Thomas Morton - University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA

Professor: Thomas Morton

Department: Chemistry

College: University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112B
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The professor may look like the man from up, but he is no mr. fredrickson. He is incredibly tough. Class Averages are usually within 30-40%, but fear not, He will most likely issue your class an ultimatum where he would drop both midterms in place of a final; Prepare to go ham, because this might just save you.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM12B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID HIM AT ALL COSTS! Professor Morton is just so difficult in every way. His voice is incredibly monotone and low, it takes all of your energy to pay attention to him. His exams were incredibly difficult, even he had issues doing the practice midterms and finals in his review sessions. Doesn't clearly tell you how he is grading.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM12B
• 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:

Hardest class of my life. The exams were insanely hard! I can't stress enough how hard the exams were. Get an easy professor and save yourself.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112A
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Morton is hard to understand because he never lectures or answers questions directly; by the time he answers a question, he loses everyone. It's hard to know what to expect for tests because he creates new ones every year. You really have to know the material to understand his wording in lecture and on exams. Go to SI and read the book!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: OCHEM112A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Morton is very smart; so he expects a lot from his students. Read the book, and do as many practice problems are you can! Find problems online from other schools or watch videos. You don't NEED to go to class, but make sure to go to SI! IT WAS SO HELPFUL. SI was the reason I passed. Overall, this class was difficult, but not impossible if you try!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not a good lecturer. Read the book and do the practice exams. The exams are just like the practice. Go to him to get the answers so you know you did it right. Practice sets are okay, but not as helpful as exams. I did not go to any lectures and I still got an A. The average is really low, about 40%. You will need the book!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 112A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Morton is EXTREMELY knowledgeable in the subject of Organic Chemistry. That being said, he is not the best lecturer but he tries. Go to his office hours, he is very helpful and is always willing to explain concepts. His homework is very similar to his exams and if you get used to the way he asks things you will be fine. Exams are difficult.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good class. Confusing and dull lecture. Different but mediocre exams. Generous curves. Nice teacher.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't be intimidated by the people telling you that Morton is a hard professor. He isn't. Sure, his exams are formatted differently but he doesn't throw any curveballs at you. His exams are fair, he's incredibly nice & has a great sense of humor. I really enjoyed his class. But I will say this: YOU NEED A MOLECULAR MODEL KIT IF YOU WANT TO LIVE

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112A
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Morton is a very hard professor and is often hard to understand in lecture. Go to SI sessions, they are very useful. Practice Mid terms are similar to actual mid terms. Average grades on mid terms was 45/100 on first mid term and 34/100 on the second mid term. Final exam is very hard. Learn how to and use molecular model kits very useful.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112A
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Yes, this class is hard and yes, he does make this course a lot more difficult than it needs to be but it is definitely doable. if you work hard and take all opportunities to get help like SI, review sessions, and OHs, you will pass. reading helps you understand the material but practice exams and problem sets are very important!! he's a nice guy.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112A
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Aside from the obvious that organic chemistry is a difficult subject by itself, Morton makes it substantially more difficult than it needs to be. The McMurry textbook is essentially a paperweight in his eyes. Students are best off consulting external study guides for help. Lectures have often had nothing to do with course material.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 112B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great guy, but it was his rep of being the hardest teacher that got me my A. The best way to get an A is to understand the summaries in the end of the chapter in the text. And DO his practice exams, they are similar. And make sure you understand lab as well, because IR's, mass spec, and HNMR's WILL show up.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 112B
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It is by far the hardest section of the O Chem series. The prof. goes through a lot of material throughout the quarter and you better believe that everything will be covered on the exams. The midterms and final exam are not to be taken lightly. Make sure that you do exceptionally well in lab because it will help your overall grade. READ THE BOOK!!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was the first class I had to put in all my effort. It's very accurate saying that what you put in is what you'll get out. Take all the help that is given to you: SI sessions, Morton's OH, TA's OH, and review sessions. It's not just memorizing mechanisms, it's understanding each step. Tests were challenging, but he's a helpful professor.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 112B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Seriously? Ya its hard af, but its doable. If you put in the effort you'll get the grade you deserve. I'll be real, I studied a lot and I am not one of those smart people....I just want to office hours (he is super helpful!) and studied the book. I did well and originally I thought I was gonna fail. My year the avg was a 33% and a 14%...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I got A's in CHEM1ABC and B in CHEM112A, but I barely passed this course. It was the worst grade of my life!!! It lowered my GPA from a 3.7 to 3.5. Avoid it if you want to have a high GPA. His tests were ridiculously difficult.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112B
• 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:

in simple terms: go to SI as if your grades depended on it, do practice problems, and don't depend on curve. his averages are a B- and i had smart people in my class (first midterm: around 50%, second midterm: around 30%, and final: around 45%). unexpected high averages and being a visual learner, i barely passed.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Thomas Hellman Morton. His middle name implies what his class will be like-hell. Morton is a old-fashioned teacher who doesn't rely on the textbook at all. He doesn't give you problem sets or the answers to the practice midterms. Horrible lecturer. His tests are near impossible. Avoid him like the plague.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If I had to give someone an award for being the worst professor ever, I would give it to Morton. Being knowledgable does not make you a good teacher if you cannot bring the material down to the level of students who have never seen it before. He prides himself in making the hardest tests. Trust me: do yourself a favor & AVOID at all costs!