I had Sylvester for my first chem class and I quickly found that she goes very fast and does not explain herself very much, she seems very rushed and makes jokes a lot but does not take the time to slow down and really go over things like other gen chem profs do
She's quite enthusiastic and gets so excited to do more problems it's pretty fun to see. If you do the practice quizzes/tests the midterms were super easy (some questions were almost literally copy-pasted). The final hit me like a train though, way harder than the midterms. Overall though pretty easy class and pretty good professor.
The tests in CHEM 1A/B were very similar to her real exams. She provides a lot of practice, so as long as you take good lecture notes (usually one or two questions related directly to a factoid in class) you're set! CHEM 1C was much more book heavy, but she gives you recommended practice problems before each exam so nothing is out of left field.
She looks out for her students which shows that she cares unlike many professors. She puts in effort and therefore she wants you to show effort as well. The chem series is always going to be hard but at least with professor Sylvester it's going to be acknowledged.
If you have not taken a heavy chem class before, brace yourself. This class is fast paced, and even with tutoring, practice problems, and readings I struggled SO much. Prof Sylvester goes through things pretty quick and expects all students to have about an AP chem level of knowledge already under their belt.
The online exams were very difficult with little to no multiple choice questions. The final had topics not covered in class
I retook this class because I failed last quarter, and I'm glad I took it this quarter with Sylvester. She made it so much easier to understand subjects I was struggling with, and provided forums in which she answered any questions, even silly ones. Her tests are based on previous exams/quizzes, which was a lifesaver this quarter due to quarantine.
I really enjoyed her class. I had taken this course before and failed but her teaching really made it easy for me to learn. I took her during my spring quarter of 2020 during quarantine and she made the class worthwhile. Shes a great professor in general!
I had her for all 3 quarters of gen chem and loved her! Doing textbook problems isn't essential to succeed because she provides practice quizzes & tests and uses similar problems in her exams. I got a 2 on the AP chem exam in high school but got high B's and low A's in gen chem. It definitely helps to have taken a chemistry class before.
Took her for all of gen chem. I used to hate chem but now I love it. Always available outside of class during office hours or email. Really funny and really cares about her students. Tests are very similar to the practice tests which she posts a ton of, sometimes some book questions too. Writes everything out on the board w examples which I loved.
The online structure of this class is very difficult. In my opinion, she glazes over topics and doesn't go enough in-depth with the subject. The online tests have gotten significantly harder compared to in-person tests (she pulls material from 1A and ties it in with 1C material). If you have never taken a chem class before, do. not. take. her.
I had her for 1B and 1C. Excellent lecturer, reasonable tests, and all around really helpful. Gen Chem will always be a pain (especially 1B in my opinion) but if you put in the work you'll be fine. Would recommend for sure!
Took her for every quarter of gen chem. Very passionate about her field. Subject matter is very difficult but she gives you the tools to learn it. Tests are difficult but practice tests provided are very valuable prep tools. Only complaint is that the class moves too fast but that is just the qtr system. Also online version of the class was rough.
Sylvester has a somewhat scattered way of teaching. She is very example/calculation heavy and somewhat vague on concepts. If you do not have a previous knowledge of chemistry I do not suggest taking her.
Her lectures are clear and organized and she is very helpful when answering questions. She posts a lot of practice tests that are just like her actual exams, so make sure you understand the problems on them. I highly recommend her for Chem 1A!
She wrote all notes and examples on the board, but in my opinion did not spend enough time explaining and getting majority of class to understand. Tests and quizzes had surprise questions even though she posts lots of practices tests. I learned most things online through Aleks. If you have Chem. series to tale I reccomend Price or Joseph if you can
Sylvester is such a sweet and enthusiastic woman. She wants her students to do well, so the practice quizzes and tests are extremely helpful, and she gives opportunities to replace a quiz score with iClicker points or a midterm with the final. Lectures on the chalkboard, so be ready to go to class and pay attention, but it's just review of AP Chem
Disorganized, doesn't post lecture slides online. If you're a person who craves organization and structure, Sylvester is not for you. You're better off with Price.
If you have taken AP Chemistry, Chem 1A is cake. Sylvester/Kunkel also had really easy tests. Take advantage of practice tests if you struggle. A few questions are reused and are representative of the actual tests
Nice professor, lectures are easy and clear. She's friendly to beginners in chemistry. Course is not very much in depth and if you go to lectures and do the homework then you're fine. Could've gotten an A+ if I had not screwed up on the final... Anyway, she is a nice choice for CHEM 1A.
I only gave a rate point of 4 in my last comment by mistake... which I should have given a 5. Making a new rate to make up lol. Great professor! Take her class!
Very nice professor. Her class is relatively easy and well organized and explained. Only test on what is taught in the lecture, which is great. Handwriting on blackboard sometimes could be hard to be seen clearly from the back of the hall, but once seen easy to understand. I got mad wiz chem in high school but really like her university chem class.
She is a really nice professor! The lectures are really clear. She provides several practice exams and some exam questions even directly from the practice. Theres two quizzes, two exams and one final. She will also curve the final grade. Its not very difficult to get an A in her class.
Easily the best CHEM1A professor. Although her lectures may not be as inspiring as that of Price, they are always clear thorough. Midterms and the final were a breeze as all questions are basically from the practice exams she provides. The homework is somewhat heavy but is definitely a grade booster. Also has quite a generous curve. Attend class.