Beware of taking this class async during the summer!! Recorded lectures from COVID era, so probably little time and resources for Sylvester to prepare these then. Handwriting and videos can be hard to understand, a couple things not taught that were on tests. Overall seems like a nice person, but definitely take this class in person if possible.

She was clear about what to do to be successful. That is, take the practice exams. However, I did find that her lecturing wasn't all that clear. I recommend Joseph if you want to feel like you thoroughly understand the material. Sylvester just gives a very simple explanation without the nuances that sometimes appear on exams.

I took Chem1A and B with Joseph and 1C with Sylvester. Personally I like Joseph's lecture style better than Sylvester's, but frankly speaking she is also definitely one of the best gen chem lecturers. Very organized. Although she talks very fast, so it takes some time to adapt to it. Midterms are very easy and the final is significantly harder.

Love her. She's great, easy midterms but insanely hard final. Super kind and funny person. Hard just because it's Chem, and there's wasn't really a curve because our midterms were so easy (80&86 avg).

Her lectures are organized and there are videos posted online which is nice. The midterms were chill but the final was significantly harder so be prepared for that (do the book problems!). The final can replace your lowest midterm score and the class is curved at the end which is nice. If you put in the work, you can be successful in this class!

She teaches very fast, so I recommend skipping lectures and just watching the pre-recorded ones on the Canvas page. The first two exams are easy and exactly like the practice tests on Canvas. However, the final was unnecessarily hard, and unlike the first two midterms. I had an A coming into the final, and ended up with a B+ which sucks.

makes chem pretty easy to understand and gives practice tests that are suuuuper helpful to prepare for exams. i never did book problems and i was fine just do all the practice tests and watch the vids if u miss lecture

I took chem 1a with two different professors (Jospeh and Sylvester) and I found that I loved Sylvesters teaching style a lot more. Jospeh focuses on slides, while Sylvester works it out on the board, and I found that to be really helpful. She is also less strict on tests and relies more on practice tests for problems. Would take again with her!!

In my opinion she is one of the top chem professors at UCSB. If you have the opportunity to take her class, I would.

I was a fan of how she taught! Pretty straightforward.

love her. teaches very well, and will explain things to you if you don't understand. It's obviously hard, because it is chemistry, but she makes it so much more bearable. her tests are pretty easy and straight forward if you do the practice exams.

Sylvester is honestly one of the best chemistry teachers. She bases her exams on the book problems versus pulling random stuff you've never done. Watch the lecture videos and do all of the practice exams and you will be fine.

I actually enjoyed sylvester as a professor, many of my friends did not, I understood almost everything she said in lecture, I thought she was very clear. Tests exactly like the practice tests, but definitely do not procrastinate studying.

her lectures are online so you can miss lecture if needed; gen chem curve is fat i would've has a C without the curve, i went to CLAS bc it is very fast paced but i like how she works everything out on the board with you, do book problems if you want an A, but rlly just do all practice exams bc she gives a lottt and theyre similar to exams

I am so glad that I chose her as my chem 1A professor. Her lecture is fun, she use the simplest words to explain everything. Not a lot of work, just remember review everything and do the practice before exam. Definitely want to take her class again.

Disclaimer: I already know all contents of the course in highschool and only taking as this as an essentially free GE. I seldom attend lectures, but I can attest the she explains stuff pretty well. Only 3 tests: 2 MTs and FT. Tests are always relevant to course material. She uses ALEKS, which is really good (though costly).

I don't really get the criticisms about her tbh. I found her to be a pretty clear lecturer, and I really appreciate that her exams are almost exactly like the practice exams. Do the recommended book problems, especially focusing on the ones similar to the practice exam ones, and time yourself.

Sylvester talks really fast and often doesn't explain topics fully. Just go to CLAS, fully understand each topic and go over book problems. You will be fine, curve is great, she provides wonderful practice exams almost identical to the real exam. Its work, but it is possible to pass!

not good. not okay.

She is quick but explains material in an understandable way. Exams are SUPER easy and the practice exams on Canvas are almost identical. Aleks is easy just be on top of it.

It was so difficult for me to stay engaged during her lectures for she never seemed to care about the content. Lectures were fast so I recommend book problems. Difficult class all together and prefer price

I loved Sylvester and would highly recommend. Her practice tests are exactly like the tests and she really wants you to succeed. She puts together countless resources to make you more confident before tests. Lectures can be fast but CLAS will help if you need more time with a topic. She also records every lecture so is very flexible with attendance

I honestly liked Sylvester. This was my 2nd time in 1A, so maybe that's why. I found her lectures to be much simpler and more of an overview than Price's. That does mean much of your learning happens through the Aleks and book problems, but you kinda have to do that anyway for Gen Chem regardless of ur prof. Sweet & funny lady, helpful during OH.

Pretty much just shows up, lectures, and leaves. Doesn't seem very personable and her lectures are quite difficult to understand as she speeds through them. She's also difficult to get genuine help from, which I guess makes sense because there are so many students. I recommend Price for gen-chem. (The rating below mine is pretty accurate lol)