I'm in the class right now, and it doesn't seem too hard, we've had 1 quiz/test and I kicked its ass so its easy so far. I like this guy; he makes a lot of good jokes, mostly about drugs. Like the time he mentioned meth, and his reasoning why he brought it up was "you guys are college students - isn't that what you all do?" LOL cool guy!
The worst experience I've had here so far. Lectures are pointless. Questions are useless. No drill, no procedure, no help. I've never worked harder for a 2 unit C. Your only chance is a good TA, and that's a crap shoot. Good luck.
Very hard class. His lectures never made any sense. My TA was not very helpful as well. The final was pretty hard, but the curve was very generous so I got a decent grade. Understand IR, MS, and NMR well because he loves quizzing on that stuff. Going over old exams and quizzes helps also.
KNOW ALL THE SPECTROSCOPY STUFF and some lab techniques, but more emphasis on spec! if u do then u'll do fine, despite having a bad TA or having to sit through Pettus' useless and unhelpful lectures. I had to teach myself everything and worked my ass off... but don't worry the curve is very VERY generous.. I think its about 40%
As a bio major, this class was the hardest class I took my 2nd yr. It wasnt necessarily the class that was hard, it was Pettus. Class meets once a week, which was pointless 2 go bc he goes way too fast & doesnt care that know 1 has a clue what hes talking about. If Satan came disguised as a human, it's PETTUS...too bad hes unavoidable for ochem lab
pettus is a professor which expects his students to learn everything on their own and come to class and listen to him. His lectures are so fast that it is hard to learn anything in class. He has no patients.
Lecture is pointless. He goes WAY too fast to write down anything, but he puts his slides up on the web. He expects you to already know certain things about chemistry that were never taught before. The final and second quiz had a lot to do with graphs, so make sure you learn it. Labs themself are not too bad, just depends on what TA you have.
This advise is for people that have a HARD TIME with Organic Chemistry (not for geniuses with photographic memories). Dr.Pettus requires the following things to be successful in his class: 1. attendance 2. clear notebook 3. working as many problems as possible 4. going to office hours (so he knows who you are and that you are trying). He isn't the
He's the type of professor who says it as it is. Some people can handle it and some people can't. Lectures are pointless and the key to doing well is having a TA that can explain the material--I really wish you the best on this b/c most of them can't speak English--and attending OH so that they know your name (aka suck up).
he literally has no soul. that is the only way to describe this evil man.
He is a pretentious man. He has NO respect for his students whatsoever! He is condescendinging and talks like he is reciting a dictionary. He thinks he is the GOD of chemistry. I come into every class with an open-mind, but you will leave his class wishing you had a shotgun. I'm being serious
He talks really fast, doesn't give you time to write down what's on his slides, and his tests are extremely long and difficult. Don't worry too much, because everyone does poorly in his class and the curve is really low.
He has no respect for students and thinks we are not worthy of his time. You will never know your grade, because he will determine it for the TA later. Goes on his own schedule and will change things at the last minute.
Unfortunately everyone who takes O-Chem labs has to suffer having him as a professor. He's brillant, but very unhelpful and rude. Extremely condescending. He's smarter than most, knows it and isn't afraid to rub your face in it. Even the TA's hate him. Don't bother going to 6A lectures, just show up for the quiz.
He flies through the ppt slides and does not actually teach, but just says whatever is on the slide really fast. His tests are too hard, and I suppose they would make more sense if he actually teached tha material. TAs help a little more, so if you have a question I wouldn't ask Pettus but your TA.
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At first I liked Pettus because of his southern accent. However, I soon realized that he is a jerk. He talks so fast in his lectures leaving everyone confused and frustrated. When going in to his office hours for help, he seems pompous and impatient. TOM PETTUS IS A ****. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE.
Tommy P. is a good teacher. He expects a lot from his students, and he has no patience for stupid people. To get an A from him you have to really earn it. If you can get past the southern accent and the innumerable references to Everclear, you'll find he's one of the better professors at UCSB.
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He should have been a sports broadcaster on espn, he talks like one. this class was impossible, i don't know how i got a B in it, he makes it SO hard to understand, and if you don't get it he makles you feel like a retard. He should not be teaching these huge intro classes, he's very impatient, and the tests were way hard.
There's 2 levels of expectations in that class, his and the TAs. He is the biggest jerk I have met. He knows his stuff he just can't tolerate anyone with less knowledge than him. It would be better for everyone if he was locked up in his lab, not allowed to teach. Many of his colleges are still trying to figure out how he got tenure.
This professor simply does not know how to teach. He just went over the powerpoint slide really fast. He didnot explain anything and still expected us to understand. TA is more helpful. The final is extremely hard, but the curve helps a lot.
I didn't really like this class. He uses a power point, and goes way too fast. After awhile, lecture started sounding like all the adults in a Charlie Brown cartoon ("Wah wah wah, wah wah"). I haven't spoken to anyone who learned from lecture. I kind of liked the labs. My TA was great, and while some labs were stupid, they were easy to understand.
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