Dr. Lewis is a great lecturer, especially given the difficulty of the material he teaches. His tests, grading, and curves are very fair. As long as you go to lecture, study, and do assignments, you will do well. I would recommend reading the book chapter of any confusing material to gain clarity. I would also highly recommend the book problems.
Lewis does a good job of relaying the info and providing supplemental videos to go over. I recommend reading the book and doing all the practice problems. Make sure to draw out every mechanism and take no shortcuts. His tests can be hard so make sure you really understand the concepts on the practice midterm. You get what you put in.
Best professor I've ever had at UCSB. Puts in so much effort if you ask for help (use the discussion forums). Is slow and thorough in his lecture notes which became perfect for studying for tests. Class does so well no curve was needed for on sequence. I wish I could have him for every class :)
RESPONDS TO EVERYTHING Professor Lewis has good lectures and will engage with questions in class to clarify. The class is hard but before exams, looking at the discussion posts is helpful. These posts are remarkable how he responds to all of the 80 questions online, in his own time and they're very helpful
Lewis is wonderful and has very clear expectations for what you should know; I never felt like the tests were a surprise. If you can, take it a quarter late (109a in winter instead of fall) as the later quarter gets a greattttt curve that saved me. Put in the time (more than you think you need to) and you'll be rewarded!
had him for the whole 109 series, is a great lecturer and provides very useful practice exams before the exams. doing the practice book problems is necessary to succeed on exams. very kind and understanding when you dont complete hw on time and office hours are helpful to clear up confusion. difficult course but put in the time and you're good
Had lewis for 109 B/C, & he is one of the best professors I've had at UCSB. I don't understand how he manages to make such a complicated subject so well organized & so much easier to understand. He has the sweetest energy and is so kind. He wore Hawaiian shirts every Friday. He does his best to make Ochem as bearable as possible, & has fair exams.
Lewis is a great professor, despite the subject's challenges. He equips you with essential tools, you have to choose your own approach. Some require more time to grasp topics, while others need less, but success is attainable with effort. Dedicate as much study time as you need, utilize textbook, and attend office hours.
Prof. Lewis genuinely cares about your success in the class. There are many ways to get help outside of class - forums on Gauchospace where he will respond with a detailed explanation, office hours, and CLAS. These three resources + book problems will guarantee your success in the class.
Most organized and clear instructor I've ever had. Lets you know exactly how to succeed and gives you the tools to do so. Believe the hype. Go with Lewis
Absolutely incredible, you won't find another professor like him.
5% people got A/A+ and he said the class did pretty well and refused to apply any curve.
He's solid, but definitely overhyped. I preferred Gainer for sure - Lewis's tests are a little easier but he doesn't drill it in the same way Gainer did.
He is definitely a solid professor, I just feel he's a little overhyped. His lectures are clear cut--he teaches out of the book and you know what it is that he will be covering each day if you do the homework. He answers questions well, but I just feel that he can get stale. Quizzes/tests were challenging very doable. Preferred Gainer.
Hardest chem class I've taken, but that is partially due to my workload this quarter. Lewis is undeniably the best Ochem professor here, but it's still ochem. You WILL fail if you don't put in the work. As everyone has said before, DO THE BOOK PROBLEMS AND GO TO OFFICE HOURS IF YOU NEED HELP.
Lewis is amazing. I think he was meant to be an ochem professor, like this was his calling or something. He's clear, fair, direct, and knowledgable. His tests are difficult, but in my opinion COMPLETELY fair, it's just the nature of the class is difficult. Lewis makes this class reasonable and puts in a lot of time to answer questions on the forum.
I hated this class and Lewis did not make it any easier. Quizzes were impossible to study for and they were way harder than the practice worksheets. It was also so annoying that he would only give us 1 minute for iClicker questions as soon as class starts. Sometimes the wifi would make it so I couldn't answer on time, but he does not care.
He is the best professor for ochem hands down! His lectures are clear and he talks in such a calming manner. His tests really are fair, he doesn't try to trick you and he asks things that you should be able to do. Lecture is pretty important, and he often pulls questions from the small details of lecture, so take good notes and make sure to review!
Lewis is an amazing professor. His forum is a lifesaver!!! He will answer any question you have with paragraphs if necessary. Had him for 109A and B and I can't imagine taking ochem with anyone else. Ochem is a challenging class but Lewis makes it doable.
Professor Lewis is pretty accessible for help outside of class. I did pretty well and would recommend him as the stronger o-chem professor for UCSB.
Whoever rates Lewis under a 3, didn't work hard enough. He gives you the tools, you have to learn how to use them. I took 109A with him, got a B- & I thought I put in a lottt of work. Compared to my work ethic in 109B, it doesn't compare. He cares a lot and his curves are generous. DO ALL THE READINGs & PRACTICE PROBLEMS. Ochem can be fun, trust.
Best CHEM prof I have ever had. He teaches so well and you can tell he really cares about his students. The exams are pretty straightforward if you keep up with the lectures and do his practice exams. He's really open to talking during his office hours and had no problem discussing how his curve worked and individual grades privately.
Lewis is the GOAT. If you go to his lectures, he does a very good job explaining the material. The class is determined by semi-weekly quizzes and a final (plus a few other easy things to make them weigh less). If you miss class he uploads lecture videos from previous quarters (don't depend on binging these the night before a quiz, it doesn't work)
Lewis is a super fair teacher and has the most clear and organized lecture notes. Read the book, do book problems, and worksheets for every chapter and you will 100% succeed. I had Gainer for 109C and he was super disorganized and barley finished teaching the material. If you are choosing between the two take lewis.