This is a copy and paste of my 14A review of Scerri as I had him for both and found the courses to be very similar in terms of what is needed to do well. I think the only difference between the classes is the content. Scerri is a great professor IF you have a strong background in chemistry from taking a good AP Chemistry class. I emphasize this point heavily because I know I did well in the class mostly because I was familiar with the content from taking honors and AP chem in high school and didn't rely heavily on Scerri's lectures. I've heard from friends and from reviews that without this background, Scerri can be a difficult person to learn from and his demeanor often makes asking questions in lecture and office hours intimidating. I did find his office hours helpful, and had good experiences with my TA Michael L. The most helpful things to do well in this class by far were using the practice tests he posts, using the SAC test bank to look at his old tests, and reviewing his slides. I never bought the textbook and didn't feel like I ever needed to use it once. Overall, I would recommend Scerri as long as you know what you're getting into ahead of time.

I definitely liked Scerri more for Chem 14A, but that was also my second time taking Chem 14A so it could have been me just having a better understanding. The Chem 14 series is just hard altogether, there is no "easy" professor, especially if you don't know how you learn. with that being said, GOODLUCK. Try new methods, and rely on yourself rather than the professor!

I took Scerri for chem 17, chem 14A, and then chem 14b. You just have to know how his tests work. For exams, basically memorize his slides and know exactly what he wants you to know from the slides, nothing else. His practice exams sometimes will be the exact same as the real one with a few numbers changed, so DO THEM and memorize the process. Also, get the textbook and DO THE OPTIONAL HOMEWORK PROBLEMS, they are often the exact same questions on the test. That happened to me at least 5 times and kinda saved me on the final. Overall, his tests are fair, he doesn't assign a lot of work at all (just thinkwell quizzes and homework which you can usually find on Chegg). He's also big on conceptual questions, but again those are directly from the slides. I recommend because he doesn't throw you any curveballs despite him being a kinda bad lecturer.

This class was one of the worst classes I have ever taken. I will never take a class with Scerri again. I thought Lavelle was hard but after Scerri, I saw that Lavelle was maybe the best Chem 14 professors in the school.

This class is pretty straight forward. As many have emphasized here, memorize the lecture notes and make sure you know how to do the problems on the slides like the back of your hand. He will test you even on the smallest details so cramming will not work in your favor. The practice tests he gives you are similar in difficulty and generally the practice test questions will show up on the exam. However, the practice test is NOT all encompassing. He'll definitely put other stuff on his exam that's why it is best practice to memorize/study the lectures. I did poorly on the midterm because I did not focus on the lecture slides enough but after realizing the MT was identical to the slides, I came in clutch for the final to get a B in the class. Scerri is a mediocre lecturer so it shouldn't impede your ability to learn. Just stay focused during lecturer. Too many times I've seen other students go online shopping or using their phone the entire class time. Good luck and don't stress yourself out! It's really not bad if you process everything a little bit at a time!

Scerri's exams are always fair. What sucks is you have to know *everything* when it comes to exams (even the littlest details can be tested and are often 3 points). Exams are curved, and the midterm was an average 65% that ended up being a B. He allows any version of the textbook, giving 4 online quizzes (that are kind of jank for they don't always sync to his content) and 2 homework assignments. A very low work class. Scerri himself can be funny or incredibly rude, it depends. I would not take him again for 14B, but if you end up with him it isn't the end of the world. Just make sure you know everything (and I'm not kidding.)

Scerri was a good lecturer and he explained the concepts well. However, I feel that thermochemistry is better math-based, since you mainly do problems that are applying different equations. Scerri's slides are kind of disorganized and his midterm wasn't anything like the practice tests he gave out. The problems he gives in class aren't much like the problems that end up on the midterm. The final was relatively easy, but the grade doesn't help if you didn't do well on the midterm. If you get your hands on old practice exams those can be very helpful with the conceptual questions he asks. Thinkwell quizzes aren't too bad but you need to get as many points on them as possible to boost your grade.

Grade breakdown:
30% thinkwell and written hw (For our class, he only did one written hw assignment and then 4 thinkwell quizzes)
30% midterm
40% final

SELLING 14A/14B TEXTBOOK - ALMOST BRAND NEW CONDITION
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I actually really enjoyed 14B with Scerri. Although unclear at times, he's an intelligent and engaging lecturer who is relatively consistent in terms of his expectations and course material. Yes, this class is less organized than others, but I still feel WAY more prepared for the rest of the 14 series. I think people tend to be intimidated by Scerri, and since many of this students are freshmen, they expect Scerri to coddle his students probably like their high school teachers did. Which is stupid.

Overall, if you are choosing between two professors, take Scerri if you want a bit more of a challenge, you enjoy chemistry, and you want to be extra prepared for future courses.

Selling course readers (volumes 1 and 2) for this class! Text me at ********** if interested :) (I'm moving so will throw them away after 6/14, so text me immediately if interested!)

Im selling Scerri's 14B course readers! They contain all his lecture slides, extra info, and practice/past tests. I recommend them! email me at *************