Unbelievably difficult. I cannot even begin to explain how challenging this course is. Kirtman makes no effort whatsoever to present the material in a reasonable manner. The homeworks are utterly insane, and unbelievably long, routinely the questions were 6 pages long with paragraphs of instructions. Most of my submissions were 15-20 pages.
I have learned absolutely nothing from attending his lectures. Not that they'd help you tackle the homework problems either, good luck finding resources for help other than AI I suppose. Not that it matters either, since studying the HW is useless for reviewing for the midterm. Disaster of a class, just pray the gods pity you and pass b/c of curve
Some profs teach by throwing you into the deep end; Kirtman ties cinder blocks to your legs before dumping you into the ocean. He leaves you for dead, until, by some miracle the paramedics (the Curve) come and drag you out. You leave the beach terrified after a near death experience, with no knowledge whatsoever about how to swim. GL HF!!! :)
Genuinely the worst class I've ever taken at UCSB. Professor Kirtman was NOT equipped to teach this course. He is 89 and I think he forgot what it was like to learn. He answers questions with "I talked about it in lecture". The TA's are as lost as you. Good luck learning anything from him just cross your fingers that you pass.
This class is meant to suck. However, somehow this is worse than I imagined. I learned nothing from this class, felt panicked and lost the entire time, TAs can't even help us. I hope to god the curve saves us. Oh, and the professor is 89 and incredibly unhelpful with any questions. You essentially have to try to teach yourself quantum physics.
Kirtman is very old, like 89 years old, and yet, he is still teaching the hardest chemistry class UCSB has to offer. The material is so hard the TAs don't even know whats going on, and there were basically no resources to get help. You will have no idea whats going on the whole time, but hopefully the curve will save you.
Professor Kirtman's class was very difficult. However, he is the most compassionate professor I have ever had. He responds to emails quickly and he really works with students to make sure they can pass his class. The curve for this class was generous and he really does try to ensure success in his class. He is an amazing person.
Disorganized and not that great at explaining material. TA had to cover most material that was covered in class by professor because they even knew he wasn't explaining it well.
He is an amazing lecturer!! Great personality and easy to learn from. He was always clear and to the point. I don't feel I was ever confused doing H.W after his lectures. His lectures were good enough that I never once opened the book. Take him
Really nice and approachable professor! There's HW due every week that's graded by different TAs. He explains the material well, but it's still quantum, so don't take this class unless you really like quantum and you're good at it. He doesn't give a grade below a C and it's not that hard to get a B.
I don't understand why everyone gives him such a bad rap, I thought he was pretty alright. His lectures may have been boring but atleast they are understandable. His midterms were really easy but his final was WAY difficult, but the averages in the class are usually really low so just do better than everyone else and easy A.
incredibly hard, hated chem before this, just made it worse, avoid at all costs,if you get around a 40 on the midterms and do ok on the final you'll get a C
Extremely hard professor...Unfair tests!!!!!!!
don't learn much from lecture, hard tests(averages like 40%), and is very boring for the most part. avoid if possible
His tests are insainely hard. He doesn't answer questions and only teaches from the book. He has a very annoying way of speaking.
Tests are hard....you can study, do all the homework, and still not pass without the curve...
his test are easy.. great teacher.. take him
His tests are really long and hard. He is not very clear-