Derrick Clive - University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Professor: Derrick Clive

Department: Chemistry

College: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible class, he has messy notes that have no correlation to the material, without the text book I would have failed, he is no help. Only redeeming factor is that his tests are identical to his practice tests.

Rating # 2

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I stopped going to Clives class after the midterm and went to another prof as I could not follow his terribly organized lectures. Do not bother going to class. Watch YouTube videos on reactions and go to another class. The review sessions are helpful and there is a very low curve, I dont even think I passed the final and I ended with an A-

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM164
• 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:

Derrick Clive is my favourite professor so far, he's a sweet old Englishman who likes to tell stories in lecture which makes the topic less boring. He had 1 midterm, 1 lecture final and 1 lab final, no lecture quizzes but there were lab quizzes. Be prepared to come to every class because he talks more than he writes down. No slides, all writing.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's super nice and caring. I found his writing to be pretty good actually (there are some abbreviations that you'll get used to). Studying for tests can feel kinda weird b/c notes seem scattered. Class averages are pretty low so that really helps the letter grade situation. The review session was not helpful to me personally.

Rating # 5

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr. Clive's a good prof, he's always cracking jokes and the material is actually neat. He writes notes by hand which are super messy and can be difficult to follow (he does post his notes one class though). Clive does a huge review session before the midterm and the final which are incredibly helpful. Definitely would recommend as a prof.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• 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. Clive was really great for CHEM 261, very old school with just a piece of paper and a projector, so be prepared to take notes and read the textbook. He goes over exactly what is expected for the exams and I hope to have him as a prof again. Super funny and very respected both by students and the chemistry community.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• 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 is this cute old British Lad that tells you exactly what's on the exam a day before. His notes are awful though and his handwriting is worse so you have to go to class. But his explanations are so straightforward, you will love him!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM261
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Clive is one of your OKAY professors. His british accent and jokes about his Imperial Institute of Technology crack a smile. His lectures are important. He talks about concepts which are important and does not write the content but just the heading. So make sure you follow through and note everything.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• 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. Clive is great professor for this class since it is not a very easy course to take in the first place. He does have a British accent as well as a not so clear style of hand writing so some of the lectures can be frustrating since there is over 100 reactions to memorize, luckily he posts all his notes online. Very passionate about his field.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Clive takes a week or two to adjust to because he does things his way, and initially it may freak you out. However, his tests are ridiculously easy if you keep up regularly with the material. With 263, the course isn't hard, there is just a lot of info you need to know. Study regularly and you'll do amazing.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Don't listen to anyone that says 263 is hard, its not at all. Clive is so inspirational and genius, if it had been anyone else, I wouldn't have gotten an A+. His TA sessions are amazing, he tells you what will be on his exams exactly. Two midterms and a final, all super easy. Just memorize the reactions, PRACTICE LOTS, and befriend the textbook.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: OCHEM263
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Ochem is not that hard. Its overwhelming because theres 100+ reactions to know, but Clives super TA sessions really narrow down what to study. His writing is disgusting but he is super kind and SO inspirational, & if u figure out that he follows the textbook word for word early enough, you're set. I'm expecting an A+.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I actually like Derrick Clive a lot but He has REALLY messy notes and does a terrible job of answering questions. The tests are fair though. Also from my experience with ochem profs their really stubborn and sort of set in their ways and Clive isn't different. Also, I think he secretly finds us insufferable. but LUCKY to have taken 263 with him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Course itself is hell and he does not provide any explanation or 'skeleton notes' to go with the lectures. He writes quickly and his writings are difficult to interpret and understand. Tests are difficult and you WILL need to know material from 261. This course made me lose all of my interest in organic chemistry and will not pursue this subject.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

In his lecture, you have to copy his written notes but they would be uploaded on eclass. Better purchase the textbook as his notes examples are same as the textbook and he would select questions from the book as assignments. His supper TA section is a tip class as he would tell you what types of questions would appear in the exam

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Chem 263 is known to be a terrible class. There are easily 100 or more reactions that need to be known, along with multiple mechanisms. Clive is good at explaining the material but, the amount of material required is insane. 2 written midterms and a final (plus lab of course). Do good on the midterms and you'll be fine. Final was insanely difficult

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Clive's an old Brit, and his humour is top-notch. Recorded lectures make it easy to skip. If you see him during office hours, he's very willing to help. What's nice is that he'll host Super TA sessions where he describes the exams to you, but you still need to memorize an abominable amount of reactions and some mechanisms. NOT easy.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHM263
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Clive is incredibly brilliant, as a biochemist. He's probably one of the best chemists alive. However, he knows chemistry, not education. From an education standpoint, this class is abominable. He's terrible at setting expectations, making it clear what part is important to remember, and so forth. Inspirational in his passion, though.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Must go to his lectures since he hand writes the notes. He does post them online afterwards with sound but they are not reliable. He is really funny and talks at an appropriate pace. He tells you what's on the exams so they're hard. My A- was because I aced the first midterm since it was too long for most people to finish. Hard class overall tho.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM263
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As much as people say he is disorganized, his passion for synthetic organic chemistry was what pushed me to pursue a degree in Chemistry. He knows his material perfectly and really challenges his students in his Exams. You cannot cram for his exams since you need practice in synthetic questions and NMR. Recommend taking him.