Russell Barrows - Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO

Professor: Russell Barrows

Department: Chemistry

College: Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3090
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Barrows is an excellent teacher. I truly looked forward to attending his class. He provides quality notes and practice problems which are clear and helpful. From my experience, he was very thorough in his lectures. As with any chemistry course, practicing outside of class time as much as possible is key. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHE3100
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He truly is a bad professor.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a very bad teacher. His lectures are hard to listen to. His notes are unreadable. He does not give good feedback on test. I taught myself.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHE3100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This teacher has no apparent concern for his students. I dropped his class after 2 weeks. Couldn't read his handwritten notes, understand his lectures, discern his mumbling. If i hadn't taken this class before, I'd have been in tears.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHE3100
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found the negative comments to be more true. I did not get a single thing that he talk about and he would sidetracked and takes forever to come back to the subject that is suppose to be taught. Does not keep students engaged during lecture and basically talks to the board most of the time, which means answering questions was rare in lecture

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHE3100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Barrows has an interesting approach to teaching, but I would say his greatest contribution to your learning can be had during office hours. He is an interesting character and can teach you a ton about the science of life. If I were to sum up his personality, at least in my interpretation, he is a mad scientist, but without the propensity for evil.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHE3000
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely useless during lecture and even more useless during Labs. Wouldn't recommend unless you have no other choice. Does not respond to emails, grades very slowly and just be prepared to teach yourself because he will not teach you. On the bright side, tests averages are rounded to a B, and he gives nearly 2 free letter grades per test.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHE3100
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Organic Chemistry is just a difficult class. There are no classes that truly "ready" you for it and Dr. Barrows knows that. He gives plenty of opportunities to help students pass you just have to go to class and do the work (thank god for Chegg Study). Tests are difficult but I pulled off a C after failing (58% and 65%) the first two tests.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3100
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Barrows is an excellent professor. He gets an undeserved bad rep. While several professors enjoy frightening students and making organic chemistry as difficult as possible, Barrows makes the course accessible. His courses are mechanism heavy and he is a wealth of knowledge.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHE3110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Such a messy professor. Unable to nail down a calendar or stick to it, unable to specify what is relevant/important and what isn't, unable to frankly teach well. The organizational aspect drove me insane. I am walking away with a good grade, but frustrated and feeling like I learned very little. What I did learn I credit to myself/classmates.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: OCHEM2
• 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:

Awesome ochem professor!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: OCHEM1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

HARD EXAMS, BUT YOU CAN STILL GET A IN HIS CLASS

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: OCHEM2
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Teacher is terrible. Gets sidetracked on almost every discussion and forgets what he was even talking about, and it is not about ochem. stands in front of board when writing so you can't see. Tests are super easy, but you are better off just reading from the book while in class then listening to him ramble. Seriously, just read the book.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHE3000
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Orgo is hard. Unless your brain has been waiting your whole life to prove to you that this it's your calling, you're not going to have an easy time. Consider that it's even more difficult to teach. Barrows is def hard to follow at first, but when you finally start understanding his thought process, he's very helpful. Your key to success? PRACTICE.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

You will pass this class. Its basically impossible to fail. I would suggest skipping his USELESS lectures and just reading the book. Now you will have to actually read the book. but whatever. at least you won't have to go to class and listen to his terrible jokes. He is very easy but he might be the worst chem teacher ever

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHE3100
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is the worst class I have ever taken in my life. The book was horribly written so I had to get supplemental books and watch LOTS of online videos. Dr. Barrows is vague and his teaching method is outdated, if you can even call it teaching. Anything I came out of his class knowing, I learned online or in another book. Hated this class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Barrows doesn't have any real structure to his class. Organic is a hard subject, but I found lecture confusing and unorganized. If you think your going to go to class and walk away understanding the material, think again. This is a self taught class. Get ready to teach yourself, or get a tutor. Tests are not easy.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHE3100005
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

barrows is a chemist GANSTER, super funny, will teach you everything you need to know for first semester. test are virtually his class notes for the most case. take notes "chicken scratch handwriting". he dumbs down the martial so everyone can learn. I've heard terror story's over other professor. so highly recommended. SN1,SN2, E1, E2 terrifying

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHE3100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Barrows is an excellent teacher, despite what everyone who sucks at organic chemistry will tell you. If you show up and pay attention, he goes over everything in class that will be on the exams. He also gives loads of partial credit and homework. He's little quirky yes, but what good chemistry teacher isn't? Go to office hours!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 3100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Choosing a prof for ochem is like choosing the lesser of the evils. I would say he's the lesser. Hes very fair. Curves the test grade average to an 80%. Of the first 2 tests he drops your lowest. The third test is the easiest of the 3. I'll admit he's a tangent master. Gets off on a metaphor and then comes back. Always there for questions you have.