The class was fairly interesting, and Scerri really knows his stuff. He's not the best at explaining things, but he's still pretty good, and if you have a question, feel free to raise your hand and he'll answer it. However, he tends to advertise himself a bit (his book on the periodic table is "highly recommended reading" -eyeroll- and his notes include a paper or two written by him). You also have to buy his course reader that's written in large handwriting, and could be half the size (and price) it is while still keeping all of the info. Also, his powerpoints and the course reader aren't always synced, and he spent a lot of time trying to get the powerpoints and microphone to work.

The book for the course isn't really required, and I ended up returning it. There are no readings and the homework from the textbook is optional. You can do it if you need practice, but instead of buying the (very expensive) book, you can check the course reserves in the library. Instead of a textbook, you have to buy the course reader + past exam booklet (still expensive, but not as much as the text). The course reader is good because instead of writing down everything, you can spend most of your time understanding, only making a few notes for clarification.

He periodically assigns homework out of the past exam booklet. There are also online quizzes that you must take, but they aren't timed, you can use any notes (or even the internet), and you can take them 3 times and your best score will count.

The midterm was in class during week 5. It was somewhat difficult (though definitely passable if you studied), but a bit more time would've been nice. However, he has an odd rule that you can't dispute your grade unless you're disputing 3 or more points, and when you do dispute it, they regrade the entire exam. The cumulative final was pretty similar in difficulty to the midterm.

Scerri was an enlightening professor, in my opinion. He really took the time in his class to explain why things such as periodic trends, bond angles, etc. are the way they are, and you will leave the class knowing more and knowing why it is true as well. He clearly has a background in philosophy, physics, and the periodic table (he wrote a book on it), and all of these are integrated into his teaching style. He can also be a bit arrogant at times, but it's nothing detrimental to his teaching. It's funny and easy to get used to.

Do beware, however, not to go into 20A thinking AP Chem will cover you. Some concepts do overlap, but a lot of it is new and in-depth material. And Scerri focuses primarily on concepts, not calculations, although he does include both on his exams. He will almost always ask you to conceptually justify your answer on tests, so it really is not enough to memorize and regurgitate.

Fortunately, his course reader is the Chem 20A Bible. Know the course reader and be sure to pay attention to any curious anomalies in the expected results on topics. He loves to ask about the exceptions to the rule and why they occur.

In summary, Scerri is a good professor that appeals to those who want to know not only about chemical structure, but also WHY things are the way they are. His class is a good example of how college work differs from high school work in that some higher-level thinking is necessary to succeed in his class. The workload is manageable, the course reader is much more useful than the textbook, and Scerri does a decent job. Take him if you have the chance.

He thinks he knows everything and he's in love with the periodic table. The course reader is heaven for studying, although you have to teach a lot of it yourself. He tends to explain it very vaguely in class. Would not really recommend him for those who like mathematical calculations.

Pretty easy to do well. You won't necessarily learn much (or remember the little that you do) but if you read/memorize the course reader, you should be fine. His tests are comparatively easy, and homework is optional. Scerri focuses on the concepts rather than the math, so have a basic understanding and you'll pass the class.

I didn't take real AP chem in High School and almost everyone in the class were IIIIINSANE with Chem. I got a B+ (which i still am pretty disappointed over because i got an A/A+ in the midterm, perfect on all online quizes, but my final was like a B from stupid mistakes). All you have to do is MEMORIZE the reader and understand ALL concepts in the reader he goes over! He teaches what i believe is descriptive chemistry. Very conceptual. The math problems in his exams are very very easy just make sure you practice! Don't want to mess those easy ones up.

His class is pretty enjoyable from the experiments to the british accent to the arrogance and the making fun of people. just as long as you're not the one being made fun off so stay low key! hehe

No tricks in his exam. I think they're very predictable. Just do ALL practice midterm questions and know every single line in the reader.

Get together with a bunch of people and do the online thinkwell quizes separately then together so you can learn more.

Difficult at times, but you learn a lot by the end, enjoyable class, a good beginning for Chem at ucla!

Well, on one hand, he is really entertaining (mostly due to his arrogance), but on the other, his tests are freaking impossible. Do not be surprised when a third of the midterm or final is on a topic you spent all of two minutes and half a page of the reader on.

Also, most of the students in the class took AP chemistry in high school, and so most of the class is review if you're in that crowd. If you didn't take AP chem (like me), then you will be curved against people who have that advantage over you, so good luck.

Going through Scerri's intro chem class is part of initiation into south campus, so have fun with it.

Personally, I thought Dr. Scerri was great. The last time I was in an actual chem class was in 10th grade, so basically everything was pretty new to me. I never did any of the readings or hw but I did pay attention during lecture and tried hard to understand all the stuff in the course reader. It is absolutely crucial to know every last detail in that course reader...no joke. There are online quizzes that you have to take which are worth 10% of your grade, and you can take them up to three times. His midterm was pretty fair (although I discovered that he looks for specific words in the responses), but the final was a bit scattered. Not so much of what we studied in class. So yea, it's not impossible. I ended up with a B+ and I'm not complaining. Long story short, I would definitely recommend him. Oh yea and Bryanna and Will are awesome tutors! Good luck!

THINGS SCERRI TOLD ME TO PURCHASE
- Principles of Modern Chemistry by Oxtoby - $176
(did not use in class)
- His Course Reader - $35
(Simply a photocopy of every one of his slides, in poor handwriting)
- His Periodic Table book - $35
- HIs Course Reader of past midterms and finals - forgot the price
- Registration for thinkwell ($20)
(simply an online quiz site, which Ive seen for free under other UCLA classes)

With two lectures a quarter at 350 students per lecture, he is no doubt making a big chunk of change off of freshmen. I think his primary goal here is to profit and not to educate. He is also verry arrogant in class, as he likes to single out and embarrass individuals. The first few minutes of lecture are always spent trying to figure out how to hook his macbook up to the projector. The reviews saying he is the "best professor Ive encountered" are probably saying so because its their 1st quarter of 1st year of college.

Yes, just go to Tom's discussion no matter who you have as TA. Trust me, he makes things a lot simpler than it seemed, especially when it gets to organic chemistry (although he's an inorganic grad student ...)

If you're thinking about buying chemistry books, please do not buy the solution manual by Oxtoby. It is a complete waste of money. You don't need it.

The course reader is vital. You should definitely study it if you want a good grade.

I felt like the tests weren't that hard, but I didn't get as high a grade as I thought. This probably means the curves for his class are very minimal.

Nevertheless, Scerri does some interesting demonstrations (blowing up a balloon, turning liquids into different colors, etc). And does anybody remember the preacher incident? Pretty funny I must say, even though Scerri wanted it off youtube.