James Spencer - Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Professor: James Spencer

Department: Science

College: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a really nice professor and he does try. His lectures are kind of long but usually he lets the class out 15-30 minutes early. Attendance is not mandatory but he does use tophat if you go you get extra credit so go! He has other extra credit opportunities also. His tests are really hard and he doesn't give review sheets but he does curve them

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He focuses on the slides a lot, but you still have to go to class, he uses TopHat, which generates a different code for every class, that he uses to take attendance. The labs though, end several weeks before the end of the semester, which is very during the winding down of classes. The labs are super easy, and I have no background in forensics.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHE106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I love him! He is such a good professor. The only downside is the exams have very few questions and can be difficult.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I love Dr. Spencer! He is an amazing professor. The exams can be difficult if you don't study hard enough and the labs can be confusing. Just pay attention and you will do fine. He also gives out extra points if you attend class. I would definitely take this class again!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Super easy, just take your time to study for the exams as they are comprehensive.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHE103
• 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:

I thought he was great. Very interested in what he taught, it was contagious.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Don't buy the textbook. You don't even really have to go to class, he puts up all the powerpoints. The labs suck and can mess up your grade. The tests seem easy but you probably wont get an A on it by yourself, luckily he curves them and your overall grade. The content is interesting nonetheless and he's enthusiastic about it

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I've been waiting over a month for my final grade. Ridiculous. Also, the course was way too easy...boring!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• 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:

He is a very enthusiastic about what he does and that comes through. Tries to make content interesting but the first few weeks of class are the boring-ish stuff but then you get onto the fun things! Didn't take any notes in class as everything he says his on slides (that he posts on blackboard.) Very helpful and lovely guy :)

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

So boring, doesn't take attendance. This is my major and he managed to make it uninteresting. Labs/TAs suck.. Not worth it. But he curves every test so you're guaranteed a B+/A- if you attempt to study for them.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He was very helpful the entire year. He carefully explained the slides to make sure you understood what he wanted you to get out of it. The exams are easy as long as you actually study the slides and he curves your grade a ton at the end. You don't need to buy a book since there isn't homework. He's funny and you can tell he loves his job! :)

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

everyone sleeps during his lecture though he tries to make lecture interesting and fun... not many people show up during the class b/c the class attendance is not mandatory also, tests are extremely hard even though you studied really really hard before the exam (I spent most of my time studying CHE 113 but i didn't really get a good grade!!!!!!!)

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• 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:

If you have to take a Lab Science, take this class. You don't even have to go to lecture because all the notes are on blackboard. DONT BUY THE TEXTBOOK, HE DOESN'T USE IT. The Labs are easy, notes aren't that hard. His tests are all multiple choice, and they are near impossible, but he scales them so it works out in the end. Spencer is a cool guy.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• 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:

James is a nice guy and very helpful, but his class is extremely boring. Don't even bother showing up because all you do is go over the powerpoints, and you can just read those online. The tests are absolutely impossible, and he puts material on them that is not solely focused on the power points. The labs are easy and do not last the full time.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

really easy A if you go to lecture and are somewhat alive. if you pay attention in lecture, all you need to do is take the practice exam which is almost identical to the real exam. but tests are exactly from the powerpoint so you don't have to go to class. if you have an interest in forensics, you'll like the class. if you dont, don't take it.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Boring lectures, but a good professor and interesting subject matter. Tests are a bit hard and labs seem trivial.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It seems like an easy class b/c lectures aren't mandatory (which is good since they are often boring); however, the exams which account for 80% of your grade are nearly impossible. He does curve though...

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FSC409
• 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:

Advanced Forensics is VERY different. Small class - learn to know professor better. Had MANY projects instead of tests. WAY easier then CHE 113 (into to forensics). CURVED tests alot. a 49/100 was a B+. TAKE THIS CLASS. SO INTERESTING.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHE106
• 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:

Knowledgeable and receptive to students, but lecture is indeed boring. Not a terrible class, but I recommend his Soling Forensics class (if he still teaches it) - basically a version of CHE 106 that's smaller, more hands-on, and may keep your interest more

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHE113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he's a smart man and definitely knows a great deal about the subject. problem is he cant teach AT ALL. he just reads off the powerpoint and speeds through the notes. the material itself doesnt seem that hard.. its just that spencer can't teach it in a clear way. no wonder most people fail his tests.