Ochem is hard no matter what, but Gainer gets you through it. Very dynamic lecturer and really cares about his students. 2 midterms + final, and online homework. Definitely preferred over Bruice.

Literally worst OChem teacher. 1010 would not recommend. His tests are so hard and random.

Dr. Gainer is by far the best ochem instructor at UCSB. His lectures are very clear and organized and he's always willing to help. I didn't have him for 109A and 109B, but you wish you did! He also makes video tutorials, which are helpful in reviewing the chemistry. Definitely one of the amazing professors at UCSB.

He is a very clear lecturer and his tests are precisely what he lectures onwhat he tells you to cover in the book. If you do the book problems and read the chapters you will do fine, even if you feel like you are failing, because his curve is really high. I think he is a much better teacher than Bruice having taken both professors.

Morgan Gainer is a must-take for pre-meds. Yes, he is challenging, more-so than Bruice is, but he will make you learn O-Chem until you can recite every mechanism in your sleep, which is good for the MCAT. He will help you learn, and the book is my 2nd bible. His curve is MASSIVE, the rumors are true. Don't take him just for the curve. My 77% A-

Gainer is a fantastic lecturer. He's engaging and allows for students to ask questions. He follows the textbook closely so you can and will use the textbook a lot. Get the solutions manual if you can. CLAS is great, I had Rachel she was great. The tests are challenging. Memorization from textbook won't get you an A, practice lots of problems

Loved him. Hes a passionate teacher and wants you to learn. He does iClicker quizzes every day so you have to go to class, but it's helpful! Tests are LONG! I didn't think they were hard, but you gotta be QUICK and know your stuff!! Go to lecture and CLAS, and do EVERY homework problem in the book. I ended up with 77% and got an A- after the curve.

Treat the book as your bible and you'll be fine. Gainer is a great professor, and he definitely knows his material. You'll only fully follow along to his lecture if you've done the readings ahead of time. He's also pretty attractive imo. TBH, I relied on his lectures&CLAS (yay Sarah!), then read the book later. 66% overall w the curve got me a B.

Gainer really knows the material, this is obvious as he knows how to teach it crystal clear. You MUST read the book before attending lecture, it's the only way you'll fully understand it. Online hw doesn't really compare to his tests. Test are extremely hard, do book problems and go to CLAS!!! Take Sarah for CLAS, she's the best!

Gainer is definitely a tough professor. His exams are long and difficult because they test for complete understanding of the material. Most aren't done with their exam until the very end of class. But there is homework and iclicker points to boost your grade. Also a pretty nice curve.

Class averages on the exams were between 50-60%, so they're definitely not easy. If you end up ~20% above the average, you'll get an A. Book problems are a must, but the book itself can be pretty difficult sometimes. He's crystal clear in lecture, pretty much reiterating the book more clearly. Hard, but worthwhile professor

Gainer sticks pretty closely to the book, so it is important to review material ahead of the corresponding lecture in order to fully utilize lectures. Very cute and friendly in my opinion.

I didn't like his teaching style at all and found his tests to be really difficult. There was a generous curve though. If I could take him again I wouldn't. Memorize the book to do well in his class.

Terrible lecturer. Tests are unbelievably hard. the only good thing about taking his class over bruice is the curve...

New professor. For his first time teaching (109A) he really struggled but for 109B he was awesome. You have to read the book and work out problems until you understand. Organic chemistry is not supposed to be easy; it takes a lot of work. If you put in the work, you can get an A. Don't bother emailing him, but definitely utilize office hours.

Gainer is a great professor! As long as you pay attention and don't get behind, everything he says is very clear. The midterms weren't too bad for me, but the averages were about 50%. There's A LOT of information, and the final was cumulative, long, and difficult. He curves though, and Bruice doesn't. GET THE BOOK. It's basically my bible

Gainer actually lectures unlike most professors! He makes sure students understand material. MUST READ THE BOOK (preferrably before class) and go to class notes (no powerpoints). His tests are really difficult and way too long, but there are extra points from homework and iClicker. There's also a pretty big curve because averages tend to be so low.

I have taken 3 classes with gainer and I think he is terrible. He lectures word for word from the book so if you don't like the book or find it confusing then you're out of luck. Also, he doesn't use powerpoint so you spend class watching him write mechs from the book. His exams were difficult seeming the class avg was 48 & 50% respectively.

Gainer is extremely nice, helpful, and fair. Lecture itself is pretty dull and not as helpful as reading the book. I skipped half the lectures and read the book and got an A. Just read and to the practice problems in each section, you'll be fine

What I believe people fail to do is read the material BEFORE lecture. Of course you're going to be lost and confused if you have no prior understanding to the material! Gainer is very helpful and lectures well. His tests are lengthy, but fair. People who don't do well obviously don't put in enough work or effort.

Means well, but god is he awful at teaching. Just feels like he is walking through reactions for himself, and happens to be saying his work out loud in front of a couple hundred people. There is no framing or building up to concepts, just a constant blur of lines and arrows. Lecture is useless except for clicker points.

Gainer is a wonderful lecturer, and is very passionate about chemistry. He is extremely thorough and will take time to answer questions in class. What I believe people fail to understand is that they are enrolled in an upper division chemistry course. Work outside of class is crucial however Gainer is there to clarify, for that he is awesome.

Gainer is a good lecturer - he actually lectures! He is interested in not only teaching the material, but also making sure students understand it. You need to read the book and go to class for iClicker and notes (no powerpoints). His tests are really difficult, but you get extra points from homework and iClicker, so overall it's not too bad!

He's enthusiastic about teaching but he's unclear sometimes, and once you're lost you don't know what's going on for the rest of lecture. He doesn't use powerpoint slides, everything is on the chalkboard which made note taking hard. Also, tests were a lot harder than what was taught in the textbook and lecture.