John Arnold - University of California Berkeley

Professor: John Arnold

Department: TBD

College: University of California Berkeley

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHEM4B
• 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 Arnold's material is the highlight of the CHEM 4 series. It's new content for most people, but he does a great job lecturing clearly. He conveys real enthusiasm and passion for teaching and for chemistry, and has a very likable and relatable personality. Assignments are tough and much more qualitative, but definitely worth your time.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class lowered my self-esteem. Homework is done online through a program called Sapling, in which accidental typos can lower your grade. Attendance is mandatory due to iClicker quizzes. Arnold was mostly a clear lecturer, but he sometimes rushed through lecture slides and gave confusing explanations. Exams are very hard and uncurved.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. His lectures were generally clear although I would suggest reading the textbook to reinforce concepts. Lecture materials are very simplified and TB readings would allow you to go more in depth with the topics. Love his accent. Tough tests (Midterm 2 + Final). Beware! Very nice guy though.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Given the large class size, Arnold isn't too bad. Definitely preferred him over Majda, though Stacy is the best (she wasn't a part of the teaching team, but I watched her lectures on Youtube). Midterm 2 and the final were the most difficult. I really struggled, lecture alone is not sufficient to do well in the class. Definitely stay caught up

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dude, he's British . . . with an accent. That just makes the lectures that more engaging. His style is very organized and concise. The tests are difficult if you haven't taken advanced Chemistry before-- 3 midterms and a final. Study, study, and study. It's CRUCIAL not to fall behind, so try to read the sections before lecture and finish HW early.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof Arnold moved through a lot of material in one semester, so I struggled more than I thought I would've. I dedicated a lot of study time for this class (2hrsday min.) including two study groups (8hrswk), and I barely got by. Lectures alone will not prepare you for exams. Beware: if you're like me and not chemistry oriented, do not fall behind.

Rating # 7

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:

Arnold lectures clearly and precisely. He's one of the most charismatic characters out there, and he's very encouraging. Despite knowing some chem, the tests are still though so hope the curve serves you well. It usually does. Attendance is mandatory for iclickers.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was an engaging and enthusiastic lecturer, and the Chem 1A team as a whole did a good job considering there were 1300 students. Beware of midterm 2 and the final - these were the hardest tests. The tests can be quite difficult and are graded harshly. There was also a ton of material to cover so I highly recommend AP or IB chemistry background.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's quite funny and clear in lecture. Not terribly interesting lectures, but you have to go because of iclicker points. Read the book and DO ALL THE PREVIOUS TESTS- he tends write tests similar to previous semesters' and this will make or break your experience with this class. The online homework system Sapling is annoying and not helpful.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 1A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great lecturer. Loved the humour and British accent too. If you had a rigorous AP Chem in high school and grasped it well, you'll be very well prepared. Having Prof Arnold and Prof Majda's Chem 1A first semester was a great way for me to transition into Berkeley science classes.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 1A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great lecturer. Loved the humour and British accent too. If you had a rigorous AP Chem in high school and grasped it well, you'll be very well prepared. Having Prof Arnold and Majda's Chem 1A was a great transition for me into Berkeley science classes.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

rather not

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Demos in class were awesome. Won't lie: The class is a challenge. Although, I would argue some of the grading on the tests are harsh. Read, read, read, for the class! Seek help if you need it. Understand the material and learn how to apply it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Professor Arnold was really cool to go to lecture with. I enjoyed how he tried to interact with his students although with a class that big, it was hard to. Chemistry is hard in general so be sure to read the textbook and do the homework. Extra problems help alot. Do the practice tests!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Chem 1A is a hard class, but it was bearable with Arnold. His lectures give the main points that you need to know but in order to do well on the tests you really have to do (and understand) the homework and read the book.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A302
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good professor who explains things pretty well, but lectures are very broad in comparison to what they ask on homework or tests. Also speaks continuously during lectures, making it hard to ask questions. As long as you listen in lecture, do homework, and go to GSI office hours, you should be able to do well. He's a very nice person though.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• 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:

Very enthusiastic and definitely willing to answer questions. While Professor Arnold is wonderful, his lectures are very basic compared to the level of in-depth knowledge his tests require. Overall, very friendly and definitely one of the better professors I've had so far! :)

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I can hardly find a better professor than him!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: A003
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Chemistry 1A: He skims basic concepts, assuming the class already knows them. He's great at answering questions and helpful during office hours. The pre-class assignments are unhelpful, and the OWL homework is very difficult. There is a high disparity in difficulty from lectures to homework to exams. There are three midterms, all very difficult.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHEM1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's very excited about the subject material, answers questions well.