He knows what he's talking about; unfortunately, he assumes that everyone else does too. Very clear and to-the-point in lectures, but tends to rush concepts that may be difficult for the average student to grasp.

he's awesome

No Comments

He looks just like jon bon jovi!! very helpful!!

I suppose it is a blessing and a curse to be the smartest man in the universe. I loved listening to his lectures, but they were light years ahead of me. Really good person. Should be at NASA or something.

This is an easy class for me becasue I came from Chem 2 in high school, nonetheless, he is still a great teacher.

Mr. Halvorsen made Chemistry a lot more interesting than what it's ever been. He's very helpful in and outside of the classroom. He also gives homework assignments to help boost up your grade, which is awesome. He's a nice person, who knows what he's talking about.

i had him for lecture and lab and i couldn't have been happier! he's really helpful and nice when you have questions. i think i went to his office at least once a week with a stupid question about our homework and he never was rude about it. last few tests are challenging, but he is good overall.

This guy rocks! He made chemistry one of the most enjoyable classes I have taken!

good teacher, some might say he is hard, but what you have to do is go everyday to class, 100% Recomended

amazing professor

The smartest professor I have ever had also one of the nicest. He is so smart that he has a hard time breaking it down on a elementary level if you're confused. He's test are hard but he very fair.

Dr. Halverson is my favorite teacher ever! I had him for 3 classes! I liked going to class everyday, becuase he made it interesting and fun! you have to know your stuff for the tests, but if you go over his notes you should do fine! I loved having class with him cause he always made us laugh! I would recommend him to anyone!

Dr. Halverson is the BEST teacher EVER!! He cares for his students and makes learning chemistry seem easy. I'm a business major and hate science but after taking his class I now don't hate chemistry as much as I use to!!! AWESOME TEACHER!! I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND HIM TO ANYONE!

Great teacher ever

Dr. Halverson is an amazing teacher. It's been over a year since I took his class but he still says hi to me whenever I see him. Not only is he a great teacher, but is also very nice and easy on the eyes. :) I highly recommend taking his class. I actually like Chemistry now.

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!! He is a wonderful teacher and will do whatever he can to help the students. I still don't understand much from his organic class, but that could be because his looks are a major distraction!!

he's a very nice guy! tests are comprehensive, so you have to know what you're doing, and also they're long so you have to REALLY know what you're doing, and do it fast! but he's very willing to work with you, and explains in detail. excellent teacher! very helpful and understanding!

Dr. Halverson is a great teacher who definitely knows what he's talking about and can actually relate it to you in a way that you can understand it. Tests and quizzes aren't too tough, and he'll sometimes give you a practice one so you know what to look for!

its an easy class only if you have taken a previous chem class if not then dont take him he expects you to know everything from before.oh and expect alot of homework.

Very intellegent and nice guy, had him for both lab and lecture. Like many have said, he expects you to know what was covered in 120, but he does explain if you let him know you do not understand. Homework every week or two weeks. Boring lectures, but gives practice exams before each exam, and they are almost identical! Curves final grade!!

I hadnt had Chem in years and math in even longer! I had forgotten everything but Halvorsen was really good at explaining everything. If you do the practice tests, the actual tests are much like it, with just a few problems that are different. If you do your homework and practice tests, it really is easily understandable.

Troy is probably my favorite professor at ICC. He teaches the most difficult chemistry course offered at ICC and does so very well. Although his tests are extremely rigorous, I feel that Dr. Halversen prepares his students for what is to come in the future.

Hes a great teacher. Always willing to help you learn what you need and more office hours than any professor Ive seen. Its a good class and the fact he is ridiculously hot makes it even better :)

Hes great. He is always available to help me, which I feel like I knock on his door every 5 seconds. Hes hot also, too bad hes married haha! I thought I would never survive this class and every test I get back has made me feel like I really earned that grade.

Dr. Halversen made chemisty really enjoyable. I thought he did a really good job explaining everything and kept the class interesting with little jokes out of the blue. His labs are fun and I think I stayed the full time twice.It wasn't rare to get out within a half hour. Watch out for his second test, it's REALLY long so be prepared and go fast!

I love Troy. He is the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Always willing to help you and he is very understanding. Sometimes in class it's a bit confusing. But if you do the homework and study the practice exams the class is feasible. I enjoyed chem 130 with Troy!

Troy is a great teacher! He knows how to explain the information to where we can comprehend it completely. Stay caught up with the homework and studying of you will fall behind. He wants you to achieve and will help no matter what! I would recommend him any day!

wish i had him for all my chem classes

I actually only had him for my lab, but he was extreamly helpful. When it came down to finals time I had a death in the family and was unable to make the lab. He aloud me to do the lab at home and turn it when I could. He is picky on significant figures but other than that a great teacher

He is a phenomenal teacher and if you need organic chem for future schooling, he prepares you very well. Love him!

Very concise teacher. Obviously loves what he is teaching. Tests are hard, and there is a lot of out-of-class work required, but it is org chem . . .

Probably the best Chemistry professor I have ever had, if not my favorite professor at ICC. Very clear and helpful during lecture and outside of lecture. Very difficult, but is the nature of the course. Troy understands the difficulty of his subject, and will help out the best that he can.

Mr. Halversen is an excellent teacher. His tests can be challenging, but he previews the questions before the test. He cares about your success and he is very willing to help.

He is a great teacher and I highly recommend taking him. Always willing to help if you ask questions and he is unbelievably smart.

Professor knows his subject very well and is very helpful. He likes to get a personal connection with his students so he can help them better if they need it. Definitely recommend this teacher!

You need the textbook, and the solutions manual is very helpful. Homework is due for the chapters covered on the day of the quiz or exam. He doesn't take attendance, but the notes are important. The final is comprehensive and multiple choice. He doesn't post any grades on BB. Overall an intelligent teacher who loves what he does.

This professor was very helpful and knowledgeable about his subject. He is more than willing to help because he knows the material is difficult. He will go out of his way to help you as long as you put in your half of the work.

If you're not a fan of Chemistry in general, just one semester with Professor Halversen will change your opinion about the subject. He knows his stuff and actually enjoys teaching it. If you're willing to work hard, he's willing to work hard with you so that you can pass the class with a good grade. His lectures are fun. He's a funny guy.

Troy was pretty cool. I enjoyed taking this class. He was an amazing experience for my first college course ( I had just completed sophomore year of high school). He explains topics very clearly and logically comes to the conclusions of his work. He even took a picture with me and a couple friends on the last day of class.

I had Halvorsen for my Chemistry 130 lab and he completely changed my mind about chemistry as a whole. He explained things so clearly, and was willing to work with you if he saw effort. Expects you to show up ready to learn, but is not incredibly strict. Very understanding and an amazing teacher. He took my least favorite subject into a favorite!

Troy is a great professor and person in general. Very knoweldgable. He is easy to approach and remembers every students name. Pass him in the hallway and he will always say hi and ask how your day is. Also gives any help that you ask for but be sure to ask for it. Gives few test that can be over 3 or more chapters at a time.

Amazing professor who knows his stuff, and is always there to answer questions and explain things in a way that you can understand.

I only had Mr. Halvorsen for my lab but it made me want him for my lecture teacher. He explains things so well and goes at a good pace so you can take time to understand what is being taught. He will always explain things over to you if you asK. I had Mr. Halvorson at 8am and even at that time in the morning he was cracking Jokes. LOVE HIM!!!

NOTES ARE VERY IMPORTANT! It's best to read the chapters prior to his lectures. If you can, I'd take his lab along w his lecture. He is very accessible and is one of the nicest teachers I've ever had. You can tell he knows what he's talking about. Came to class everyday w a smile on his face. Tried his best to make the material fun. I hate chem tho

Great teacher, but detrimentally lazy on homework. He'll assign a good 30 problems or so to do, but then only grade 2 or 3 of them. Comparing your hw to the key handed out afterwards, you may have gotten an A or B if he had graded everything, but you'll get a C or D because you missed 2 pieces of 1 problem. Highly aggravating.

Took gen Chem with Halvorsen in the summer. It was 7:30 am lecture, but he made it more enjoyable. He tries to keep everyone interested and he really knows his stuff. He is also very approachable and understanding. With that being said, it isn't an easy class. He tends to be a nitpicky grader. But if you have to take chem, take him.

He gives you all the information and resources you need to do really well in the class. He does assign a lot of homework, but we get at least a week to do each assignment.

He is an amazing teacher, he makes learning chemistry for the first time SO EASY. He goes through the chapters slowly but efficiently. He will help you whenever you need it and is SO FRIENDLY. He knew all of my classes names within the first two weeks. He is overall an amazing guy!

He made this class super interesting. He is a very animated person, and his lectures are really good. He gives really good feedback on the homework and tests. If you care at all about passing chemistry and are willing to put the work in, he will do everything he can to help you pass.

Halversen is a great teacher who cares about his students' success. He is always ready to listen to, and carefully answer any questions you throw his way. His lectures are very clear and help students understand the course material much better. Be ready to write down a lot of notes.

This is definitely a course that requires time and effort on your part outside of class. I would advise starting on assignments (hw, practice quizzes, etc.) as soon as you receive them and then go to his office hours to ask questions. Hear me when I say, USE THE OFFICE HOURS. He is extremely friendly and helpful. My favorite professor, by far.

O Chem has a huge reputation for being the 'weed out class for premeds.' While it is a difficult class, if you are determined to put the effort in, it can be truly rewarding. Troy is the BEST PROFESSOR for the job. Incredibly kind, understanding, and hilarious. Words of advice: -do the practice quizzes -start on the hw early -utilize office hours!

Hard class, but Halvorsen really is intelligent. He is very helpful if you ask question, so make sure if you are lost you do! Funny too, overall great person and professor

The biggest thing I learned was if you do not get an A or B on the tests you will most likely NOT pass the class with a good grade. So beware of the tests they are not easy, especially the 2nd one! There are only 3 tests and the final that make up a HUGE percentage of your grade!

Troy Halvorsen is an awesome teacher. He has awesome lectures and he's really good at explaining concepts. The class is tough, but any CHEM 130 class is tough. He really cares about his students, he knew every student's name less than 2 weeks into the class, no joke. Put in the work and practice lots from the book and you can get an A.

Dr. H is a phenomenal professor! I took orgo I&II and while the material is super difficult he does his very best to make sure his students pass. Do not fall behind on the lab notebook, or you'll end up with a few all nighters. Start the homework early and use office hours! Ask questions! He's incredibly knowledgeable. He wants you to succeed!

His lectures covered basically everything we needed for tests and quizzes, but there was a lot to memorize. We got really behind in lectures and ended the semester 4 chapters behind where we were supposed to be. I felt like I knew the material we covered well, though. Get homework done and watch lectures as soon as possible. Don't get behind.

If he says something will be on the test, it's almost guaranteed to be on the test. Give yourself plenty of time to memorize info before tests. Mechanisms are important as well as reactions and potential energy diagrams. He's a nice guy; great at answering questions. He's almost always there early before labs if you need to ask questions.

One of the most caring and friendly professors you'll ever get to have. Knows how to teach chem in a very understandable way. I just want to say for those confused by how hw is graded - he only grades maybe 3 or 4 questions per hw that you don't know about because it forces you to be prepared for the tests. And trust me, you'll want to be prepared.

Probably my favorite Professor- or any teacher, for that matter- that I've ever had. Extremely helpful and super thorough in his lectures. He genuinely cares about teaching his students.

To rate Halvorsen as a Professor would simply be unjust, I must only rate him as a person. Wonderful, caring, and brilliant all the same. The man retained every single one of his 31 student's names within the first two weeks. Be cautious of the second test, and be sure to take this professor if you are granted the opportunity.

I really loved this class even though it was pretty tough. Mr. Halvorsen really does care about your success and will do anything to accommodate you. Don't expect to pass if you skip class and don't study but thankfully he makes studying for the tests a breeze due to the practice exams he posts that are nearly identical to the actual exams.

He is so kind and genuinely wants you to succeed! The class is tough, but if you use the lecture material and homework to study, you will do well!

Dr. Halvorsen is a great professor, cracks lots of jokes, and teaches the material well. The three exams are a huge part of your grade but the practice quizzes, and practice exams prepare you for almost exactly what the exams will look like so take advantage of those!

He is a great teacher but he is so knowledgeable on chemistry that I feel like sometimes not everyone is on his level of chemistry. Lots and lots of homework every week you'll have 25 questions with about everyone being a four-part question with none of them related.

Loved this Professor for Chem! He does all homework on paper and from the back of each chapter in the book, but it is all easy. He helps in labs so you can understand the material. His lectures are not recorded or available online, so going to class is how you get notes. All tests have a practice test that is pretty much what is on the test. 10/10

One of the best teachers I've had. Great at explaining concepts, clearly cares about students, and makes lectures engaging by encouraging class participation, telling jokes, and giving us relevant historical stories. He's good at remembering names and will say hi when passing you in the halls :). Cons: rough tests and need to read ahead for labs.

Honestly I did really like him. He was very fast pace and then he wasn't and then we covered like four chapter in the last two weeks of class and I was stressed. VERY exam heavy if you don't do good on exams you are screwed. He is very nice and attendance is highly suggested not mandatory.

Lectures: 9/10 Lectures were very informative and always interactive with Dr. H. Laboratory: 10/10 Safe, professional lab environment. skills were applied from the previous lecture in an intuitive way. Homework: 8/10 Heavy homework amount but good for preparation Overall, Dr. H does an amazing job at conveying Chemistry and being exemplary.

Dr. Halvorsen's class was fun to take, and he was very good at explaining the content. I took the class during the summer, and it would have been incredibly difficult if I haven't just learned chemistry. I would not recommend doing it during the summer unless you have all the time in the world to study but if you understand chemistry, go for it!

This man is the best professor I have had as of yet. I go to a large university in Illinois and I took Prof. Halvorsen's class over the summer. It was by far the most I have learned in a class... ever! He was very well spoken and had incredible notes. Even though we were on a tight schedule, he paced well and got us through the material!

Awesome professor. Very clear and straightforward notes and engaging lectures. Quizzes and tests are fairly easy, and he is always willing to answer any questions!

Troy is such a genuine and caring dude who really wants the best for you. He gives study guides, his lectures are very organized, and he ALWAYS takes the time to answer questions inside and out of class. The only downside was his grading being a little unorganized - if there is a mistake in the gradebook just keep reminding him lol!

He is very approachable, and his lectures are easygoing. Get ready to read and study on your own, though, because it's a lot of content.

Dr H. was amazing! His lectures were so engaging and he was clear and direct about expectations for homework and quizzes. Before every exam he gave us a practice exam very similar to the actual exam. I had to miss some classes and he was awesome and gave me his lecture notes so I could keep up. If you have the chance to take his class, TAKE IT!!!

Very caring professor. Makes all lectures engaging and is great at answering questions. The homework does take a lot of time to do but it does a good job at helping to prepare you for the tests.

Prof Havlorsen is overall a funny and a good teacher. The issue I found is that a lot of the content on the exams often didn't match the practice exams/in class lecture. Often times though similar problems to the homework appeared on the exams but Halvorsen is a tough grader, but is a very caring professor overall.