Stephen Hixson - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Professor: Stephen Hixson

Department: Chemistry

College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Difficult subject no matter who teaches it. Hixson is a sweet old man who has a serious love for chemistry. He teaches the best he can, but the SI sessions are what saved me in this class. I attended all of the lectures, but to be honest his notes were hard for me to follow. Definitely go to the SI's, get the model kit, and I never got the book so.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I think Hixson's great. Organic Chemistry is a difficult subject which he manages to present in an absolutely clear and straight-forward way. He knows his stuff. His exams, however, are a bit of a nightmare. Not unfair, mind you - just very, very hard. He curves appropriately, though, and in the end he grades fairly.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Orgo is a hard topic but Hixson teaches it relatively clearly and grades fairly. His exams are difficult but he scales at the end of the course. He is a sweet guy and will definitely help you out if you ask. Definitely the right choice for orgo 1.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you put the effort in it's not impossible to do well. He may not be the clearest of professors but is always willing to help if you go to office hours. He's also VERY generous when it comes to the final grades. Go to the SI sessions, they help a ton

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the most unclear professors I have ever had...but then again that seems to be almost every chem prof here...still possible to do well in his class...you just have to work REALLY REALLY hard on your own..go to SIs they will save you...good luck and don't be discouraged

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Organic chemistry is a hard class no matter what professor you have. A lot of people blame their bad grades on the teacher when it is actually the material. That being said. Hixson is not a bad professor. He most definitely knows his stuff and takes the time to answer your questions. Exams are multiple choice and open answer, he scales at the end

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's slow and makes the material pretty dry, but he's clear and explains things well. Tests were fair and he drops the lowest if your final is higher. Homework is very easy. Buy the models! They help a lot with exams. I barely used the book but it's actually a pretty good book from what I did read.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Is this man paid to teach/lecture, or to stutter and stumble over material as fast as he can? His lectures didn't help at all, and his exams asked for things he didn't ask you to do in class or on OWLs. This was far more painful then it needed to be. Also needs to learn what technology is and how to utilize powerpoint as a teaching tool.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Everyone saying that, they did all the owls and attended classes and still got a C or something and giving this professor poor ratings are just retarded. Not everyone is meant to get A's lmao, i missed like half the lectures, but Hixson's notes are so organized, i just studied the day before exams with the notes and got A's-great teacher period.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ORGO12
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Before an exam just practice all his owls, rewrite his notes until you have them memorized, and read the book. Let me tell you this, I attended only 4 classes (the whole year) for both orgo 1 and 2 semesters and still received a really high grade. Don't be discouraged, Orgo was easy. Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prepare to say goodbye to your social life. I know so people who switched majors after this class. Hardest class, but Hixson tries his best to make it clear.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I hated this class. It was so stressful. He's a nice guy and all but doesn't explain and take the time for us to all to understand it. The book and doing the owls had me understand the material better. Tests are really hard, be prepared not having a life when taking Orgo

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hixson is a good professor & even tries to lighten up class by cracking some jokes. He does sometimes go over material quickly but he has office hours & if you read the book it will clarify things. Go to every class & do ALL the owls-they help your grade so much & are good for studying. I recommend him for chem 261.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great professor and person overall, if you are at all confused don't hesitate to go to his office hours his door is always open, just make sure not to catch him on an exam day. I definitely recommend him over all other organic chemistry professors

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Love Hixson as a person he is super funny, sweet, gave a generous curve at the end of the semester. However,this class is really hard. Hardest class you will probably take in college, except if your taking 262. You have to work really hard because he isn't the best at going through material slow enough to learn it without serious work on your own.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a great professor,for the exams you have to really understand the concepts because he likes to trick student.Just do your owls and go through his slides/practice exams. Overall great professor couldnt have asked for a better orgo professor. Goodluck.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Orgo is a hard subject, but Hixson is a great professor and more than happy to help any student out. (: his jokes are hilarious when made too!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Organic Chem is a HARD subject. I had Hixson for 261 and 262. The class is NOT easy but he is more than willing to help you if you go the extra mile and attend office hours/ask for help. Tests are tricky you MUST study, but he really knows his stuff. Study, go to EVERY class, go to office hours, read (before every class), do the owls!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ORG262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

My main problem is that his exams are really tricky and that there's not enough time to reason through everything. It's a tough subject and a difficult one to teach. I also had a lot of trouble hearing what he was saying.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hixson is one of the better Orgo professors. Class is tough, but with good memorizational and rational skills you should be okay. Be sure to put plenty of study days in before exams. If you've never pulled an all nighter be ready.