AI Rate Professor

Chemistry

Paul Farnham

CHEM100 · CHEM2 · CHEM1AB · CHEM1A · CHEMISTRY · CEHM2 · CHEM · CHEM1B · CHEM8 · 41 lifetime ratings

AI rating
18/100
RMP rating
2.5/5
Take again
9.09%
Difficulty
4.2

The decision

unless you want a very demanding chemistry course and can .

Best fit · Hardcore LearnerExtremely DifficultTough GraderTest HeavyConfusing LecturesPoor Support
  • Students describe the courses as very difficult, often far beyond normal intro-course expectations.
  • Recent online reviews , and lack of support.
  • , but many warn that , and poorly aligned with help.

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

MissionImpossible

12/100

Getting an A requires heavy studying, strong chemistry independence, and .

Online reviews are harsher about grading, while but still describe very hard tests.

Is the course easy?

BrainBurner

10/100

Even intro chemistry is described as conceptually demanding, puzzle-like, fast, and harder than expected.

Both online and in-person reviews describe high difficulty, with online CHEM100 reviews especially severe.

Is attendance flexible?

Mandatory

18/100

Students repeatedly say attendance and constant studying are necessary, and some report poor availability outside class.

, while online reviews stress limited help and weak responses.

Is this professor recommended?

Avoid

15/100

Most students warn against taking him because of , and poor support.

Online reviews are strongly avoidant, while in-person reviews include a minority of positive hardcore-learner experiences.

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Harsh

8/100

Students repeatedly report tough grading, point loss for method differences, impossible tests, and .

Format shift

, while in-person reviews also describe impossible or .

Workload

Overwhelming

12/100

Reviews mention heavy homework, extensive reading, hard modules, late labs, and very high weekly study expectations.

Format shift

Both formats describe heavy work, with in-person chemistry sequences requiring especially sustained effort.

Teaching experience

Awful

25/100

Some students respect his knowledge, but many describe , weak explanations, and unhelpful communication.

Format shift

Online reviews are mostly negative about support, while and severe confusion.

Assessment method

FocusOnExams

82/100

Reviews frequently mention hard conceptual exams, finals, tests, and and modules.

Format shift

Online reviews call the course test heavy, and 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

32 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Hardcore Learner

In-person reviews are mixed but consistently , and occasional strong learning for prepared students.

Main concern

Tests and workload can .

What students said

“Yes, the class is difficult (90% drop rate).”
CHEM1B
“ .”
CHEM1B
“Paul makes the and palatable.”
CHEM100

Remote format

Online

10 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Self Taught Pro

Online reviews are overwhelmingly negative, citing tough grading, condescending communication, hard modules, and little useful support.

Main concern

Students say while facing strict and .

What students said

“Taking Chem-100 online with Professor Farnham was a waste of time.”
CHEM100
“ .”
CHEM100
“ .”
CHEM100

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Exams are repeatedly described as very hard, conceptual, and strict, but reviews .

Hard Conceptual ExamsTest HeavyFinal Is No JokeNo Clear Proctoring Evidence

Assessment risk

Strict

18/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

and finals, but do not clearly prove closed-book or proctoring requirements.

Hard Conceptual ExamsThree Exams And FinalImpossible Tests
“There are 3 exams and a and half short answer).”
CHEM1B
“ .”
CHEM1B
“ , very conceptual”
CHEM1B

Online

, and strict grading, but do not clearly prove webcam, Lockdown Browser, or open-book policy.

Test HeavyFinal Is No JokeStrict GradingNo Clear Proctoring Evidence
“Test heavy”
CHEM100
“the ”
CHEM100
“ .”
CHEM100

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“Avoid the CR Chem department at all costs.”

Voice snapshots generated from 42 reviews, highlighting key themes in , and workload. Credibility rating: High.

🎯 Teaching Quality

25/100

“He hardly teaches and does not provide resources for you to be able to figure out the material on your own.”

🔥 Course Difficulty

10/100

“Extremely challenging for a preqreq intro course.”

⚖️

8/100

“Marked down up to 50% of because you did the math differently than he wanted”

Theme 1

🧪 About Learning Chemistry

  • Very interesting, learned an awful lot.
  • Paul makes chemistry exciting
  • I did not learn anything in this class.

Theme 2

📈 About Difficulty and Exams

  • Yes, the class is difficult (90% drop rate).
  • you were supposed to read not what he lectures.
  • , very conceptual

Theme 3

⚠️ About Support and Grading

  • and dismissive.
  • Office Hours won't help you for answers, seek help elsewhere.
  • Grades your problems and .

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

42

Recent reviews read by the AI

41

Lifetime ratings

94/100

Evidence confidence

Forty-two reviews across online and in-person formats provide detailed, consistent evidence of , and mixed teaching quality.

Inside 42 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 58
4 out of 55
3 out of 56
2 out of 56
1 out of 517

Course coverage

CHEM10018 reviews
CHEM1B8 reviews
CHEM1A6 reviews
CHEM24 reviews
CHEM2 reviews
Show 4 more courses
CEHM21 review
CHEM1AB1 review
CHEM81 review
CHEMISTRY1 review

Reported outcomes

C range results lead the reported letter grades.

15 reported outcomes

A range

3

A+ 1 · A 2

B range

2

B 1 · B- 1

C range

7

C+ 2 · C 4 · C- 1

D range

1

D 1

F

0

No reported values

No letter grade reported

2

Audit/No Grade 1 · Pass 1