2.7
Quality4.1
Difficulty50%
Would Retake196
Reviews50%
Would Retake
196
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
26
4
53
3
36
2
37
1
44
What Students Say
“Avoid this unless you want to tank your GPA”
CHEM111B - 2.0 rating“Makes you feel dumb, seems like he gets irritated if you ask him a question or don't understand what he's saying, and will flat out tell you that you will fail the class”
CHEM90 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
50%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
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Improving
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CHEM119
5.0
(1)CHEM111
3.2
(9)CHEM111B
3.2
(47)CHEMCHEM
3.0
(1)CHEM111A
2.8
(129)Difficulty by Course
CHEM11A
5.0
111A
5.0
ANYCLASS
5.0
CHEMISTRY
5.0
CHEM90
5.0
Reviews (196)
This guy is tough. Sees chem as a 'weeder' course. Has little patience. He seriously wanted the whole class tested for learning dissabilities. He seemed to just want to make us feel stupid. He has the worst case of short man syndrome I've ever seen.
This guy was such an idiot, he assumed everybody knew everything he did, and whenever we asked questions, he would look at us like "duh". Start semester 130 people, end 130 people, 10 people passed!
Can you say Napolean syndrome? This guy consistently fails half the class or more. Says he's weeding out all the premeds. Word on the street is that he's bitter that he didn't make it into med school.
This bean bag should just retire this instant. He thinks he's so smart, but you know what? He's really not, his tests are ugly, he's too short, and he has no helpful qualities. Steer clear of this munchkin.
Hard, not very helpful, not very patient. His TA's are useless as well. If you ask for help he acts like "why don't you get it...are you stupid?!"
His tests are difficult because he likes to make you overlook ONE SMALL PART OF A PROBLEM so that you can miss the entire answer. In his class he lectures on relevant material about 1/3 the time and when he does he can teach it. Quizes are online(easy).
He is arrogant and doesn't properly prepare the students for his test. If you want to do good in his class go to him personally, be persistant, and ask him for extra practice problems.
I WAS thinking of majoring in Chemistry....not after taking one semester with Dr. Garber. If it is at all possible to take Chem with ANYONE else, do it! DO NOT take a class taught by Garber unless ABSOLUTELY necessary! You will regret it!
This professor can't teach, his lectures are rarely on anything that's going to be on the test. He makes his tests extra hard. If you want to pass, be prepared to teach yourself.
Difficult class. The only way you'll make it through Chem 111A is if you have a REALLY good lab instructor, because Garber is just extremely confusing. Make sure to do the harder HW problems 'cause similar ones pop up on the exams.
this guy is a complete jerk. unhelpful, mean, and doesn't give a poop about students. However if you are like myself, I used it as motivation to get a B in the class so that I could tell him off (which I did!)
Avoid Garber as an instuctor at ALL costs! He has the "short man ego complex." He doesnt teach, just talks about "how you are all going to fail!"
More then helping students his primary goal in the classroom seems to be to tell them that they are all going to fail his course.
rude, unhelpful, ignorant,
Horrible and very unfair!!! Likes to fail students... I hate this guy!!! One of the worse teachers i've ever had...i still passed but he's a jerk!!!
i like garber! after having both garber and brazier due to garbers heart surgery i would prefer him over brazier any day. his tests q's are hard not tricky- he tells you what is going to be on the tests if you go to lecture. do ur hw, pay attention, work on and ask for help. in the end youll be fine
Okay this guy is a dick! He is a **** becuase he blams the world for looking like a ****in dwarf. Cant teach worth anything. Trust me aviod this mother f***** at all costs.
Before entering this class I heard nothing but terrible things about him but they are all untrue! He is very fair, he tells you exactly what's going to be on the exam with NO suprises and offers help to anyone that asks. He gives you everything you need to get a good grade in this class!
If u try 2 aks him ?'s,he makes u feel stupid. His lectures R basically pointless(but, still go),he doesnt giv u alot of important material in them.Study & get an A in lab,u will need it.His tests R extremely hard & the ?'s R ALWAYS confusing.Use his study guides!!!I had 2 take the class 2X 2 pass.
Take his class if you want to fail and repeat the experience of taking the S.A.T. on his tests all over again!!! Good luck and may you suffer peacefully!!!
Not helpful at all. This guy yabs the whole lecture on how to withdraw or drop the class. He is unclear and always talk about, "What if this is this and so forth" He give bad example and maybe not at all. He wants everyone to fail. "Avoid!"
people think he's hard because he has high standards, and that's a GOOD thing. Try to get the quiz section with HIM teaching it, and ASK QUESTIONS. Do you're hw and the practice exams. Simply do what he asks and you can't lose.
People who post the neg. commments weren't meant for science. This is a filter class and isn't 5 units for nothing. If you can't handle Garber, you can't handle chem. He's is fair, you just need to do your hw, read, study, ask questions, etc... to see it.
You have to pay attention in class to get an A. He gives you practice exams that are very helpful. Keep up with work and you'll do fine. Go to every class too! He is kind of boring at times though. Lab was not that bad either.
JUst do the homeowork problems, do all the quizes in groups, and study the practice exam. He is a nice guy who is straight forward, so go to lecture.
He is extremely fair. If you do your homework, do the practise test and have him grade it (like he tells you to), you can easily get an A! But no one does so rumor has it he's hard, when in reality, you get exactly what YOU put into it.
Hes a hard teacher & grader.His lectures R not helpful.If u want 2 learn anything,u must go & ask ?s in ur lab.Hes very intelligent,but expects his students 2 understand evrything B4 it is even taught.He gives review sheets,but the ?s on his tests R never even close 2 the practice ones.Best advice--get review sheet from previous semesters-STUDY!!!
he is anti-student . he does anything to destroy students. he is very hard and unfair. dont talk any class with him
The guy does not suffer fools. He is sharp and concise and if you can't wrap your head around his concepts, you won't do well. It's not his job to give you A's. If you apply yourself and take advantage of what he offers, you will succeed. Myself, I'd rather have a demanding prof who gives you a sense of what's expected, than a lazy one.
He's tuff! But if you do what he says, and I mean everything, then you will pass. I went from an F to a B just by doing so. Good Luck!
I liked the class I enjoy a challenge though, so maybe its just me. GO IN AND HAVE YOUR PRACTICE TESTS GRADED! yes, his office hours are from 630-8 something in the morning, but it helps! if you ask him questions, he'll answer them. as long as you're willing to work hard, he'll work with you. just don't ask dumb questions. speak up in class too!!
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he is out to fail you. hes no help. hopefully you have a good lab instructor who you can ask questions to. try to get past exams and study them. it took me three times to pass. third times a charm. =P
ONly good thing is that hundreds of old exams are floating around, so you have an idea of what the exam is going to look like
this bitter little man takes his sad life on his students!! he's not helpful, he's DIScouraging and RUDE when you ask questions!! he even tells you, YOU WILL FAIL HIS CLASS. his tests are extremely difficult, his expectations are unreal for students who are taking other classes, and even work part-time. he expects you to focus on this class, and this class ONLY. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. HE'S A HORRIBLE INSTUCTOR and a horrible person!!
Horrible teaching methods, the other day I asked if he can show us an example on the board and instead he told me know in front of everyone in lecture. HE NEVER SHOWS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO DO MATHEMATICAL COMPUTATIONS, u know to soften the ease of doing so on our own..looks like a tutor I indeed got this sem..good luck to anyone else is expecting this teacher to be good. By the way his online quizzes suck even more...u get two times to get it right...and each question has three or four subquestions.
Chem is a tough subject and Garber doesnt exactly make it any easier. he loves making himself sound smart even (maybe especially) at the expense of making you feel stupid. his notes are only helpful if you already know what he's tlaking about. TAKE S.I.!!! and get lots of PRACTICE TESTS!!! those are the only things that really help. study in groups
Terrible Teacher. He prides himself on students doing poorly. He is completely unreasonable.
this class was hard, but who said being a science major was going to be easy?!?!?! i think everyone should take his class. if you pass with ease you will make it.. if you are struggling to pass a lower division chemistry class, its a sign. DONT BE A SCIENCE MAJOR! there are much more harder upper divison classes [ie organic chemistry]. quit now.
I was nervous when I started his class b/c of all the bad rumors I'd heard, but he's really not bad. His tests are kinda easy b/c he gives you practice tests that are almost the same,and he even offers to grade your practice test so you can study your errors before hand. The online quizes are a pain, do them with a buddy and you'll be fine.
Horrible teacher. He is surprised when the average for a test is over 50%, saying, "It is higher then we were shooting for." He does not teach, instead he talks to the class as if they were his colleagues, and already know and understand the subject perfectly. Online quizzes are ridiculous. He likes to put surprise questions on the tests.
This is the WORST teacher I have ever had in my 3 year college career. He does not teach. He reads out of the book and does not stop to further explain anything. He encourages people to go to his office hours, but he is antisocial, grumpy and rude. I managed to get an A in this class, but DO NOT TAKE GARBER. He makes everyone feel so STUPID.
he is very honest about EVERYTHING. these courses are hard and he will not baby you. study the materials and don't slack off because this course is not easy. he comes off as arrogant, but that's how he is.
Its a hard class no denying it. You have to study a lot and do the practice problems. Its a good class though just don't get behind. The tests are very fair and he gives you the previous semester's tests which help a lot when studying. Sometimes when you ask him questions his answers are confusing but usually its OK.
Throw your textbook out the window because he goes out of his way to test you on what is NOT in the book. Yes chem 111a is tough, but he doesnt have to make it any harder.
In my class last semester the passing rate was about 62% which should say something about his tests and effectiveness as a teacher. he is very arrogant and doesn't seem to care too much about your grade even when you ask for help.The $250 book you bought for the class is useless as his tests have little to do with what you can find inthe book.
Man..everyone thinks he's really hard, but all u have to do is go to lecture and listen to him. If you're only a visual learner, maybe this class will be a little difficult cuz he rarely writes things on the board, but i thought it was fine. If you don't show up or read the book u'll be really lost.
He's really not a bad teacher. If anything if you do listen to his lectures they are quite informative and relates well to the present. If you go to class and read, all would be well. Better yet if you take the practice exams and see him when you need help there's no reason why you can't get an A in the class. Ask ?s when confused, it's smart!
I think he is fine. Lectures are very boring (he tells alot of stories) but as long as you kinda listen and be sure to do the online quizzes and suggested homework problems, there's no way your grade will suffer.
I came into this class thinking it would be very difficult because of all the rumors I heard. All I can say is, do not believe the hype. He is not a bad professor, he lets you know whats on the test and is straightforward. Those who complain are those who do not want to put the effort in. This is general chem, a class that you simply cannot breeze.
Miserable professor - I wish I could sum him up without foul language. The emotional scarring may fade away, but the F on your transcript wont... =(
Not as bad as people tell you but he is hard to understand. But if you can get another proffessor do that for chem. Overall he was ok!
oh my, the first 6 weeks of class don't even bother to show up. He talks about everything else but chemistry.
I actually like Garber. Yea, he'll spend lectures talking about bubble boy and his favorite subject ever, global warming, but he does cover most everything that is on the test, even though he'll say the important stufff on Fridays or when most of the class isn't there, but if you do what he says to do, you'll do fine.
Gaber is a really hard teacher when taking it the first time. Most students have to take him a second time to pass the class. He never talks about any thing in lecture he goes off into these weird tangents. If you want to pass this class the first time taking it have a good lab instructor and do the homwork. And pass all the quizzes.
he is a horrible teacher he often puts things on tests that he never went over in class. it is ridiculous, dont take him! he wont help you learn!
Well first of all chemistry is not the easiest class. BUT if you are willing to learn, Garber WILL help you if you go to his office hours. personally, i like him despite what others say. yes he tends to ramble BUT he does gives you a heads up on what's on the test if YOU are in class. other people probably don't attend lecture that's why. take him
I was terrified the first day but then I attended every lecture and did the assigned homework. It is a difficult subject and does require work but he is NOT a horrible teacher. Do the practice exams, you have nothing to lose, and put the effort in and you will be fine.
First of all, Garber is an awesome guy if YOU are willing to learn. The people who complain are those who do not want to put in the effort OR who are not cut out for science. He is extremely helpful if you are sincere in your desire to improve and learn. Take notes, do the HW and come to lecture!
He teaches in random thoughts and expects you to connect the dots, and there are million of dots. He likes to spend much of the time calculating your grades. He is obsessed with statistics. He will not answer your question by blackboard if he thinks it is too easy. It is easier to read the book and not listen to him.
O.k. If you ever take this course he has online quizes, go to course menu, then go to add/swich course, add a course called self-tutorial. You can take the quizes as many times as you want and it wouldn't count against you and it will tell you how to do the problem. You can't fail a quiz this way and you really learn the material.
Very hard on exams doesn't review well, and doesn't show you how to solve problems and when asked a question to be shown on the board he justs tells you verbally and expects us to know everything like we've been taking chemistry for years and years. He's total Bull****!!!
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I got a B in his class despite the fact that I worked my ass off,did homework,went to lecture &visited him during office hours. I just finished taking O-chem and GOT an A. Organic chem is supposed to be harder than gen chem. This could only mean that HE IS A BAD PROFESSOR! I HATED HIM. His tests are hard because its over nothing you have covered!
Garber's EASY. Just read your book and go to lecture.The online quizzes are 100 free points and are easier than the book's examples. He tests only on things he covers in class.Practice tests are nearly identical to real tests.His lectures wander, but even his tangents are interesting.Sorry, but anybody who does badly is just not cut out for college.
doent really talk about chem..well related to science but nothing related to the hw or the class discussion..or even follow the sullubus..go off topic..n just..well bad...
Very hard but explains things very clearly. Has extra office hours before exams so you can do the practice test (A MUST DO) and take it to him for a personal consultation on the things you should study for the real test. A little intimidating but helpful. You'll really learn things in this class.
guy goes off on a tangent sometmes. better to take him for lab also cause he lectures you about the materials int ehre so you dont have to show up for lecture often. exams are easy if you do the practice ones.
He is a pretty good professor. If you listen and attend class you should do ok. Take the practice tests and go to his office hours to get them corrected!! They are VERY similar to the real tests. He tries to be intimidating at the beginning but it's really not that hard of a class, especially if you've taken chem before (even in high school).
3 test, 1 final, online quizzes (100pts total), Test are similar to practice test. lectures are BORING.. but sometimes he talks about the test and you need to know it. but for the most part DO THE PRACTICE EXAMS. it will seriously help you out on the real test!!!
can't teach, doesn't lecture, terrible period
GREAT DUDE
This class is not as difficult as people make it seem. you can get two D's and a C for your exams and still pass the class.The owl quizes are tough, but work with other people to figure them out.some problems are repeated *Hint* also do the practice exams.It is very entertaining to watch him chew people out, just make sure you're not one of them.
He writes an agenda, and thats pretty much it..his lectures are only him talking, no real notes..the only other thing he writes on the board are the BROAD Equations with no real examples...you will learn more from the book than from the lecture..oh yeah, and the tests are to DIE for
this professor sucks majorly. He does not teach and only tells you how to drop out of the class because you are going to fail. I am barely passing because of help from my class mates. Avoid Garber at all costs.
dr. garber is not that bad of a teacher. just go to every lecture and MAKE SURE YOU DO THE PRACTICE HW PROBLEMS and the PRACTICE EXAM. the exams are similar to the practice exams that he gives out. just read the book and youll do ok. he grades leniently too.
DO NOT TAKE HIM! If you are a genious then you will get along with Garber. He does not teach you anything! Learned everything myself from reading and outside help. Confusing labs-he wrote his own lab book. BORING BORING lectures. He only tells you waht you need to know but doesnt teach! Do good on online quizzs and labs and you might have a chance.
if ur sayin 2 urself "how bad can he really be.. it fits my schedule so im going 2 take him." your makin a BIG MISTAKE! Not only does he spend hours talking about how everyone will fail, his lectures will trick u u'll think u know everything then youll study for hours only to come to a test & realize that the majority of it he never went over!
Yeah Dr. Garber might be a tough man...give him a break the man knows exactly what he is doing...the class is not hard at all, if you know how to study for his tests. He really prepares you for college...
to the comment below.. we are already in COLLEGE! And you probably got a bad grade either way :o) He doesnt prepare u for college he wants u to drop out of college.. take peter baine awesome professor!
Don't do this to yourself! During his lectures, he only talks about what's going to be on the test, he doesn't really teach. Tests are tricky, but they are sort of similar to the practice tests. Definitely do the practice tests, and go to his office hours... if you have to take him. :(
people like garber make me mad.. why be a professor if you think your too good to teach kids? i feel like the lecture and lab for this class were 2 different worlds. in the lab (garber wasnt my lab teacher) we did actual chemistry and applied the lessons in the book... but garbers lectures (and his exams) were so far off from everything relevant
attend labs, do the work, make friends, have study sessions the week before midterms, and ask questions if you need any clarification.
A lot of studying is required for this class if you're planning to pass. If you can obtain past exams, you're in luck. He uses the same format throughout his exams, but the question are worded differently (and are more tricky). He's the author of the lab manual, and is more than willing to answer any questions. He's not mean, just straightforward.
avoid at all costs..although he is one of the brightest people to walk the earth, he doesn't do well at teaching. his lectures are almost pointless. be careful with the tests they are VERY tricky..other chem 111a classes had it much easier..
I took this class with him twice, withdrew the first time, then made a second attempt and still not successful and going to have to withdraw again. I don't see why I'm not getting the materials. I cannot blame him, but he could be a partial reason to my situation such as his teaching style; it is very difficult for me to understand.
It's very hard to put up with this class when he teaches it because sometimes, the lectures are unclear at times. Exams can sometimes be quite tricky and during the short term sessions they are 50% longer than the regular semesters' exams. The labs may seem to be easy tasks, but does not provide much help if you don't understand the course.
very intelligent person:NOT a good professor.lots of studying to get a decent grade.lectures, as most people on here have said, are rather pointless and most are tangents and talking to himself.laughed at our class when only about 6 people got a clicker question right(who were probably in his lab section too) overall, bad experience.
His lectures are very jumbled and out of order. there is not much use in going to lecture, just hope you get a good TA for quiz section. also i found it helpful to do his practice tests and have him grade it like it was a real test, these are very similar to his actual tests.
Good Lecturer. He tells you exactly what is on the exam. Still, you have to know the concepts to get 100%. He will call you out if you didn't study. He is a great teacher. I would take another class with him.
It would seem that some of Garber's past students' have blown things out of proportion. His lectures actually ARE helpful, as are the practice tests. What you get out of his class is exactly what you put in. If you work hard, you're fine. He's very clear, I would recommend trying to get him for the activity section and lab.
he' a good professor, knows alot about the subject. He's lectures can be boring at times, but his manner of speaking is entertaining. The practice tests are VERY HELPFUL!! They helped me go from a C or a D on a practice test to get an A or B on the actual test. Be prepared to work hard though, its a demanding class no matter who's teaching it.
Straight forward and logical teacher. Took it over the summer mon-fri and was blowing through 4-5 chapters every 2 weeks with a test following. Tests are very similar to lecture problems and practice tests. He will grade your practice test ahead of time to point out your strong/weak points for the main test. If you fail, you did not study.
He's brilliant, not a good teacher. About half of the class will drop or <D. Doesn't that say something about his teaching style? I worked my ass of in this class. Do ALL the homework problems he assigns. Take the practice test and let him grade it. It will help, but my best suggestion is to take someone else.
he is a BRILLIANT professor. You have to be there 100% in his lectures to get all the concepts. tries to intimidate students to drop out early; TAKE HIS ADVICE if you're lazy, no room for laziness or slackers. Well, the curve is significantly lower because of them, so it's all the same. Lab instructors make or break the class.
he is the smartest chem teacher ive ever seen. but he is really really really hard and it seems like he gets excited when people have to drop? but if you can pass his class you definetly know the material front and back. i honestly have to study for his class at least three hours a day if not more
He's very smart and knows a lot about chemistry. In order to do well in his class you MUST go to every lecture and sit in the front because he speaks low. Going to office hours helps too. If your lazy and dont like trying, then dont take his class. He expects the most from his students.
so so so so so smart. he has every detail and fact memorized and never has to open a book to check the material. he really knows his stuff, and if you attend every lecture and study your head off you will pass. you may not get an A or even a B but you will pass if you work extremely hard. hes surprisingly really nice as long as your not lazy.
He expects way too much from the students. The semester starts out with him trying to force half the class to drop. It feels like he TRIES to make people fail. If you are an engineering major or if you only need to take chem111a, then don't take this guy.
He's a smart man indeed, however, hes really bad at teaching in my opinion. He talk in a low tone and a lot of times his lectures arent even about Chemistry...its just about the discovery and usually history related. What made this worse is the fact that theres limited or no written notes at all...just him lecturing(2/3 history).
he is a really smart man. but the class is extremely difficult. you can barely hear him speak. there is no powerpoint or anything.. the notes come from whatever you hear him say. his exams are extremely difficult. if you can, DO NOT TAKE HIM!
talks to the floor. extremely hard to hear, and expects way too much from his students. has a really low pass rate. not my recommended teacher for this course.
I think everyone is too harsh on him. He is hilarious to listen to. He is cranky and doesn't put up with ****. But he knows his stuff. If you do the practice tests that he gives you and askhim or you lab teacher any questions you might have, then you will pass no prblem. Study hard and you will definitely get a B or even an A.
People are being a little too hard on Dr. Garber. This is college chemistry class and they expect it to be breeze. If you put enough time and effort into this class such as reading the text, going to lectures, dont be afraid to ask questions that anyone can earn an A in this class. He's an excellent teacher. Do the Practice EXAMS! IT HELPS A LOT!
He does not have any accents when he speaks, which makes him easy to understand for those who have trouble comprehending people with foreigner's accents. Unfortunately, his method for this class is extremely difficult by the fact that he includes up to 6 chapters on his exams, also he doesn't believe in multiple choice.
He once was asked by people who produce books for questions and for each question he would recieve $100! unfortunately, they sent him back a rejection letter saying his questions are too hard. He is a hard teacher. And what you learn will mostly be on your own. You have to teach yourself in the class. Like everyone says, he is a difficult teacher.
He is difficult, very fast paced, includes several chapters at a time on a single exam. He even told me that his class is not the right class for me.
Worst Professor Ever. Avoid him like the plague. Rambles on and lectures as if he is teaching people who already know the material..like himself. Does not care if students understand his material or not. Seems to enjoy people dropping out of his class, almost prides himself on it. Very unfair and just a horrible teacher overall.
garber basically sets you up for failure in his class. i had him for chem 111a and 111b. not only are his lectures totally incomprhensible, but his tests are NOTHING like what's in the book or the examples he "goes over" in class. even if you think you can do everything in the book and in the lab,theres definitely a good chance you could still fail
Even though this class was extremely tough, It is still doable. Garber lays out his expectations in the beginning of the semester and if you don't put in the time, you will not pass. Not much more to it then that.
I highly recommend taking this class with anyone else but him. His exams are difficult, he doesn't give nearly as much partial credit as the other lecturers, he's incredibly pessimistic and rambles a lot. I hated this class.
Attendace not mandatory, but highly recommended. Garber is not as bad as people make him sound. Although he talks in a very low voice, you will learn something. Most of the learning is in the lab. Take advantage of it and learn as much as possible from your lab. Also do your homework, it will help ouy. Best way to learn is to have a study group!
Garber is not as bad as people make him sound.If you do your part you'll be fine Although he talks in a very low voice, you will learn something. Most of the learning is in the lab. Take advantage of it and learn as much as possible from your lab. Also do your homework, it will help out. Best way to learn is to have a study group!
This dude's bad reputation has been overblown quite a bit...i can understand why people wouldn't like him...because he makes you WORK for a C. Don't expect to breeze through his class because it's HARD. But you learn. You hate him now, but you'll thank him later because chem is not gonna get any easier!
This is also for chem 111B. Garber means well but is a crotchety kind of guy. He has trouble seeing why you don't understand it if he does. His lectures are sometimes helpful for learning the subject matter. Most of the time you need the book. Read ahead. study your butt off. This class is hard if you don't have a natural knack for it.
he rambals a lot and rarely writes out problems, when he does they're microscopic! good luck with him cause i got an A in 101 and got a C in 111A with him.
I got a B from CHEM101 w/out studying. I had to freakin' study to get a B in this class. worth it! He's genius! If you're lazy don't take him! be flexible with teaching style! STUDY GROUP is a must :)
He's pretty much the drill sergeant of the chem 111 series and does a damn good job of it. you will hate him, but when you're done, you will thank him. if you can't handle his classes, and are a whiner you shouldn't be pursuing the sciences to begin with. it only gets harder.
This class takes some effort to get a good grade. Even though it is hard getting a good grade is possible. You just need to put in the time to study. He even gives you the tests from the previous semester to study from. I suggest getting a study group together and you will get a good grade for sure.
Rambles on about useless facts occasionally pertaining to chemistry. lectures are minimally helpful as well as the instructor. old exams from past semesters help. HW is easy points. Bitter old man who doesn't want you to succeed....avoid if possible.
He is difficult enough to deal with regarding all his teaching style and the exams. His exams are all very long and consist of extremely difficult problems. This is during the regular semesters, but if you take his class during the summer sessions, that is a totally different story where exams are worth 50% more than regular semester exams.
notice most of the good comments are worded the same way probably written by the same person. anyway don't take this professor . the material tested on is not from the textbook. in addition, he hardly teaches in class.
Take any other professor but Garbel-these-nuts. You will learn more and get a better grade from any but him. Someone should report him for not teaching the material we signed up for. I wish I could go back in time and not enroll in his class.
Garber is helpful, fair, and likeable despite what people say. There are worst 111A/111B lecturers on campus. He overexaggerates how difficult the course is. A lot of reading and work, but you will learn a lot! Btw take him during the summer -semester might be much more tough.
You know this is a pretty tough class but with a lot of studying solo and with a group it is possible to get a pretty good grade. Maybe not an A but at least a B. I watched so many people drop as the semester went on but they didn't really give it there all. Hard work is not studying 4 hours the night before the exam, you have to study constantly!
lectures are boring because of his monotone voice. exams are horrible. he gives alot of time consuming problems. so there is no time to even second think things through! collect all your pts from labs, online quizes, and clicker questions. youll be fine. getting a good grade is possible. really know the ins and outs of the practice exam good luck
Garber is a very difficult professor. He doesnt stay on topic during his lectures and it is near impossible to study for his exams. If he is the last teacher avaiable I would suggest you wait a semester to take another professor.
He lectured same topic three times this semester!
Do NOT believe any of the good comments. He is the worst teacher I have ever had. I am a hard worker, I attended every class and lab and still was useless. He enjoys watching students drop like flies. It isn't because Chem 111A is a hard subject, its because he doesn't know how to teach it and his exams are ridiculous.
Not a very effective teacher. His grading scale makes up for his surprise questions on exams, but expect to teach yourself any difficult topics. Not recommended!
Garber has been teaching the class for decades and his experience shows. His lectures are clear and helpful, but it is necessary to read the textbook before going to class. His tests are difficult, but still fair. Overall, he's a great professor.
HARD professor. You will hate him in the beginning, but love him when you finish. Thats if you passed the class of course. STUDY! STUDY! STUDY!!! DO NOT..i repeat DO NOT expect an EASY A, or B! Overall, he isnt completely horrible. He does offer office hours, take advantage of that! He wont bite if you ask for help!!!
he is one of the chemistry hardest professors but is also one of the best. prepares you extremely well for any future chemistry classes. he's tough bc he actually makes you learn and not spoon feed you. those who complained either didn't read the book or didn't spend that much effort. study...alot! do the practice exams, and office hours!
Good good luck!! I really think Dr.Garber has been teaching for much too long and has lost his touch with teaching. His tests are ridiculous, he'll make things up (including units!) just to trick you. I think he wants all of his students to fail. I'm not kidding. Study hard. DO THE PRACTICE TESTS & pray for the best. It's a tough one.
verrry pompous. rambles on and on in class. i didn't learn an ounce from his lectures. he's a harsh grader on his exams. i don't think he's a bit concerned about his students passing. i learned more from my student-tutor than i did with him. i am a grad student with a phd, yet he still treats his students as if though they are lowly and unintellige
Great Proffesor!!! gives you practice tests to help you study. If you attend the class and pay attention to him you will pass. I got an A in his class. His lab final is difficult though. Make sure to do the homework problems too, it will really help you in the class.
One of the worst professors. I remember when he said on the first few days, "I will try to weave more than half of you out of here". Test are difficult. He rambles off-topic all the time and is a story teller. His stories has nothing to do with exams. Chem should be your 2nd nature if u are going to take with this professor.
Great guy! and of course he wants to weed out as much people as possible since it is a 100 level course. He LOVES to scare students but if you talk to him one on one he reaLLY helps you out IF you make an effort to know the material! If you actually study HARD and treat this class with respect you can pass no problem! Good luck :)
It's a shame to see such a bright professor accept his tenure and complacency within the public school system. He has accepted that the flaws in the system are irreversible and has given up on making a difference... Professors in 100 level courses should use their forum as an oppportunity to motivate students to pursue this subject. He's the oppste
Dr. Garber is a challenging teacher and this is a challenging class. I treat his lectures as being supplemental to my own work. He is extremely intelligent but his lectures seem disjointed to me without familiarizing myself with the material beforehand. This country lags in the sciences, people-it is to all of our benefit that he makes it tough!
he's a difficult person to like but he's easily respected. he knows his stuff! if you read the book before coming to class he's easier to understand. he writes small, so sit in front!
Very easy to pass this class without passing exams. Do not let that HIS NEGATIVITY discourage you! Get old labs from previous classes, everyone just resubmits figuring out unknowns without legitmly completing labs... Make sure to get full credit on these because the majority of class fails lab final.
Another big chunk of pts comes from mastering chem... Extra points are awarded from this section. Make sure to get 100% d. MasteringChem online work is even nmbrd course work assigned from textbook.. Purchase $10.00 cramster subscription for solutions.. Do well on cumulative final! It is nowhere as abstract as midterms yet also worth 300pts!
Has complete control over his class and his material. He knows what he's doing and knows what to expect from students. Exams are difficult, but fair considering the material - all chem 111A/B exams will be difficult. Take him if you can. DO IT!
One of the best proffers I have had. He knows his stuff and expects you to as well. I barely read the book and I got a B. Just be sure to do above average on mastering chem and on the labs if you bomb the exams (which is very common)
This is the class to take if you want the basic to survive Chem 111B and Organic Chem. Hard teacher. I did not pass his class and I am retaking Garber (instead of other instructor) because I actually learned something from his class. I rather get a C and understand the basic stuff than Ace every test and don't learn anything. Difficult tests btw.
I did not pass his class and I am retaking Garber (instead of other instructor) again because I actually learned something from his class. I rather get a C and understand the basic stuff than Ace every test and don't learn anything. Difficult tests btw.
He's really really smart... But he expects u to know everything without him explaining it well. He views his job as needing to weed out as many people as possible. U can do great in the labs bit the tests count for waaaaaaaay more, learned that the hard way.
Garber can be many things, but if you get decent scores on his tests you will be prepared for the ACS exam, surprisingly. Attend lectures and get iclicker points. Do REALLY well on MasteringChem, DO THE HOMEWORK PROBLEMS, and READ THE BOOK. Best way to sidestep his discouraging comments can only be done with a sense of humor.
TAKE THE SI CLASS! He goes off topic ALOT and most of his lectures are really difficult to understand. Read on your own before each class, get a tutor, take the si class, learn EVERY detail, etc etc. His tests are all MC which is a plus and he's better at teaching 111b than 111a, but still, his class = not crackin'...
Pretty good professor actually. At first he looks and is very intimidating but having him after two semesters I can honestly say that he is a boss! He is very clear when you ask him a question. Office hours are a must if you fail to understand the material. SI is highly suggested yo.
Hard class, but awesome professor. He won't take it easy on you, but you will definitely be a 1st semester gen chem pro at the end!
Very difficult instructor, but knows his material well. If your planning on taking him make sure you are serious about studying. Intimidating at first but pretty hilarious if you understand his humor. Overall I recommend him if you really wanna know chemistry.
Almost impossible to get an A. Too much material to cover. Unless u repeat the course. Basically do all the hw twice, turn in all mastering chem hw. Buy the ASC book as soon as it's offered. Make friends with the lab instructor, and have them help you with every question in the lab,so you can get perfects. Hw-ASC questions-ms chem. If you do it in that order your get a B at least. He curves at the end and won't tell you in the beginning. He will tell you ahead of time when you need Iclic
Dr. Garber knows his stuff, and he'll make sure you learn it quickly. Ridiculous curve. Read the book before class and do the assigned practice problems and it's cake.
Garber is an AWESOME professor. I don't know where all of the other comments came from but disregard them. He's pretty clear on the subject and actually helps you in class as long as you pay attention. He's boss at teaching even if he writes on the white board but i definitely recommend him for general chem classes.
He once told me that I should not take him as I have never done well in a class with him before. He feels that it is necessary to tell me to take the class with a different professor who he thinks will work better for me, which he then did. He himself admitted that he does not recommend that I take this class with him.
Very smart professor, but VERY difficult tests! Although he is a bit intimidating, I suggest using his office hours, BUY THE ACS Guide, read ahead in the text BEFORE lectures and practice the Mastering Chem HW assignments. My only complaint was that he doesn't use PowerPoints or something along those lines.
the tests are hard and this class isnt easy. Garber is funny in his own way if you listen. Go to every class and go to office hours if you need help. If you learned anything in Chem 101 you should pass this course. All the negative things about him are the people who dont try or pay attention in class. If thats you then steer clear.
Not so bad. 3 exams 1 final ACS. If you understand the exams then ACS should be a peice of cake. People who rated him low probably dont even listen during lecture.
A's in both req chems but C in Garber's. Teaches toward national chem exam rather than teaching the material; you work through the entire text, A's on all quizzes & master HW then do poorly on exams b/c the Q's come from another world. Tests are MC w/o partial credit. Knows his stuff & is dynamic lecturer but unreal expectations. Take someone else.
I feel like this teacher wants to mess with his students. Doesn't teach at all what's on the final. Take someone else!
Yes, Garber tries to weed people out. Yes, his tests are hard. But his standards for getting an A is the traditional B, and the subject is not nearly as hard as O-Chem. Plus, the exams are easier than the Chem Olympiad ACS tests, and highschoolers are doing that... Tip? Read the text book for conceptual stuff, and ACS study guide for calculations.
This class is really hard and he makes it even more difficult! He acts like you're an idiot if you don't understand something. Why would you become a teacher if you don't wanna help students? He is not friendly or approachable. Awful professor!
Honestly, Garber was an awesome professor. All you had to do was pay attention in class and write down important concepts. It's seriously not that hard. Keep up with homework and mastering chem and you'll be fine.
Awesome professor! I learned a lot about chemistry and love the subject because of him. Just pay attention in class and you'll be fine. Keep up with homework and mastering chem. Test are very conceptual. That's why you need to listen to what he says in class.
Just pay attention to his lectures and write down important concepts in your notes. Piece of cake!
Dr. Garber was definitely one of the hardest prof i ever had to take, but it was worth taking him. He comes out a little mean but if you take time to go meet him at his office he's really helpful. By the end of the semester you will know the material like the back of your hand.
Not as bad as everyone says. While he is not the best professor, he is better than some other professors I have had. Lectures are extremely helpful, so make sure to attend. I liked his lectures and there are plenty of opportunities to get points in this class. Overall, pretty good teacher.
Dr. Garber was really nice and helpful in office hours and his tests were not bad.
To be honest, Garber is a pretty good professor. You will learn so much in this class and there's no reason you can't do well in this class if you pay attention and do the work. Love his teaching style. He is a really knowledgeable man and is really passionate about chemistry. Overall, good professor.
This class is not that hard, but Garber has almost no interests in helping students. Everything I learned in chemistry I taught myself, his lectures are pointless. But a 85% is an A and he offers a lot of easy points to cushion your grade.
He personally told me that he does not think I should take any classes with him. He noticed how I was not doing well in his class, therefore he suggested me to take someone else. I personally think he was just too difficult for me, I therefore was thankful that he told me not to consider taking the class with him.
This was by far the hardest class I have ever taken at CSULB. I studied countless hours and still couldn't understand many concepts because Garber hates elaborating on topics during lecture. Please drop this class while you can! I barely got through with a C and I took AP Chem and passed in high school!
Garber is very knowledgeable and the class is difficult but it is not impossible. He really prepares students for the harder sciences to come. In my opinion, he was one best professors I've had and glad I had him for 111B.
FUNNY GUY! If you read the book and study hard you can get the A!
I've had high school teachers like him. He isn't bad... It's just that he get's off tangent within the subject of the lecture. Luckily I had APChem, and Chemistry naturally comes to me, so it wasn't difficult at all. He did clarify a few details that I didn't understand in AP Chem, so that was good. He is also helpful, according to my friends...
Makes you feel dumb, seems like he gets irritated if you ask him a question or don't understand what he's saying, and will flat out tell you that you will fail the class. Not helpful at all!
If there was any professor to avoid at all costs its him. He made chemistry so much harder than what it needs to be and this is coming from a person who passed chem 111A with ease. He tends to lecture very quickly and his teaching strategies are very old school meaning only a chalkboard. Lectures are useless, just study on your own. Good luck.
to do well in Garber's class, 1)sit as close to the front as you can (get there early) because he uses the board, no PPT 2)read and take notes from the textbook, the book for the course was well written 3)His tests have difficult ?ns, so study by doing difficult problems 4)Get an A on the final,labs, and online hw and C average on tests=barely A-
Not as bad as everyone says. Not the best professor but definitely not the worst. I had a B average on exams and A's on basically everything else and got an A in the end. This class is very doable. Get old exams and labs from previous students if you can!
Dr. Garber is great, very knowledgeable & helpful. However, the whole class sucks, it's so time-consuming and hard to handle if you have a lot going on. I had 18 units this semester, so it was hard for me to get through it. Make sure to keep up with your readings and his lectures. His lectures are very helpful if you know what he's talking about.
Lectures are of minimal help. Only go if you feel that they help you understand more. Instead, I suggest to follow the textbook closely, especially because his lectures are confusing and provides no examples. He is a little rude and unclear if you ask him a question. There are a ton of assignments that help your grade A LOT, and a generous curve!
Makes you feel like an idiot if you don't know something and ask for clarity. no ppts, only writes on the board, didn't use a mic in a class of 170+ and doesn't like to repeat himself. difficult tests in which the book helps you more than the lectures. attendance is mandatory but hardly helpful. only good thing was there was a big curve. avoid.
It's best to enter Garber's class with previous experience in CHEM 111B. He is unclear during lecture, and his tests contain a lot of tricky questions. However, he does have a large curve and a lot of easy points available. He isn't very nice if you try and ask questions during lecture. I recommend learning from the book and getting a tutor.
This professor is seriously HARD!! For some reason this professor is really nice during the summer session and rude during regular semesters. The trick is don't even bother studying from the lecture or the hw, because guess what nothing from hw will be on it. Good luck to those who are going to take him!!!
this will probably be the toughest professor you will ever have. He is very unclear in his lectures. he does examples on the board but he never finishes them. he does not use power points or notes, he goes solely from things at the top of his head. dont take him unless you want to fail.
It's obvious that chemistry comes naturally to him. Unfortunately, he expects you to be the same way. He talks too quietly, but gives good examples. He gets annoyed sometimes if you ask simple questions because you should have learned concepts in 111A. You can do well if you study. If you can pass Garber, then you are ready for upper division.
I am currently in my second 111B semester with him, it is essentially MANDATORY to get some sort of tutoring with this course. He doesn't follow the book very much, but you should still bring it to class. It is also almost mandatory to get an old 111B exam to get a good idea of what the tests will be, never use just recitation and practice exams.
I wish you the very best of luck if you happen to take Garber. 50% pass rate, only 8% are fortunate enough to receive an A. This was BY FAR one of the most difficult classes I've taken in college. I barely passed with a C when I took AP Chem in high school got a 5. If you don't pass this class, consider changing your major...
Tell you right now, you're on MyCSULB looking at this because this is the only class open. It's the only class open for a reason. Avoid this unless you want to tank your GPA. If it's your only option like it was mine. Good luck, you'll need every bit of it. Lectures are pointless and his exams aren't fair. May the odds be ever in your favor.
I had this teacher and numerous of my friends also. Let me tell you something, the tests are extremely hard, but you can do it. Believe in yourself. My friend got D's 55 points on the test and passed with a B, because he scored an A on the Final. I maintained 50s and passed the class. Homework is worth alot. Garber's hard, but you can do it.
Garber is an excellent professor who told the students in the beginning of class that the course will be difficult. It is very hard, but one must learn to study independently and to pay strict attention during lecture. Sitting in the front is an excellent idea. This course requires at least 2 hours of studying per day. Its difficult but manageable
Constantly gives you feedback on grade and where ur on the curve. Washes hands constantly during lecture. Good discussion of polarity of H2O and life evolving.Mixture problems tough. Helpful in office. Written feedback on exam-wrote "Scintillating" on my first exam. Good lecturer. Plotted u on curve during lab. You always knew ur grade.
I took his class in 2001. The funny little man would come to class. Sit on the table and lecture for an hour. His lectures were never descriptive and he never wrote ANYTHING. You were basically forced to teach yourself chemistry. Weeding students is wrong. Terrible professor. This was a time period before all the online education was present.
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