I was just wondering how is he as a teacher and if I should take him or Sandberg? Also Does he give webassign?

12/14/2007 2:12:47 PM

Inevitably this thread will turn into a war between people who have taken Sandberg and people who have taken Novak. I took Sandberg and she is by far the best professor I have had in college. She is very enthusiastic about teaching the course and keeps everyone engaged in learning the material.

12/14/2007 2:19:00 PM

sandberg's lectures are awesome.

12/14/2007 2:25:38 PM

i've said this time and time again

if you really want to KNOW your shit COLD and learn about all the awesome polymer rxns and various other stuff that's cool as shit, take novak.

if you want to pass the class more easily, take sandberg.

that being said, i took novak, and he's one of my favorite professors of all time.

the beginning of a reply he sent to an email i sent him:

Quote :

"Evan, How could I possibly forget you?"

12/14/2007 3:49:51 PM

Somehow I knew evan would be in here. Evan, have you taken Sandberg?

12/14/2007 4:01:05 PM

I took Dr. Sandberg's Organic I and II and earned a high A in each, it was the hardest work I had ever done, so be prepared to work hard. As far as the statement "... Pass the class more easily with Dr. Sandberg," perhaps that is true in a sense-- shes such an incredible professor that students can more easily pass her class than with a different professor. But don't mistake this statement for the class being "easy."

That being said, her teaching style is superb-- shes got teaching organic chemistry down to a science. Its been nearly 6 months since my last organic chemistry lecture, and I am fluently tutoring students every single day in both Organic I and II. If I hadn't learned my organic chemistry "cold" I wouldn't be able to continue using what I've learned in her course everyday. Furthermore, after going on to Dr. Knopp's biochemistry course I can see now how well prepared I was because of Dr. Sandberg's class.

Out of respect for Dr. Novak, I am not familiar with his teaching style, so naturally I will refrain from contributing any comments regarding his course. I can only speak of my own past experience.

12/14/2007 4:29:48 PM

^ agree 100% with you aaprior. And I can't make a comment about Novak either because I did not have him for organic.

12/14/2007 4:31:30 PM

oh lawd

everyone has their opinions on the best organic chem professor, which, given the nature of the course, is completely understandable.

i happen to think dr. novak is one of the most awesome people that's ever walked this earth

12/15/2007 10:06:27 AM

I like Dieters

12/15/2007 11:49:27 AM

Well I took one with BumGardner and even tho I got a good grade, I know that I didnt learn anything, so Im really trying to figure out who can help me the most from what Im slacking, which is everything, lol

12/15/2007 4:18:38 PM

if you took bumgardner for org. 1, then it doesnt matter which teacher you take for 2, its going to suck.

rule of thumb is if you take bumgar. for 1, ten take him for 2

everyone gets high scores in his class, but ends up not knowing a thing, like me.

12/16/2007 10:58:08 AM

HAHA lol yeah I have that feelings thats whats going to happen

12/16/2007 2:57:35 PM

Novak was awesome for org. 2. He knows his stuff, is on the same level as students and not high and mighty like some professors. If you go to class you learn stuff no one else would ever teach about how to synthesize illegal substances, why you should not use just for men hair color, and just generally apply organic to real life in a way no other professor at State has for me. Had Canelas for Organic 1 and class was easier but more monotonous. Powerpoints in every class anyone? Also no webassign in Novak's class which can make it better or worse depending on study habits, but tons of review sessions if you want to make sure you have right answers.

[Edited on December 20, 2007 at 12:17 PM. Reason : forgot no webass]

[Edited on December 20, 2007 at 12:18 PM. Reason : but i took during summer]

12/20/2007 12:14:39 PM

wtf? no webassign?

he had webassign when i took it. grr. although he hated it and said he wanted to get rid of it... maybe he succeeded

Quote :

"If you go to class you learn stuff no one else would ever teach about how to synthesize illegal substances, why you should not use just for men hair color, and just generally apply organic to real life in a way no other professor at State has for me."

this is very true

12/20/2007 2:09:06 PM