Bill Vanderbout - Sierra College

Professor: Bill Vanderbout

Department: TBD

College: Sierra College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM0002A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

To succeed in class you must study, and read textbook chapters ahead of time. Several tests through out the semester (12 quiz's, 5 exams, and one final.) Professor is very organized. If you study and participate you should pass.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not only difficult but you have to keep up with the pace. He does give you the tools to succeed, you have to do your part! Tips to do well; Read chapter before class, do your own work, take the time to understand as you go along or you will struggle later, try and get full points on quizes because youre able to replace an exam with it, study group!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM0002A
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He rewards hard work and wants everyone to succeed, he is always willing to answer any questions during his office hours. This subject is really hard and he made it manageable. However, there are 2 things that I really did not like while taking the class. There was a big drug research project and presentation for you and your lab partner.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

People complain about this professor, but it's very unfair. Chemistry is hard. Period. There is a certain amount of material he is required to cover, and he does incredibly well with the time he is given. If you expect to be able to come to lecture and magically understand everything you need to know for exams, think again. Read. Work for it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM0002A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not a very clear professor, and everyone was always confused on the lecture material. Quite a few tests (5) and a final, and they were all very hard. No curves either. He also never went over or gave any feedback on the tests at all. Most people would get Bs, Cs, and Fs on the tests. We also had a really time consuming drug research project.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM2A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

In all fairness, he was pretty bad. I've had plenty of bad teachers and he's up there with the worst. Cold, dry, gives smart-ass responses to even the sincerest of questions. Very test heavy, and didn't prepare us well to take them. I'm a great student and had a horrible time. If you have another option, take it. I am so glad this class is over! :(

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHEM0002A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Terrific explanations. First, simmers things down, simplifies them, then provides a more complex answer. Plenty of examples shown in class. Take this class in conjunction with 2X. Easy A so long as you understand it takes repetition and time. DO not try to cram for exams.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

5 noncumulative exams, final exam is cumulative but it's multiple choice/easy. 15 quizzes, uses best 10 quizzes (out of 100 points) to replace worst exam score. Homework for each unit counts as 5 extra credit points toward the exams. I only used the book for homework so you could easily split the cost of the online book w/ others. lab is worth alot

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Excellent at clearly explaining chemical properties and procedures on how to come about answers. Always willing to help you so long as you are asking specific questions other than, "What do I do?"

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHEM2A
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He should not be teaching anymore. He was suppose to retire last year and the school asked him to come back. His tests are ridiculously hard and he is not good at explaining the concepts. The average exams were in the 60% range. I'm a 4.0 student and finished this class with a C. I was excited to take him based on reviews, but I was let down

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHEM2A
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I withdrew from his class after a month. Several student's and myself thought he was very confusing; he made lecture and lab guess work. I took a W, as I would prefer to actually understand it and get a good grade. I withdrew after the first test scores of the entire class. Most of the class Failed it! Take a different professor at all cost.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM2A
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Vanderbout is nice & he's been teaching a long time. His grading criteria is clear & the amount of work is doable, but his teaching can be confusing, he is not great at explaining the concepts in a way that helps with understanding the problems. His tests are hard & 80% of the class has not passed them. I wouldn't take him again for Chem.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is very picky about grading times so you have to stay on top of your work. If you attend all of your classes, do all of the homework and practice tests, and study for a few hours a week, you'll pass. It is a lot of work, but if you do what he says, its completely doable. It is time consuming, but not rocket science. Very helpful with questions.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

First of all, he has a very unique sense of humor that appeals to about half the class. You can't take what he says personally. If he jokes around with you, he probably likes you. He's a VERY strict grader, but you'll learn a lot in his class. He's also retiring at the end of 2015, so I highly recommend you take him if you get the chance!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM0003A
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He will take off points on an assignment, but not specify which problems he checked out of the 35+ questions so you can understand what you got wrong. Asking questions in class will usually get you some sort of sarcastic, snotty answer so go to his office hours where you can ask questions (he has no audience). Also has dry humor, be prepared.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3A
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

So, the first 2 weeks into this class, I HATED Vanderbout. However, once you get used to his system, you really start to understand the concepts. He truly cares about his students, as well as their comprehension. He's a stickler for grading, but that's only because he spends so much time going over each topic and gives a lot of "bonus" points.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Vanderbout is great. w do a lot of practice so I find that I am always ready for exams. There is a lot of homework, but it's because if this that you don't have to do any extra studying. I am just finishing 3A and can't wait for 3B. The class requires a lot of time, but like I said it prepares you. LOVE.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3A3B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I think chem is interesting, but he is a very dry teacher who just wants you to learn the steps for solving problems rather than understand why it works that way. If you're up for a 2hour PP presentation delivered in monotone where you learn "first do step A, then B, then C," take him. If you want a teacher who makes chemistry fun, look elsewhere.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHEM3A3B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Vanderbout is the best. Just the best. Some students get offended by his personality, but they just need to lighten up. Seriously, he just wants you to be successful and he puts a lot of effort and organization into his teaching.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class! A good teacher, helpful, good teaching style, and an overall good personality! He wans you to succeed! I would take him again!