Laura Burns - Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA

Professor: Laura Burns

Department: Science

College: Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

"The Dark Souls of Chemistry." I learned a huge amount from Burns. She knows tons about chemistry, is extremely nice, and I don't at all regret taking this class, but I don't know if I would do it again. She makes you do so much homework and her tests are so difficult it can be demoralizing. Still, a very strong professor who will teach you a ton.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM121
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr Burns is a really great teacher, and you will learn a lot in her class. However, if chemistry isn't your best subject, maybe don't take her. It is an extremely homework heavy class and stressful as well. It was worth it because she teaches well, but do not take her if you want an easy A, or even a B.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM121
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tough but really good teacher. The tests are very thorough and detailed, so ask questions and go to office hours. You're gonna wanna double up on lab hours during qual. Read the text and take some notes on it before class. If you're a STEM major she's a good choice.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM121
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It's the hardest class I've ever taken- but with a chemistry course like this that can't be avoided. You NEED to pre-read lecture material because lecture goes fast. She's really awesome though, and super understanding about personal/home life issues.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is a very kind Professor. She teaches the material pretty good. But be aware, she is the toughest grader I have ever seen. Your hard work is not worth it, you won't get an A in her class (very rare).

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Initially, a very hard chemistry class. However, after the first exam, the material did get easier and so did the exams. Dr. Burns is a teacher who teaches very the material thoroughly--if you attended her lectures and did the homework, you really did not need to read the textbook. Very caring person.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great, concise lectures. Take this class if you're a chemistry major and/or what a deep, conceptual understanding of chemistry and chemical phenomena.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

her class was the hardest i've ever taken in my life. her exam questions are not similar to the homework problems, but if u have a (read: DEEP) understanding of the material u should be able to do the exam. and she also grades harshly on lab reports. this class is not for the weak, and if your major is not chemistry related, take other instructors.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM121
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Overall, I hated this class. It's awful. If you want an A, don't ever take this class. I put all of my efforts for this class, and I ended up with a B. She never curves the grade. Don't be fooled by the nice ratings-she is a wonderful person but a horrible grader. I should've dropped this class when other students did, they were the smart ones.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is caring when you have questions. But for quizzes, exams, and homework, they're mostly really frustrating when you do them. Some problems from them aren't covered in lecture. A lot of homework and lab reports are usually due the day after she lectures. Prepare to get a B despite putting a lot of efforts.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

dont do it. shes awful. yes she lowers the grade so you only need a 70% for a B, but thats because noone is getting a 80% more than half my class dropped

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

She's extremely nice and caring, but the class is just very difficult due to the amount of material covered in only two days of lecture, while the other two days are lab. MAKE SURE you read the book and do most of the hw because A LOT of stuff not covered in class will be on the tests, of which the average is usually around 50-60% for the class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

practice exam was only for the 1st. she has office hours and she knows the subject well, but she expects her students to be on her level. the textbook has mistakes so it's hard to follow. more than half the class has dropped with 6 weeks left -_- the grading scale is horrible 55% is a C. Yes, the lady sweet, but I'm still failing.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

1st class test avg: 50% 2nd class test avg: 55% ???????

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Yes, this is a very difficult and demanding class. However, she lowers the grading scale so you only need 70% to get a B and she occasionally gave some extra credit. Her lectures are very organized and clear and she is super helpful if you go to office hours. Definitely read the book, do the homework, and go to office hours to get a good grade.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely nice Professor!!! She is always there to help you and have clear grading criteria. Very demanding class work and lab reports, so be prepared. If you are pursuing chemistry-related career, definitely take her.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Super nice lady. Really cares how you do in the class. Her first test is a little hard then you begin to settle in and know what she expects from you. Homework every week is a bit tedious but probably helps in the long run. I would definitely recommend taking her if you truly are looking to learn chemistry. It is a tough class but totally do-able.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The most helpful teacher Ive ever had, but also the hardest. DONT take this class with other science classes bc itll take all of your time. Tests are tough. Ridiculous amount of hw plus an online quiz each week. Dont be intimidated, go to her office hrs & make a study group bc itll help a lot. This class def prepared me for future science classes.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Nicest lady ever and is there to help! She even goes out of her way to come to the study lab to help her students during her office hours. But omg you will work hard! I wouldn't recommend taking this class with any other hard classes because this will defiantly be the load of your semester. Also if you take an 8am lab, don't be late!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She's Hard, take my word for it. There are easier teachers. Don't be FOOLED by the nice comments below, they're fake. NO pre-test. NO curves. NOTHING. more then half of my class has dropped.