Topics covered: atomic structure of matter; reaction stoichiometry; solution stoichiometry; gasses; quantum chemistry and the electronic structure of atoms; chemical bonding (molecular shapes, hybridization, and molecular orbital theory).
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeNormal lecture style, but does not explain concepts well, really just reads of the board. Midterms were not like practice exams, literally had questions about things we hadn't learned about yet. Final exam was nothing like the practice exams, completely different style of questions.
Not really a great lecturer at all. Very problem-based, she doesn't really run through concepts. DO THE PROBLEMS, and you'll get a better grade than I did.
She made funny jokes and gave lectures at a really good pace. She was always excited to help you if you showed up to office hours. Your grade is heavily based on the final and midterms, which sucks, but just study the practice tests she gives you, and you will be fine
I love Prof. Sylvester, she is hilarious. Her tests are fast paced and challenging. In the textbook there is a section called chemwork. Before the final do every single chemwork problem for every chapter bc they are like the final (for 1A). Do problems until you can't get them wrong, It will be hard but it is definitely doable.
Gen chem is just so hard. Prof Sylvester does a good job making lecture effective and also provides a ton of resources (practice tests and lecture recordings). I failed the first midterm, got a C on the second, and got a D on the final but ended up getting a B. This class is really hard without prior knowledge but it's doable with effort!
Chem 1A is a very hard class but I think Professor Sylvester does a really good job at teaching. Definitely do a lot of your own studying since the aleks homework doesn't reflect the kind of questions you will find on exams (book problems and practice exams are very helpful). I would definitely take her class again if I had to redo chem 1A.