2.9
Quality3.9
Difficulty28%
Would Retake111
Reviews28%
Would Retake
111
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
111 total ratings5
32
4
17
3
12
2
16
1
34
What Students Say
“If you somehow made it to his class drop immediately”
CHEM170 - 1.0 rating“Unclear lecture and does not respond to student's emails”
OCHEM01 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
78%
Textbook Required
60%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.12 avg changeRatings by Course
CHEMISTRY200
5.0
(1)OCHEM
5.0
(3)CHEM290
5.0
(1)OCHEM240
5.0
(1)CHEM242
4.0
(5)Difficulty by Course
OCHEM01
5.0
CHEM100
5.0
CHEM200
4.2
200
4.0
CEHM200
4.0
Reviews (110)
A new teacher to SWC, this man is a very caring and helpful man. He knows the material well. In lecture he is easy to understand. He is willing to help whenever and wherever. He's a fun guy, very sweet. His tests are a little on the difficult side though.
Prof. K is a really cool guy. He is always willing to help you if you need it. The labs are a lot of fun - it's just his tests/quizzes that require much studying. I would recommend him any day - but be prepared to work hard.
Young new teacher.Seems to get anxiety acts and does not explain things very well.However the book does. He is an over acheiver and it shows in his really hard test.Follow his directions and you will be able to pass the class. To get an A in the class you have to be a genius or Chem geek.
Teacher expects way to much, he makes the students do a lot of homework and on top he adds on his extremely hard tests. Good luck taking this guy. He is willing to help you whenever you need help, but honestly you'll be asking for help all day long in his class.
Teacher ecpects you to know chemistry as if we were experts. gives a lot of how work that doesn't really help with the preparation of the test. test questions are way to confusing. don't recommend
very hard, go somewhere else to take it
Prof. K, excellent teacher, take him. If you are serious about your future work hard, Good things never comes easy, Study HARD!! He's not as bad as people say he is. He will help anytime, I really enjoyed his class. ;)
Homework is extra credit 5% of overall, quiz about the lab so read it and be prepare, test are challenging but not imposiible.
Prof. Khuong is a really hard teacher but that is what makes this class real interesting. He makes you think your way through. If you want scantron-type of problems, this is definitely not the class for you. If you're a slacker, neither is this for you. If you're up for the challenge, don't hesitate.. Take him.
he is very hard. he forgets that he's the teacher and we are the students. he expects we know everything. his exams were difficult too. sometimes he can't even solve the problems he made up on the test. "cross out #__. it's impossible to solve" <-what the heck! if you have questions, it's better to ask a classmate who's doing ok in the class.
This guy is a JOKE! community colleges were designed to help elevate students to a university level. this clown thinks he is teaching in HARVARD!!! He cant even answer his own problems on quizzes!! He has to tell students to skip certain problems. DO NOT TAKE THIS OVERACHIEVING KNOW-IT-ALL / CANT TEACH-AT-ALL. Take this class somewhere else.
this guy sucks. stay away
Definitely an overachiever. Just because he came from UCSD and UCLA doesn't necessarily make him an awesome teacher. Do yourself a favor and take the class elsewhere.
he's a nice and funny teacher, in my class (fall '05), at least, he seems to get along with every student.The class IS a little challenging itself, but I recommend you to read the chapter before the class and have questions and you'll do good. His exams ARE hard, but not impossible, he helps you out when he grades.oh and take the lab w/Mr Chambers!
He makes materials that is covered in the textbook harder than the author expressed. don't even try to take him.
honestly, this was like the first real class i've had in this college... not everybody can get through his class, that's true, but that doesn't mean he's bad... you just have to put an effort and keep up... it's a lot of work, but it's worth it... if i had to take this class again, i would definitely take it with him =)
He is a "real prof." His method of teaching is strict yet to the point. It is his passion to teach, and as a student if you have the desire to trully learn take him. He is quite challenging and he is preparing you to the next level. An "A" is not given, it is earned. He takes the initative to help students outside of class. Take the opportunity
Nice guy on a personal level however, when it comes to grading that is another story. He is strict which can be good to make you learn, but his tests are unfair and extremly long... 3 hours long! Dont take this class if you need to be taught, you are expected to know everything already
DOn't take his class. His teaching methods are terrible: The exams are way out of the subject.
everyone says he's difficult which is true but he's a REAL teacher, he's the kind of teachers that make community colleges look good, if you want to learn on a university level, take his classes.
This class is hard, I think he puts a lot of effort in helping you but his test are confusing, and extremely hard he is a nice person and has good intention in teaching I think he would be a great teacher in higher levels but not in 200
to all of you who claim that he is a "real professor" let me tell you how far off you all are... he doesnt teach at all, that is all you need to know. however he is a nice guy but that doesnt make him a good teacher, i didnt absorb anything through the whole semester. and trust me i worked really hard... dont take him
Prof Khuong does not like to teach at Southwestern College. You can tell by the way he carries himself. During lab, he plays on his computer and goes into the other room. His exams are harder than they should be and his only defense is "I am trying to set you up for "real" college" Don't take this guy. NIce? yea. Reasonable teacher? definitely not
I didn´t had him all semester cause I changed plans, but for the months I did had him he was a really great teacher, of course his tests were hard, but thats because he is really making us think! making us really understand what we are studying so that we don´t just memorize a procedure. He is very helpfoul and makes you participate in class, and e
VERY good teacher! He stays and helps you until you understand no matter HOW long it takes. Yeah his class is hard but what chemistry class isn't? Just stay on top of things and you'll be fine. If you want your answers spoonfed to you then don't take him cause he makes you THINK!
He is for sure a great professor but if you think you can slack off even a bit in his class you will fail for sure. His tests are harder than they should be but he is a good teacher and fun to have. His lab class is great too he will always take time out of his schedule to help you!
He doesn't teach goes through the power point lectures in the book as fast as he can. He also gives pop quizes and lab quizes without warning
I disagree with other ratings left here, a teacher should never be a challenge. He isn't strict, but he is vengeful. His tests are far too long to finish in the given time and trying to speak to him about that or anything else is like trying to talk to a tyrannous brick wall. I worked hard and never missed a class, yet I barely passed. Avoid him.
He is very very hard if not saying that he is unclear on things. My friends ang I will take this class over at different school if he is still teaching this class.
he is an extremely hard teacher but he is very helpful when u need him... though his class is extremely hard, but no one said chemistry was easy anyways.. if you want to learn organic take him, if not then don't bother...
Very hard to read.One minute he's joking,the next he's berading you.My bf and I showed up the first day of class attentive and ready to learn, but professor does not like couples (have heard from others). Yelled at us in class when he thought we were talking.We were actually solving a problem he put on the board. We dropped the same day.
He is a nice guy, funny, and will always help you during his office hours. But I did not absorb ANYTHING in his class. His powerpoints are unclear and I had lab with a different teacher (Trejo) so it was just horrible. His class broke my spirit a little.
REALLY GOOD PROFESSOR, ATTEND HIS LECTURES, THOUGH ITS NOT MANDATORY. NEITHER IS HIS HMWK. ITS HIGH SCHOOL CHEM, JUST PAY ATTENTION TO HIM IN CLASS. warning: HES WEIRD. AND INTIMIDATING at first. but hes one of the best chem teachers i've ever had. he explains things in a simple manner for everyone to understand.
He is very helpful. To me, he was awesome and always friendly and willing to help. Never used the book, and in border of failing and passed me. His tests sometimes are alittle not expected, so i think those who did the HW did great. Loved the teacher. =] great Style.
I've taken Professor Khuong since I started my chem studies. From chem 170 he is a demanding teacher but you will learn. People don't know how to appreciate a true teacher, and this prof is a teacher that doesn't deserve any bad rating just because people are poor students themselves.
People are right in saying his class is the minimum requirements of intro chemistry, but if you have any intention of taking, at least, the first semester of the general chemistry sequence you will be much better off, with essentially half the course already covered. It's intense, but well worth it. Plus, he's a cool a guy with a ridiculous laugh.
Good teacher, interesting sense of humor, and always willing and ready to help you. Class moves a little quickly, and is definitely demanding.
Dr. Khuong's class is pretty demanding, you definitely have to plan on investing some time to understand the material. His memory's sharp as a tack too, so try not to miss class since he'll be certain to remember your name and your face (a plus or minus, depending on who you ask :). All in all a very worthwhile class, he's a cool, very hot guy.
Its not a very hard class but it does require time, organize your time, and do all the problems in the book. He is a GREAT teacher. He is really fun and even if you don't like Organic chemistry you'll have fun, I recommend him 100% he is GREAT. Plus he is really really really hot!
Its not a very hard class but it does require time, organize your time, and do all the problems in the book. He is a GREAT teacher. He is really fun and even if you don't like Organic chemistry you'll have fun, I recommend him 100% he is GREAT. Plus he is really really really hot!
he is a very cool and intellegent instructor! this class was kind of difficult (like all other ochem classes) but if you study and do the homework and go to the mesa lab, man you'll do fine!!! I would totally recommend this instructor! he will help you in anyway he can! so in the next semester TAKE HIM!! he rocks!!
He's an AMAZING teacher! Not like another guy in the same department. He's so interactive and caring and super intelligent. TRUST ME, he's good for you, you'll get this boost of confidence and enthusiasm for organic chemistry.
Awesome teacher, highly recomend him. Very flexible in explaining each problem. Very cool person overall.
I like his class. He is a great teacher.
He is very good instructor. reach out any source that he knows to help students to learn. Grade is fair.
He is an excellent instructor.
Phenomenal Professor. Never again will you get an opportunity to work so closely with such a fantastic PhD. Too bad only 18 people in lab so tough to get in.
Really awesome professor, just raise your hand and ask a question if you need clarification because he will move on assuming you understand. Extremely helpful, but he wont spoon feed you the information, you must use your brain!!
he doesnt know how to teach although he knows a lot! I really hate taking chemistry with him. I think that GOOD teachers should be able to make learning fun and understandable. Its kind of depressing that he is the head of the dpt. chair for physical sciences. We are screwed until he retires and he is only around his 30's.****!
Particularly demeaning if you do not answer his questions correctly during lecture. Makes chemistry a little more difficult then it already is to learn. Though he definitely knows his subject matter, he lacks the ability to fully explain and engage the students making for a dull and somewhat uninspiring experience throughout.
His class is hard but he sure is HAM ;) Hes not that great at teaching but hes really funny and nice to look at. Keeps you on your toes but you for sure need to put in the time and read, do problems and study to pass the class. If you do well in his class you will do well in any other chem class.
He is a great prof. I took 3 semesters with him and found me leaning a lot. Thank you, Dr.Khuong.
He's great eye candy. however, prior to taking his class i looked him up on this website; I was misled by my fellow peers. first, i dont understand how he can still be teaching when he depends on someone else to teach it in the MESA center. Second, he's militant and harasses students by his jokes. Please, run away during registration.
When he starts on chemistry problems during class he never finishes them making it very hard to go back home and try to figure them out yourself. If you take his class you definitely have to make sure you ask many questions because he seldom comes prepared with a lesson plan and comes up with questions off the top of his head.
He is a great professor.
He cares about students and tries to provide the best knowledge as much as possible. Highly recommend.
Really smart guy but not the best teacher. He really does care that the students do well and is a nice, funny guy but he is not a good teacher. He comes to class with no specific lesson plan or work problems. Spends a lot of class time figuring out problems on the spot. Test are on the difficult side as well.
Good person but he doesn't really come prepared to class and never finishes any problems. It is often difficult to understand his lectures.
Definitely knows what he's doing but has trouble communicating it sometimes. Lecture would have been manageable without the horrible lab. Doesn't really have a lesson plan, just works problems from the book. Quizzes every week, four midterms and a final.
He's clear verbally and covers a lot in short time, but class is hard to follow when he doesn't write the process of solving the problem down. Knows his stuff for sure tho.
SUPER unorganized!!! Does not know what he wants from you and takes a year to give back your lab reports and exams. If you have ANY other option in the world for OCHEM go with the other option.
Such a rude professor, probably the worst I've ever taken. He knows a lot about the subject but never finishes the problems which makes it harder to understand. He also gets upset when the wrong answer is given from other students.
He is not good at explaining. Course consist of 3 exams and one final and quizzes once a week. He only sets up the problems but never fills in the problems with actual calculations. He expects you to know how to do it , and he will skip steps while working out problems. Test are extremely hard and he never goes over them, or gives an answer key.
Don't take this professor
AMAZING! Highly recommended. Professor Khuong is easily the best professor I have ever had for organic chemistry. Yes his tests are hard , 3 midterms and 1 final, also random quizzes through the semester. but he is super helpful! If you need help, just ask or email. He genuinely cares about his students and wants you to pass. Also a jokester :)
terrible professor, knows his stuff but does not know how to clearly explain. Very unorganized
Are you serious? Never again in my life..... Prepare to teach yourself. Bring in questions you may need help with..
Do. Not. Take. Him. Well, if you love reading textbooks and figuring out stuff on your own, then by all means take him. He is handsome though :)
Unprepared lectures, not clear on what is expected. Not helpful. Be prepared to teach yourself the material. Other comments are correct about lectures, works problems out on the spot, leaves them unfinished. Egotistical and will argue about a problem. Likes to see students fail. I advise against taking him at all costs.
No pre-lab lecture, had no idea what the labs were about, pre-lab quizzes were made on the spot (and a many times off topic), lectures were unhelpful. Made up problems on the spot and half the times could not answer them. No handouts, no study guides, no blackboard, and didn't reply to some of my emails. Takes 1 month to grade reports and quizzes.
I cannot recommend Dr Khuong enough. He's an incredible teacher, very accessible outside of class, extremely helpful, very motivating, and versatile in his ability to explain. It's not an easy class, but he makes it fun and accessible. You have to work problems and study, many of his questions come from the book or very similar.
Looks like the frowns have it! I get that too. The few smiles appear to be written by Prof K himself. No one I know has so many positive comments about him. Quite the opposite. Arrogant and a bad attitude most of the time. Often seems unconfident and confused about the topic. Wish others at Southwestern taught ochem... :(
Great professor and grades are based more on understanding and less on getting the specific answers.
If you work hard, participate in class, and have common sense, you'll pass with a decent grade. Values independence in his students. Thought he was a phenomenal teacher.
Class was challenging, but I'm sure he made it like that to prepare us. He gets kinda salty at you if you mess up repeatedly in lab, and I sometimes didn't understand his method of grading lab reports. Offers a generous amount of extra credit when taking exams or quizzes. My best advice, practice problems from the book, he tests using them on tests
Agree with the comment from 5-5-17: the frowns have it! He must be writing the positive reviews. Anyone who takes this guy complain about him behind his back, although some brown-nosers smile to his sourpuss face. How he ever got into teaching is anybody's guess. I wish I would have waited to take ochem now that someone else is teaching. AVOID!
If you're thinking about taking this professor please turn back not even joking please turn back. He is one of the most questionable professors at southwestern, i wonder how he got his credentials. If you somehow made it to his class drop immediately. To the people that actually passed his class you should've made it to harvard.
This guy starts teaching a problem then stops in the middle for us to figure it out for him! Other times he has to step back to see if his problem makes any sense at all. For all intents and purposes drop this class, its not worth it.
All the good comments are probably written by Professor Kuong himself. I got an A in his class chem 200 but not with his help. Guy didnt even do anything.
Worst possible professor you could ever get. He cant teach and he over complicates the simplest things. Also way too tough of a grader. avoid at all costs..
Don't take this teacher take someone else. His lectures aren't clear enough. I had to teach myself. Isn't the best option as a professor just saying...
As long as you truly pay attention during lectures and labs then you should be just fine in his class. The best thing to do is practice problems from the textbook to pass quizzes and exams,. He's a pretty chill teacher, teaches by guiding you but not by completely handholding you. Just be willing to learn and the semester will fly by
He is a good teacher, just not the hand-holding type. He'll show you how to solve problems in class but also expects you to practice at home using problems form the textbook so take this class if you have enough time to do this. Offers a significant amount of extra credits when taking exams and quizzes.
Unclear lecture and does not respond to student's emails. Using sarcastic tone with students and puts them down. NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. Avoid at all cost.
Chem 100 makes class harder than already
Super condescending and a put down. Lectures were often unclear and didn't bother to explain concepts.
I dont get the hate, Khuong is truly an amazing prof that goes above & beyond to help students understand material. He hosted countless study sessions & sacrificed free time for impromptu office hours. Exams are based on quizzes, book work, and lectures. He expects you to study hard. If you dont pass his class, youre not trying hard enough!
Seemed a little scary at first, but was a great teacher, there are a lot of stuff on the lessons you need to memorize but he tells you what to focus on. Will not let u get influenced by the devil
He is rude and pretentious. He talks a lot and doesn't say much, it's v frustrating. He contradicts himself and talks in circles. He says that he is here to help but in the same breath it's on us. I would NOT recommend taking him ever. Very sarcastic and condescending. Absolutely should NOT be a professor. This is the 1st day, I'll be back.
Still going and he is not helpful. He is condescending and really thinks he is amusing. He makes a lot of jokes but doesn't explain anything clearly. Very disappointed I decided to take this course with him.
Took this class and regretted it immediately after the first week. He makes you pretty much teach yourself from the textbook or other outside sources. Makes his own examples to use for lecture and sometimes doesnt even know if it makes sense. After the 1st midterm, he flat out told me to drop the class. No encouragement whatsoever.
I took this course during our remote period due to covid. I INSTANTLY REGRETTED IT, not only is he condescending, conceded, and overwhelming he is very unprofessional. He refers to himself as DR.K but acts very far from that. His oral exams were ridiculously inconsistent with the course and overall he doesn't really care to teach. Do not take it!!
I feel bad for all of these CHEM 170 students. If you're struggling in the easiest chemistry course at SWC then it's your fault, not the Professor's fault. For CHEM 240, you should expect to do a lot of practice problems to get an A. If you have questions, don't be afraid to ask. He's tough but that will only help you to succeed when you transfer.
Avoid this teacher. He doesn't teach well, he is unorganized, and has a rude attitude towards students. He also expects you to learn everything at home, instead of lecturing. I wish other professors taught O. Chem and not him. Definitely a waste of time and money.
I love chemistry and I understand the basics so I was eager to take this class. But I had to withdraw because his teaching style was unorganized. You will find yourself relying on classmates because everyone would be confused to what he wants us to do. All the people I know in the class had to drop because he was rude and unorganized.
You either love Dr. K or you don't. He is a tough grader & his lectures are like university lectures. He expects you to learn the material before class & utilize class for clarification/questions. He is forward & intimidating & it annoys people. But he doesn't care what you think of him, he only cares that you're showing progress.
his lectures are poorly explained, he expects the student to know everything. As for labs, he sort of explains once and you have to deliver exactly what he asked for exactly the way he wants it.
Do not take class with him!. The whole semester you are not able to know your grade, he is unorganized.The Canva is not even his, but from another professor. Be ready to be on your own since he is awful answering questions, he will often say I already said it. Your grade mostly depends on exams. He will arrive to class not knowing what to teach.
Only lab attendance is mandatory. Very transparent about the exam content and a forgiving grader. Lectures are mediocre at best and hardly seem planned out. His canvas page is super outdated, but he does respond in reasonable time to messages and is friendly. Attend office hours, study well ahead of exams, or fail the class.
Alr professor didn't give enough in class notes. To pass being self-taught is practically mandatory.
He doesn't teach very well. He gets hung up explaining the simplest things. He is very forgiving on his test but even with that there is no guarantee that you will pass the test. For this class either rely on your lab professor to teach you the material or teach yourself. Do NOT rely only on the lecture or you will fail. Seek a better professor.
Pay attention to work problems he gives during lectures, tests will contain the same style of questions. Definetely a self-taught class, do not rely on lecture/lab. Very nice professor, but also very unorganized.
Professor Khuong has a specific teaching style, but if you engage with it, the class can be manageable. Use resources like the textbook, study sessions, and study tools like unstuck study to stay on top of the material. Attendance is key to doing well.
He is funny. His lectures does help but you definitely need to also study on your own. He's a nice and funny guy idk why he's rated lowly. W professor
I like this professor a lot. He's a really funny guy but this class is hard. I don't understand much despite studying and we have an exam soon but he provides practice exams and he goes over it.
Study on your own or you will not pass. If theres a concept you don't understand, study it the moment he teaches it. let me just tell you that 😭
There isn't much to say, this guy is awful. Don't take him. I taught myself all the content, which defeats the entire purpose of having an instructor because they're supposed to teach you.
Very kind and knowledgeable, but lectures are disorganized and hard to follow. He struggles to structure the course well. Most classes involve problem-solving with a few examples. For lab, always be prepared; he expects you to know what to do. You'll rely heavily on the textbook. Exams are open-ended and often contain errors. Practice q's a lot!!!
He actually does not teach in lecture and his questions during exams will throw you off like crazy, he knows the material well, but he doesn't know how to teach it
Organic chemistry is a hard subject, and somehow this guy manages to make the subject even harder. He will go over like 3 examples in lecture and think that that's adequate coverage of a whole chapter, not to mention he comes up with the agenda on the spot. Basically, teach yourself or you will not pass.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
78%
Textbook Required
60%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.12 avg changeRatings by Course
CHEMISTRY200
5.0
(1)OCHEM
5.0
(3)CHEM290
5.0
(1)OCHEM240
5.0
(1)CHEM242
4.0
(5)Difficulty by Course
OCHEM01
5.0
CHEM100
5.0
CHEM200
4.2
200
4.0
CEHM200
4.0