James Vyvyan - Western Washington University

Professor: James Vyvyan

Department: TBD

College: Western Washington University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was the hardest class I've ever had and Vyvyan did NOT help that. He rushed through lectures that were straight out of the book, would have quizzes and exams on content that was taught the day before without warning, gave three-day notice on a midterm, and felt as though he expects students to go to office hours to pass. Absolutely awful prof.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM355
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely a difficult class, but Dr. Vyvyan gave solid feedback on how we went wrong and what we could do better. His exams are very hard and could bring up material you don't remember, so make sure to review lecture notes and do his practice exams.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM352
• 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:

Yes summer quarter is fast paced but when the entire class gets a 55 avg that says something about the professor, not the motivation of the students..

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM352
• 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:

Vyvyan disappointed me in a few ways: 1.) He was rude to students who answered questions incorrectly, even if it was obvious that the entire class was confused. 2.) The exams are incredibly difficult regarding both content and time constraints. 3.) When the class averages are incredibly low (55%) he blames the class and doesn't curve.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM352
• 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:

One of the better chem professors I have had. While the tests are hard, this class is the hardest out of the series and it is very important to practice every. day. to pass. He clearly cares for his students and is always wanting to answer questions and give time/space for people to participate/learn/try (also does not randomly call on people).

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM352
• 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:

First exam average was a 55% and he didnt curve the grade or give any compensation despite it obviously not being purely the students fault with an average like that. He basically just told us to study more. Lengthy, difficult exam for the short time we have to take it. Also will randomly call on people and make you feel dumb if your wrong.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM352
• 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:

On the first exam, the average was a 55%, with a high of 89%. He blamed it on the entire class and not his exam. If you arent a very confident person, dont try and raise your hand if you could possibly have a wrong answer. He will frequently embarrass you for giving an incorrect answer. All around, most Ive studied to get a 65.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM454
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

O-spec was the hardest and the best class I've ever taken. Vyvyan is a great teacher, but the class is hard. Lectures are packed with info and the tests were hard and needed lots of preparation. Hes amazing in office hours and truly cares about your learning.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351352
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

WOW! One of the MOST AMAZING organic chemistry professors out there. I wont lie and say his class is easy! I took the Accel. 351/352 summer course and it was A LOT! However, Dr. V teaches CONCEPT vs. Memoriz. I can tackle most Q's bc of this. He expects a lot but provides XCredit on all exams.(20 Xcredit pts on both finals!). GREAT IN OFFICE HOURS!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351352
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the most experienced professors, both in his own research and with student teaching I've encountered in the chemistry department. (He is the head of the department). He has high expectations of his students. Be prepared to work your butt off for that A. Super available for help, engaging lectures. I wished he taught 353!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Vyvyan is known for being one of the more difficult O-chem profs at WWU, but he is also unequivocally one of the best profs I have had a Western. I love the way he lectures b/c of how clearly he speaks. He sometimes can be a little fast paced but always stops to answer Q's and clarify. He is super easy to talk to and cares about the students.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Vyvan's lectures are relatively easy to follow and he clearly knows what he's talking about but it is hard material and he does expect you to know the gen chem material well. He doesn't like to walk you through the concepts but expects you to figure it out on your own.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM352
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Covers specifics and technicalities to a degree that not even doctoral students understand. Likes to teach mechanisms, and then select mechanisms for exams that have a twist based on a small detail he mentioned once. Very into formality. If you're not willing to live, breath, and eat organic chemistry, you're going to tank your GPA.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM352
• 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. V is a hard teacher, but you learn so much in his class and you can tell her truly cares about his students.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM352
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

351 & 352Dr. Vyvyan's class will make or break you. Ochem is serious business and Dr. V expects a lot out of us, but because his expectations were so high I was able to reach an understanding of chemistry that I thought I'd never would. He is also very helpful and cares a lot about his students. If I could take him for 353, I would in a heart beat!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Vyvyan is difficult. It is so easy for him so he just assumes everyone else understands and goes off of what his top students comprehend. would NOT recommend to a friend.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Vyvyan is awesome, just incredibly hard. On the second midterm a lot of people ran out of time, but he let us do exam revisions. He really cares about student understanding and is VERY acessible, LOTS of office hours. You just need to know it's a hard class. Do the reading, do all the problems, go to office hours, you'll be fine.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

chem 351 was tough, avoid vyvyan if you aren't a chemistry major. hes helpful yet awkward at office hours. his tests are unreasonably difficult and long. doing well on his numerous quizzes will not prepare you for them

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is the first class I ever failed. Vyvyan is a great chemist, and this class will be a breeze for most chem majors, but he lectured very fast and did't make it clear the reading was required.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM351
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lots of students feel he is too hard of a teacher but he is one of the best teachers I've had. He cares so much about his students' understanding and is always very available outside of class. Tests are hard and makes you work for it, but if you're taking the ACS worth it.