Dr. Ow is a nice guy with clear and concise lectures. The class was two midterms worth 20% each, a 25% final, 20% of weekly quizzes, and 15% is discussion. He did not know what content he was supposed to be teaching, so he tried to teach thermodynamics and messed up the entire 14a schedule. Much harder content than Lavelle. And then he curved our class down to match Lavelle's average. Awesome.
He hated getting questions and was always pretty rude about it. People stopped asking questions in lectures after a while. Midterm exams were free response. The first one was fair. The second one was literally just rude. Students and TAs asked for a curve because it was a ridiculous number of questions in 50 minutes. He never did. The average was a 60%. The final was 36 multiple choice questions, and the average was a "C."
The weekly quizzes made me go to a really dark place in my life.
If this class was on being a kind soul, sure. He would get a nicer review. But unfortunately, it is on general chemistry 14a. Was not a huge fan of his class.

I took this as part of CSI, and this course was completely asynchronous. However, despite that, Dr. Ow always made sure to make time for his students through twice weekly office hours, answering his emails regularly, and even holding recorded exam reviews! Plenty of students (including myself) went to office hours, where most of his answers were concise and extremely helpful (he also gives little rules of thumb and stuff).

However, if you're not a great test-taker, then this class may not be 100% the best for you. Our entire grade was based on quizzes and exams, although quizzes are untimed and only 5 questions long (not always multiple choice though) and you can use the book (he said so himself in the syllabus). On the other hand, exams are timed (still open-book) but still not insanely difficult (usually 7-8 short-answer questions). Exams usually had a B+ average (which I consider pretty good for ~100 students). You do have to be motivated enough to watch the lectures and do the practice problems from the book since there's no graded homework assignments to force you to learn.

Unlike last year though, he didn't provide the textbook for us (it wasn't the Top Hat one), but it is FREE and easily accessible if you just look at other places on the internet. If it's the Chemical Principles textbook, you DON'T need to buy it from UCLA for the Achieve software as he doesn't use it at all, so there is no added benefit there if you think the cost will include special questions or examples.

We used a textbook called Top Hat that he gave us FREE(!!) access to which was super nice, and the textbook had pretty clear explanations. I highly recommend going into the summer session with good chem knowledge because those 6 weeks are very, very fast-paced. It starts out slow but then becomes really fast toward the end. If given the opportunity to, I highly recommend taking this as your only CSI class (but that option may have only been available summer 2020 because it was all online). It may get overwhelming otherwise.
The set-up was basically read through a Top Hat chapter every week and answer the questions embedded in the text. He also posted asynchronous lectures that you need to watch too (but that wasn't ever graded). He posted practice exams which were super helpful and similar to the actual exams, and held exam review sessions as well. He's pretty good with explaining answers to your questions and really tries to make sure you know the material. I would take Chem 14B with him if I had the chance.
Basically: do your work, attend his office hours (even if just to listen in), and you will do well.

Dr. Ow is an amazing professor. He uses his own textbook on TopHat which makes exams very fair since they are the same format as the optional homework questions, making expectations straightforward. He was very clear and helpful during lectures and office hours. As long as you study and put the time in, you will get an A. Would highly recommend taking 14A and 14B with Dr. Ow if you have the option.

Grading distribution was as follows:
100 points midterm 1
100 points midterm 2
200 points final
50 points homework

Professor Ow is very clear in his lectures and provides useful practice exams.

You can find the textbook for CHEM 14 A and CHEM 14B for free online: libgen.io
During Summer 2018, the sixth and seventh edition was preferred. I also found the fifth edition textbook along with the solutions manual on that website as well.

Tips: Make sure to do the homework (although not due for grading) once after you learn the material and a second time before the exam, as the professor suggests. This is extremely helpful in preparation for the two midterms and the final exam.

As for TA's, I had Zeeshan and he was helpful to the extent to which he knew what was going to be on the first midterm and gave us a list of what to expect.

The professor provided outlines for each chapter and also provided a study guide for the final. Utilize the outlines as study guides. Make sure to leave no stone unturned and go through the entire study guide when preparing for the final.

Best of luck.

Honestly the best way to start off the 14 series. He is such a clear and thorough lecturer and this class does not make you memorize too much. He goes over everything at a good pace. Fast enough to finish the material but slow enough to absorb all of the information. This man loves chemistry and sometimes I would get excited just listening to him.

Class Breakdown:
2 Midterms (25% each)
1 Final (50%)

He assigns optional homework and gives you all of his practice exams from his previous years and doing this is enough to do well on the exams imo. Although I think some of the practice exams were somewhat easier compared to his current exams. Some of the homework problems are harder than the exams but if you can ask for help in your discussion for the more difficult questions then the exams should be a breeze.

We had 3 extra days total for just review since he finished so early. One day was dedicated to review for the second midterm since he knew we would have extra time and that way we could be prepared for the second midterm. (Week 5) 2 whole days (~4 hours) for just review for the final. (Week 6)

Definitely recommend to anyone considering taking this class.

The course material for 14A isn't hard at all, but it requires you to remember some of that prior knowledge. I don't think anything in 14A with any professor will require knowledge past an honors chem class. If you feel you really truly suck at chem, he usually recommends taking Chem 17, which I believe he also teaches.

LECTURES- His lectures are very detailed, and he often asks the class during lecture after an important concept if they have questions. If he feels that something is important enough yet no one is asking questions, he'll do an example on the board.

GRADING-The course (at least for summer) is graded as so: 2 midterms and one final exam, no curve (on any of these). He doesn't have you memorize too much, either and is really reasonable with what you have to know for his exams. He also usually posts his past exams on CCLE with the answer keys. These are really helpful practice.

HOMEWORK- He doesn't assign graded homework, but he does post readings and practice questions that are, for the most part, similar to what you'll see on the tests.

OVERALL- I wouldn't say the class is super easy, but I wouldn't say it was hard either. It's easy if you're willing to put in a little effort to take notes during lecture and do all the practice problems.

Selling required textbook: Chemical Principles, 6th Edition (by Peter Atkins, Loretta, Jones, Leroy Laverman)

The bundle will include Textbook AND Solutions manual

Purchased from Student union for $168, selling for only $100. In very good/new condition.

Please message for details: **********

This is for 14A - Summer Course edition
Pro's
Doesn't make you memorize formulas
Is very available via email

Con's
Not very many tests. Tests are extremely difficult and highly unpredictable. Expects you to be able to complete every assigned practice problems (literal hundreds of problems). His tests are new every semester so you absolutely cannot rely on his sample exams.
He can also a be a bit of a jerk if you ask him why you got something wrong. Personally, I didn't like him.

Whoops!! The review below me was mine and I typed too fast lol! What I was trying to say is that he is really good so you'll be missing out if you choose another professor over him. His tests are very fair and he writes the notes out with you.

My tip on passing his class! Like any other class, review the material BEFOREHAND. Then go to lecture with any question you have. During lecture, ask him and he will kindly answer! Just don't ask questions he already mentioned/answered! He usually writes everything out and sends the notes out. He also puts past exams on CCLE which are great for practice!!

I love Professor Ow! Great professor!!