Only take Feldwinn if you want to teach yourself chemistry. The only people in my class that knew what was going on in lecture were people that had already taken AP chem in high school. She is incredibly bad at explaining things. Her tests are harder and she gives more homework than any other professors. She's nice, but not a teacher.
She always explains the concept in detail but the progress of lectures is much slower than other profs. She gives additional contents which is good for those chem major students, but hard to understand for others. You have to do a lot of homework in her class, and she is the only prof whose tests include free responses questions.
Went into the final with a 99% and wrote scribbles on the side of the scantron so she failed my final. My grade was so high that I still ended with a B. She can't teach for her life and all she does to "teach" is read off of her powerpoints that can be found online. She is an awful teacher and is extremely unfair. DROP her class ASAP
Everyone says that she is the most difficult chem professor at UCSB--they are right. While very nice (which explains her 3.5 rating on here) her tests include free response questions that are usually worth about half your grade. Her lectures are really hard to follow and the practice exams don't suffice when it comes to the free response question.
She's a hard teacher and tough grader, but she gives a lot of extra credit opportunities. As long as you are willing to put in the work, you will get a good grade. Do the practice problems and all of the practice tests and you'll be fine. She's a really good teacher and really helpful if you have questions.
Feldwinn's class is solid and tough if you want to learn new knowledge. Her tests are the hardest (only one to contain short answers). For a CHEM or BIO major, this might be the right choice if you are a tough learner. But for my major, it was not worth the time and effort. She has a good pace in teaching and is very kind to students.
Dr. Feldwinn certainly is a nice person. That said, her consistent mismanagement of time, often comically incoherent lectures, and general failings as a teacher render this class a L. If you can avoid Feldwinn, do so. If you have already taken AP Chemistry, you will probably be fine. If the material's new to you, know it seems to be new to her too.
She is very enthusiastic for an 8 a.m. and I love that about her. She's really passionate about chemistry and will help you with any problems you're having as long as you communicate with her. She is an amazing lecturer and really helps you understand the material, but only if you do whats assigned and pay attention.
DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE. I did all the book problems, aleks problems, 2 of her practice exams. I didnt expect those question on the exam bc I never seen them before, not in book/aleks/practice exam. I reviewed everything I got but I DIDNT EXPECT THE HUGE DIFFERENCE IN P.E and R.E. If u didnt take AP chem before dont take this course.
I had Feldwinn for chem 1A, B and C. I liked how tests were short answer and multiple choice because of partial credit. The tests were usually straight forward, questions taken straight from Aleks, iclickers or the book problems. But sometimes she would excessively go over unnecessary material or try to fit in 3 concepts during the last 5 minutes.
Her lecture is compact but easy to follow. The exams are more difficult than in-class practices and homework, but even you did terrible in one midterm you still get a chance to compensate by doing better in the final. i really appreciate her personality. She is truly willing to answer your questions and her 8-AM lecture helps people wake up.
Tough grader, class averages are very low and she says she curves but it's practically no curve, read the textbook, don't do aleks for studying, only do it for the required homework, have to go to class for iclicker participation points
overall feldwin is a good professor and is really passionate about chem. she clearly understands the material. her midterms are free response which sucks if your not a good test taker. she has a before class iclicker question so you need to be early to class in order to do it. her iclicker/in-class examples pop up on tests a lot
I should have read the reviews prior to taking her course. Expect to get very lost in her class unless you're completely comfortable with Chem. If you're looking to pick up anything from her fast lectures, make sure to seek help outside of class.
Honestly, I read her reviews before taking her,,, however people were not wrong when they said she was a nice person BUT failed to mention how her lectures are way too fast and sometimes make no sense. Overall, her tests are the hardest ones out of any chem professor... make sure to know what you are getting yourself into
An energetic and respected professor. It is my pleasure to have her to give lectures at 8AM. The grading criteria is very clear so it is easy to track on your process. However, her lecture is all about how to do problems rather than giving comprehensions about the science of Chemistry, it makes me feel like I am having a high school Chemistry class
I took Feldwinn for Chem 1A/Chem 1B and loved her! Go to office hours bc she is very nice, approachable & helpful & chem is difficult no matter what. Her tests are free response but I personally loved it because she gives partial credit. Go to CLAS and do book problems. Half of test questions come from book problems, ALEKS, or lecture questions.
Not a good teacher unless you already know what youre doing. She goes into the proods and math behind formulas we use which isn't nescessary knowledge. Her tests are considerably difficult compared to every other chem teacher as well as her focusing on/adding material no one else has to learb. You can survive, but its unnecessary to put yourself
Honestly, I have nothing to say. She was absolutely horrible. Please save your own life and make sure you don't sign up for her class. Please. I beg of you. Save yourself. You'll thank me later. Get ANY other chemistry teacher and you should be fine.
Took her for chem 1a, she makes her own exams and does not use the universities and has these challenge problems which are two hard problems worth anywhere from 30-50% of your exam.
I really liked Feldwinn! She only teaches 8AM lecture, but I'm a morning person so it really worked out for me. She is full of energy and you never fall asleep even though it's so early. Her explanations are very thorough and she's always eager to help, although it might be a little fast for people with no background in chemistry.
Feldwinn was one of my favorite professors this quarter. She's super easy to talk to during office hours and her exams are fair, even with FRQs. I only got a C+ because I missed 1/3 of her lectures because I couldn't wake up and I didn't put as much work into the class as I should've, but I would take her again if she was offered at a later time.
Despite some serious effort to study constantly, show up to every class, and do extra credit, I couldn't seem to do well. She taught material through the end of the quarter with not a lot of time to take in the material and study for finals. Unless you go in as a chem guru, don't take her class! The hardest of all professors in the subject!
Dr. Feldwinn is the only chemistry professor that has short answer on her exams and decides to put about 2 challenge problems on there that are worth 15 points each so if you don't know how to do it, you are pretty much done for. Normally around 6 multiple choice questions worth 5 points each which is also ridiculous. Take class as a last resort.