AI Rate Professor

Chemistry

Matthew Carlson

G185 · CHEM180 · G130 · CHEM185 · 46 lifetime ratings

AI rating
67/100
RMP rating
4.0/5
Take again
68.09%
Difficulty
3.7

The decision

if you can handle a demanding chemistry class and will actively study, attend, and ask questions.

Best fit · Effort For RewardFunny and sarcasticExam heavyChemistry is demandingCaring but polarizingHomework platforms
  • Many students praise Carlson as funny, knowledgeable, and willing to help.
  • Chemistry with him often requires steady practice because .
  • Reviews are split, with some students saying lectures prepare them and .

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

FairEffort

55/100

An A is possible, but students repeatedly , and outside practice.

Online reviews include some lenient grading comments, while and sustained effort.

Is the course easy?

Challenging

34/100

Chemistry content is fast-paced and concept-heavy, even .

Both formats describe chemistry as challenging, with difficulty.

Is attendance flexible?

Recommended

62/100

, but students say lectures are important for doing well.

The clearest in-person evidence but is vital for exams; online evidence is limited.

Is this professor recommended?

WorthIt

71/100

Most students recommend him for his humor, knowledge, and support, but and inconsistent teaching create real risk.

but mixed, while online reviews are more polarized.

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Fair

58/100

He gives partial credit, retakes, minimum scores, or leniency in some cases, but .

Format shift

Online reviews mention leniency more directly, while and strict exam weighting.

Workload

Heavy

34/100

Students often mention ALEKS or , and extra book practice.

Format shift

In-person reviews provide most workload evidence, while online reviews range from .

Teaching experience

Good

76/100

His teaching is often praised as , and caring, but several students report unstructured lectures or .

Format shift

, while online reviews are more divided.

Assessment method

FocusOnExams

82/100

Grades , and homework platforms, with many comments calling the class test-heavy.

Format shift

, while online reviews also mention tricky tests and finals.

Luni fit check

Weigh these signals against your actual schedule.

Get help balancing workload, grading, and timing when no option is an obvious fit.

Course format

Compare the in-person and online experience.

Classroom format

In person

43 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Effort For Reward

In-person reviews show a funny and and require real study.

Main concern

, and sometimes feel different from lecture or homework.

What students said

“Attendance isn't mandatory after the first two-week spook, but attending lectures is paramount ”
G130
“ and you will have to study from the book to succeed.”
CHEM185

Remote format

Online

4 reviews

Medium confidence · Best fit for Effort For Reward

Online reviews are mixed, ranging from passionate and lenient to lazy and .

Main concern

Online students disagree sharply on whether he teaches enough or simply grades leniently.

What students said

“He is very passionate about teaching. He is a great teacher; .”
CHEM180
“He doesn't have office hours, doesn't have actual review sessions, doesn't really teach.”
CHEM180

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Exams are generally standard to strict in difficulty, with some student-friendly grading supports but .

Frequent ExamsTricky TestsFinal MentionedPartial CreditRetake Chances

Assessment risk

Standard

45/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

In-person reviews describe frequent and difficult exams with .

Frequent ExamsDifficult ExamsPartial CreditQuiz RetakesDropped Scores
“tests are every 2 weeks.”
G130
“The class is made up of 3 exams, ALEKS homework, labs, and a final.”
CHEM185

Online

Online reviews mention tricky tests and , but do not clearly prove webcam, proctoring, Lockdown Browser, or open-book rules.

Tricky TestsFinal MentionedMultiple Quiz Attempts
“ .”
CHEM180
“you will be prepared for exam and ”
CHEM180

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“Great class, getting an A definitely takes effort but it's doable.”

Voice snapshots generated from 47 reviews, highlighting key themes in teaching and grading. Credibility rating: High.

🎯 Teaching Quality

76/100

“Dr. Carlson is fast-paced and sarcastic, but he genuinely cares about his student's learning.”

📈 Grade Effort

55/100

“Getting an A requires a fair effort but can be done.”

🧪

45/100

“ and you will have to study from the book to succeed.”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • Very personable and engaging professor.
  • He is very passionate about teaching.
  • He teaches every unit very fast, which can make you struggle sometimes in understanding.
  • Professor Carlson is a good, funny person, but his teaching methods did not help me succeed.

Theme 2

🧪

  • Exams and and different from lectures and homework
  • The .
  • He
  • and disproportionally heavily weighted.

Theme 3

📚 About Workload

  • and .
  • as long as you stay on top of yourself.
  • Practice is the key to acing this class.

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

47

Recent reviews read by the AI

46

Lifetime ratings

94/100

Evidence confidence

Forty-seven reviews across many years provide detailed, consistent , and .

Inside 47 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 525
4 out of 58
3 out of 56
2 out of 54
1 out of 54

Course coverage

CHEM18022 reviews
CHEM18518 reviews
G1306 reviews
G1851 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

40 reported outcomes

A range

17

A 15 · A- 2

B range

15

B+ 6 · B 8 · B- 1

C range

2

C- 2

D range

0

No reported values

F

0

No reported values

No letter grade reported

6

Drop/Withdrawal 1 · Incomplete 1 · Not sure yet 2 · Rather not say 2