
CHEM448
Feb 6, 2003

very helpful if you approach him

4.0
5.0
CHEM116
Mar 8, 2003

No Comments

3.0
3.0
CHEMREC115
Mar 10, 2003

too busy and important to help his students

4.0
3.0
CHEM115
Mar 11, 2003

No Comments

1.0
3.0
CHEM
Apr 5, 2003

No Comments

5.0
1.0
CHEM116
Jun 5, 2003

very sexy accent

3.0
3.0
CHEM115
Jun 21, 2003

Hes an OK professor. Tries to be funny but is far from it. His lecture was militantly boring but then again chemistry sucks anyway. Really there is nothing he could do to make the class better. not a bad teacher

4.0
3.0
CHEM448
Jul 9, 2003

He really is a nice professor easy to approach to if you have to talk to him....doesn't mind taking the time out for students even though he might be easy...and is funny at times

5.0
3.0
CHEMISTRY
Jul 31, 2003

He is so so sexy. I still fantasize. WOWOWOWOW

3.0
3.0
CHEMI
Sep 10, 2003

He's an OK professor. Not as great as people think he is. His lecture is boring as hell and I often slept through it. He is helpful if approached and a nice guy. I had him for recitation so he was cool. But like i said, his lecture is a travesty.

4.0
3.0
GENCHEMII
Sep 15, 2003

reads a lot from the book...gives math examples same from book-so its not much help b/c book tells u how to do the prob too. exams not too bad

4.0
4.0
CHEM101
Oct 30, 2003

weird dude

5.0
2.0
GENCHEM
Nov 11, 2003

He is a good teacher, but no curve! Easy HW that is online (you can keep trying until you get it right).

4.0
2.0
CHEM115
Nov 19, 2003

the course isn't that bad as long as you pay attention in class. he could be helpful at times. the hw is easy. the exams are not so study hard. nice accent.

3.0
3.0
CHEM115
Nov 21, 2003

No Comments

3.0
4.0
CHEM1
Dec 2, 2003

No Comments

5.0
2.0
GENCHEM
Dec 23, 2003

Good teacher. very helpful, will answer questions and makes himself available to students for extra help. clear notes and test are mostly straight forward, however some questions require some serious thinking

5.0
3.0
CHEM2
Feb 2, 2004

He is a pretty cool and good teacher but his classes are a bit boring. At times, he tries to be funny with his british accent and he always relates everything to all forms of alcohol.

1.0
5.0
CHEM
Feb 22, 2004

No Comments

2.0
5.0
CHEM1
Mar 17, 2004

worst iv ever had all u do in class is stare at the screen, his tests r impossible where does he come up with the questions??? i droped his course

1.0
5.0
GENCHEM2
Apr 5, 2004

He is the worst professor I ever had. He's mean to students most of the time. His tests are tricky and hard. No curve. He sucks.

5.0
3.0
CHEM114
Apr 14, 2004

Good professor

4.0
4.0
CHEM114
Apr 29, 2004

He's a good teacher, the subject is just hard. Also, he's a nice guy.

3.0
4.0
CHEM115
May 1, 2004

If he actually taught the class maybe I would have been interested. His powerpoint slides put you to sleep! When he does stuff on the board then you learn!

1.0
5.0
CHEM116
May 13, 2004

No Comments

4.0
3.0
CHEM102
May 14, 2004

I had him for 101 and got an A. You'll do badly if you don't study. I don't understand how people think he's impossible. Go to class!!! He's beautiful, smart, and funny. And he's british. good teacher.

5.0
3.0
CHEMI
Jun 24, 2004

He is a great professor, is always readily available for students. He is by far the best distraction and I absolutely LOVE the accent.

5.0
2.0
CHEM
Jul 7, 2004

Thank god for teachers like him... i sorta kinda enjoyed my chem class... and my 'earned' grade

1.0
5.0
CHEMISTRY
Jul 9, 2004

He is really mean and likes to fail kids!

4.0
2.0
CHEM116
Jul 19, 2004

Good professor, though his style of teaching is with powerpoint and some might not like it, his exams can sometimes throw you off, very intricate on them, but overall if you study and do your homework, you should do fine

1.0
3.0
CHEM116
Sep 1, 2004

I learned more at NJIT. Do not take Sheridan's class. He is never available and tries to talk you into continuing mid year if you're borderline failing, then fails you. I took American Chem Society exam at NJIT and got an A. I got a D with Sheridan.

3.0
4.0
115
Grade: A
Oct 13, 2004

HARD EXAMS..VERY TRICKY. Teaches well but sometimes very discouraging. Mostly helps good students, and talks to students based on their grades. very discouraging. don't go to him for advice or else you're end up changing your major.

1.0
4.0
CHEM101
Nov 3, 2004

the book was a better professor. i learned everything from it and nothing from him. his lecture is a complete waste. read the book and do the problems yourself and you will pass

3.0
5.0
GENCHEM12
Nov 18, 2004

Only powerpoint for lecture, exams are difficult. Makes class hard, but really knows his stuff.

1.0
5.0
GENCHEM12
Dec 14, 2004

Competely discouraging and because of HIM I did change my major. I realized that dealing with people like was not something I wanted to deal with in the next couple of years. Yah, he knows what he is talking about, but can't transmit that knowledge to students.

5.0
3.0
GENCHEM1012
Dec 14, 2004

he teaches a difficult chemistry class the way it should be taught, he has tough exams and makes you earn your grade, his job is to weed out students who shouldn't be taking chem, not baby them

4.0
4.0
CHEMRECITATION
Jan 21, 2005

He explain clear and he is helpful. But He got really tough exams. And he is a strict grader..Even though you know the stuff, you may lose half of your points just for calculation.

4.0
4.0
CHEMISTRY
Mar 7, 2005

His exams are tough, you gotta know the material really well. The most difficult problems in the text are what's gonna be on the exam. Know the hard stuff and you'll be good. He is very helpful, but some of the TA's suck and have really deep accents.

4.0
4.0
CHAMISTRY
Apr 17, 2005

expects a lot, which is good..the way chemistry should be tought. BUT takes pride in his hard exams and questions that are designed to screw you over

5.0
4.0
CHEM116
Jun 13, 2005

A year ago I wrote something not so kind about Sheridan, and like a blockhead I had no idea how incredible of a professor he was (and still is). The man is pure genius. Take your time and study his diagrams- they are a wealth of knowledge for those with their heads not stuck up their asses. -signed, a perennial nitwit

2.0
5.0
GENCHEM
Grade: A-
Aug 4, 2005

No Comments

4.0
4.0
CHEM102
Grade: B-
Aug 29, 2005

No Comments

5.0
3.0
CHEM413
Oct 19, 2005

Awesome teacher, easy to understand, knows his chemistry

3.0
3.0
116
Nov 7, 2005

all i can really say is avoid him if you are someone who is not a genius!..i am not saying he is a bad professor, he is just tough!

5.0
2.0
CHEM115
Apr 14, 2006

Dr. Sheridan is one of the better chemistry professor's ,makes chemistry alot easier and he is easy on the eye's

1.0
5.0
CHEM115
Aug 9, 2006

talks from pwrpt. slides all period about stuff that is irrelevant to exam questions. gives you no direction at all for what's going to be on exams. all he gives you are practice exams from previous years that are 10 times easier. says he's not there to screw you over but he definately is. any nice messages on here were probably written by him.

3.0
3.0
CHEM113
Aug 21, 2006

He takes his job very seriously n know his stuff. Tests r hard n u really have 2 work hard for ur grade but if u wanna feel like u learned something than u should take him. Study from day one cause once u fall behind there is no way of catchin back up.

2.0
5.0
CHEM114
May 21, 2007

he's probably one of the worst chem professors at rutgers. all that he does is showing pwpt. slides. It seems like he's trying to be a good professor and to explain things clearly, but his teaching methods just don't work.

5.0
5.0
CHEM413
Feb 22, 2008

He is a great professor.His class definitely needs serious attention. you definitely have to "understand" the material otherwise there is no way you can even understand the questions in exam.I am lucky to have taken Inorganic with Dr. Sheridan.He has a full command over the material..Very reasonable and honest professor. I just loved his class.

4.0
4.0
CHEM116
Mar 28, 2008

prof sheridan is an excellent chem prof! chem is hard, no matter what, just go to lecture OR read the book closely. he barely uses powerpoint and he outlines the notes. what more could you want?! he's a funny guy and he's pretty hot too... need i say more? just do the homework from day 1 and dont ignore chemskill!!

5.0
4.0
CHEM102
May 8, 2008

Great Professor! Go to lecture and DO THE HOMEWORK!! His exams can be tricky tho. If you take out the time to study, you'll learn a lot. He's a funny guy too. He keeps class interesting. He really knows what he is talking about. You gotta work hard in his class, but if you're really interested in the stuff, you'll be fine.

4.0
5.0
CHEM114
May 20, 2008

Dr. Sheridan is a good prof. He tries his best to be funny,but doesn't work...his british accent is cool tho... His exams can be tricky!Attend ALL lectures, do ALL the hw probs (understand them)and don't ignore chemskill! He writes notes on the board...write everything down and study these for the exam and you should get an A!!

1.0
5.0
CHEM116
May 23, 2008

WORST CHEM PROF EVER.

5.0
5.0
CHEM116
Oct 11, 2008

Dr. Sheridan is amazing. He challenges you and makes the course so worthwhile. You want to master general chemistry, take him, if you want to sleep all weekend and study last minute then he's not for you. Teaching style is concise and clear. Exam questions are brain exercises, and not for those who are out of shape. Oh yeah, he's also beautiful.

1.0
5.0
CHEM1
Oct 29, 2008

The guy is totally useless. He disrespectfully looks at the clock every five minutes and makes a million mistakes while teaching. He then wonders why everyone is failing his exams. I hope karma takes a toll on him and ruins his life like he ruined mine.

1.0
5.0
CHEM116
Dec 26, 2008

he is the worst chem prof ever....

1.0
5.0
CHEM115
Jan 10, 2009

worst

4.0
2.0
CHEM116
Feb 28, 2009

Dr. sheridan is a good professor. He teacher pretty well, considering that he is the head of the chemistry department. His first exam is somewhat similar to his practice exam. There can be stuff in questions which you might not need, so be aware. I did pretty good on his first exam (A). So juss go to class and u should do good.. and do the pracexam

3.0
4.0
CHEM102
Apr 5, 2009

In class he seems to be very clear about the material. But his tests are a lot harder. So, my suggestion is study as you go through the course never cram. Instead do practice exams and problems before the exam.

5.0
4.0
CHEM116
Apr 13, 2009

i took chem in a community college and i didnt learn anything at all and used to hate chem...so i took it again with Sheridan and NOW I am a minor in Chem thanks to him...he is really good. Dont hesitate to take him as chem prof..you just need to read the book do chemskills and practice problem and you get an easy A...

5.0
3.0
CHEM102
May 13, 2009

PREPARE to write A LOT of notes. If you pay attention it's easy to understand the material. His exams are tough but he only requires an 84% to get an A, 70% for a B, and 50% for a C. He is a good professor but not great. I wouldn't mind it at all if I had to take him again.

5.0
2.0
CHEM102
May 24, 2009

one of the best chem prof. in rutgers. i do not regret taking his class because i learned so much. he knows what he is doing and an A is possible if you work at it. read book, take good notes, pay attention!, do his assigned hw and you will be good. try to get raynor as your chem recitation teacher. anything you dont understand she'll make clear!!

3.0
4.0
CHEM102
Jun 3, 2009

he is a fine prof. i got an A n if i can you all can!!!! do HW n study for weekly quizzes that really helps and remember to go over small details in his notes it might be worth 5 pts on an exam!!!!

5.0
2.0
CHEMLEC
Jun 9, 2009

Good guy, very patient. Make sure to study, the test are fairly easy and make sure to come in time to hear the whole recitation if you don't want to waste your time studying before. an A is feasible!!!!

5.0
3.0
CHEM116
Aug 4, 2009

I liked him and he was a good professor to me.

1.0
5.0
GENCHEM
Aug 21, 2009

Talks all period about stuff that is irrelevant to the exam questions. gives you no direction at all for what's going to be on the exams. all he gives you are practice exams from previous years that are 10 times easier. He says he's not there to screw you over but he definitely is. any nice messages on here were probably written by him.

1.0
5.0
CHEM160
Aug 26, 2009

He likes to snarl up things for no reason. He is very discouraging and will turn his back when his students need him the most. My advice is, don't waste your time and tuition on professors who complicate matters, and could care less about your grade. His exams are very complex. Don't bother yourself with him, he has low ratings for a reason.

3.0
4.0
CHEM160
Dec 30, 2009

He's a good lecturer and makes class not boring and interesting. The only downside about this class is that his exams are very hard. You really have to study from day 1. An A is nearly impossible, but a B and C are definitely achievable. You'll learn alot in this class. The textbook is key!

1.0
5.0
CHEM160
Dec 31, 2009

I am not gonna lie, this guy sucks. He's reputation is the worst in the chem department. If you want a good knowledgable chemistry professor-- go to Huskey, Chaffee, or Lalancette.

3.0
4.0
CHEM115
Jan 1, 2010

The quizes are hard, the tests are harder. Had him for chem115 as a lecturer. His powerpoints aren't bad, and he knows his stuff. If you ask him a question, he'll give you a reasonable response. To do well on the tests, you have to read the book...and memorize it. He puts up his powerpoints and audio online which is nice.

1.0
5.0
CHEM115
Jan 1, 2010

Horrible professor, as others have said. Take chaffee if you want a decent professor. This guy doesn't teach, and let's you down when you need him the most. Anyone, and I mean ANYONE who calls him "good" or "helpful" probably learned chem elsewhere and are lying about this professor.He reads from a powerpoint and often doesn't make his ownquestions

2.0
4.0
CHEM115
Jan 13, 2010

this guy screws you over as much as possible and doesnt care about his students..DO NOT take him at all..complete waste

4.0
4.0
CHEM115
Jan 27, 2010

I think he is an okay teacher, but seriously this guy reads off powerpoints and thats it. What really annoyed me was that he copied the powerpoints from an another university and made it his own without giving credit. i found all the powerpoint sliders up to chapter 16 even before he showed his "own" to the class.

3.0
4.0
INORG313
Jan 8, 2012

he's amazing professor. If you didn't study and put your time into subject, don't complain. Want to go med school and pharmacy school but want easy A in gen Chem and Orgo? start studying or get over your dreams. He's knowldegable and willing to help with reasonable answer. He does like to show off his knowledge about chemistry but who doesn't ?

5.0
2.0
CHEM115
Jul 11, 2013

Great Recitation teacher. Knows what he's talking about. Overall Good. Read.

3.0
3.0
CHEM313
Grade: B
Jan 1, 2016

He's an alright professor. He teaches some material better than others. Makes some funny jokes at times. A little full of himself but his British accent makes him seem so nice lol. Overall, not amazing but would take him again. Fair grader. His midterm was super hard, quizzes were okay and final was also okay. Do the homework problems!

1.0
4.0
CHEM114
May 5, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Doesn't care about student experience or learning. Reads the slides, cracks weak British jokes, and gives difficult exams that don't resemble practice, recitation, or homework problems. I learned far more online than I did in his lecture. Legend tells us that at eons ago, he worked problems on the board and cared about the students. No longer.

Tough Grader
1.0
5.0
CHEM116
Grade: F
May 13, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Do not ever take him!!!! Your best bet of passing Chem 2 is in NJIT or some other school, with transfer credits. This guy can barely teach and the class averages are extremely low, with literally no curve. I actually had to study by myself, and take my own notes because he was such bad prof, save your GPA and don't take chem at Rutgers newark.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
2.0
5.0
CHEM116
Jun 4, 2017
Wouldn't take again

This was the worst chem class ever. Read off power points and was never available for office hours. Only spoke about concepts and never did any math that was 90% of all exams. Changed grading system and didn't tell students and then changed Final format, notified us 20 mins before exam. Students left in the dark! Couldn't calculate grade at all.

GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
5.0
CHEM116
Nov 20, 2017
Wouldn't take again

DO NOT TAKE HIM! I repeat DO NOT TAKE HIM EVER! Firstly he is rude and blunt. Secondly, he does not teach. The worst thing happened to me in his class. I took one of his mid terms and never received my grade back and when I go to his office looking for my exam, he says that they might have lost it and I had to re take the exam at the end of the sem

1.0
4.0
GENCHEM12
Grade: B+
Apr 7, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Although we are going through a pandemic, it doesn't justify his inability to provide the recorded lectures in a timely manner. He will always upload lectures days after when he said he would. Before exam 2, he said we wouldn't have time to search through our notes, work thru problems, & upload pictures of our work to blackboard. Avoid him!!!

1.0
3.0
GENCHEM116
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 28, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Just avoid if possible, please. He has no care for students whatsoever or for teaching and it really shows. Always posts things late such as assignments and notes. He uses all the exams and notes from the other professor and his lectures are so boring. Never replied to my email when I had difficulties with the online exam even tho I sent proof.

1.0
4.0
GENCHEM116
Grade: A
Apr 30, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Doesn't provide lecture videos on time. Doesn't respond to emails. Added attendance to the grade without telling anyone. Promised makeup exams, but now refuses. Uses other professor's lecture slides. Gives us homework right before the exam date. Exams are extremely difficult bc there's barely any time to solve problems. Avoid him!!!

1.0
1.0
CHEM116
Grade: B+
May 15, 2020
Wouldn't take again

IF COVID-19 HAD A FACE, IT WOULD BE PROFESSOR SHERIDAN, SOCIAL DISTANCE FROM HIM FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!!

Test heavy
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
3.0
5.0
CHEM115
Grade: B
May 16, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Sheridan literally reads off the slides , but he gives his students opportunities to get a good grade in the class! Yes his teaching skill arent the greatest but , he honestly tries ! He gives assignments called outcomes and they are literally easy As just try! And go to OFFICE HOURS !! He explains better in his office hours! Exam are hard !

Test heavy
Caring
Tough grader
4.0
3.0
CHEM115
Grade: B+
May 18, 2020
Would take again

He literally makes it impossible to fail the class. He does read off slides but they are helpful in helping you learn concepts, which are on his exam. Homework and outcomes help with the math part, easy grade boosters. Exams are tough but its CHEMISTRY, do not expect it to be easy. No professor is gonna hand you a decent grade on a silver platter.

5.0
3.0
CHEM116
Grade: A
May 25, 2020
Would take again

Just do the work and pay attention in class.

1.0
4.0
CHEM116
Jul 23, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Read reviews before taking this man and disregarded them since he was all that was available. I was better off taking chem another semester. His lectures had no examples, during covid he stopped teaching claiming He doesnt like teaching online. Letures were not helpful no examples. Half the class skipped his class to learn from another teacher;bad.

Lots of homework
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
CHEM116
Aug 20, 2020
Wouldn't take again

This professor made it impossible for students to fail, however, if you want to learn Chemistry, you should avoid taking him. You have to work hard and study the material well because the exams were very difficult and he doesn't really know how to teach. If you have him, good luck.

Graded by few things
Test heavy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

50%

Textbook Required

56%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

83% confidence
Based on 11 grades
Most common grades:
A (3)
B+ (3)
B (2)
Grade Distribution
A(3)B(3)C(0)D(0)F(1)A-/B+(4)
Based on 12 reported grades
A: 3
B+: 3
B: 2
A-: 1
Common Tags
Test heavy (4)
Tough Grader (2)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (2)
Lecture heavy (2)
Tough grader (2)
Get ready to read (1)
Caring (1)
Lots of homework (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.65 avg change
Jun
Nov
Apr
May
Jul
Aug
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CHEM2

5.0

(1)

GENCHEM1012

5.0

(1)

CHEM413

5.0

(2)

CHEMLEC

5.0

(1)

CHEM102

4.1

(7)
+23 more courses
Difficulty by Course

GENCHEM2

5.0

CHEM1

4.7

GENCHEM12

4.7

CHEM160

4.7

CHEM114

4.2

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