Chemistry classes

i.in2b8.u · Jan 17, 2019

I took online biochem at UC Berkeley several years ago. I give it a 4/5 for convenience since everything is online (except for the final) and they give you up to six months to finish the course. But overall, 1/5 for the experience. Here are the reasons why:

1. Like I said, everything is online except for the final. You have to find an approved proctored site and pay from your own pocket for this site to take the final exam. YOU HAVE TO SCORE AT MINIMUM 70% on the final, otherwise it is an automatic fail even if you were doing good on the rest of the course work.

2. Professors are not helpful nor their instructions on assignments are clear. Grading is inconsistent as well. There's no rubric that you are given so expectations were unclear. Also feedback was not helpful. You get it wrong just because you got it wrong.

3. The online modules are very watered down compared to what you actually do on the exams/online coursework. I learned more watching about the topics on youtube (i.e. Khan Academy, AK lectures, etc.) The textbook that they have you read is hard to understand unless you have a solid background in ochem/biochem.

4. Cost: $1100 for this class that does not even teach you well!

Overall, unless you are a very good and motivated self-learner with a solid chemistry background, I'd recommend it only as a last option. I'd look elsewhere first before committing to UCB online...

PS

In case you're wondering why Im giving such a bad review, I did pass this class with an A-. It truly was just one of the worst online classes I've ever taken.

Liberation · Jan 17, 2019

2 hours ago, i.in2b8.u said:
I took online biochem at UC Berkeley several years ago. I give it a 4/5 for convenience since everything is online (except for the final) and they give you up to six months to finish the course. But overall, 1/5 for the experience. Here are the reasons why:
1. Like I said, everything is online except for the final. You have to find an approved proctored site and pay from your own pocket for this site to take the final exam. YOU HAVE TO SCORE AT MINIMUM 70% on the final, otherwise it is an automatic fail even if you were doing good on the rest of the course work.
2. Professors are not helpful nor their instructions on assignments are clear. Grading is inconsistent as well. There's no rubric that you are given so expectations were unclear. Also feedback was not helpful. You get it wrong just because you got it wrong.
3. The online modules are very watered down compared to what you actually do on the exams/online coursework. I learned more watching about the topics on youtube (i.e. Khan Academy, AK lectures, etc.) The textbook that they have you read is hard to understand unless you have a solid background in ochem/biochem.
4. Cost: $1100 for this class that does not even teach you well!
Overall, unless you are a very good and motivated self-learner with a solid chemistry background, I'd recommend it only as a last option. I'd look elsewhere first before committing to UCB online...
PS
In case you're wondering why Im giving such a bad review, I did pass this class with an A-. It truly was just one of the worst online classes I've ever taken.

A- is good for this diffcult chem at UCB. and yes, this online class is so da*n hard. If you want to get an A, you have to work REALLY hard for it.

Ask the school director if the chem requirement can be INTRO Organic, BioChem (Most of schools that I applied, told me INTRO is qualified, and I still got interviews), and take it in the community college. It's much cheaper and easier.

Jeff G · Mar 11, 2020

There are a couple of schools that offer online organic Chemistry that were not listed above: North Central Missouri College, Doane University, UNE, CalCampus, and MN State.

I teach online organic Chemistry at North Central Missouri College and I looked into these schools when I was developing my own online organic Chemistry courses. I found out a lot of interesting information while I was getting my courses approved and accredited. I would be happy to share both the positive and negative aspects.

Years ago, I tutored a student who was taking the UC Berkeley organic Chemistry course and I do agree that the amount of instruction in the course was very little. The UCB professor simply told the students to "read the book."