CHEM 112A
Lior Sepunaru
62 reviews

CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

Great professor who is very caring, but 1B isn’t his best and you’re better off with another professor if you’re not interested in chemistry and are only taking it as a pre-major course. If you are a chem nerd i’d definitely recommend. Tests are very difficult, and he goes away from the book, so don’t solely rely on the book to study.

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

Actually horrible, tests were extremely difficult and would often have questions that weren't even talked about in lecture so you wouldn't know how to do them. Also lots of topics he would want you to understand in a different way than what the book explained, and his explanations were more difficult to grasp. Avoid at all costs.

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

Overall Prof. Sepunaru is a really great teacher and an engaging lecturer you not only knows what he is talking about, but cares about the topics. The tests for 1B were very difficult even with going to all lectures, and studying/doing practice problems etc, but I think it's style you get used to with time.

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

He is caring, and genuinely wants you to learn the concepts. His tests are lecture heavy and make sure to grasp the concepts than the calculations, as his test are also free response, so if you show understanding you will be able to get most of the points. Nice guy but his class is not for those who don't care about understanding the material.

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

Sepunaru was a very caring and nice professor, he clearly knows the material very well, but I felt at times during class it was hard to understand what he was teaching. This class is definitely not for the faint of heart, be prepared to work hard studying for exams, don't be afraid to ask questions, and remember to do all the HW on time!

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

Sepunaro has high expectations but he genuinely wants everyone to learn. His tests are mostly free response, which is great for gaining partial credit because even if you mess up calculations, you can still show understanding. Prioritize conceptual aspects instead of calculations. Predict the types of exam questions he'll ask. Really nice guy!

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

This class is ridiculous. Going to lecture does absolutely nothing. His tests are curveball exams that aren't relative to content 'taught' in class. Although he had amazing reviews when I signed up for this course, it was clear 1B is not his strong suit. Do NOT take this class if you want to pass. It is brutal.

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

Overall a decent professor though it was frustrating how different his material is from other 1B profs and CLAS b/c it made studying for exams extremely difficult. He includes a lot of extra material in his lectures "this is not in the textbook but it will be on the test". He would be great if he kept to what the other 1B profs taught.

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

His lectures were very confusing and the homework, lectures, and CLAS material we’re very different from the exams.

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

Very well respected and caring, many people are big fans of his teaching, however his lectures and assignments for Chem 1B were extremely disorganized and unclear - he focuses too much on concepts that arent important to the assignments and tests. Some people will love him, for me he was not an effective teacher

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

Despite his glowing reviews for upper-division classes, his CHEM1B class is impossible. The material taught in the lecture is unclear and taught in the most confusing manner possible, and the test material is radically different from Aleks or anything taught in CLAS. Beware before taking this class.

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CHEM1B . 2 Years Ago

Professor Sepunaru is my favorite professor I've had. He truly cares about his students and does everything he can to help them succeed (giving partial credit on exams, explaining topics one-on-one after class, etc.) His lectures are very clear and he made the class as enjoyable as it can be for a chem class. He's funny and very personable.

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CHEM112C . 3 Years Ago

Sepunaru is BY FAR one of the best Chem department professors. His lectures are guided by mostly class discussions but do cover what is needed. His tests are also extremely fair and if we do not score well, he takes it as his mistake for not doing his best. He is extremely respectful towards his students and has made the last online quarter great.

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CHEM2B . 3 Years Ago

Chemistry felt more like a field than a class when I learned under Sepunaru. Instead of the rigid chapter by chapter, section by section flow of a college class - Sepunaru taught advanced concepts that related to the current topic. This gave me the greater depth and meaning behind what we were learning and its real world applications.

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CHEM2B . 3 Years Ago

Prof. Sepunaru sets everthing hard, but work for it and you naturally understand everything! For real, I find chemistry so lovely for the first time:) Although I didn't participate actively or get points for researching the challenge questions, and got average scores in midterms (but did well in final exam), I got an A so grading is generous!

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CHEM2B . 3 Years Ago

Professor Sepunaru is an awesome professor who knows a lot about his field and explains all the concepts in a very detailed manner. His explanations often extend way past the general curriculum and are very interesting to anyone who is genuinely interested in chemistry. Extra brownie points if you are interested in electrochemistry.

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CHEM2B . 3 Years Ago

Prof Sepunaru is great. He is a clear and engaging lecturer even while on zoom, very accessible outside of class, really helpful and free of judgement. The class was difficult but if you pay attention in class and take notes you are solid. It's clear that he loves chem and really cares about his students- take him if you can!!

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CHEM2B . 3 Years Ago

The best professor I've had at UCSB. He cares so much about his students and is always available outside of class to give extra help. Highly recommend attending office hours. His expectations are high and you will have to work hard but the class is definitely doable.

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CHEM2B . 3 Years Ago

Not one of the best but the best professor I have met. He does not give much homework but he encourages students to think more. His class could be a bit harder but he loves to help. Take his class if you want to be a "brilliant mind"!

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CHEM2B . 3 Years Ago

Professor Sepunaru is one of the most caring and intelligent professors I've ever had the pleasure to take class from. He has high expectations for his students, which pushes you to work harder. He always introduces super relevant and interesting info in class, and it was an honor to be able to learn from him.

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CHEM2B . 3 Years Ago

Prof. Sepunaru is an amazing professor. If you have the chance to take a class with him, do it! He is incredibly inspirational and truly cares about his students. His lectures are well structured and clear. He grades fairly and his testing policies are generous. I am very thankful I got the opportunity to learn chemistry from him!

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CHEM2B . 3 Years Ago

One of the best professors at UCSB for sure, he really cares about his students and helping them succeed. Lectures are super interesting are engaging, even over zoom. Definitely take a class with him if you get the chance, you will learn a ton and actually will be interested in the material you learn.

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CHEM113A . 3 Years Ago

He really makes sure his students understand what is going on and never makes them feel dumb for not understanding. It is a difficult class but he makes it much better. He is also the only professor I have had that realizes that there might be a mistake on his part instead of blaming the students when the average is low. I absolutely loved him.

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CHEM113A . 3 Years Ago

Truly a lovely professor. His teaching style is perhaps my favorite at UCSB. He really cares and engages you and always asks for questions and board work. Tests are very fair. It's a hard class but you feel like you can get through it when you talk things through with him. Go to office hours!!! I can't wait to take a class with him again.

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