Tom Ott - Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Professor: Tom Ott

Department: Science

College: Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHM201
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ott is the best orgo prof. So glad that I retook it with him!!!! 8 Group assigns, 3 were extra credit, owl hw is like automatic 100%, & he gives practice exams identical to the actual exams& curves the standardized final A TON!! Read the book before class bc/c handwrites his notes & doesn't always go in order of the sections

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHM201
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ott is a good Professor. Organic chemistry is not easy by any means but he makes the class doable. 8 Group assignments, 3 were ec totaling like 50 points, owl hw is super easy to get 100, and he gives practice exams identical to actual exams. Hes so nice and very approachable, looks out for your grade too. He handwrites his notes though.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM235
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ott is a really good professor, Organic chem is not an easy class he is the best Professor here at Oakland University, He gives 8 grp assignments, 6 homework 1 dropped, 5 tests lowest dropped, and he also gives a final exam. Study hard and work through the problems and you will do good.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHM237
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really clear about what he expects. Shows a demonstration of what you should do in the lab. He is always willing to help and answer questions, and he's an easy grader for the most part

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM234
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Had him for Orgo 1 chem 234 and the orgo lab chem 237 in 2008. Orgo lab is easy with him compared to chem 158 lab or chem 157. Had him for orgo 1 and he doesnt prepare you for orgo 2. Most people do well with him and sometimes thats all it matters. At the end, 4.0 is what gets you to the next level in education. Study hard and results will show

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM234
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ott is a great professor his lectures are okay but as long as you study his notes he posts on moodle you will do great on his exams. He has 8 group assignments and 3 of those are extra credit, 6 homework assignments and drops the lowest grade. If you are taking orgo make sure you take it with him summer 1 & 2.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM234CHM235
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Use his notes while going through the book and fully understand the material. Group assignments and Hw every week but they really prepare you for the exams. He tells you exactly what you need to know but you pretty much have to teach yourself. this is not an easy A by any means but he is the best choice for orgo. Work hard, the book is a must have.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHM234
• 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:

Amazing professor. He's clear as to what he expects you to know for exams. Pay attention and take notes during lectures. His homework and group assignments prepares you for the exams. Do the practice problems in the book and study his notes and you should pass easily. Offers E.C points through group assignments so make sure you attend class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHM234
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I think that Ott is the best Orgo professor compared to the ones I had before. His exams are straight forward. Study his suggested problems and you will be fine. There's group assignments and homework every week so attendance is mandatory.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHM104
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor. Would not recommend. OWL homework is a must, there are group assignments that count for a grade so it's hard to skip lecture and at the end there's a big one for extra credit. If you have questions, he won't help you. Did not tell us final was timed, but practice exams are almost identical to the exams.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I will say this if you do not have a good background on chem do not take him. If you can find more of his old practice exams you'll be fine, and don't skip group assignments because they're what help your grade at the end. And do well on the Labs. The final is horrible but not his fault. But overall he's a really nice guy, but not an easy A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHM104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Highly suggest taking this course with Prof Ott. He gives practice exams with answers that are extremely similar to the actual exams so it is hard not to get an A. He is mindful of curving grades and will help you if you ask for it. If chemistry is not your strong suite, this is the Professor for you.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM235
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Ott gives all of the information needed for the tests in his class notes which he posts to moodle daily. The textbook as well as consistent class attendance are not mandatory but can be very helpful as he gives in class group assignments which can upon accumulation, count for extra credit. He's pretty much the lebron james of organic chemistry

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHM237
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a really nice teacher and is very fair with his grading. He is very helpful especially in lab.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHM234
• 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:

If given the choice take it with him. None of the professors are that awesome but with Ott, if you read the book and do all of the problems it's an easy 4.0 . Trust me, i'm pretty dumb and I got a 4.0 without even studying for the final. Trust me.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHM234
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Tom is THE MAN. I wouldn't take any other professor at Oakland for orgo.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHM201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was a very tough class, and having him as a professor does NOT help and I would not recommend anyone to take him. He rambles a lot and his notes are scattered with scrap paper and a pen. He was also no help to me visiting his office hours as well, he is nice though. I did very well in chemistry before but taking it with Ott was not a good idea

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHM237
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He tends to take off points for minor things on your lab reports, but the lab reports are a lot easier than the gen chem reports. The labs are pretty easy, but a few take a while. There are no pre-lab or post-lab questions or quizzes, but there is a final exam which is kind of hard so study the study guide he posts on moodle. It's pretty similar.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHM235
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Same format as CHM 234. Homework assignments, group assignments, and exams. He tells you which mechanisms to know for each exam which is easy points and tells you which sections to study. He makes a hard class so much easier. If you have to take orgo, take it with him in the summer.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHM235
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gives HW and Group assignments which are helpful for exams. He's not a good professor but his exams are easy and if you work for it you can definitely get around a 4.0. If you attend lecture and don't miss group assignments they count as extra credit which is a great grade booster!