2.8
Quality4.1
Difficulty34%
Would Retake157
Reviews34%
Would Retake
157
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
43
4
26
3
16
2
21
1
51
What Students Say
“He does not give any work to practice calculations”
CHE1B - 1.0 rating“He does whatever he wants to do”
CHE1B - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
58%
Textbook Required
55%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
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-0.77 avg changeRatings by Course
CHEMLAB
5.0
(1)CHEM2A1A
5.0
(1)CHE1A45402
5.0
(1)LABCHEM3
5.0
(1)1AAND1B
4.5
(2)Difficulty by Course
40766
5.0
CHEM100
5.0
CHEM1
5.0
CHE345306
5.0
CHEM3
4.5
Reviews (157)
He likes to do experiments on tests. It's hard to get an A from his tests. You may need to spend several hours to get one question done.
He think he's smart and unique! He's starting a revolution in Chem. teaching style! The worst teacher I have had! He likes the book when it agrees with his way of thinking and critisizes it when it doesn't! Be carefull NOT TO TAKE HIS CLASS eventhough he's the only teacher who teaches Chemistry!
I was on the waitlist but didn't get in. On the first day, he came in w/his high & mighty UC attitude & began 2 question students' reasons 4 choosing RCC & not UC. He tried 2 B subliminal but he was quite insulting. He's a recent Ph.D. recipient, which makes it worse. He's arrogant & condescending. Grading sys makes no sense.
Wonderful Teacher. Very helpful and always willing to take time out of class to work with you. Expects you to do more than just regurgitate the book back at him. If you are interested in actually learning the subject don't pass up your chance to take his class. If you are willing to work for it you will get the grade you deserve.
hes a great teacher. you get the grade you EARN!. he's available almost all the time for help. richardson is trying to change the world by chaging how we learn. he doesnt like the fact that we obsess over grades so much so if you get like 2 Fs but you make progress for rest of the semester the he will give you the better grade. he doesn't average t
Took him in the Summer.I read each chapter twice and found it to be useless. EVERYTHING is based off of his lectures. GO TO LECTURES AND DO THE PRACTICE PROBS ON THE PP. Kind of whack grading system, but it works out in the end. Lab did not seem to be worth anything in the long run (even though he said it would be worth 15% or so). Got an A.
Richardson is by far the most qualified teacher at RCC. Not only does he know chemistry but he understands teaching. Be prepared to be worked. This class is definitely difficult but if you put in the effort you will be undoubtedly grateful for all the knowledge you will have gained.
At first his teaching style caught me off guard, and the class wasnt easy, but if you work at it, you get what you earn. If you get lost, just ask him, he'll answer. Great professor. :)
Prof. Richardson is extremely smart and I felt so blunt, his grading is weird but do not give up! He really like to help and explain if you just ask! Great class!
Excellent Teacher!Class is hard as hell for you if you don't get you butt warming the chair to be prepared for tests; anything is a fair game for him. He likes being challenged so call him out on things to make sure he knows your name.At the end you will be supraised how well you did, his grading is different and it is benefitial to the students.
The class itself isn't real hard. The exams are out of this world but you learn how to take them. He allows you to use whatever the hell you want on the exams such as open book open note open laptop. That only helps to a certain extent. Hes a good guy and I learned a lot.
His class is extremely hard, but you'll learn a lot. Highly recommend for those who love Chemistry and wanna do well in higher level!!!
I know this is lame, but you know Lucas Grabeel from High School Musical. Looks JUST like him. The tests were pretty weird, but the only one that matters is the final, use the others as practice. Good teacher
Great teacher. Lectures are interesting and based on practical, real world applications, as are the tests. It might take a while to get used to his teaching and testing style (the tests are shocking when you first look at them), but in the end I learned a lot and got a good grade. If you're looking for a challenge, take his class.
Not recommended if you are not going to study on a regular basis! His methods of teaching are through listening, not copying! Pretty much... you have to learn chemistry on your own. His test is a one shot kind of deal and passing the final guarantees a pass in his class. Very intelligent but does not teach at which the level of the class should be!
Future Chem 2A students! Don't believe that he will be as hard on you as he was on us. He will build your foundation if you have none. Be advised however, SIGN UP FOR TUTORING at TUTORIAL SERVICES, or the Stem Cntr ASAP
Unless you are a nursing student, I wouldn't recommend takimg this class. He uses real world applications, so it's not just a general chemistry class. He has a great personality and makes things seem quite interesting, but the tests are super hard (multiple chioce has like 15 selections). You can use your notes on them, but they'er not too helpful.
Don't be deceived! Very nice & funny teacher, but VERY strict on tests! No HW & no quizzes, but U WILL HAVE 2 STUDY! If not, u fail. Tests require specific answers & don't follow along with book material, makes it hard 2 find practice for tests. He answers questions vaguely and expects u 2 understand 1st time. Can rush material, so find tutoring.
His lecture is geared for the medical student,he grades on a curve which is a good thing because if you can't figure out his midterm or final you are gonna get a bad grade, his lectures are not much help, i learned more from my lab professor about chemistry than this guy. not recomended for some one going into intro to chemistry.
He is very laid back and funny at times but basically expects you to learn everything on your own. The problem with that is his exams are way harder than the examples in the book. good luck
He is a very nice and approachable teacher but does not teach the subject well. You will need to have excellent studying skills and a great understanding of chemistry already to do okay in his class. Good luck to you brave souls.
unless you have a good understanding of chemistry or you plan on a major in chem DONT take this guy he's arrogant and really rude if you dont underatnd what he's talking about.no homework or quiz only a midterm and a final which are hell of HARD even other chem professor's warned of this! that should speak volumes.the open book will not help AT ALL
he expects you to know the material of the text at an expert level. assuming you have a great understanding of the material he will engineer complicated chem ? fot the mid term and final. the average score in the class was about %47. he had to curv the grade so that people can pass. i failed all my exams and still passed the corse. he is no good.
Prof. Rich is an awesome individual. He truly is dedicated and puts many hours into his class. Everything he teaches is his own material. Make sure you take him for lab and lecture, this will benefit any student. Also, he has formed this class to help med students. Do your work, ask questions, show your work, and you will pass with a good grade.
OMG! STAY AWAY FROMT HIS GUY....EXTREMELY HARD, CHEM IS SUPPOSE TO BE AN EASY CLASS BUT HE MAKES IT REALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE HE LIKES FAILING STUDENTS, USED TO TEACH 1B BUT GOT DEMOTED I GUESS CUZ HE FAILED A LOT OF STUDENTS, TOOK 1A WITH HIM, GOT AN A BUT HAD TO WORK REALLY REALLY REALLY HARD......ONLY 3 A, CRAP LOAD OF F'S, TAKE IT WITH DR. MARSH
No comment
Fun class. Got an A. For some reason his teaching style really fit with my learning style. I like applications and tests that aren't based on exact calcuations getting the concept or the "bigger picture". If you just write your train of thought during your test you'll do fine. If that style doesn't sound appealing to you, don't take his class.
I just took Prof. Richardson over a demanding 6-week course and all I can say is I truly enjoyed this class. The lectures actually taught me something. Imagine that? He embraces technology, and has a very detailed and easy to understand powerpoint presentation to go along with his lecture. He does require you to think and apply knowledge. So think!
Really nice guy, gears lectures toward med students but his teaching style is very odd & did not mesh with my learning style.grade based on midterm and final only.truly seems to love his job but does not teach in a straightforward way, very round about, doesn't explain things in detail until his extra review days.
Took over the summer. by far the best prof I've ever had. It was hard to get an A but not impossible. Study hard, apply his lectures and definitely study from the practice tests. He is very smart and I had no problem asking for help he was always there to answer. GREAT, GREAT PROF. I plan on taking 2B with him!!
I can tell that he lovesss chemestry!!! but I dont understand his lectures...=( If I want to study I just use the textbook and that helpss me a lot... but I am not really learning anything directly from him...
I really enjoyed this professor! He was really helpful. A lot of students complained about him and his tests but his tests benefited them because without his curve everyone would fail. He loves Chemistry and enjoys teaching it. Going to lecture isn't necessary just read the book.
Prof. Richardson is fair. His lectures are great for those interested in the subject and in the bigger picture; they are enough to make you interested in studying the rest out from the textbook for yourself (which you should be doing anyway). If you try hard to UNDERSTAND the subject for own good like you should, you will get an A. Loved the class.
He is the best teacher i knew in rcc. Even though his teaching is boring but if focus to study in your own u can get a good grade. His lab is easy and he is fun. Study your book, do the exercise in your book and u can get a good grade.
Im about the drop the class. Prof gave us a midterm exam[3 chptrs] on the first week after 3 days of class. Not a bad prof though but harder than what i thought. I studied for the first test but still got a d with a curve and a low f w/o. he knows his stuff and i think hes pretty good just get ready to work your ass off if chem isnt your thing.
No comment.
I currently have professor Richardson for lab. I wish he was my lecture professor! The best teacher I have come across! He is way more talented at explaining chemistry in an easy to understand, yet efficient manner. You have to care enough to actually try to learn though - no free rides. I've learned a lot from Richardson - more than in lecture!
this class is deff not easy. because he makes it a challenge. hes smart becuz he wants 2 give every1 the grade u should ACTUALLY recieve. hes a gr8 teacher. hot 2 ;) but can deff come off as intimidating. the curves r huge because the tests r harder. but he makes u want 2 learn. go to class pay attention & ask questions & ull get an A. work 4 it.
I've had Richardson now for two sections of chem, and I can honestly say that if you take your education seriously and want a quality prof, you need to take this guy. He is very efficient, thorough, and can even make some really boring topics very captivating. That said, you will earn the grade you make in the class, so don't expect a free ride.
Good teacher. Very intelligent and thorough. Tests are hard because he encourages crtical thinking rather than plug and chug; however class is easy to pass. He uses three different methods of grading, to ensure the highest possible grade for the student. If you aren't good at critical thinking, go to his office hours and do problems before
Lectures are completely off tangent and unrelated to the course material, so don't really bother focusing on lecture. Read the book, do the problem sets at the end of each chapter, then get help from him when you can. Watch out as he can be kind of unapproachable. Also, his tests are tricky due to the conditions placed on them.
By far one of the best proffesors I've had thus far. If you put in the effort it will pay off at the end with him.
If you want to experience a higher level course for the first time, this is it. He encourages critical thinking in a positive way. I was very confused about his approach, but after the first midterm, things got easier. Although exams are open-book, you really need to understand the concepts. He is very generous with grading. Loved his class!
I took this class to fulfill my gen ed requirements. This professor is so ridiculous. He words his tests in such a confusing and tricky way studying for them seemed absolutely impossible. I don't know what he expected of his class. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!
I would only recommend you take his class if you already know what you are doing. He goes pretty fast and doesn't go over concepts well. Tests are all open book and multiple choice with 10 options! Books and internet don't help if you don't know what you're doing! He is a nice person and likes to joke around a lot.
I feel like he thinks our education is a joke. Especially for us feature medical and dental students that have to pass with a B or better. He would never go over what he said and would tell us "we'll that's what the book is for" but then would tells us he isn't going by the book. I literally had to learn everything from YouTube.
Not the best teacher to take for Chem unless you have some prior experience in Chemistry. His tests are open book/notes but that won't help you if you don't understand the material. Find people in your class that to do study groups from the first week to the last. His lectures are difficult to understand, you'll probably be lost most of the time.
I thought he explained things great. His tests are different than most but for those who are wanting to be in nursing, these kind of critical thinking questions will help. He is always open to answer questions privately and guide you through it. STUDY STUDY STUDY, I mean really..study.
He is nice professor but his test are quite challenging making you think outside the box. He is a very funny professor though.
He is ridiculously hard and doesn't have a structure set in the way he teaches his class.
Do not take this professor if you are not a science person. The class was Chem 1A for crying out loud, he acted like we were all second or third year chem majors! I went into this class excited to learn about chem, but boy was I wrong. Tests are super wordy and confusing and didn't learn much during lecture. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.
honestly, professor is super chill and funny, and always willing to help if you ask him. lessons can be confusing if you are not familiar w the material, or dont study it beforehand. his class is difficult bcuz hes big on concepts, application, and critical thinking, not simply how to get a correct answer. you will def learn! which is refreshing!
Instantly regretted this class during the final. Instantly. He's really cool and nice, but he teaches more like a TA, and to be honest I didn't take 2A so going from HS to his class was difficult. Some questions are hard to understand, and I guess it's just an adapting process. I've never felt so discouraged in a class
He really emphasizes critical thinking. If you rely on memorization to pass classes, then his is not for you. The format was different from any class I've taken but I appreciated how challenging it was. Definitely not an easy pass.
Incredible professor!!!! His test are difficult but only because he requires you to think and explain what you learned. He teaches everything you need to know to pass his class but you must be very dedicated and use a lot of common sense. He is approachable and helpful. If you expect multiple choice exams... don't bother wasting your time or his.
I found his teaching style very frustrating. Lectures were dry, and he didn't allow note-taking. Completely hands-off in lab and rarely returned work. The whole semester felt like taking an online course and teaching yourself from the book. Tests are essay-style, and difficult. However, he is an overgenerous grader. Hard to fail this class.
Teacher does not let you take notes, assigns no homework, assigns no book. Retaining information in this class is impossible, on to of the fact he makes you memorize so much so early. Seems like a cool guy, but a lousy teacher.
He doesn't use a book. he doesn't answer emails. He doesn't assign homework. The quizzes mean nothing. The only thing that matters is the final; what you get on the final is what you get in the class. i wouldn't recommend this class. hes very abrasive and difficult. i would recommend that you recommend this class to someone you hate!
I did not learn anything from this professor. I taught myself everything from the internet. He does not help you if you need it, and he treats all his students like they are stupid when they ask questions. He will not explain. He hopes you understand what he writes on the board, though he discourages writing notes and does not use a text.
I loved this class. I learned a lot, but self-motivation is must! If you don't have common sense, you won't understand the material. Richardson teaches from point A to point B; if you think simple, you should do fine.
So I had professor Richardson for LAB not for lecture and it was always fun and laid back! He's really chill and easy to talk to. I liked that he uses twitter instead of email to notify students of anything.
Does not assign a textbook and you basically have to teach yourself everything. Do not recommend!
No textbook is assigned, no syllabus, and students have to teach themselves. Exams are essay format and simply having the "correct answer" will not cut it. Avoid at all costs.
This class was HARD! I didn't learn much, if anything. He can seem unapproachable. He is extremely sarcastic when asked a question. Theres no notes, syllabus, or textbook?! Seriously? It just wasnt for me. If you enjoy chem with a passion, are familiar with the subject, & enjoy critical thinking then go for it. If your like me then DON'T!!!
Had Richardson for lab. He is a good lab professor. He doesn't hold your hand and baby you. You learn to think critically and to rely on your own judgement. One thing he said that stood out to me was to never listen to anyone but yourself throughout experimentation.
this professor was very unorthodox but if you take his advice you should do fine
Had him previously for 1A and received a C and passed 1B with a B. He focuses on concepts and if you put in the effort, you should be able to understand and pass his class with a B or better. Don't try to be right, just be open to learning and accepting that your answer may be wrong.
This is one of the easiest 5 unit courses I have taken at RCC. I don't know why a lot of people rate him a hard professor or why he doesn't have a hotter chili pepper. He is energetic and has a different style of teaching which makes it exciting to come to class. Your answer doesn't have to be correct as long as your reasoning makes sense.
In my opinion he is the best professor I have had (I have transferred already). If you plan to be a CHE or ENG major, then take him. He does expect you to read the "course material" (he believes in open source knowledge) before class. However, he gives real problems with plenty of time to think them over (useful for people who will meet reality).
He's an awesome professor, seriously. Awesome. He's one of the best teachers I've had. He teaches things outside of the box, which not so many teachers do. reading the textbook is our job. He's always in the office to help you out. The exams are not easy. This class is critical thinking chemistry. Love it. We are in college, work hard people.
Professor Richardson is really big on teaching chemistry at a more conceptual level. He has a very sarcastic sense of humor which was hilarious to some but offensive to others. There is no syllabus and not much structure to the class but; nonetheless, I found myself very engaged in lectures. A's are reserved for those who study daily and ask ?'s !
No homework, no feedback, no way to improve, class average was a D. Unreasonably hard for an intro to chem class. He doesn't care about you or your efforts for an A. If you ask for more work, homework, or ways to improve your grade, he will say No. I like working hard, but there is nothing to work on to improve your problem solving abilitiesAdvoid!
He teaches difficult concepts without teaching the basics. He makes his own book and follows it rather than any conventional basic chem book so its difficult to learn outside of what he teaches. He is extremely rude and arrogant and when he responds to questions its in a snarky tone or completely insulting to intelligence. Tests are very difficult
He has created his own textbook, which would be great if it was helpful. Formulas you need are not provided in the text, only implied. There is no feedback whatsoever, you do not get your homework or tests back. You could visit him at office hours, but he implies through his social media account (required btw) that you are not welcome. Get a tutor!
There's 7 midterms and one final. They all consist of 10 multiple choice and one short answer. But the multiple choices are A-K so you can't get it correct by guessing. He thinks he's smarter then everyone so when you ask him for help, he scoffs at you like you're dumb. Good luck trying to google the questions. They're nowhere to be found.
Had Richardson for 1A & 1B. 2nd time around, I went to office hours and asked for advice on UNDERSTANDING the material. There is a method to his madness and unfortunately he's not everyone's cup of tea. Since then, I have transferred and succeeded Because of the way he taught. Btw, He loves trolling students, so you just need to have a thicker skin
You won't be board during class. He knows his chemistry and lectures on advanced topics so make sure you know the basics because he will NOT teach them. There are no rules in Lab (open-toed shoes, cells phones, food, drinks no prob) but don't expect him to demonstrate anything. No book required. Open note exams but they're extra tough bc of that.
This was the first Chemistry class I've ever taken--took other things in hs and got a social sciences degree in college--and Prof R was quite interesting and really knows his stuff. It was not easy, and you should definitely come to class and lab on time, and ask questions if you don't get it. He's snarky and smart, and won't tolerate idiocy.
Professor. Richardson comes off as kind of rude and intimidating but he is always willing to answer any questions, especially during office hours. His lectures are based off of his text that he gives all students access to; however, his main ideas are everywhere and its difficult to get to the point and tie everything together.
Thinks he's an expert and lectures like it. Just gives you material to read but test questions will be 10 times more complicated. Covers many things in lectures but only tests on a few including some he did not cover. Rearly gives practice problems. If you don't get something going to his office for help or you won't pass.
If you are not the type of student that can read the textbook and understand the material then you are out of luck because homework is to read his book, and lecture is basically re-reading the book. Also, don't expect demos, safety protocols to be enforced, or explanations of formulas you may need for lab. Questions will be met with vague answers.
I wish I listened to the ratings on here. He does whatever he wants to do. Had no textbook no homework no lab manual so no regard for safety & no way to improve. Tests lecture, but he says so much and he mumbles and ironically says on the first day he wont repeat smth if u ask. I truly tried so hard but in all, the whole experience was saddening.
Acts as though all of his students are experts. If you ask for help in lab, he answers vaguely and have a better chance asking classmates. Has pop quizzes on the material. He tests on things not in the oven reading material. Provided reading isn't clear. if you have the choice wait to tae the class when a better professor is available.
I highly highly recommend taking a different professor. He has no proper syllabus, no lab manual, and he's not helpful when students are struggling. If u want an unfair class, then take this one.
I learned so much from his class, and I wouldn't have if I'd taken it with a different professor. Besides learning stuff from his lectures, I also read the textbook I bought for 1A, asked questions during office hours, and I did just fine. I don't think there is a reason you can't do well in his class if you do what you're supposed to do.
I regret taking him for CHE1B. He doesn't provide Lab material which is the worst thing ever for me. He doesn't explain things well. He's not helpful. To be his good student, probably you have to be an expert. I still get confused even though I finished Organic chemistry before. Do never take him!!!
Worst professor ever! He does not give any work to practice calculations. Does not have lab manuals. Does not assist students struggling. Only explains what you got wrong, to relook over the material instead walking through it. Test are extremely difficult. If you don't at least pass his C exam by the end of the 2nd attempt. You are basically SOL.
Professor Richardson is an extraordinary professor. I have taken him for Chem1A and Chem1B and would without a doubt take him for O-Chem. His teaching style is unique and contrary to other reviews, he's genuine and caring towards his students. He has ample office hours, but don't rely on him to feed you the material. You will work for your grade.
I have taken CHE 3, CHE 1A, & CHE 1B with Professor Richardson. The class is lecture, lab, & material heavy. He is a Gem because he authors the text book, any question ask the author (Book is FREE). Because he is the MOST caring professor I have ever had, he has been the toughest professor I've ever had. He teaches beyond class objectives.
Free and pretty textbook, fun labs, cool professor. I have not spent a single cent in his classes, yet learn more than I can ever imagine. He teaches you practical stuff, like computer modeling (instead of conventional model kits) and using environmentally-friendly reagents (instead of conventional, and often detrimental materials).
One of the best and most difficult professors @RCC. No need to purchase a textbook as he provides one for you. The textbook is short, but denser than a neutron star. Lectures are conceptual and as such, sometimes difficult to understand if your understanding of prereq's isn't solid. Honestly, a fulfilling experience and a gem of an instructor.
Does not give out problems to practice with. Expects you to learn material with only the book he provides, which is a dense read. Accepts questions, but not so useful when you don't understand what to ask. Whether you like him/get the material is a person by person basis. I'm not going to say don't take him, but definitely not going to recommend.
Richardson wrote his own textbooks and offers the pdfs for free!! He's always in his office and is eager to help students that come in with questions. He wants everybody to pass, but if you want an A, you're going to have to work for it. He rewards effort. Definitely the hardest but most fulfilling A I ever managed. (Plus, he's pretty cute!)
Hands down my favorite professor to-date. He brings life to chemistry so effortlessly. He doesn't spoon-feed his students the material, but rather has designed a way in which you can discover the concepts for yourself. He wrote a collection of his own textbooks, which serve as a manuscript for his lectures so you never miss a thing. Très bien!
Richardson isn't going to hold your hand in this class but he rewards effort.
If you can take another professor , you should ! He doesnt teach you material thoroughly the first time and then leave the studying to you , rather he teaches new material as a review ! Going into my next chemistry class was rough because there were many concepts he didnt cover . His book is nowhere near as helpful as the assigned book for chem
I only leave a bad review because he had affirmed to me I would receive an add code, last day to add rolls around and I'm ghosted, I emailed him numerous times and made sure I had the right email. I feel pretty burned. I really needed the class and he had mentioned he would email me the code that day. Still no apology email or anything.
Do not take this guy! yes he saves you some money by providing you with the textbook but if you have no prior experience with chemistry the book wont make sense. He also does not respond to emails and will not answer questions after the lecture.
I would NOT recommend this professor. I went from loving chemistry to hating it. He's condescending in the way he teaches & he rarely ever gets to the point. He runs around the topic as if there's never a solid answer. Put it this way, I'm an A student and this class was one of my most hated ones. Don't do itttttttt.
I read these reviews before registering for my classes, and I thought "Hey he can't be that bad, can he? " I so took the chance and took his class and I must say that was one of the WORST mistakes I've ever made! I've never had a professor that is so unapproachable and difficult. He was not helpful at all when it came to lab. Avoid at all costs!
Signed up for this class not knowing he was gonna be the lecture prof. His way of teaching is at a graduate level. He makes his textbook that covers what you will be learning in the course. If you dont know any chem or just need a lab class, I recommend you to avoid taking him. Always ask questions and He is also available for office hours.
Basically, for lab if you did well in previous classes and payed attention to what you were doing, you'll be fine. If you dont know how to do something properly, you should youtube it later. For lecture, study his supplement over and over and you'll be good. If youre a chem major i would definitely take Prof Richardson. Expect to study a lot
By far the worst professor I have taken at RCC. I have never met a professor so unapproachable and judgmental. His grading system is based on percentiles. He purposefully wants everyone to compete with each other. He would either ignore my questions (by acting like I wasn't raising my hand) or answer my questions in a rude manner.
In order to succeed in his class you MUST be competitive. He does not encourage helping others. Exams are ridiculous. There are 3 tests. A test, B test, and C test depending on level of difficulty. A tests are almost impossible to pass. He does not grade you, he RANKS you based off of the top of the class to the struggling people on the bottom.
DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR! By far the worst professor I have EVER had. Lab & Lecture have their own separate grades & your final grade in the class is the lower grade of the two! Doesn't use a lab manual. Doesn't let you keep ANY work from lab. Averages on all tests 40%-50%! Highest score on the final was a 53%! He is very unapproachable & rude.
Was stressed and had anxiety when taking this class. Course is based on 3 exams and are T/F. His lecture was hard to understand and its best to youtube the videos and go to tutoring as much as you can. Its best to see him in his office if you are struggling. Try to be engaged and ask questions in class. He is hard and you have to work for the grade
You ABSOLUTELY MUST be motivated and dedicate time to this class! You will have NO h.w., no quizes, and only 3 exams which are graded by class ranking NOT %. He doesn't require a book, but I recommend having access to one. Go to class because he doesn't follow a sequence and if you miss lecture you will be lost. Study hard and you'll pass!!!!!
Jumps from topic to topic and does not teach the basics such as SI conversions which doesn't make sense since it's an intro class. Grading curriculum is terrible. he grades by rank and percentiles. During lab he told us not to help other people because it will lower our rank if they do better which created a hostile environment. He is a nice guy
prof. richardson is a nice guy, but extremely unorganized in his lectures. He will jump from one subject to the next and take very little time to explain. The entire class grade is based off 3 exams and all exams are graded based on a ranking system. He does not require a textbook, but does recommend (any) textbook for extra practice with problems
Gives assignments at the end of class so for next class you can ask questions on anything you didnt get. Doesnt have any content to teach for lecture. Doesnt give study guides for exams. If you want to learn anything, you have to teach it yourself from the textbook. Cool guy, but if you havent taken chem in a while, its gonna be difficult.
Says he does, but does not care for students. Has a really weird attitude in class like his role is to build his own ego, not teach. All I know is abundance, and that did not help me!!! Overall, this professor just confused me and did not prepare me for chemistry 1B. Hope he changes bc he has potential to be a better teacher
Unorganized, always had a bad mood, and super confusing on lectures.
First things first, his standards are very high for C.C students. If you miss class you will pass with C. If you want A must attend class (HW) and you have to be shining star in class to be liked by him ( motivation ) . His very clear about what he wants. Also "must" go office hours to show you care about class!. Follow this, you can get an A
Book isn't mandatory but helpful to clear up things from lecture. He doesn't lecture about things that don't matter, practice lecture problems and be able to replicate. Recording is helpful, he throws out info during lecture that are answers to T/F exam questions. He won't just give answers, he will lead you to them so go over notes before asking
Professor Richardson, goes off of his own lecture guide/material, which is extremely difficult. When it comes to lecture period, he wants you to self teach yourself and lecture period is just a time for him to answer any questions you may have. There is no work for this class, all your scores are based off the 5 quizzes he gives you..30 mins each
When the pandemic hit and all classes went online, prof. made a series of high quality videos posted on YouTube that we could watch anytime. He made himself available every Friday for 5 1/2 hrs and had at least one teleconference per week so we could ask any questions we had. Thanks prof., great job under difficult, unprecedented conditions!
it's a Chem class can we really say it'll be an easy A?? ... PCR has to be one of the coolest professors at RCC. The guy is hilarious! He will make sure he does his best explaining the material. The book is not necessary but it is helpful. Class is mostly based on quizzes (65% of grade). Offers office hours which I recommend !
After taking Richardson and seeing his lower approval rating, I believe it's more to do with the subject matter than his teaching style. He has a good sense of humor and really does give you all the tools you need to succeed in his class; it's up to you to use the resources at your disposal. Quiz once a week, 21 questions, and a final + lab.
Okay, imagine having questions that are weirdly worded so that it makes no sense at all. Imagine having topics, not even university professors decide to cover. Imagine having to memorize a periodic table. Imagine having a snarky and narcissistic ass guy. Imagine struggling every week to try and understand the material to pass. Imagine dreading quiz
What can I say? The switch from an In- class to on-line setting for Intro to Organic and Biochemistry during a Pandemic was a position I would have not chosen - Had I not taken this course with PCR. I was seriously thinking I would drop. However, his use of modern, professional, and stylish videos made the unsuspecting circumstance doable. TAKE HIM
He was great with reminder msgs! His study guides do help and they are identical to the tests! So do them! Also expect a quiz every week. His grade scale is different like a 89% is an A and a 66% is a C. He gives key points, meaning he doesn't have slideshows, so the reading is up to you. Timed tests and quizzes sucked ngl
Good luck taking him in an online class. Had to teach ourselves from the textbook. He uploaded only a few videos the entire semester. Practice problems were suggested from the textbook but the problems were way easier than the ones on the exam. He gives a study guide but its vague. Exams were basically impossible to do well on. Not much guidance.
Wouldnt take this class again. Hardly posted lecture videos. Sets up interviews for tests and you need to know everything. Gives study guides but are vague. Hoping he changes the way he teaches for students next semester.
Pretentious, condescending, and completely hands-off. He has completely turned me off of chemistry. Pandemic made things tougher, but I never got the feeling he wanted us to be successful--quite the opposite. Does things HIS way, which only SOMETIMES agrees with the book. Learned nothing. What an absolute waste of time and money this class was.
He is the worst professor I've ever had the chance of taking. He never taught, our last two tests were given without any lectures. He really didn't teach or help at all, if you didn't understand from his videos, then you're not going to understand at all. And good luck with those videos, too. They're not long, and from the 2 or 3 we had, useless.
Please don't take him. If you don't know how to teach yourself you'll be lost. I didn't actually learn anything and was confused most of the time. We only had the final so he doesn't give extra credit or an opportunity to help your grade. He gives assessments but aren't graded. The book isn't required but recommended.
Do not take him even if he is the only option. Trust me, waste of time and money. Quizzes are not based off his lectures whatsoever. Not to mention, only true and false questions for all quizzes and final. Not a right format especially for a chemistry class. Alway gives snarky remarks when you want to know the specifics on how he got his answers.
One of the worst profs I've taken from. Course grade is 85% based on final, the other 15% is labs that we couldn't do due to his poor timing. He's 3 weeks behind his own schedule with 4 weeks left, and when asked for help his gives incredibly condescending answers. Quizzes make no sense and are based on his own methods, so the textbook is no help.
For your sake, avoid this professor!!!! It is all self-taught and the materials he provides us make it so much more difficult. His lectures, exams, and quizzes do not match up and he has a huge workload. He was my last option but I regret it so much!
Many of us felt isolated and confused because of the way things were managed. He did not take our feedback seriously.
He teaches course as a pre-OChem course. If you are strong in chem, you'll be okay. If not, avoid him at all costs. His class is NOT easy, but doable. He ghosted our class for 3 weeks after his wife gave birth and did not interact with any questions we had even though stuff was due.
Definitely, the hardest professor that I have had. He is a harsh grader, and the quizzes are tough (I don't think anyone is passing with an A). He drops assignments last minute and has little communication with the class. If you care about your GPA, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. I have a 3.9 GPA and am afraid this will affect my transfer acceptances
Ghosted our class for 3 weeks at the beginning of the semester even while we still had stuff due. His "lecture videos" are 15 minute videos of him doing 1 example. When I asked for help he straight up told me to rewatch his 15 minute video because he didn't have time to reteach the topic that was never taught in his ghost period. DO NOT TAKE RUN!
I don't even know why he chose to become a teacher. He does not want his students to succeed.
This professor was sloppy and disorganized and didn't seem to care. He does not answer questions you send him in inbox or emails as it takes him days or he just does not respond. Lectures are hard to follow and do not correspond to most problems in the practices. He is teaching at a higher level than what we are supposed to learn. Not worth...
When I first joined his class I didn't bother looking at reviews. Once in class we heard about them and got scared. We took him in Winter and he was honestly the best teacher I've ever had at RCC. He cares for his students and answers any questions you have whether it be in person or through Canvas. He's very thorough and repetitive just show up.
I really liked his class. He repeated things many times until we get familiar with the topic which was really nice. I would take his class again!
(I took him during fall of 2023) No exams or quizzes or homework which sounds nice but did not prepare me (content wise) for gen chem 1. Grade was determined by how much effort you put into the class during lab time and the quality of your classwork, essentially be there and you will get an A. Nice professor but would not take him again, too lax
The top one worst professor I ever had. Very disorganized and had an egotistical way of teaching. This professor loved to show how smart he was instead of actually teaching. I sensed that he liked his tittle instead of actually teaching and inspiring students.
do not take this professor if you are going into any stem major. Especially nursing. Cool professor overall, but did not have any assignments, quizzes, discussions, etc. Just show up and basically listen to him talk about chemistry.
He is, hands down, the worst professor I've ever had. He treats every class like a social experiment, it is unsettling and confusing. He has a tendency to ignore emails for months on end, as though we did not even exist to him. I would love to question him as to his motivation of becoming a teacher, because it is not for the welfare of his students
By far the worst professor I have ever had. If you are not a quiet kid who laughs at his somewhat inappropriate jokes then he will give you a bad grade. Liked the class alot in the beginning of the semester as he liked me and gave me good grade and then once I disagreed with him in something and suddenly my grade dropped for no reason
Chill professor, but lax teaching style. No exams or homework - just show up and listen. Unstuck AI helped me prepare for lab work and stay on top of the easy grading.
Not sure what my grade will be, but if you are interested in nursing, this is not the class for you. You will not learn a thing, a grade is decided based upon the professors opinion of your efforts in lab/attendance.
This professor definitely deserves more recognition as a top-notch chemistry teacher. He really knows how to make complicated stuff easy to understand and interesting. You should definitely check out his lectures and labs for some hands-on learning. His enthusiasm really helps you grasp the material instead of just memorizing it. TAKE HIM!!
Ok please listen to this review only. I'm a nursing major and had to take chem 2b after 2a with him. He did not prepare me. The way he styles his class is nice but odd, no assignments, no tests, just show up to lab and you'll get an A or B. If you only need chem2a, take him. It's a breeze. If you want to really understand chem, I don't recommend
He doesn't prepare anyone to actually succeed, he lectures based upon the assignments or as he calls dailies, the only thing in the grade book, is the final. His lectures are confusing and provide no structure which may be good for you, but it was not for many students in my class.
no homework, no tests, no quizzes. show up and listen to lectures. lots of dry humor
The final is 100% of your grade, +/- 10% dependent on how "well" you do in the labs (which there is no objective way to measure). There is very little help for struggling students. His lectures are dull and awful. I never wore my seatbelt on the way to class because death was preferable.
Great professor, I'm currently taking his chem 2A course and I do enjoy his lectures. He does not give much homework, but the assignments he does give are helpful to his course and your understanding of chemistry. The labs are also very fun and engaging, he does not leave you with any doubts about what to do and is constantly open to any questions!
This professor frequently cancelled lectures and labs, leaving many students lost in the curriculum. It is difficult to know what exactly to review for the final, which is 100% of your total grade. Labs did not directly connect to lectures. The lectures themselves were extremely dull, and new material was not explained thoroughly within them.
This class is for people who enjoy sitting in a class and learning how to sit in a class. I can confidently say that I learned three things very well in chemistry. If you are expecting a class full of content, this is not the class for you. Although prof. Richardson is a nice guy, his class is very lukewarm, unfortunately. TAKE IF NOT STEM MAJOR!
Take this course! There are no quizzes, just daily assignments that's aren't graded. Only thing that is graded is the final exam. Yes I know, sounds scary. But I promise if you just show up to class and lab you will get an A or B. If you want to learn Chemistry, don't take this class. Nursing students, take this class! Thanks byeeeeee
Overall, the class was easy. There were no quizzes or tests. Lectures were optional but lab was mandatory. The only work you really had to do were these packets that you complete during the lab. The final was really easy too. I would only recommend this class for those who are not a STEM major since you will really only learn practical chemistry.
Overall I'd say it's a good class to take, Professor Richardson is pretty good at explaining things and he's generally pretty nice. Just some things to look out for, your grade depends pretty much solely on the final, so a lot of it falls back on how much you're willing to study. If you can lock in, you're set.
Don't take this class if you actually want to learn. No graded assignments, just daily assignments that feel like a guessing game. Learned NOTHING from them. He cancelled SEVERAL times throughout the term. Sexist with his dumb and unfunny jokes. Exam was a joke. It was open book but then he switched up to no notes two days before exam. Don't take.
Does not abide by his syllabus. The syllabus mandates a minimum of 10 missing assignments would result in a drop. I got dropped after missing one quiz with no other warnings, no communication, for a low-level Chem for Everyone class. I can guarantee for a Gen Ed class it really is not that serious. Take something else if you need a science.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
58%
Textbook Required
55%
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B+
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