Todd Carlson - Grand Valley State University

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Todd Carlson - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Todd Carlson

Department: Science

College: Grand Valley State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: C
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He clearly knows a lot about the subject but when it comes to teaching it he's lacking. His lecture videos are long and monotone so it's difficult to stay focused and not get bored. He's very rude when it comes to addressing questions, he gets frustrated quickly when you don't understand something and says it's easy when it really isn't.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: CHM230
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:

Carlson is an old fashioned teacher who is very knowledgable. During discussion he is a great help and wants you to succeed. The lectures are important to attend in order to understand what will be on each exam. He gives great study guides and opportunities for extra credit. You only need a 90 to receive an A in the class, just work hard and study.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't know what other people are talking about, I've had classes that were way harder than this. He bounces around a little bit in lectures, but I thought it was fun and he always covered the material. I barely studied, just do the hw online and pay attention in lecture and you'll do great. His transition to online was the best of all my prof's!

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found that the only way I would get between an 85-90% was if I studied about 3 weeks in advance to a test. Once we moved online, I understood the material much better because he was able to slow down with his lectures, but in the classroom, he would go too fast. However, he was helpful during office hours and discussions.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: WD
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He moves very fast through complex material that my brain needs a second to comprehend. He also goes off on tangents, which makes you get lost in all the information he's throwing at you. His exams are VERY challenging, all fill in the blank & open ended, no mc. The first few weeks he makes the class seem easy and fun then after that its a b*tch.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: WD
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

if you want to get a good grade in CHM 230 do NOT take this professor. His lectures are done entirely on the white board and he goes back and forth in his explanations of things, making it super hard to understand. He is also the only chem professor who gives fill in the blank EXAMS. had to retake

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: WD
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

worst professor I have ever had. He teaches on a whiteboard and goes back and forth. His exams are all fill in blank. There's weekly homework but that is extremely hard too and gives you no feedback on what you did wrong. He is so knowledgable but doesn't know how to make things easy to understand. DO NOT TAKE. I had to retake the class

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: CHM109
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hes pretty nerdy but he does an excellent job at explaining everything. I feel like Todd gets a bad wrap because if you ask him a question about something hell tell you 10 other things you didnt ask about, which is typical coming from a chemistry teacher. He also goes on the board to teach instead of prepared slides which just makes him better.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was the hardest class Ive taken so far by far. Carlson was very lecture heavy, but thats expected. His tests were NOT multiple choice. He wrote them himself and were SO HARD! Weekly homework is sometimes hard but you get 5 attempts. Quizzes during lecture are group quizzes. Hes a hard grader. Not very nice either. Doable but very hard work.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: B-
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I would not recommend him at any cost. Do WHATEVER you can to get out of his class. The exams were extremely detail oriented and the lectures were hard to follow. He's a nice guy but he is ineffectual when teaching. You have to take your own notes completely and the tests are all written. Crams material quickly and never revisits it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: B-
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Try not to take him at all costs. I turned down a different prof just to get out of a night class& had carlson instead & it ended up being the worst mistake thus far into college. Do not take him. Nice guy but too smart to teach adequately. I love chem & would like to think im decent at it & Im struggling a lot in his class. I will have to retake

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: D+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No powerpoints in class, contradictory teachings, tests dont match study guides, never explains things clearly.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Carlson does not use any powerpoints or technology during lecture so it's difficult to keep up with his writing on the board. Every exam is short answer (no MC) & they are pretty difficult. He has issues connecting with his students and going to office hours isn't very helpful. I wouldn't recommend him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: CHM230
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:

His lectures are not very organized and clear which makes learning from him quite difficult. His tests are not terrible, but very much free response heavy. I recommend getting a tutor and seeing him outside of class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a tough grader and definitely makes you work for a good grade. He loves to answer questions and help you though. He gives bonus points for doing better on each exam. Write down everything and KNOW it, don't memorize it, and you will do just fine. I worked hard and did great.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: C
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was way to smart to be teaching this class. Lectures are hard to follow, grading is scattered. He is really helpful one on one, but it isn't enough. No extra credit or curving, and really test heavy. Personally did not like him as a professor

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Carlson is very smart and knows his chemistry!This class has been easier than I anticipated, although it's still a challenge. I go to tutoring once a week, read the book, and study my notes, and I have been doing just fine. He gives lots of review questions before every exam, so do them! It's a difficult subject regardless. He's a great prof.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Carlson is very smart, but he jumps around in lectures which makes it very hard to understand what he is talking about. He does not use prepared notes, so you are expected to take notes based on what you understand about the topics. I would not recommend him if you struggle with science classes.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: CHEM232
Grade Received: C
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took in the summer. His lectures are very thorough. A lot of group assignments and amino acid quiz can help grade a little. Mentioned at beginning of semester that final will replace lowest score, but never happened. The 3 exams are written with 5 MC questions. Final is all MC.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: CHM230
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Carlson's class is a challenge. He discourages memorizing, so try understand & connect the concepts. Exams are written, and can be difficult if you don't understand the material. Very helpful in office hours. Don't let what other people say discourage you from taking his class! Just be prepared to take your own notes and study often.

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