Don Swieter - Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL

Professor: Don Swieter

Department: Chemistry

College: Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you took him for intro & continued your chem career by taking Chem 1 & 2, you will realize why he was so tough. He was teaching ahead. However, he actually helped you by talking about Chem 1 & Chem 2 stuff at the intro level! When I got to Chem 1, the first exam was Intro Review & the following material was all covered with him. I was not lost!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1025
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No curves. Teaches CHM 1 & CHM 2 material at intro level. Class curriculum doesn't all match up with departmental final topics. Doesn't like PHYSICISTS- it's all he talks about. Tests are hard & tricky. ALL tests are free response. No quizzes. Optional HW on his website. Doesn't use Canvas & doesn't use his email. BUT, deep down inside he is nice.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1025
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don makes things harder than they have to be. He does not grade homework or give extra credit. He genuinely enjoys when students struggle and does not care if you pass. He pretentiously believes only he himself knows "proper" chemistry. I passed his course only because I taught myself with online resources and friends. DO NOT TAKE.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took swieter for Intro chem a few years ago and I am now done with Orgo 1&2 at UF. It is only now I realize and appreciate how hard he was. He is hard, but if you do well in his class you will breeze through Chem 1 and beyond. You'll have a great understand of general chemistry with him. Take it from me, it's going to get way harder at UF anyway.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Just study and you will pass the tests. His classes are much more difficult than the tests. if you understand his classes, you will get an A.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Here is what you need to know about this class. His handwriting is like deciphering hieroglyphics and he speaks fast, you will be learning about 6 weeks worth of material each day, and the tests are probably the hardest you'll ever take. Let me put it this way, if you do well in this class you will have no issue in Chem 1 & 2.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1025
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is not good at teaching chemistry, unless you are a strong auditory learner because he creates barely any visuals. Also it is obvious that he is on a power trip because he does not work with students well and shows no mercy. He makes chemistry and the work/labs more difficult than necessary.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Swieter is a brilliant man but struggles relate to a student's learning level. His class is based purely off of in-class notes but his handwriting is illegible so you must write as fast as he speaks. Swieter spent more time explaining how scientists came up with a scientific theory than explaining what the the theory itself was & how to apply it.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1025
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Don Sweiter is by far the worst professor I had at Santa Fe College. His class was mostly white board lectures where most of the time he goes off topic and talks about things that don't relate to chemistry. On top of that, his handwriting looks like a 2nd graders handwriting. If he doesn't like you, you will not pass. My advice, NEVER TAKE HIM

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Swieter was a VERY difficult, especially if it's been a hot minute since you've taken a chemistry course. That being said, I still learned a LOT from his class. Take thorough notes and DO THE HOMEWORK SETS. Go to office hours because he's a lot more accessible then than in class. If you want to excel in your further chemistry courses, take him!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He only uses a whiteboard to write notes and does not upload them to anything, so show up to class. My main complaint is that you will probably spend more time trying to read his writing than trying to understand the course. His class is hard in general, expect 2 hours studying a day to get an A. For reference, passing grade for my class was a 63.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1025
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Swieter is the definition of old school. He teaches from a yellowed binder of hand-written notes that he still brings to class even though he has it memorized. Don't bother buying a textbook, but take good notes. If you are going into a science field: 100% would recommend: Study. If you're just looking for an easy A, avoid his class at all costs.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Swieter's class is fast-paced and rather difficult to follow if you're not already decent at chemistry. I felt like I was left in the dust most of the time during class. He doesn't use PowerPoints, only lectures. His handwriting is hard to read on a good day. If you're a visual learner, and need a good visual to help understand, he isn't for you.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1025
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Okay, so starting off the semester I really disliked Swieter. I felt like he was unhelpful and very difficult. But as the semester progressed I realized that he really did care about all his students, and really just wanted me to learn the material. I started going to office hours, and he was very helpful and friendly. Honestly, great professor

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1025
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This man is by far the best professor I have had thus far. He really forces you to learn. The course is definitely tough, however, if you put the time into the material outside of the class you should have no trouble passing. I highly recommend going to his office hours. If I could take him for Chem 1 & 2 I would. Don't let others discourage you.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is TOUGH. He expects us to know as much as he does and does make you feel dumb if you ask questions aloud. However, his harsh grading and demand for explanation will prepare you very well for CHM2045. I knew next to nothing about chemistry before his class but I now have a good grasp of it. Would recommend if you want to know more.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He thinks hes teaching Organic Chemistry 2 at Harvard. This class is INTRO chem. He makes it hard and his tests have the smallest little detailed thing that he wrote in the notes. He's also a very rude individual. He needs to realize that this is INTRO chemistry not Organic chemistry. Only good thing about him is that its so hard you'll know chem.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Chemistry is one of the hardest sciences and Swieter is one of the hardest professors. But he's only difficult in consequence to the material. He cares about his students knowing all of the material and even some stuff for CHM2045. If you're serious about chemistry, this is the class to take.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHM1025
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Swieter embodies the thought of being outside your comfort zone in order to grow. Yes it is a challenge but you will walk out a better student, guaranteed. If higher chemistries are in your future, do yourself a favor and take his class. There's no question he that he will prepare you, the only question is do you have what it takes to pass?

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1025
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The only things graded are labs, 3 tests and a final. The man talks down to people constantly. I get most people are right out of high school taking this course but some(especially veterans) are well removed from the high school mentality. No professor/teacher should treat students like grade school kids in college. Very disrespectful.