Jon Baker - Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Professor: Jon Baker

Department: Chemistry

College: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM302
• 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:

Show up to lecture, write down what he writes, skim the textbook before class, study lecture notes, easy A. His practice tests on blackboard are also extremely similar to the real exams.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Quite honestly the worst professor I've ever had, he is a bit scatterbrained when explaining his lessons and quickly jots down notes on a sheet of paper without going into depth detail. He also heavily relies on you reading the textbook, because of this he expects you to already have a understanding of the material prior class even if you need help

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301302
• 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:

I've had Baker two semesters in a row, and he is the only professor that has seemed to work for me. O-chem is going to be a difficult course regardless of who you take it with, but Baker did a pretty good job teaching it. It's mostly just test and quizzes for your grade, but plenty of chances of getting ex cred/points given back.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM302
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Baker is a great 302 prof. Alot of 301 students are complaining so I cant attest to his teaching in that class but 302 is very enjoyable. He knows alot of organic chemistry and his a really nice guy. Decent curves on the test and the final is just the ACS which is also curved. Although his tests are slightly harder, he has multiple prac exams

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Baker doesn't teach the material. He basically reviews it so if you didn't look ahead then good luck to you. He gets pretty frustrated if people don't answer his questions when its brand new material. Tests are extremely hard for no reason. Just writes everything down on a piece of paper so unless you can dedicate everyday of your life to orgo

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He takes out a random spare piece of paper, then hurriedly writes the notes and doesn't do a good job explaining the material. Talks way too fast and the tests are very detailed. For the lack of explanations, the level of difficulty of the exams is far too high. Most of the class failed the tests. Only way to pass is to dedicate your life to chem.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHE301
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He skips around and doesn't go in order. He is a terrible professor and I would not recommend. I basically taught myself orgo.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Baker sometimes gets distracted easily. However, he is very passionate about the material and if one person understands the material in the class, he assumes everyone understands it by moving on to the next subject (fast pace). However, he curves the ACS and the test and drops the lowest quiz. Great "gpa saver" I guess.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM302
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Baker is passionate about chemistry, but he will often go off topic to talk about something that interests him and isn't on the test. Make sure you get the ACS book to do practice problems, because he doesn't give a lot of examples in class. Pay attention during lectures and try to take notes as quickly as possible, because he goes fast.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He teaches more in an 'outline' sort of format with topics and then hand writes notes to go through each topic; I highly recommend skimming the textbook for what topics are going to be covered to prepare, seems stupid, but it works. He is very excitable at times, so if that's not your jam you shouldn't take Mr. Baker. Loved the class, 10/10.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Orgo is very time consuming, do not miss lecture or you will fall behind. Your are graded on your hw, quizzes and test, however he did give us a huge curve at the end of the semester. Show up to class, practice as many problems as possible, study throughout the week and even ask him for help. Baker is always willing to meet with students.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Baker was one of the best chem professors I ever had because his pace was slower than others which made it easier to keep up and learn just make sure to do many practice problems. Quizzes are easy if you study and extra crdit was given on tests also if everyone does badly (which most people do on test 2 & 3). 1 part for acs + huge curve.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Baker is great. He genuinely cares about his students and wants them to succeed. He does a lot of review sessions and is always available to help. Go to his lectures, practice problems on tophat and you should be able to do well on the exams.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHE301
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Baker lacks the characteristics of being a professor. Exams are very hard, disorganized, lacks the ability to teach, does not provide enough material for us to learn. I took it and had to withdraw. HE YELLED AT ME IN FRONT OF THE CLASS, because i was just asking about my first exam that he forgot to grade. Very disrespectful and rude.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Christine Notes are your best friend. SI Sessions saved my life. Go to his test review sessions before the exam (he gives the answers for a practice test). Skim over the textbook before the lectures. Study organic chemistry everyday. His grading curve is generous, I think because he knows this class is mad hard.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301CHEM302
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Go to his lectures, write down everything he says, even if you don't understand them. Then go to the SI sessions. The SI sessions helped me a lot. Also do go to his own review sessions, they are also really helpful.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM302
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Go to his lectures. So many students don't show up, and that's why so many people fail this course. READ THE BOOK AHEAD OF TIME! Do not rely solely on "Christine's Notes" or your own. Try to understand the material as its presented in the book, and get clarification from him during lectures. He teaches right out of Wade book, get the ACS book also.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is the worst professor I've had at VCU. His lectures are seriously beyond unorganized. He literally pulls out scratch paper and writes notes on it every class. His tests may be heavily curved but everyone fails them.. strongly recommend SI and tutoring. Orgo is already difficult, the SI does a better job teaching than him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM201
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Disorganized and does not provide specific material outside of class to help with exams. He does not post class notes and goes very quickly though lectures and jumps around a lot. If you do better with instructors who are well organized than don't take him. Curves heavy, but has to because NO ONE does well on the exams (exam 2 had 1 A).

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM302
• 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:

I had Dr. G for CHEM 301 and did not work for me at all. I took Dr. Baker for CHEM 302 and he was the best. He reallly knows how to teach this subject and is a very easy grader. His exams come from his notes. So it's easy to get an A.