Kevin Michael Shea - Smith College, Northampton, MA

Professor: Kevin Michael Shea

Department: Chemistry

College: Smith College, Northampton, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM223
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

shea is so good he is so great can't wait to take another class with him

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHM111AND222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He might be intimidating at first but he is a great teacher. He is enthusiastic about chemistry. He prepares you for Orgo. He expects you to BECOME FRIENDS WITH YOUR BOOK, CALCULATOR & THE PERIODIC TABLE. Show him the universal chemistry sign that a 2018 Smithie created (Left hand -3 fingers (Ring, middle, index finger) - horizontal) Do it to him!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHM111
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Shea is the best! I wasnt a fan of chemistry until I took CHM 111 with him! His enthusiasm for the subject makes class more interesting. He genuinely cares about his students, makes himself available, and encourages growth mindset! Youll learn so much and be well prepared for organic chemistry!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHM222
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Fantastic. Orgo is hard, but Shea is a good teacher. His lectures are clear, he provides lots of resources to help you succeed (Q&A, recordings, etc.), and he's always willing to answer your questions.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHM222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Had to take orgo for premed and I was terrified like everyone else, but soon enough I started to enjoy it and even look forward to class. Genuinely cares about students and has a lot of office hours, videos, audio recordings and Q&A sessions. Take orgo with Shea and I swear you'll consider majoring in chem. He baked us cookies and brownies today!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The class was hard in general. You really need to teach yourself before you walk into Shea's class. He is very clear in lectures, he is fast paste, but he literally dedicates hours of his week just for his organic class. There is plenty of opportunities for you to ask for help, Discourse, Q&A, office hours and in class. So work hard!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHM111AND222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

KShea is a great professor. Half his students, like me, are not good at chemistry but have to take it for prehealth, and he knows it, but doesn't fault anyone for it. He really wants everyone to enjoy the class and understand the material. I never felt embarrassed for not being the best in the class - would've hated chem if not for him.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHM223
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

His Orgo I class is extremely difficult, forcing you to study hours outside of class to try to figure out the concepts; however Shea has LOTS of time open so students can go find him, like Q&A's (one hours two days a week), office hours every day, and he posts some lessons online to further explain topics. He is very thorough, but hard class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHM111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is absolutely amazing. I hated chem in high school, but now I LOVE it. He really makes you understand it and is super patient. He loves student feedback and is there to help you succeed. He is one the best professors here!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHM222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I sort of liked chemistry before, but I love it now. I heard all these horror stories about ochem & it sure isn't easy for me, but he made it fun. I loved it even when I didn't get the best grades. He tries to find the ways people learn best & is open to feedback. Really believes everyone can succeed. Loves the subject, it's endearing & infectious

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHM222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He does not play favorites. He sincerely wants to help his students with a lot of office hours/Q and As outside of his classroom. you read the book before coming to class,THEN you go in depth in class, which was rly time consuming. hard tests.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHM222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This has been one of my favorite classes at Smith so far. He is an excellent professor, and really funny.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHM223
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I love this man. I liked chemistry before, but I love it now. I can't wait to take more classes with him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHM240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Good class, set up to prepare you well for grad school. However Shea is arrogant and does play favorites. If he likes you, you are all set but if he doesn't get ready for him to make your life a nightmare. I ended up praying for this class to be over!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHM321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof Shea is great. He's fun, engaging, and an excellent teacher. Organic Synthesis was one of my favorite classes at Smith.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHM108
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This was the first time Shea taught this class, so we learned together. He was great, answered questions and helped with final projects. Extremely funny.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM223
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

AWESOME!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHM223
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I never really understood the appeal in Kevin Shea. He is a bit arrogant and plays favorites. The thing about Kevin Shea is, if he doesn't like you from the start (even if you are smart and put in the effort), he will grade you differently and act in a condescending manner towards you in office hrs.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHM111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Truly an awesome professor. I was so lucky to have him! He's so helpful and knowledgeable, he's just about everything you'd love to find in a professor.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHM222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Kevin looks like Buster Bluthe from Arrested Development. Every class was glorious :) He has such a great sense of humor! The best was when his 5 yr old son came to class and drew a cyclohexanol ring on the board. It made my year :) K. Shea was a dedicated professor however I felt that he left me unprepared for O. Chem II and the MCAT :(