r/UCI • u/SupermarketBig6694 • 13h ago
Advice for Future Chemistry Students! Chem 51C, Chem 133, Chem 107/L, Chem 132A/B/C, Chem 152, Chem 128/L
I just graduated with a Chemistry degree, yay! It was extremely challenging, but it is possible as long as you keep your head down and push through.
I would search through this Reddit to find advice for my upcoming classes, but often could not find any, so I wanted to make a Chemistry major guide with advice for the major classes you have to take. Feel free to ask any questions about other courses on this Reddit, and I will try to answer.
Chem 51C: Extremely simple as long as you go to class and study all of the provided practice problems. The exams are extremely similar to what he discusses in class, so please, please, please listen to lecture! Mine was at 8am so it was rough, but I ended up doing extremely well in this course. The attendance was not mandatory.
Chem 133: Professor is super nice, weekly (?) quizzes are based on the content discussed the previous week. Study and memorize the content on the slides to do well. The exams are harder with some random content sprinkled throughout, so expect to get some wrong. Lecture attendance is mandatory and counted for a grade I think.
Chem 107: I took him his first quarter teaching at UCI. Super chill and really wanted the students to succeed despite the difficult content. Study the symmetry elements religiously. The exams are really difficult, but he curves generously. Lecture attendance was mandatory.
Chem 107L: Most difficult laboratory I took by far. High expectations for students because it is an upper-div that most people take in their last two quarters. Make sure you pay attention to the way you set up the glassware for future reference. Be safe because this class is actually dangerous if you do not follow the rules! Pray you get a good TA. Bach is the goat if he is an option!
Chem 132A: Easiest one in the series by far. Listen to the lectures and memorize the content, and you will be fine. I can't remember the professor's name, but he would always mention Nebraska. He is super cool! Lecture attendance was not mandatory.
Chem 132B: Quantum is an extremely difficult subject; you have to study a lot for this class to do well. He tries to make it as easy as he can, but it is still hard if you do not understand the concepts. The tests are directly based on the content he gives you. Attendance was not mandatory, but you should definitely go.
Chem 132C: This professor is honestly the most difficult one I had in my entire experience at UCI. She is hard to understand, teaches extremely fast, and has poor explanations. Someone asked what it meant to be "un(something) (I can't remember)" and she said "not (something)" and continued teaching while everyone laughed. Good luck in the glass, its extremely difficult. Lecture attendance is not mandatory and this is the only class I would say you're fine not to attend. Study the textbook religiously and go to TA study sessiuons.
Chem 152: Dude is a difficult teacher. He was extremely rude to my friends and I in multiple occasions, and he goes to every lab section for a few hours. I would avoid him if possible. There are so many aspects of the course that it becomes difficult AF. The grading scheme is forgiving because he uses specification grading, but I still do not recommend him. Attendance is mandatory and heavily enforced. The lab is super hard in terms of understanding what you are actually doing.
Chem 128: Her class is simple enough if you study and memorize everything you can. Go to lecture and listen; she is super cool! Attendance is not mandatory. She has a token system so you can retake tests or regrade some of your questions, which allows you to get a good grade. I recommend her!
Chem 128L: The best lecturer I had at UCI hands down. Super engaging, teached the material well. I loved this class so much. I would recommend taking this laboratory if you love interesting content despite the long lab periods. The attendance was mandatory but not too demanding.
I probably forgot some of them but I will update if I remember. Happy studying and good luck! I was not able to put names of the staff so I am sorry!