Scott Bur - Gustavus Adolphus College

Professor: Scott Bur

Department: TBD

College: Gustavus Adolphus College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHE251
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is very easy to access outside of class, so getting help should be no problem. Org 2 is a class that cannot be taught as easily, and for those who are pursuing the health professions, he does a great job in teaching you discipline and work ethic. His tests are fair, as it is everything that he covers in class. The book is your best friend!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHE141
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I didnt go to class about half the time because lecture confused me more. He is too smart to communicate the concepts well. Tests are incredibly hard.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHE251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Course is going to be difficult no matter who the professor is. Scott Bur is a great guy - very accessible and wants to help you. Be comfortable with going to his office, it will be beneficial. Reading the book is crucial to clear up the loads of info in his lectures. Tests are very difficult no matter how hard you study - averages were in the 60s.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHE141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Scott's teaching style will not be for you if you like your hand held. He makes is clear from the first day of class that it is the student's job to put in the necessary time and effort to understand the material. The tests are decently hard, but if you do well in lab and on homework, getting a good grade in the class should not be difficult.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM141
• 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:

His lectures were way above my head. He did not hand tests back or post any grades other than midterm and final grades.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHE141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bur is an great chemist and his knowledge shows when talking with him one on one. But, because he knows so much and is so experienced, his lectures tend to go over most students' heads. I recommend his class for chem or bio majors because he has a "learn the material before lecture" attitude helpful to those that want to truly understand.

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This class is very hard. Bur goes through the material fast and he doesn't hand back tests. If you ask for help he is there. He is a better teacher when on a one to one basis.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHE251
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The course isn't easy, but you'll learn the materials well if you take the time. Students who didn't do well likely didn't take the time to go ask him questions. I never found him to be condescending during that time. He wants you to pass. His teaching style is looser, pay attention to the book and sapling homework. He may shift the curve down.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's a great professor and always willing to help. I've gone into office hours almost every week and have learned so much more from him. It's a hard subject but he makes it as manageable as possible. He's a really respectable guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHE141
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bur is really a brilliant teacher. He designs his homework to directly prepare you for his tests so there are no surprises. Organic chemistry is a tough subject but Bur made the material quite managable. I took the MCAT a year later and barely had to study for Organic 1 material because of Bur's teaching style. Org 2 on the other hand...

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ORGCHEM
• 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:

He's brilliant, helpful, and just plain fun to talk to about anything outside of chem. The class is tough but he is such a great prof. Take it with him. You won't be bored and he'll get to know you. But I've heard that his lab often is frustrating because he structures it differently and it's hard to get help from friends in other labs bc of that.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHE141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bur is a very GOOD professor. He does not spoon feed you the information. I found that if you figured out what was going on in the homework and then mastered the material, the tests were not bad at all. I am studying for the MCAT now. Because of the way Bur structured his class, I barely have to re-learn organic chemistry.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHE141
• 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:

He is definitely the most helpful, patient and approachable prof on the plant earth! He knows how to encourage his students to do well. And of course he knows his stuff and is more than willing to share with you the beauty of organic chemistry. If you are going to be a chem major, be sure to take his class!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHE141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Bur is really, really smart. He definitely knows what he's talking about. He's really helpful in office hours and wants you to succeed. That being said, it is Organic Chemistry we're talking about, so it's a struggle either way. He makes it not as horrible.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHE141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Bur is a very intelligent, but one can tell that his knowledge has gone to his head. He can be quite arrogant and patronizing. Despite these intimidating factors he can teach you a lot if you are willing to sacrifice the time. His tests are more than difficult, but he uses a curve.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Scott is really a great guy! He is one of the nicest, intelligent, and most patient professors at GAC. HOWEVER, I honestly think that his O.Chem class is ridiculous. The tests that he writes are meant for people at HIS level (which he always expects the moment you walk into class) and have practically nothing to do with the lectures/book.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely hated OchemI. I thought it was ridiculously hard and confusing but after OChemII w/Bur I understood EVERYTHING and LOVED the class. Bur's tests are tough, but the amount of time put into studying definitely shows in your grades. Huge curve, just keep test scores above the average and you'll be fine!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHE251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is brilliant but extremely arrogant. Passionate about organic chemistry and teaching. Expects us to be at his level. Book does not help, tests are a complete surprise and are not on what was taught in class. Consistantly makes students feel like idiots. He has great office hours but is not much help. Extremely difficult!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHE141
• 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:

Great professor. You will learn a heck of a lot in his class. Very knowledgeable about organic chemistry. Very helpful. Lectures are pretty easy to follow...read the book. As a lab prof., he gives you a lot of great info into why you are doing the stuff you are doing.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM251
• 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: N/A

Comment:

The best prof I've ever had. he's very smart and he cares about his students. Also, his lectures are fantastic. He makes you learn a ton of info, but it's worth it