CHEM 111
Kalju Kahn
102 reviews

CHEM110L . 5 Years Ago

He will make your life miserable. If you're a Biochemistry major I'd sooner suggest changing majors to Molec. Biology than taking his class. His method of "teaching" is to act flabbergasted whenever asked a question and wants you to read his poorly written (by him) teaching manuals. I tried my absolute hardest and went to his office several times.

1 helpful 0 unhelpful
109C . 8 Years Ago

He expects a lot from you. Hard as all get out, but he expects you to do well which is refreshing and inspiring. Put in the work, meet with him in his office, go to class and be prepared. One of my favorite professors even though he was tough. Half our class dropped by the midterm, but he teaches you how to learn, which is really why you're there.

1 helpful 16 unhelpful
109C . 9 Years Ago

Only take Kahn if you need to. He relies on online lecture videos from Gainer and other online sources to teach the class. He expects you to learn all of the information before coming to class. Quizzes and tests are hard. He gives you too many resources expecting you to use all of them. Upside is that an "A" starts in the 70s.

7 helpful 1 unhelpful
CHEM109C . 9 Years Ago

He enjoys torturing his students and making his students' life miserable. DO NOT TAKE if you are not going to be a professional chemist!! The quiz questions are something you CANNOT find in your textbook. And he expects you to have 100 hours every week to study for his class and it's IMPOSSIBLE.

12 helpful 0 unhelpful
07906 . 9 Years Ago

Dr. Kahn is a brilliant professor, and is likely one of the smartest people you will ever be around. The secret to Kahn is making sure you know his material. Read the theory manual. It is written in a conversational manner,and contains the answer to every question he will ask in class. You need to prepare. Don't be afraid. He can see the effort.

4 helpful 8 unhelpful
162A . 9 Years Ago

He's very stimulating in lecture, and frequently asks the audience questions which enhances attention and learning (in my opinion). His homeworks can be quite long, and your research skills shouldwill be definitely sharpened, but the questions are very interesting. Tests are pretty fair.

1 helpful 11 unhelpful
CHEM109C . 9 Years Ago

He is obviously one of the most intelligent people I've ever met. He was relearning organic chemistry from the same textbook the students used, and he found a couple of errors in the book. His vitamin pop quizzes are nearly impossible. The exams are overwhelmingly difficult, thus my 54% turned out to be a B+.

1 helpful 6 unhelpful
CHEM142A . 9 Years Ago

This professor has an encyclopedic knowledge of the subject, and that's good, because this course is intense (of course it is - it's an upper division Biochemistry course taught on a severely compressed schedule). Do the work and participate, and you will get a good grade.

0 helpful 7 unhelpful
CHEMW142A . 10 Years Ago

Hardest professor, ever! If you ever feel like you have too much time during summer, you can take CHEM W 142A with Kahn. You'll be working day and night just to barely pass. Oh, and don't even think about taking another class at the same time. I did very well in my other class, but flunk this one badly.

10 helpful 0 unhelpful
CHEM112L . 11 Years Ago

Hardest professor ever. Will push to the limit. prepare for days and nights of study.

2 helpful 3 unhelpful
CHEM110L . 11 Years Ago

Unless you plan on becoming a biochemistry researcher in the future do not enroll in the biochemistry major in the chemistry department. If you are looking to become a doctor in the future spare yourself the pain I had to go through and just become a bio major and keep your GPA. Before Khan's series of classes I had a 4.0, now I have a 3.7.

6 helpful 3 unhelpful
CHEM110L . 11 Years Ago

He is a difficult professor who needs to work on his professionalism with students. His intimidation techniques are hurtful and discourages students rather than motivate them. His attitude does not allow students to feel comfortable while learning. There are many flaws with his "teaching" style.

12 helpful 1 unhelpful
CHEM110L . 11 Years Ago

I have taken 3 lab and 3 elective lecture courses with him. You will have to work very hard in his classes and do loads of preparation, but you will also learn so much and will realize you are capable of exceedingly challenging work! The assignments and tests are heavily focused on problem solving, which I enjoyed. Don't be intimidated by him.

4 helpful 1 unhelpful
CHEM142A . 11 Years Ago

Great professor- passionate, knowledgable, organized & helpful. He can appear intimidating because he has very high standards & expectations for students (expect to be randomly verbally quizzed during class- even on the first day). Course is challenging- don't let the 3 units fool you. Read material BEFORE class, ask questions & NEVER get behind.

2 helpful 2 unhelpful
CHEM142A . 11 Years Ago

Kahn was an amazing teacher. 142A was a cake walk compared to his chem110L lab which was the hardest class I have ever taken in my life. He scared you into learning and it works! You need to listen to his lectures he tells you the answer to everything if you listen well. He is an excellent teacher and really cares about his students

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CHEM142A . 11 Years Ago

Really has passion and mastery biochem. Genuinely cares about success of students in class and their careers. Assigns way too much work. Always try to read ahead. Always ask him to clarify if you don't understand. GO TO OFFICE HOURS. If you do well and take time to get to know him try to get a letter of rec. His review sheets are key for tests.

1 helpful 2 unhelpful
CHEM142A . 11 Years Ago

He really pushes you into the world of being a future graduate student. That saying, he expects a lot from you and it can seem stressful but when you look back you realize that the conditioning he puts you through is really helpful. Also took chem 110L, lots time and humiliation but loved it and totally worth it to get ready for grad school!

1 helpful 1 unhelpful
CHEM110L . 12 Years Ago

This professor is difficult to approach. He teaches in a very confusing manner and is many times unclear. He is also not friendly which makes it hard to ask him questions. He expects you to do a lot of work and doesn't hesitate on embarrassing you in front of the whole class if you are any less prepared than what he expects. Overall horrible.

3 helpful 0 unhelpful
CHEM125L . 12 Years Ago

This guy is a walking textbook or encyclopedia and will expect you to become the same. His classes will push you further than you may like but you'll end up better because of it since you really get a lot of practical experience with him. He also has an open door policy when you need help; so if he's around he'll give you help.

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CHEM110L . 12 Years Ago

one of the hardest biochem professors in the department. He is very demanding. Be ready to spend day & nights for his lab reports and pre-labs!! He is hard to understand because of his accent. he screwed me up in the last quarter of my last year. HATE THIS GUY!!!!

2 helpful 1 unhelpful
CHEM109C . 13 Years Ago

He hadn't taught 109c since like 2007 so he was definitely rusty with mechanisms etc but still really enjoyed the class. His tests can be ridiculous but he curves generously. also gave explicit study guides... super chill!

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CHEM125 . 14 Years Ago

This is the first professor that I've ever rated on this website because I never felt it was necessary. The lab classes that I took with Kahn were by far the hardest classes I have ever taken. The best way to phrase it is like so: these classes are a rite of passage into the biochemistry major, he is intimidating but puts in a lot of effort.

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CHEM142A . 15 Years Ago

Excellent at stimulating interest in the class through real life examples. While tests were a bit tricky, homework was straightforward. Pushed inductive reasoning skills through intriguing questions.

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CHEM126 . 15 Years Ago

He really pushes you to be the best student that you can be. When you put in the effort, so does he. He is always there to help you out and will go above and beyond if you are making a real effort to succeed in his classes. He has inspired me to achieve more in life and the one class I had with him was the best class I've ever taken at UCSB.

1 helpful 0 unhelpful