Russell Timkovich - University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Professor: Russell Timkovich

Department: Chemistry

College: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CH101
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Whatever you do, try to avoid Timkovich. Once he accused a student of being stupid during a lecture, so I have been afraid to ask questions ever since. His tests are all 40 questions each and he makes you put your answers on the physical copy, a scantron, and in your clicker. The tests are graded via the clicker, which is ridiculous.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Timkovich is a rude, unpleasant man. If you have him, the first step is to get over that. Become your own teacher. I thought I was going to fail after the first test, but if you 1.) Do the homework early and frequently 2.) Go to class everyday 3.) Score high on your lab, you should be able to get an A. Still the hardest class I have ever taken.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you can avoid Timkovich, do. If not, do the homework early, read the book and never skip class. No, he's not a good professor but he's not as horrible as people say he is and it's not impossible to do well in this class. Just know he's not holding your hand, he's very much expecting you to handle the class yourself.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Whatever you do, do not take this course. He is by far the worst professor I've ever had. Lectures are awful, he is not approachable or helpful, and his exams are ridiculous.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CH101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I warn all those who are required to take Chemistry to steer clear and heed my warning. Timkovich's class is the worst I have ever seen, lectures have nothing to do with anything on the homework or test, daily quizzes on random unexpected topics that blindside you no matter how well prepared you are. Timkovich aims to inconvenience you in every way

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CH101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The tests are worth more than half of your total grade. Be prepared to teach yourself as you won't learn anything in class. He gives clicker quizzes that are supposed to help you but do the absolute opposite. Stay away from his class if you can.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CH101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Do NOT take this guy! the lectures do NOT prepare you at all for the homework or tests! He gives quizzes everyday but they usually only have 2 questions, so if u miss one you're sunk. By far the worst class I've taken at UA. Excessive amounts of homework that will take you forever to do since he didn't explain it. Not an approachable guy either

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Stay away from this class. This has been the worst class I have taken since being at UA. I got an A in organic but a C+ in Timkovich's class. He was not helpful when questions were asked and he was snarky in class. If you have terrible luck and end up in his class, make sure you do the homework and get a tutor if you can't teach yourself.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

he doesn't teach anything I had to teach myself everything

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor ever and not a nice person either. Talks down to students all the time and is very grumpy and mean. Lectures are not even lectures, he just scribbles stuff on the board with no context. Quizzes every day that are worth 10 points and lots of HW. Is definitely not the right teacher for an intro level Chem class. Avoid if possible!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't teach. Passing this class depends whether or not you can teach yourself with the book.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His lectures made no sense so I stopped paying attention to those, tests rely on homework. I would do the homework, took about four hours per chapter, then I'd do it again and again to prepare for the tests. Overall, I received a D+, C+, and B- on the tests that were graded. Final grade was a B, somehow.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Timko is smart. He has been stealing money from the University for years without getting caught. No way anyone in the administration can believe that this guy can teach. I got an A, but it was because I taught myself the material.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Timkovich is a tough guy, he really is. There is a way to do well in his class however. I thought I would do terrible but I got an A. Here's how to do well in his class. 1. You have to COMPLETE ALL (practice too!) the homework a week before the test 2. You have to know each problem front and back, his tests are right from the HW, so know all.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Russell is just bad. One test in and the majority of the class failed and probably about half dropped. He does not teach, he just talks the entire class with no context as to what he is talking about, then has daily clicker quizzes which are worth 10 points but theres only one question so you either get 10 points or 0. His dog is cute though.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took AP chem in high school and chem 102 was the hardest class I've taken at UA (granted, I'm only a freshman). You will have to work HARD if you want to succeed. I recommend reading ahead and working on the homework a little everyday or every other day. This class isn't impossible, but I would try to find a different teacher. Good luck!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I would've dropped this class at the first opportunity if it weren't required for me. I struggled out with a B and I consider myself lucky. Please do not take him if you don't absolutely have to. Study the homework questions religiously, as that is pretty much all his tests.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Instead of complaining, Ill tell u how to be one of the 30% that pass. Read the required chapters. Learn concepts at home via the book before lecture (he doesnt lecture them), then show up to lecture where he only does calculation problems. Concepts book, calculationslecture. Test is 50/50 concepts/calc. so rinse/repeat reading book + calculation

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT take this class!! Timkovitch does not teach any material! He just writes worked out problems on the board but doesn't explain anything. He does not use power points or provide notes. Only 80/157 students were left by our final b/c our class average was a 32 % at midterm. He is rude and abrupt when students ask questions. Ruined my GPA.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CH102
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this professor is the reason I dropped out of pre med, he does not care if you pass or if you understand the material whatsoever. Is very rude to his students, and often yells at them during class. Picks the most confusing questions for the tests, you could know the material forwards & backwards, and you will still fail the tests. Wish i dropped.