Bakthan Singaram - University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

Professor: Bakthan Singaram

Department: Chemistry

College: University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The best professor I've had so far at UCSC. He genuinely cares about his students and wants them to learn in and outside of class as well! Makes class worth attending with his funny anecdotes even if going to class isn't mandatory!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're lucky enough to be able to take a class with Bakhtan, do it. I had a rough time in Chem 8A but Bakhtan not only made everything click in 8B, but he also is the reason to why I love ochem so much now. He's absolutely the best professor I've had at UCSC. I wish I could take all my classes with him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: OCHEM108B
• 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:

A truly amazing professor. Puts time and effort into writing thorough notes and highlights all important concepts for the test. Attend class and study off his notes. Do the homework as a large percentage of the tests will come directly from there. Going to office hours will be a huge help. It will take hours of studying, but it's a great class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM8B
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Funniest professor I've ever had! His jokes were the best! Overall a great professor and amazing lecturer. He was straight forward with what he expected from students to know and always told us what to study for the exams. Homework was not required but HIGHLY recommended, tests are based on it! Go to office hours and get to know him! He is awesome!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM8B
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

After a very challenging experience in CHEM8A, Bakthan was a welcome relief. His tests are completely predictable; the problems are half from the homework and half from lecture, and he explains everything really well. Even more than that, he goes over every test after the TAs grade it to make sure you got all the points you deserve. A great prof.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM8B
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Singaram is awesome. 50% of what's on the test are questions directly from the homework and the other half is material he covered in class. He has office hours everyday and really keeps track of everyone's progress and wants them to do well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM8B
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Definitely the most caring professor I've had yet. He's also pretty funny. His tests are pretty fair too.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• 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:

A great professor that is so passionate in what he teaches. Best piece of advice; GO TO HIS OFFICE HOURS! They help tremendously! And actually DO the homework

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Seriously the best professor I've had at UCSC. Put in the effort and you can easily get an A. I wish I could take all my classes with Bakthan; he's truly a gem.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM8B
• 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:

Grade in this class depends only on exams. But the exam questions are from the homework, and he usually tells you the questions in lecture as well. Be sure to go to his office hours for HW solutions; don't use the solution manual. Go to MSI or tutoring. You can easily get an A if you work for it (ie redo HW 3 times).

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• 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:

Bakthan's teaching style is rather old-school. He does not record his lectures, so attend lectures if you can and study his lecture notes. Doing practice problems helps a lot. He is clear, funny, and willing to go out of his to help you. Don't hesitate to ask him if you have questions!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: OCHEM108B
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bakthan is the best teacher I have had at UCSC. He's always available outside the classroom, he's very understanding, respectful, and very helpful when explaining his material. His office hours are the best. His test are not tricky as long as you put in the work to understand the material. I would love to take an other course with him. 10/10

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bakthan is seriously the best professor I've ever had! If you go to office hours he will literally go above and beyond to make sure you succeed in his class! Make sure you do homework because test questions are really similar to tests. Highly recommend taking this class with him!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bakthan is one of the best professors ever! He has office hours almost everyday and he tells you problems from the homework that will be on the exam. He's a great lecturer and will gladly answer any questions if needed. Do the HW repeatedly, go to office hours everyday, GO TO CLASS, and go to him for extra help if needed. Great class!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sigaram is amazing. He has office hours all the time and will give you test questions during lecture. He took Organic Chemistry and links it to Bio and Chem and life. He cares about his students. You want an A? You can earn one if you go to office hours and lecture and LISTEN to what he says. DO NOT USE THE SOLUTION MANUAL!!!!! Good luck!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There are no webcast but his lectures are amazing!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

It has been in honor to take a chemistry course with such an amazing professor like Bakthan. He cares about all his students & wants to see them succeed. Go to OH, Section & do the homework that is a MUST! Best professor you will have at UCSC.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: 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:

It's simple. Bakthan is a wizard. The way he explains organic chemistry is not only extremely engaging, it's very helpful. He had office hours every day but Thursday. If there was a lot of people that came he would find a room with space. We need more Bakthans in this world.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

When he says 50% of the test comes from assigned homework, he means it. The other 50% is reworded homework. Attend lecture, know the homework well and go to office hours to clarify questions. Also, the solution manual is of little use due to him doing things differently from the book.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM108B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Singaram is one of the best teachers I've ever had. His lectures are extremely fun and informative, his tests are fair and graded quite nicely. If one goes to class, utilizes MSI , office hours (has them every day), there is no reason not to excel