Pierre Potvin - York University - Keele Campus

Professor: Pierre Potvin
Department: Chemistry
College: York University - Keele Campus
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM3020
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Honest experienced opinion: Respect his experience of 36 years but hasnt changed his style. Comes to class thinking the students know it all. Cannot teach, has own notes which are crap. Needs to teach other courses. Although chemistry is his field but cannot teach chemistry. Is head of chemistry only of experience. We need better people
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM3020
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Pierres teaching style takes some getting used to. Hes very knowledgeable but he can be confusing and disorganized at times, which doesnt help because orgo is already a difficult class. If you pay attention to everything he says, his tests are fair. Pretty low class average but thats expected because orgo is a difficult course. He bell curves
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM3020
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
he's very useless in class and in his eclass videos he seems to have an excessive amount of saliva which is very distracting. he began the course with using clicker but after realizing ppl don't go to class cause he sucks at teaching he chose to do zoom polling instead. that's him FORCING ppl to come to class to get their participation grade.
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM4000
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Not only is he a great professor and truly cares for his students, he is a great advisor in the chem dept. Prof. Potvin helped me out in many occasions where I was so close to dropping out but with his help not only did I finish my honors degree, I boosted my GPA a lot. Great support system matters a lot in STEM majors and hes your guy.
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM2020
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Organic chemistry is a hard course, but I feel that this prof made it more understandable. He has a clear grading scheme and tell shows you exactly how to get a good grade. He is also quite accessible outside of class. I also think that his response to student during the COVID 19 shut down was really helpful. He tried to help as much as he can.
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM2020
  • Grade Received: WD
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
missed 0 lectures, did the first test got 40% but felt good knowing average was around there too, but i had to drop the course
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM2020
  • 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:
He mumbles for an hour and a half without really explaining the topics clearly. Expects everyone to already have a decent and through understanding of organic chemistry, in a class of introduction to organic chemistry. Teaches too fast and does not really pause in the middle to make sure that everyone understood. no one can hear him in the back
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM3020
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
A lot of these reviews are negative and deterring. Dr. Potvin is a great prof, he just teaches courses that have difficult content. If you're willing to put in the the work (and it is a lot of work), its very possible to do well in his classes. Also, attend office hours or send an email, he gets back quickly and this is how i found i learned most.
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM3020
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
When you first attend his classes, he strikes you has a well spoken, even tempered, knowledgable professor, with an impressive command of the course material. If you are doing well in the class, he treats you respectfully, but once you begin to struggle, he turns into a condescending bully. His tests are quite difficult.
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM3020
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
get ready to sesh on
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM3070
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
While he looks like he could own a time traveling DeLorean and was generally friendly, his section of the exams were hard! Crammed lecture notes full of materials and synthesis pathways, extra 2 hours per week watching additional lecture online, hard exam, and hard marking. Midterm average around 53%. I liked him as a person, but not his lectures.
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: ORG3020
  • 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:
HE EXPECTS YOU TO BASICALLY WATCH HOURS OF COURSE CONTENT ON MOODLE ON YOUR OWN TIME AND BARELY TEACHES IN CLASS. IN CLASS, HE TALKS THE ENTIRE TIME NON STOP AND LECTURES ARE VERY UNENGAGING. I HAVENT LEARNED ANYTHING. I HAD TO GET A STUPID TUTOR JUST TO NOT FAIL. PS IVE GOTTEN As IN EARLIER ORGO COURSES. THIS COURSE AND THE PROF ARE COMPLETE BS.
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM3020
  • Grade Received: C
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
none. Hard Course.
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM2021
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I recommend participating in class ALOT. And asking questions.
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM2021
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
His lectures weren't very clear. Unlike Jackson, Potvin didn't really introduce topics very well. He just jumps into the problem questions. If you do all of your readings before class and are able to understand the textbook material, you should be able to understand him. Otherwise AVOID HIM. Tests were fair But that's cause of Jackson.
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM2021
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Ignore other comments if you're willing to study! Funny guy :D
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM2021
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
His teaching style is different than other professors. If you're willing to read the chapter beforehand & watch his online videos, then you'll gain the most benefit from attending his classes because they consist of solving extra problems. His very understanding, approachable, & encourages students to participate. Fair tests if you study well.
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: 3020
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Love this guy. Passionate and smart. Make use of his office hours.
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM3020
  • 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:
potvin is an excellent lecturer. he's very clear and explains things well. he goes above and beyond to help you with any questions. he's fair, but tough. you will learn so much from him.
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: CHEM2020
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.5
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Very HARD proffessor, take orgo in the summer with other professors.
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