Despite the negative reviews, I gave him the benefit of the doubt because sometimes I end up liking professors that people don't like and disagree with their negative comments. This was NOT the case with this professor. I completely agree with the other reviews about the disorganization, pacing, etc. I love ochem, but he does not do it justice.

Class is hard and his exams are evil, but Pettus grew on me as the quarter went on.

Pettus is obviously passionate about what he teaches but his teaching style is NOT for everyone. He scrolls through premade notes in class way too fast and explains stuff like a review. I learned more from my TA and by doing the homework's which were also horribly formatted and hard. Tests are long for time allotted and hard. My 53% curved to a C+

you will have to sell a part of your soul to pass this class

This course genuinely made me cry on each homework and made me want to shoot myself. Avoid taking this stupid CHEM 130A class at all costs.

Genuinely the worst and most unhelpful professor I have ever had. Gives absolutely zero partial credit, class is hard because Tom's homework is in his own jargon that doesn't make sense to anybody else. Don't bother going to lectures they just make you more confused. Tests was 38 questions in 50 minutes. Terrible. Won't learn anything. DO NOT TAKE

This is a hard class.

Taking 130A with Pettus will definitely prepare you for the rest of organic chemistry because of the rigor and depth of the homework assignments. The exams are challenging on time and the lectures are fast-paced so notes are hard to make but getting a satisfactory grade is possible if you attend the lectures and put effort outside the class.

I think Professor Pettus has some prejudices against Chinese American students. Honestly speaking, I don't feel right in his class.

His lectures are ridiculously fast and impossible to take notes because he scrolls through prewritten notes. However, homework is extremely effective at helping you learn the content well, if you take the time to do it properly. He is very direct and no-nonsense which I appreciate, however it may come off harshly and crude to some. Disorganized af.

I don't know why his rates are so low. As long as you watch all the lecture video, you should be ok. He doesn't really use textbook.

He records his lectures, is enthusiastic about chemistry and gave a fat curve (My 50ish percent got curved to a 70ish percent). That's about all the good things I could say. His lectures go at a breakneck pace and homework is filled with trick questions and is incredibly difficult. The fact that noone got about a B on the midterm says a lot.