Suzanne Ruder - Virginia Commonwealth University

Professor: Suzanne Ruder

Department: TBD

College: Virginia Commonwealth University

Rating # 1

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Exams are so hard, no curve whatsoever. I would recommend taking her for both orgo 1 and 2 because you will know how she likes the to grade on exams. She is one of a few who can teach orgo at vcu. Sapling hw questions are tedious and often time they do not go along with lectures. I spent 8 hrs every week outside of class for this class .

Rating # 2

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

i would literally die for this woman. she is incredible and so sweet. every class you do a packet along with a little lecture. her packets walk you through orgo and make it so easy to learn. the people who give her bad ratings just don't know how to study on their own and probably didn't put much effort into doing the packets.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had heard horror stories of Orgo, but going into it, I actually enjoyed it more than Gen Chem. Ruder's class was not bad at all, she had top hat quizzes, group quizzes, and her notes you had to print out for every chapter, which was a lot, but it helped! She had practice exams so you know how to study as well as the TA sessions were very helpful.

Rating # 4

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This is not the typical classroom, but I don't think I've ever learned more. I took Dr. Ruder for 301 and 302. She gives you everything you need and more to succeed in her class. 10/10 recommend going to her office hours - she's literally the coolest prof you'll ever meet.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed the structure of Ruder's class, as long as you take it seriously you'll do fine. Make sure you do all the worksheets and homework, those are the main way you'll learn anything. She also cushions your grade with participation, class reflections, and the homework. The final is pretty brutal though.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ruder pretty organized and gives you enough material to knowledge to know whats on the test. Using outside resources and taking the time and effort to learn will determine your grade.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you are not into working with others, pick a different teacher. You will be part of a group to do the in class worksheets, and you will have group quizzes along with individual ones. You will mostly have to teach yourself because she doesn't lecture. The TAs Jed and Hazim are pretty much the only person who will save you.

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: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Only take Ruder if you're self-disciplined and like to teach yourself. Every class is literally just a worksheet and a tophat question every 15 minutes. The worksheets do walk you through problems, but that's not enough for me to learn orgo. I'm not taking her again, but if you prepare ahead of every lecture and enjoy self-guided work, go ahead.

Rating # 9

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

She gives you everything to learn the material. She presents the material through class activities done w/ your group in class, which works really well if that's how you study. She gives you everything you need to study (worksheets, class notes, homework problems, sample tests, great TAs), you just have to put in the effort to learn the material!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

if you want to learn about the importance of friendship and NOT organic chemistry, take this class. ruder will not teach in class, she basically sits in the front doing nothing and you're left to fend for yourself for the quiz you get every single class period. you'll MAYBE learn something if your ta is helpful.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I had Ruder for Orgo 1 and 2, and I honestly loved having her as a teacher. She has a very laid back approach but keeps the class organized so if you are ever having any trouble with a topic she would gladly help. BUT make sure you take the class with at least 2 other people you know who work hard. Class is centered around groups. Amazing teacher.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301302
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had Dr. Ruder for both Orgo 1 and 2 and I thought that she was a pretty good professor. I feel like some of the reviews do her dirty, her class isn't easy but none of the orgo classes are. I definitely put the most time into this class, but I still ended up with an A both semesters. Regardless the teacher, you're going to have to put in work

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301302
• 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. Ruder is your gatekeeper to medical school. A good recommendation from her is like gold to the medical school admissions board. It's organic chemistry - time to sink or swim. She is NOT going to hold your hand. You're not a child anymore. SHOW UP to class. READ the text book. DO the homework. And most importantly - STUDY.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301302
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Everything needed for success is given to you, but there is a certain time commitment you need to make outside of class. Her activities, powerpoints and practice exams have everything you need for an A. Can be tricky for 302 if you didn't have her for 301. TAs are pretty hit or miss but the good ones (shout out to Jed) are great

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Her teaching style is different from any other prof I've had, but honestly I found it really helpful. It's "groupwork" but really you're just comparing answers which is what you would be doing anyway. She's funny and caring,Attend preceptor sessions, they really help when reviewing for the exams.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you dont mind groupwork then maybe the class is for you. Just do the reflections, answer tophat(even if you dont know, guess. Its free points) and do sapling. Group quizzes can be rough depending on your group. Exams are a huge percentage of your grade(Past exams give you an idea of how she asks questions) TAs were pretty helpful, go to them!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

She focuses a lot on group work, but she really understands what people need to know for her tests. She is an amazing teacher, and is very knowledgeable in the subject. She is very easy to discuss your questions to and will make sure you understand everything.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

To preface this, I did extremely well in the class. That said, all she does in class is sit up in the front and display tophat questions (not even joking, she does not lecture). She gives old exams which are a godsend but usually vary in difficulty. If you can self teach yourself, this class is for you but if not then do not take her.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM301
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I would not recommend this class to anyone unless you learn better with group work and figuring everything out on your own instead of lectures. To be fair, she does help in office hours & if you have a good TA you'll be okay. Do practice exams and don't miss any reflections or homework. Once you start to fall behind, it takes a lot to catch back up

Rating # 20

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: Mandatory

Comment:

My biggest problem with Professor Ruder is that she doesn't lecture. You basically just do worksheets with your group members every class on material that you haven't been taught so you have to teach yourself and your grade basically depends on how good of a group you have. She also doesn't curve exams even if the class average is low.