2.3
Quality3.8
Difficulty60%
Would Retake89
Reviews60%
Would Retake
89
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
12
4
11
3
16
2
17
1
33
What Students Say
“I didn't learn anything in class”
CHEM161 - 2.0 rating“Absolute worst teacher i have ever had”
161 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
77%
Textbook Required
35%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+1.15 avg changeRatings by Course
CHEM162LAB
5.0
(1)CHEM321
4.0
(1)CHEM162
3.6
(7)CHEM3XX
3.0
(1)GENCHEM
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
121
5.0
CHEM122
5.0
PHYSCHEM
5.0
CHEMISTRY121
5.0
CHEM
5.0
Reviews (89)
The guy should not be in the classrooms first of all, he should be in a lab studying random crap. He may know what he is doing... But he does not teach. Every class you are working in groups, and when you ask him a question HE DOESN'T ANSWER IT!!
Group work every class and never helps with anything. One of the worst teachers i have ever had! Stay away from him!
He sucks. All he cares about is his coffee. He goes nowhere without it. It's like his security blanket. He teaches terribly.
His is very knowlagable, but should not be teaching a Gen. Chem. class. He doesn't answer questions and doesn't understand you you have no clue what's going on. Find him when you take a 400 level chemistry class.
Not very helpful, but is a smart guy. He should stick to upper level courses because he expects you to know everything about chemistry. Tests are pretty hard and the final is BRUTAL. Some question are from the book and were never even taught. DO BETTER
Comments on this site so far suggest that he might be good for upper-level courses. I had him for an upper-level course and he still wasn't that great- just OK.
The worst teacher I have ever had. He doesn't explain anything and when you go for help from him he turns back at you and says "you should know that" Horrible Teacher
All I can say is that this guy was not helpful at all! It disgusts me that people like this, who don't care about the students AT ALL, are even allowed to teach! He left the class alone during labs, and answered questions with a question. Really bad
On the first day of class, he broke us up into groups to figure out all about isotopes and ions. His teaching methods never improved from there. If you want to learn anything in his class, you have to teach it to yourself. Good luck with that.
He had a rough start, but i thought that he got a little better towards the end of the class. He seemed VERY smart, but should stick to chemistry students in upper-level courses, they might have a better chance at understanding him.
he sux as a teacher. he talks like he's retarded and he yhinks we are all geniuses like him. why you ask, he graduated college at 13, and turned down nasa positions to teach here. don't take him ever!!!!!!!!!!!
Disjointed, non-linear, scattered, poorly organized (which is an essential for a teacher)and intrinsically confusing. Making it out of PChem will likely take two or more attempts.
I had "The Burk" for Physical Chemistry and even though he is one of the nicesest professors I've had to interact with, he is a horrible teacher. It's unfortunate because he is genuinely nice and cares about teaching, but is ineffectual.
He doesn't actually teach. He broke us up into groups and expected us to teach ourselves. How are we supposed to teach ourselves something we don't know? He only gives a total of 4 tests for our grade, so if you didn't understand, you were out of luck. He's a nice guy but...
Dr. Burkholder filled in while our regular professor was out for a week. I don't understand what he teaches! I don't think he sucks, I just don't understand his teaching, personally. I got a 3/25 on the quiz he gave and on the next four quizzes with our regular professor, I got 23 to 25 out of 25
Burkholder has been the worst teacher I have had all semester. He is unclear, non-linear, useless and quite incompetent as a professor. What a waste. 'Nuff said.
in 121 I thought i had just forgotten the basics from high school i struggles but i did ok, in 122 it was a different world, i would go to him for hel and he would me i should already know that... NIGHTMARE, i thought we paid the professors to teach us and to help us...
i don'd understand why people compline so much about Dr. Burkholder..it is chemisty what's hard, not the teacher..he is a nice and intelligent guy who helps everyone who asks for help..sometimes i felt like i had to teach myself in his class but i still learnt a lot..it's a part of college experienc
Dr. Burkholder doesn't explain things clearly. When he is describing the lab, he doesn't add things like the importance of cooling something down slowly.
By far the worst professor I have ever had. His grading system has no consistancy. On the first exam, 20 out of 35 people failed. For such an intelligent guy, he sucks at teaching. I think he enjoys seeing people fail. It makes him feel better about himself. DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS!!!!
No Comments
worst teacher i have ever had. Put most of my study time into this class and STILL got back F's. I confronted him, and he in no way wanted to help me. Just handed me a copy of the test and said that i should know how to do this stuff by now. Offered no help. HORRIBLE TEACHER!
No Comments
just horrible
I asked a question in this class and his response was: "Well isn't that obvious?!" and walked away. worst teacher i have EVER had...dropped his class after getting a 2 on the first exam.
Good guy, a bit hard to follow sometimes, but always willing to go the extra mile. I would (have to and will) take another class with him.
Teacher is very unhelpful. I worked my a$$ off studying for his ridiculious tests, just to received 60's and F's. In class he tries to teach Chemistry, but i ficd myself teaching myself. HE makes you type your lab reports in the third person! Who does that!!!!!!!! DON NOT TAKE HIM AND IF YOU GET STUCK WITH HIM RUN. DROP HIS CLASS LIKE IT'S HOT!!!!
One of the nicest professors in the department. He's always willing to help and genuinely wants his students to succeed. Lectures can be a little rough, but is always available for extra help.
good at the start of the semester then seems to take a early vacation starting around midterms.
He is really hard teacher, but you will learn. Lectures, very useful. Take notes and do homework and you will be good. I had an A for his class.
This Professor is a disgrace to the title of DR. and Professor. He is a waste of space and has no place teaching a college course. My advice to anyone who is going to be in his class: Drop it as soon as possible unless you want to take the same Chem class more than once.
He's terrible, they should have never hired him! Teaches right out of a book and still can't get it right! Horrible!! Take the class at another school!
No Comments
Complete jerk. Wouldn't care if his whole class failed. I learned NOTHING!!!
Yikes! I can't believe the previous commenters had the same professor as I did. He was more than willing to help me when I was having a hard time. And OF COURSE he teaches out of the book... what the heck do you want him to do--teach some fantasy-based chemistry concocted out of his imagition? Get another textbook if this one is bad.
nice personality; will assist you if you seek help; gives far too many assignments that are way too long; although extremely time consuming, they don't teach you much; you have almost no time to actually study and develop an understanding of the material. he will be a great guy to lead the department; excellent at advising too.
this was my 2nd sem pchem, and I knew not to expect much. it was easier to go through than thermo; he gave us a pointless computer programming assignment that most people ignored anyway. you are in trouble if you carry a full-time load. if you take 8 credits or less, you will be fine.
lost & frustrated by his class. He talked with students who were really good at chem & wasting time answering their questions on stuff we didnt need to know. Tough exams although I can't attack him completely because I miraculously pulled a C (still can't believe it cuz a couple exams I had Fs) part my struggle was bc of lousy chem 1 teacher though
Had him for Chem I over the summer and although he's by no means great, I didn't find him that bad at all. Quizzes weren't easy but were full of extra credit. In-class group work was at least a break from the lectures. Someone complained about homework but in my class it was optional.
Not the best chem teacher, but not the worst, tests are fair
Dr. Burkholder had a teaching style I never encountered before or after his course. All I know is, if you take his classes find the cleverest, most dedicated students and sit with them. A good study group and a good work ethic are nessasary to do well. Invaluable experience on how to study, self teach and fight for your grade.
I would rather slam my head into a car door or jump off the parking garage than take another class with this professor. The grinch is only teaching for the money and will rip you off of your education!!!He ignored a student who asked him a question and he offered a review for an exam and didnt explain anything. should have been fired yrs. ago!
The worst teacher in the WORLD! I Swear To God! If you take this teacher you are STUPID. Im telling you not to take him!!! so when you come out of that class with an F!! dont blame me! He cant teach if his LIFE DEPENDED on it! GOD HELP ANYONE THAT HAS TO TAKE HIS CLASS!! He is the reason more than 50% or Chemistry Majors change their major!!
The material itself is difficult to understand and is far worse with incompetent and inadequate instruction from this professor. The lectures were discontinuous with material supposed to be studied in the text, and what the objectives of the course were a mystery at best. The professor was very unhelpful when asked question, and often dodged them.
Lectures can get really confusing, he has a very different teaching style that might not be right for everyone. Make sure you follow along in the book and read assigned chapters. Labs/quizzes are really easy but he's a bit scatter brained and not the most helpful professor I've encountered. Can make concepts harder than they need to be.
DO NOT TAKE THIS DUDE. HE IS A TERRIBLE TEACHER, DRY, BORING, ARGUMENTATIVE. its a one credit course and he treated it like a 4 credit 500 level course. IF YOU ENJOY LIFE AVOID THIS GUY. id rather have my legs broken than even speak to this teacher ever again.
I found the professor to be extremely helpful in understanding the material. The use of quizzes helped me guage my progress.
i honestly believe that he is somewhat mentally disabled. just something about the way he talks. he is just completely useless and i would never take another class of his again. he's so bad. i took lab with him and it took more work than some of my other 3 credit classes. ridiculous
He isn't very helpful at all, he makes ridiculous jokes and has outrageously dry humor. He is a nice guy with good intent though. He didn't correct any labs until the very end of the semester making writing them difficult, but he ended up grading pretty easily. Would not take take this teacher again.
I'm a B student, finished with an C-. I admit Chem isn't a strong subject for me, but i was diligent and ask for help. He told me to get "chem for dummies".
had him for both pchems and he's good. he was even a pretty good guy usually.
OMG! Burkholder is the WORST teacher you can possibly get for Chem. All he does is flip through his slides & if you ask too many questions he assumes you're retarded. He doesn't collect homework-HOWEVER the tests are based on homework problems & the text so you have to do it or else you fail. He truly is no help i withdrew
He teaches like students know the material already. He shouldn't teach Gen. Chem. You have to teach yourself. Very confusing
This guy is awful. I thought chem was going to be my major and after taking this class i decided not to. Homework is very confusing and he doesnt teach so you must do it yourself. He's not funny and he thinks he is. Bad teacher
He leaves the responsibility for the work on the students as a COLLEGE professor should. If he tells you to record some value and you don't then email him later, he'll tell you to get it from your lab partner. Remember students, we are in college, do as instructed and you'll be fine. Clear cut grading and helpful in lab (only helps when requested).
He isn't very good at explaining things, he pretty much just gives you example problems every class and says how do to it but not why he does each step. I didn't learn anything in class. You pretty much have to learn everything on your own.
Absolute worst teacher i have ever had. Acts like every student he has is a chemistry major on the first day of class. Doesn't teach you anything just flips through his slides with his stupid laser pointer. DO NOT take this class.
Dr. Burkholder is an awesome professor! It's not his fault if you choose to skip his class. This isn't High School, nobody will hold your hand and make you come to class. If you pay attention in his lectures, you should have no problem with the homework. Especially with the system the homework's assigned on, which is very helpful. Don't be lazy.
i probably would have learned more if i had taught the entire book to myself. flys through slides and doesn't show how to do any of the problems out on the board. expects students to have a complete understanding before hand. at least 2-3 hours on homework each week minimum. very little help
I was scared to take his class cuz of ur comments people! It was pleasing surprise to see that Dr Burkholder isnt only knowledgeable,but also makes it super easy for students to pass his class w good grades! When sees you struggle,he'll give you super easy bonus quiz Sometimes he struggles w explaining his pt of view but only cuz he's beyond smart!
one of the worst classes on campus. hardest gen ed ever, and is the nightmare of every networking major
Wouldn't recommend this class, only if it applies to your major! Don't understand why there's four exam then a final. He moves pretty fast with the material, he curves the grades though if the whole class didn't do well. The homework isn't mandatory because he don't check it but it'll help you a lot with the test.
Thom is a pretty awesome chem teacher. He's a little interesting, nice guy and wants to make chemistry fun, but for gods sake, that textbook it awful. i would suggest going to class because he does give extra credit for being there (in class questions). make sure to take the quizes, and show up, you'll be fine.
Hes a nice guy but moves a bit quick through the material so if you plan on taking this class expect to do a lot of at home reading.
Although its boring, if you pay attention in class and ask questions, you're golden. I bought the textbook and didn't even use it. Also, go to the tutoring center as much as possible, even if you go just to review the material, they're very helpful. The professor also curves A LOT and gives out tons of extra credit if you go to class
Dr Burkholder is a great professor. He is a nice prof, even though you might get intimidating vibes from him. Just ask him for help when you are struggling or unsure, he is there for you. I took him for lab he is not a harsh grader. I would defiantly take more classes with him in the upcoming semesters.
Although Dr. Burkholder is a good teacher, he does make you feel stupid for asking questions and is not respectful especially if you are a minority. But he is a good teacher.
One of the hardest classes I've ever taken
There are weekly online homework quizzes that if done, can really boost up your grade. Only 4 tests in class, if you don't go to class odds are you aren't going to pass. You really have to pay attention to what he is saying otherwise you won't understand. Topic is hard, he explains it decently.
Hes a very sarcastic guy but he takes sarcasm back. Its a lab so if you don't go to two or more you automatically fail. I sent him my labs before submission and he always corrected them the same day or by the next morning. Great Lab and Lecture!!
I took him for chem lab and enjoyed it. He was very friendly and always willing to answer questions. As long as you follow the lab instructions and complete the required reports it's an easy A
Dr. Burkholder is a good professor. He is a nice person in general who cares about his student understanding. He is funny, kind, and respectful. He always there for you, if you need help. You have to work and do the homework and quizzes, which is very helpful when its time for exams. Remember college is there to teach you. DO YOUR WORK!!!!
Burkholder is an amazing professor, he will help you with any issues you might have and is super friendly and accessible. I got an A with no background experience in chem. Lab reports due every week, and a lab final (not hard) that is worth the same as a lab report make up your grade. Take detailed notes when he explains how he wants lab reports.
He was extremely disrespectful and questioned my intelligence in front of the entire class. I was extremely disappointed because he knew who I was and that I had been receiving As all throughout the course. Additionally, he asked how quick my googling skills were simply because I knew that the standard volume of a gas at STP was 22.4L.
One quiz and homework each week, one final. Quiz questions are rarely covered in class so you're blindsided. Must read the book and use outside resources like YouTube to learn. He doesn't really teach us how to do anything outside of a high-level overview. He is nice and patient when you ask questions, though. He expects you to participate!
Just a poor professor overall. He doesn't care about his students and only does things on his own time.
Professor B. means very well but gives little care in making sure his students understand the content. He expects you to come into class knowing the ins and out's of the periodic table. Overall he means well but doesn't care about his students.
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. He does not care about his students. Never teaches, expects everyone to know everything without the material the day that it is introduced. He will call on people all class, even when nobody knows the answers, and will continue to do so. This is his method of "teaching". I just strongly urge not to take this class.
Nice person but not a great professor. Be ready to hear your name called out to answer the questions because he expects us to know these concepts when no one knows the answer. Homework is straightforward, quizzes are quite difficult, and one final exam. Some extra credits that can boost your grade up.
Ignore the other people on here! He was a great professor; understanding, caring, and very knowledge. I just don't think the others on here tried to learn the concepts so they weren't scared to be called on.
I had him for online class due to the pandemic, but I would've loved to be in person with him. Don't be shy to ask questions, he will walk you through the problem or concept and guide you to the right answer which I appreciated since it gives you the chance to learn it for yourself. Very understanding, gives extra help, amazing prof, imo.
Super great guy! Only 10-20 online questions for weekly homework, 10ish question online weekly quiz, no final!!!!!!
Attendance is mandatory and will tank your grade if you do not go. Make sure to read the textbook and be prepared to have to teach yourself if you take hybrid CHEM 161. I didn't learn a single thing in person and was only able to learn when I spent hours teaching myself the course work. Since I didn't learn anything in class I never wanted to go.
Dr Burkholder is probably the best professor ive had. He has a bad review because he actually wants you to learn and you wont pass if you are lazy. He is respectful and understanding. Please take him for gen chem. Hes a great guy
Understands the topic and helpful when asked questions. Never says no to questions. 1 hw and quiz a week is good for me. Not a stressful class
Honestly great professor. He tried his best to break down the concept through multiple examples online and during lectures. Just participate, do online quizzes and homework and you should be more than fine. Don't be afraid to ask questions and go to office hours he is great.
Easiest class I've been in considering its a chem class. All online quizzes and homework. No final or midterm. Very lecture heavy but posts the slides. Speaks slow and sometimes rambles but gets makes it understandable. Lenient with late work. Attendance is graded everyday. No textbook required but 35 dollar app is necessary for homework.
This class is too easy and thats the issue. If you plan on taking orgo after, put in effort to actually retain info from this class. There are no exams so its really easy to bs your way through all semester. He is really nice and responsive to questions, its just easy to stop paying attention without having to worry about your grade dropping.
If you just need a science credit, take this class. It is super easy, with no exams, midterms, or finals. Everything is online, so it is easy to pass w/o much effort. However, if you need this class as a prerequisite or want to actually learn and retain the material, pick a different professor. You will not learn much from how this class is run.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
77%
Textbook Required
35%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+1.15 avg changeRatings by Course
CHEM162LAB
5.0
(1)CHEM321
4.0
(1)CHEM162
3.6
(7)CHEM3XX
3.0
(1)GENCHEM
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
121
5.0
CHEM122
5.0
PHYSCHEM
5.0
CHEMISTRY121
5.0
CHEM
5.0