Overall a very clear, and focused professor. His lectures are dense and quick but he will do everything he can to help the class understand. His quizzes and tests are mostly what is expected and similar to the practice ones.
Joseph is a solid professor -- super knowledgeable but most importantly he can teach/communicate difficult concepts very clearly. His tests are fair, but he expects you to study, practice, and work for your grade. He also answers questions detailedly during lecture. You can tell he loves what he does and cares for his students. It's on the money!
Good professor overall
Tests are fair and he tries his best to answer all your questions.
My favorite professor at UCSB so far - he is caring, clear, organized, smart, and sarcastic. Wants his students to succeed, very helpful during office hours, and very good at teaching during class. Read the book, do the practice quizzes/midterms, and use CLAS resources to do well. Consider taking him for genchem, he's truly amazing. It's on the $$!
I loved Joseph for chem. He explained things really clearly, took you through what you don't understand during office hours. And the exams were very straightforward (something you don't get very much in STEM exams). You could tell he really wanted you to succeed. Would definitely take him again for another class.
Joseph is an amazing professor for Chem 1A. He's well organized during class and goes over everything clearly. I didn't use the book at all and did minimal studying, his way of going through things just clicked with me that I didn't have to study a lot. CLAS was a big help too, I say take it. I really wish Joseph was teaching Chem 1B.
Retook Chem 1A after barely passing with Kunkel. Taking this class again with another professor made me realize I didn't actually want to do they major I came in with and so I didn't feel motivated to pass. Joseph uploaded slides online and I found he was easier to pass than Kunkel so if it's your first time taking Chem take Joseph.
Dry sense of humor, quirky and likable guy. He gives great lectures. Does a lot to make sure his students pass. He is a very hard worker and expects his students to me as well. Also he provides a lot of resources to help you pass the class.
Joseph is a really straightforward, good professor. His lectures were succinct, but very dense with information, so skipping class is not a great idea. CLAS is a lifesaver for this course, especially if you aren't in a hard science major. Besides that, Joseph's exams are tough but he posts lots of practice exams and he is very approachable as a guy
MUST do the book problem he assigns (although they are optional, they will help you A LOT in the long run). Don't try to cram days before an exam because it won't get you anywhere.
Great professor. Very clear powerpoint lecture in every class. Quiz and midterms are fair but make sure you study beforehand. iClicker is necessary for this class.
Sidenote: Never took chemistry before. As long as you put in the work you'll do well in the class. I never attended lecture and just taught myself. Compared to practices tests and quizzes, his exams will always be harder. As long as you know how to approach problems you will be fine. Do your book problems and ALEKS. Comes off as a bit condescending
The class itself is easy if you have already taken AP chem, but can be difficult if you haven't. If you stay on top of things and actually read your textbook as well as do the problems in the book, you should be fine.
Joseph at the beginning seems like he'll make the class fun to attend, but near the end I only ended up coming for iclicker points. His class is nice in that he drops your lowest quiz and exam, but his tests are a lot harder than what he presents in class or is on ALEKS. And he never finished lecture on time so beware of lectures before tests.
Joseph presents Chem 1A to be a fairly easy class, especially if you've taken chemistry in the past. However, the grading for this class is very difficult and there are only a few things that your ultimate grade will rely on. Work hard from the start, and you should be okay.
He's a very good professor but lectures faster than the other Chem 1A professors. Only covers basics of everything so reading the textbook and doing practice problems is essential to pass the midterm and final.
Had Dr. Joseph for the entire Chem 1 series. His exam questions can be a bit tricky, but if you pay attention in lecture and pick out what's important, do the book problems he recommends, and don't rush or panic, his tests are doable. Don't try to skim by by only studying practice exams and don't be afraid to ask Dr. Joseph questions after class!
Go to lecture and print slides and know how to do example problems in class. Book problems that he recommends are examples that he uses on exams. Examples in class will be on exams. Know the phrase "its on the money!"
Joseph is a very clear lecturer. You do not need to take many notes as you can print out his PowerPoint slides beforehand and add addition ideas to that. If you study an A is very possible. Make sure to listen and pay attention for the whole lecture. As he would say, " Alright ladies and gentlemen it's on the money!"
Joseph was my professor for chem 1A and chem 1B. I absolutely loved his lecture style. He is very smart, and speaks in a confident tone. He also makes jokes. His tests are pretty hard, but there is a large curve added to your grade at the end of the class. Highly recommend him, especially in comparison to other professors in chem.
This guy is one of the best lecturers you can have for Chem. He knows the material and knows how to break it down into comprehensible terms. Can be cheesy with his sarcastic one-liners, but otherwise he's a very approachable guy! Pretty generous with the curve and grade replacement, but tests are HARD so make sure to study and DO BOOK PROBLEMS!
Professor Joseph is good at explaining concepts during lecture. Pro-Tips: 1) Do the lecture prep problems he posts on Gauchospace ahead of time. 2) Skim the section of the textbook he will be lecturing on before the actual lecture. 3) Never forget your i-Clicker!
I failed both midterms, 1 of the quizzes, & the final, but still passed the class with a C (Thank god for the curve). Make sure to get all your iClicker points so it replaces your lowest quiz grade! Best way to study for his tests is to take past tests, do textbook problems, & do ALEKS. Hard class, definitely a weeder.