Reviews of professor Joel Tolman

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
The lectures were very helpful and went along with the reading. Lots of homework, but not too difficult to complete. The tests were difficult and the homework does not fully prepare you for it. Fair grading and good feedback.

Rating: 2.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Dr. Tolman isn't a good lecturer and is new to Intro to Chem so he's not the best at explaining things for beginners. Averages were generally low but this is mostly a freshman class so people are adjusting. His test questions could be hard. Read the textbook but don't buy it. Rent it from Amazon. Redo saplings for exam practice and do his review.

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Not super engaging, lectures were a struggle. Practice problems are lifesavers. Please study for exams!

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
He was probably the worst professor I've had this year and lacks common empathy toward the best interest of the students. His piazza responses are literally 1 word most of the time and tbh i contemplated switching majors because of his class.

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Solid professor. Focuses a on quantitative problems over qualitative on tests. Provided all necessary formulas on all tests. Three midterms and Final make vast majority of grade. Practice problems and Sapling are the keys to success.

Rating: 3.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Lectures are usually efficient but don't cover the full scope of material needed for exams. Work textbook problems for studying because they often show up as the difficult questions on exams. Tolman is a classic burnt-out academic who takes the most distanced possible role in his job. Questions are often answered with one word and are unhelpful.

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 5.0/5
Confusing, boring lectures full of unnecessary details with little/no time do actually do clicker questions. The exams are a surprise since so much information given in lectures it's hard to know what you will be tested on. Tolman overly complicates intro Chem. if possible, take someone else.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Professor Tolman is so considerate and prioritizes learning over worrying over grades. His syllabus is beyond fair, and he puts in place curves on homework/quizzes sometimes/midterms sometimes that really boost grades.

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Tests are hard especially if you have no background knowledge. He made the final and curved the boundaries which saved many students. His online lectures are old but helpful to have them to rewatch. I say take him over Karlin.

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 5.0/5
Extremely unclear in lectures, teaches content far outside the realm of intro chem II.  Classroom policies are unaccommodating and tests cover material barely taught.  Lazy with the content given out in the course - gives solutions but no problem steps.  Exams vary greatly from class examples and homework problems.