Jim Allen - Arizona State University

Professor: Jim Allen

Department: TBD

College: Arizona State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not as bad as everyone makes it out to seem. The material itself is pretty complex, but you're only tested on a pretty basic understanding of the concepts. The only thing that may require extra thought is the EC on each exam (7 exams - 1 for each module). Every exam is proctored (RPNow), but you're allowed notes. Not really too hard to get an A.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was pretty surprised given what I've heard and that it was an accelerated online class of a very hard topic. Dr. Allen's slides and lectures are very easy to understand. I also like his style of letting you use all written material on exams, but not just asking questions you've already seen. His textbook is not very good, but at least it's free.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took class online 8-week session. Tons of errors by TAs on exams, homework, and lecture slides. Communication between professor/TAs and students leaves much to be desired, especially for an all online class. Prof. Allen def knows his stuff and I DID learn a lot but I felt like the class could have been a bit more organized. Overall wasn't too bad.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The professor and TA's were the worst I have ever seen, they were not present. His lectures are riddled with mathematical errors, and every exam had multiple mistakes. They provided no feedback on homework or exams and were not helpful at all in helping us learn. The students were forced to use the community forum to teach each other! HORRIBLE!!!!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is a tough class. However if you pay attention, listen to lectures and read the material you should do find. Be sure you understand the homework, if not- study more before the quiz! This is a tough class, but it is not too difficult.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Let me say that this class SUCKED. His lectures don't go in depth of what you need to know for the exams and the notes he writes are horrible because it looks like chicken scratch. Everything is based off his own book but even if you get the answers from it, it'll be marked WRONG. Exams are RPnow proctored but PLEASE STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS PROF.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There was an exam and homework's every week, but notes can be used on exams. Each lecture comes with printed slides, so just print these and take notes on them. Two of the seven exams used RPNow - midterm and final, but notes can still be used. I never used the book once, and did not find the class to be too time consuming. I learned a lot too!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class was a bit disorganized & there were typos in the HW and exams. There are timed exams (open book/note) and HW every week. Midterm and final are proctored with RPNow (can only use printed notes and book for these.) I suggest buying the text, not e-text because of this. If you watch all the lectures and take diligent notes you will succeed.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Allen was a great professor for BCH 463. Everything is straightforward and there were no major surprises. As long as you put in the effort you can pull a B or an A in his class without a ton of stress. Other BCH462 classes can be stressful because of combined teachers and different gradings scales. There are no surprises with Dr. Allen!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are very "blah" He uses I-pad to display powerpoint notes and uses stylus but good luck understanding his chicken scratch. Problems on HW are never correct misleading you and wasting much of your time. Watch for HW, they will change answers after you have gotten 100 percent right, to the correct answer and not tell you deducting points

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHM460
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Decent professor, class wasn't incredibly interesting. Quizzes are nearly identical to the optional problem sets that are given out in class. Practice those and you'll be fine!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had Dr. Allen for the first half of the semester. His half discusses quantum mechanics and NMR, complicated subjects, but the class was surprisingly easy. To be successful all you got to do is show up to class, understand the clicker questions, review the old exams and use the questions for your cheat sheet , and you are guaranteed to pass.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, I was scared to take this class. BUT, 85% of the material he uses to construct his exam comes from previous exams. There will be 3-4 tricky problems that show up where you actually have to think, but as long as your cheat sheet mirrors last years exam you're guaranteed an 85%. A+ is VERY achievable in his class. Try to get Allen/Wachter.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Allen is a great instructor and takes his time explaining concepts and providing his students with examples to understand. His exams are beyond fair, for he provides old exams as study tools. DO NOT rely on these for an A though, you still have to study but they are very helpful. He allows you to use one sheet as a reference on the exams.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I was terrified having to take this class but now I might get a B. You get a cheat sheet for every exam which helps a ton if you do it right. 20% of your grade is based on attendance which is extremely helpful. Drops one exam. Absolute best professor to have if you HAVE to take this class. Take it now, dont wait til he leaves!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Tests were about 90% from previous semesters tests (he provided), so the better your "cheat" sheet (he allows one page front and back), the better your grades on the test. No book required, lectures wouldn't be necessary if 20% of the grade wasn't based on the clicker (don't have to answer correct). He never seemed to be able to get organized.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Thankfully you get to use notes on exams. Very complex subject BCH463, but you get through. Cares about his students and will help if you ask.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BCH463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A fairly simplistic treatment of quantum mechanics. Test is right off the notes. Has a unique take on fashion (does he still wear the fluorescent fish shirts?).