Steven Symes - University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Professor: Steven Symes

Department: TBD

College: University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was very happy with Professor Symes for most of the semester, he is a great lecturer and very knowledgeable but as far as online communication, he does not respond. Very frustrating.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Your grade is compiled of 3 show work/multiple choice exams and 1 multiple choice final. If you go to the lectures and take notes you will be fine! He is very nice and helpful and just a great teacher overall.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM112O
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Symes is the best. This man saved me from switching my major. I had a HORRIBLE prof for chem 1110 and then sweet Symes comes to the rescue for Chem 1120. Symes somehow manages to make chemistry interesting. He is open to questions & never makes anyone feel bad if they don't understand. Only bad thing is your grade is made up of 3 tests & the final.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM4320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Symes is a very nice professor who gives enjoyable lectures. I was expecting Instrumental analysis to be a lot more difficult but he made this class like a piece of cake. All the materials are broken down into simple form so they are easy to understand. Also, class is not mandatory but you cannot pass the exam if you don't go.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1120
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Steve is the man! I don't necessarily love chemistry but this class changed my view of the subject. Every single one of his lectures were interesting and engaging. He is hilarious and is always available to answer questions whether it be after class or in his office. Such a genuine guy who is very fair and gives partial credit on his 3 exams.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1120
• 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:

Difficult class no matter who the professor is, but Dr. Symes goes out of his way to explain things in a clear way. He is actually a very funny guy and his lectures are easy to listen to and absorb the info. Very clear about what is going to be on exams. He doesn't want to trip students up. Only grades are from three exams and the final.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1120
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Symes expects you to know things when you probably haven't taken a chemistry class in a while like I hadn't. I literally stopped going to his lectures, they were not Mandatory. I just studied the night before the exams and I made a B in his class. Definitely find someone who has taken his class before. His final is so hard he passes everyone.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1120
• 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:

He is one of the best professors I've had at UTC. If you understand the homework and listen in class, you will do well.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1120
• 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. Symes is an excellent, well-respected professor. Class is all lecture with 3 exams and a final. Homework is assigned for every chapter but not required, though homework directly reflects exams. His tests are fair to the material covered and well-reflect book examples and homework. He is an INCREDIBLE lecturer and covers material thoroughly.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3210L
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite chemistry professors at UTC! Symes made lab something to look forward to! Had him for Gen Chem 2 & his way of teaching made chemistry interesting for me. He's a solid professor for any chemistry lecture/lab!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1120
• 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:

Symes is a great at teaching, but I believe I was prepared for failure. We only had 4 exams (final included) to calculate the final grade for the class. I, on the other hand, was in favor of quizzes to help me to know what I need to focus on. I studied, taken advantage of SI meetings, but with so much to remember, I've still done my worst

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3210L
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This lab is a lab makes you a real scientist. READ BEFORE THE LAB, it will save you so much time. Although this lab you really don't have time to communicate with the lab instructor, but he is willing to help if you ask. Great professor, will take him again.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

While professor Symes is a good professor, I find the material for this class to be extremely difficult. The only grades he takes are from his exams that are all short answer and math heavy. I would not recommend him if you are not a good test taker or if you struggle in the subject.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Symes has been one of my most helpful professors I've ever had. Chemisrty 2 is tough course and if you are struggling, he will be more than happy to help you out.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM443
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

In class experience was probably one of the toughest classes I ever took, but from a learning perspective, I am so grateful for his class. He teaches a class with zero homework or quizzes, and gave only 3 tests and a final ACS final. That being said, he is very willing to help and is excellent at explaining in class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Symes is one of those professors that makes you feel welcome into the world of chemistry. He is a great lecturer! 3 exams, 1 final (ACS Standardized) and optional homework (not graded). Problems are usually out of the homework problems or straight from the lecture notes! There for you and very open to questions! Amazing experience!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is one of the most clear professors I've ever taken. The tests come straight from the lectures study guide. However, you have to go to class to understand the material and take good notes. He's a very smart man and can communicate clearly to the class. Highly recommend for Chem 2.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1110
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Don't expect any help from this guy. Probably the most boring lectures you'll ever sit through, but class notes is important to know what to study for the test. You will need the book. It's relatively easy if you are good at Chemistry, but like I said, don't expect any help. Also, take every test really seriously because you only have 4 tests.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3210L
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher. He is willing to give step by step instructions, verbally, by supplementing what the lab book says. Very laid back personality, and he grades fairly. The lab is self-paced and he is always willing to assist. At least with our lab, because so many were not keeping pace, he moved assignment deadlines back for us. Thumbs up.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Symes lectures make general chemistry super easy to understand, but you have to go to class! Before each test, he hands out a study guide, but only those in class receive the study guide. You never know what class he will hand it out in either. The final is standardized, but he curves your grade. Overall, he's worth taking!