Bruce Osterby - University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, WI

Professor: Bruce Osterby

Department: Chemistry

College: University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, WI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHM104LAB
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I only had Dr. Osterby for lab, but I wouldn't recommend him. He is very longwinded and over explains things, sometimes making them more difficult. He also is very quiet, which makes sitting in the back of lab a big disadvantage.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHM303
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Osterby was always available to answer question, though he was available it didn't mean he always answered them. Dr. Osterby is clearly smarter and more experienced than any of his students in Organic Chemistry and I feel it's tough for him to teach the subject because of this. Tests are fair, but not easy. Study hard and read the book.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Osterby started really easy but as the semester went on he rarely gave partial credit and wasn't overly helpful on learning concepts in office hours. You'll do fine on assignments and quizzes but the exam averages were usually around 70 or below. I attended almost all lectures but you'd be fine skipping as long as you're understanding the material.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM103
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Osterby is a great professor for chemistry. I only took him because of the good reviews that I have heard and he is one of the best. The exams can be tough but he gives out homework, practice worksheets, and study guides that really help. If you need to take chem 103 take Osterby.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHM103
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Makes everything clear and straight-forward. If you show up to class and do all of the homework and readings it will be an easy A

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHM103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Osterby was a great prof. He goes though all the notes and gives lots of practice problems and worksheets for studying. He also allows notecards on all the test, with 5 on the final. Would take again!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHM303
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is obviously hard so don't expect it to be easy. Just do all of the assignments and practice worksheets. If you understand those the tests will be fine. He gives clear material, it's up to you to make the grade!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHM303
• 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:

At first it seems like his teaching style is unorthodox, but it's actually very practical and helps you to easily grasp the things that you need to know (unlike when professors spend lots of time on derivations and hardly any time on examples). His assignments are very challenging, but he'll help if you ask and they prepare you for the exams.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHM103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, some sections he isn't very clear on but very willing to help you in discussion or office hours. Notecard allowed for every exam and 4 on the final. Quizzes occasionally in discussion, not very hard. Practice exams really help to prepare for the exams. Do the study guide!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 304
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Osterby is honestly really funny during lecture, I love his style of teaching it's honest and clear and I like that he is writing the whole time as we are copying his moves. This lecture style works the best for me and he is very precise with it. Awesome class, by far my favorite of the semester and I'm not a chem major.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHM103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Osterby is a great professor. He can be dry during lecture, but goes over the material thoroughly. He is more than willing to help with any questions you have, and will help you at whatever pace you need. Would definitely recommend!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHM104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Osterby's lecture and homeworks were fine, but his exams were really hard. All other sections used discussion for Q&A, but he gave way too many quizzes that killed my grade. Instead of getting an answer to what you don't know, you'll be quizzed on it! :( he is nice at office hour though.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHM104
• 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:

Would highly recommend. I'm not the best at chemistry but Dr. Osterby makes it easy. Practice exams are exactly like the exam. No surprises in his class. If he doesn't cover it in class he won't test you on it. Go do discussion, practically gives you answers to worksheets he assigns which really helps with exams. Labs suck period!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHM304
• 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:

Dr. Osterby was a very good professor. He goes over many examples during class and was always very helpful. His tests are reasonable if you actually study for them. I would recommend him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHM103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He wasn't that bad but he wasn't that great. His lectures are pretty boring and I honestly taught myself out of the book because he rambles a lot in lecture. He's really helpful though, you get notecards on exams and he is willing to answer questions.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHM103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. Provides extremely helpful practice exam, always makes sure you will know basically what is on the quizzes. Goes over lots of practice problems- had him for discussion as well and he answers any question you ask him (including lab problems and homework assignments!) and does them in front of the class. Highly recommended.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr.Osterby is a wonderful professor. He moves at a really good pace and provides plenty of examples for each concept. He provides lots of practice problems, including practice exams, and allows note cards on the test. TAKE HIM

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHM304
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really liked Osterby. His exams were exactly like the notes in class and he lets you start exams a little early. I only opened the text book once. He curves grades in the end which is nice. Overall I enjoyed Osterby.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM304
• 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:

Very experienced teacher. High expectations, but they are made clear. Goes at a modest pace and focuses on important concepts rather than emphasizing memorization of reagents, nomenclature, etc. Exams are quite challenging, but if you follow the study guide and do the recommended problems, you should expect a decent grade. Study the mechanisms!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHM104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Osterby definitely knows what hes doing. He gives tons of practice problems but what is most essential is the practice exam he provides before tests which are basically the same as the exam itself. I changed my major to chem because of him. textbook helps a lot! do all problems he offers and you will do fine!