Carey Bagdassarian - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Professor: Carey Bagdassarian

Department: Chemistry

College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COLL100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Some teachers you learn from by the material they present, some you learn from just by who they are. Carey is the latter. Whether you like him or not depends on what you're looking for. Grades aren't his priority; discovery is. He's passionate about everything he does and a really fascinating guy. For me, one class w him was enough but I enjoyed it

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COLL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Carey is an odd guy. He cares about his students, is a little all over the place, but definitely interesting. I took his story coll100 and although I was not really interested in it at all, it was an easy class and he was a generous grader.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COLL150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There's A LOT of reading and writing. We had 3 quizzes, 3 (300 words) mini-essays, 3 papers. He's an easy grader and gives feedback on drafts. Tuesdays are lectures and Thursdays are when we wrote mini-essays in class (and graded someone else's work which was very awkward). I enjoyed his class - we went canoeing - but I did put in a lot of work.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COLL150
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

"A Scientist and a Totem Pole" sounds wonderful on paper and Professor Bagdassarian is an amped up lecturer. But this class is nothing more than one man ranting about his passion (borderline obsession) for a single Native tribe onto everyone else. If you want an easy A/B, sure, but if you're looking for a serious class, look elsewhere.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COLL100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

his coll 100 "isaac newton & a totem pole" is a mess, the structure makes no sense, & he really only talks about this one native american tribe, and their art & poetry. It has nothing to do with physics, the environment, etc. Only take this if you really love native american studies, & love a disorganized prof who can't lecture/ explain concepts.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COLL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's awesome. He and I related on a personal level through our shared struggles. The first day of class he seemed crazy but you get used to it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COLL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The course description for his Coll100/150 might sound weird, but it's so cool! Also, he is truly passionate and caring and makes your freshman seminar a breeze. Learn something new and give this class a try. Not that many assignments or readings, just show up and engage.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COLL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Take his Coll100/150 if you're looking for something out of the box and not THAT difficult. I was in the Coll100 and really enjoyed it, even though it was definitely... unique. Not that much reading or writing, just show up to class and engage in his teachings. Super funny and class is exciting!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COLL100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Carey is the best professor at William & Mary. His passion is contagious and inspiring. Every lecture is fascinating and creative. He allows a lot of freedom on projects and I felt like it allowed me to explore the material on such a deeper level and in my own way. I attend one of his classes now just for fun (I'm not enrolled).

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COLL100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I took his Coll class "Isaac Newton and a Totem Pole" expecting it to be about science and history. Turns out, the class was just meant to explore his personal obsession, the artwork and poetry of an obscure Indian tribe. Aside from that disappointment, his grading was very subjective, and he started marking me down just for being late to class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Carey is a tough grader, but fair. P-Chem is a difficult course, but he made it interesting with anecdotes that seem tangential at first, but he a brings them back to the concept at hand at least half of the time.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Bagdassarian was a phenomenal professor (and I don't think it's reflected well in the numeric ratings above). PChem is, in general, a hard subject, and it's hard to get the material across in a straightforward manner, but he does it well. He manages to inject his personality into all the lectures well and makes everything enjoyable.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Go to class, ask questions, and offer up solutions. He asks a lot of his students, but is very clear. He is a great professor and genuinely cares for his students. The material is difficult, but just re-work the proofs and the tests are fine.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His class is basically AP Chem, if you did well in that then you'll only need to study minimally. His class average will be a B-/C+ bell curve, so adjust your studying accordingly. Professor Young has easier to follow lectures so if you're new to chem then take his class. Don't take for a GER. Don't take for a GER. Don't take for a GER. Really.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM103
• 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:

Carey is a wonderful, friendly, and approachable man. I never really was a chemistry person, but he prepares you for the class with fun stories as well as intense lectures. I struggled at first, but in the end, getting an A was pretty easy. If you do your part, it won't be too bad. He makes a great friend and is always happy to see you.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Professor Bagdassarian was by far my favorite professor this year. He's very enthusiastic, makes you think outside of the box, and tells interesting stories. The tests aren't easy, but with a lot of studying, you will do well. I hope to take more classes with him!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Carey is great! He sometimes rambles about random things but he is very nice and enthusiastic about the subject. His class is not too difficult as long as you really study for his tests.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Good professr overall, he's interesting and funny but gets easily sidetracked. Do his super-special problems!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM203
• 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:

My favorite professor I've had so far. Carey brings enthusiasm to every single class; you can tell he loves chemistry (and life in general). The tests aren't easy, but you'll be fine if you know what you're doing. Gen chem, with almost 200 people, was my favorite class because of him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM103
• 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 Bagdassarian is a genius. His class is challenging but he is fair and if you put in the work you can reap the benefits. go to his office hours -- he is the most clear and helpful there. he also works hard to push the boundaries of the value of the subject matter. definitely my favorite professor--best that i have ever had at w&m