Silas Blackstock - University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Professor: Silas Blackstock

Department: Chemistry

College: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is an awesome chem professor but attendance will get you. He is always there to help and he does give a lot of bonus points which is very helpful. Would totally recommend and you do need the text book for this class!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If chem isn't something that you actually love then this class will be tough for you. I love biology but my feelings towards chem are the complete opposite. Mr. Blackstock is very passionate about chemistry and doesn't really understand that everyone may not feel the same way. He is just tough to work with if you don't love chem as much aa he does.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Blackstock is a fantastic professor. I found 232 quite a bit easier than 231. He gives the exams from the past semester as a practice and the format is the same. But dont EVER expect a free pass, he rarely reuses questions or material. Almost all Extra Credit points came in clutch for final grades, and I'm almost certain he curves a little bit

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr Blackstock is seriously the greatest professor. Everyone talked about how difficult 232 is compared to 231 but I thought it was easier (I had Snowden for 231). His tests are very straight forward and you won't be confused or surprised by what's on them. He gives a lot of extra credit so take advantage. Easily one of my favorite teachers.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Blackstock is an amazing professor. He really expects you to know the material, so his tests are harder, but he also teaches it really well. This class is a lot of work if you want to pass regardless of the professor, so choose wisely. He gives lots of options for extra credit, like OWL homework, if you do the work over the semester.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I LOVE Dr. Blackstock! Orgo is an extremely hard class, but he does an amazing job at teaching it. The entire class is based off the tests. Make sure to go to class to get notes. Homework is extra credit. Be prepared to spend hours studying, but I would highly recommend him. He's so nice and my favorite professor that I've had thus far.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Blackstock does his best to make a hard class manageable. His lectures make great use of the class time, and you actually learn. It's not a class you can just memorize, but one you have to understand. The entire grade is based off the exams, with opportunities for extra credit. Hard, but extremely fair exams that are well structured.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Silas is great teacher with incredibly high expectations of his students. The entire course is based on test scores which are among the most challenging tests I have ever taken. Homework and quizzes are extra credit, which can help counteract the hard tests. Doesn't take attendance but you will fail if you don't go. The material is extremely hard.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I struggled in general the semester I took CH232, but Dr. Blackstock went out of his way to make sure I was equipped to pass-- more than any other professor I had. Even with less effort than in 231, I was able to understand the content and do okay. His lectures are critical, so don't miss class. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• 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:

Organic is organic. But Professor Blackstock presents the material is a clear way. His notes are amazing and he makes organic make sense. It takes a lot of work but this class is doable. Put in the time and you will get the results. Blackstock wants you to succeed but pushes you. He truly cares about his students.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CH231232
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Be prepared to learn. Blackstock was the best at lecturing, but he is also the hardest at grading. He expects you to remember all the subject material covered and additional information from the textbook. He is very helpful during office hours.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CH100
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I loved Dr. Blackstocks class. He really cares about his students and understands the course can be challenging. He gives extra credit opportunities and goes over tests to help you learn what you missed. Tests are not hard if you know all the information. He truly wants everyone to succeed in his class so go to office hours if you need help!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CH100
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Blackstock is awesome, he really cares about his students and wants them to succeed. There is a lot of work in this class but there are plenty of resources to help, and lots of extra credit opportunities. He is a great teacher and I learned so much!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CH101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Blackstock is normally an O-chem teacher, making his chem 101 lectures a lot more complex than they really should be. He expects you to do A LOT of outside work on your own (e.g. reading before/after lecture). His lectures don't do much, but daily attendance is taken. He is very smart, and cares about your grade, but is not an easy A.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I recommend not taking this prof if you wish to have a good semester. He is unreasonably strict in class no talking allowed whatsoever. Does not give a good lecture. Tests on information that he did not lecture on. Is rude to students in front of the whole lecture (will call you out on anything he doesnt like).Changes his syllabus half way through

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Blackstock was an amazing professor. He expects a lot from you, and you must work really hard to do well. Although I enjoyed having Shaugnessy for 231, Blackstock gives you more opportunities to raise your overall grade. He made me genuinely enjoy organic chemistry, which is something I was definitely not expecting to happen!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hands down one of the best professors I have ever had. The nature of the class is fast pace and challenging but Blackstock is excellent at presenting the material. If you put in 100% effort, you can definitely make an A. Tons of extra credit opportunities and he gives partial credit on exams.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you've ever had a coach that you hated because he would push you so hard and wouldn't let you rest, Blackstock is the professor equivalent. Yes, it's tough and hard but you'll finish this class as an expert in ochem. He says a lot of stuff like you have to read ahead of class and you have to ochem everyday. I disagree. Also, so much extra credit

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I struggled in CH231 with Shaughnessy and I wasn't sure why. Blackstock's teaching style worked better with how I learn. He requires you to know a lot of "data base material" but he gives you everything you need to know. If it's in his notes, its fair game for the test. Every test we had was very fair. It is a hard class no matter who you have.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CH232
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Blackstock is one of the most inspirational professors at the University of Alabama. He genuinely wants you to succeed and do well in his class. He is always available outside of class. He offers a ton of extra credit but you have to work for it. Beware of his test. He likes to call them brain workouts and they surely are. Data base material!!