David Thompson - Purdue University - West Lafayette, West Lafayette, IN

Professor: David Thompson

Department: Chemistry

College: Purdue University - West Lafayette, West Lafayette, IN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHM256
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! I know O. Chem is difficult, but this was AWFUL. Our exam averages were so bad that he was forced to give us 100+ points of extra credit so we wouldn't all fail, with the exception of the "gifted" students that were class pets. Gave engineering level exams and study guides that were of no use. May the curve be in your favor.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHM26505
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests are tough. He sometimes puts uncovered topics to see who has read the next chapter. These are balanced by the copious extra credit after majority fails. If you do the reading and come up with genuine questions, he is very nice at office hours. It's painful but Thompson's preparation will also help you compete at the top level schools

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHM256
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I've come across. His lectures do not prepare you for exams, and he put problems on the exams from his engineering class he used to teach. He gave over one hundred extra credit points to boost the exams because averages were in the 50s. Bad experience; find someone else to take the class with.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHM256
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

While organic chemistry is naturally a tricky course, Dr. Thompson makes it worse. As someone who loved organic chemistry, I was initially excited for this class, but that quickly faded upon learning the full extent of Dr. Thompson's approach to this class: make tests impossible, but saturate with extra credit. He is ridiculous. Avoid if possible

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHM256
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Thompson has very high expectations for his students. The exams are tough and a challenge for many students, but he provides enough extra credit to serve as a safety net. His lectures are clear and the notes are very valuable. I really enjoyed his course.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHM256
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not great at explaining subject. Not an easy grader. DO THE STUDY GUIDEPRACTICE PROBLEMS. He pulls from there. He gives extra credit on exams and for attendance. Show up, and go to office hours.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHM256
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is the worst teacher I have ever had. You will fail the exams. First exam the class average was a 65%; second a 55%, and third a 52%. He gives a ton of extra credit, but it still is not enough help. He is rude and prideful.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHM265
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not the best teacher, and material is hard so it's not a good combination. But he is helpful in office hours when he is in there. Homework is pretty hard, as are exams but he curves very well.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHM2650
• 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:

Hardest class I've ever taken.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHM266
• 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:

Loved the class and the prof. He's tough but doesn't sugar coat his expectations. Ask intelligent questions and he will love to help you. Make sure you attend classes. He knows when you don't.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHM265
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Attend class, go to office hours, meet ta's

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHM266
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He talks in overly technical ways. His exams are impossible - especially with the time limits given. He does not grade generously however he gives lots of extra credit opportunities. He answers some questions in class but he reads directly from the ppt and puts half the class to sleep.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good prof, but insanely hard class

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Liked to answer questions in class, which always helps. Notes were slightly disorganized, but overall did a good job teaching an extremely difficult subject. (in my opinion)

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHM111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not very clear when explaining material, liked to go off on tangents a lot

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHM262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

When you consider the killer nature of ochem, Thompson does an exceptional job with clarity. Never fell asleep in his class, but I slept everyday in Fuchs's.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHM262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's very good at explaining things ... but I still hate ochem .. so yeah ...

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hard class, but did a nice job teaching the material.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dave Thompson is a good teacher. Although he may have problems with punctuality, he is very enthusiastic about chemistry and will help you whenever you ask (if he's around). He also bolsters his point totals.