Sam Gellman - University of Wisconsin - Madison

Professor: Sam Gellman

Department: TBD

College: University of Wisconsin - Madison

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• 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:

The grade in this class is entirely dependent on exams. Homework is completely optional. However, it is really hard to pass the class without doing some homework. His lectures are great and have great flow he can talk and write on the board at the same time to keep you actively listening the whole time.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gellman is a really good guy; however, his teaching leaves something to be desired. He writes everything on a chalkboard which is sometimes hard to read. He does not really explain things super well, and you are left to reading to fill in a lot of the gaps. Also, he misses a lot of classes due to his research.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gellman is just an awesome human being. He truly wants his students to succeed and is really passionate about ochem. He does rely on you to read the textbook to understand some concepts more in depth, but for the most part he just tests on the lecture material. Would definitely recommend him!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gellman relies on only the textbook to teach and his lectures are impossible to follow. He also frequently misses class (especially around exam time). He's a nice guy, but his teaching style makes a terrible learning environment for students.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHM343
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's almost never in lecture, and maybe I was unlucky but his TA's were useless too. Be prepared to self-teach.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• 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:

Sam taught you how to study. If you only learn things passively from lecture you won't pass. He was old-style but his logic flowed so well so that you wouldn't want to miss any single sentence from his lecture. I struggled at first but then I put lots of time outside classes to read the book and practices, and later I got 90% in all my exams.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343345
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very little partial credit on exams, makes for extremely low averages w/ not so great curves. A scale is given based on your exam scores: x-100 is excellent, y-x is good, 0-y is bad. (I got three goods and a bad and somehow ended up with a C) He's a nice man, just didn't like that I taught myself Ochem when I was paying for him to.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: OCHEM343
• 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:

Literally the best professor in UW-Madison. I had him for my first semester OChem and he made me fall in love with the materials. Go to office hour when you feel confused and he will help you solve the problem. The learning strategies and concepts he gave are definitely inspiring and helpful. Study hard, ask questions, and you will get an A

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gellman pushed all learning to the textbook. He didn't teach much during lecture. I got a B, but I had to work very hard outside of class. His lectures were not helpful. The exams were simple, but the material was so poorly taught, it was hard to get above average. He put in minimal amount of work for students, so rely on your textbook.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Gellman genuinely cares about his students- he is always available for questions after class and during office hours.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gellman is one of the smartest people I've ever met, and that really comes across in his lectures. He's also approachable and holds a lot of office hours and review sessions. He's very good at explaining the concepts, but there is an expectation that you put in adequate time outside of class. If you can do that, the class is manageable.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are comprehensive, but he assumes you've read the textbook - yet, the text doesn't prep you for the exams. You need to a) do problems as he recommends b) study past exams, seriously c) just memorize similar content to what's on the practice exams. He knows he talks fast (probably to weed out), but not condescending necessarily imo.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• 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:

Sam was a fantastic professor, he made the course very accessible and easy to understand. He only used the chalkboard which gave time to write down the notes and understand the concepts. Very accessible outside of class, he held an extra office hour every Thursday. Always open for questions and kind. Do the optional book problems!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343345
• 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:

One of the best professors I've had at UW. Very respected and can be intimidating because of his expertise, but is actually very approachable and encouraging. Tests are tough, you have to study consistently, no way around it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343345
• 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:

Seems like a nice guy but I barely learned anything both semesters I had him. Tests were nothing like the practice exams and were extremely hard. I would avoid if I could take it again but there's only so much you can do about Ochem.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gellman was a good instructor for 343. While he had to find others to lecture for him 5 times last semester, he was fairly clear when he was present. Will move quickly with the material-- make sure to stay on track with the practice problems. He assigns a lot of work, but if you can get it all done, you have a good chance of getting an A

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I loved Professor Gellman! His exams were fair and the lectures were quite informative. He is a big deal so he travels a lot, but get to know him. He cares a lot about his students and pushes you to think instead of giving you answers.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gellman gives very clear lectures on the material; however, the lectures provide only the foundation of what you need to know for exams. It is really up to you to do the homework problems and spend time on your own learning the material. As for Gellman, he is always willing to help and answer questions. Would recommend him for O-Chem.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHE343
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Possibly the worst professor at UW-Madison. I get it, hes smart and accomplished but that doesnt translate to being a good educator. He was not helpful and his lectures were horrible. He also told me I should switch my major because i was struggling in the class DO NOT TAKE OCHEM WITH HIM. Matt Bowman is by FAR the best.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM343
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great! Don't take ochem with anyone else!