<p>Can anyone comment on these two courses/profs? I was planning to take 2090, but after seeing how apparently abysmal Zax is (ratemyprofessors), I'm tempted to take the tougher Chem 2150 with Davis instead.</p>
<p>Edit: Whoops, I initially thought you were comparing Chem 215 to Chem 208.</p>
<p>I think overall Chem 215 will be more challenging than Chem 209. If you like chemistry (even though you're an engineer), Chem 215 is the better course. It's a complete review of all of the Chem AP subjects and is really a complete course in itself. Chem 216 is much much harder than Chem 215 but you won't have to take it.</p>
<p>Chem 215 isn't really tougher, because it's a repeat of AP chem material (it starts with equilibrium) though slightly deeper. 216 is the one that differentiates the two tracks. And I don't think that Zax would be that bad because he's not a bad lecturer, he's just not a good lab planner. I would go to both lectures in the beginning and see which one I'd prefer, then drop one.</p>
<p>215 actually covers the same material as 208</p>
<p>Sometimes I don't think that the professors matter as much as who is in the class with you: 209 is just for engineers and 215 will most likely be chem and cheme majors</p>
<p>215 will be harder so as long as you are prepared for that I think you will be ok.</p>
<p>Zax is a HORRIBLE lecturer -- but honestly, it's really, really, painfully easy, if you keep up on the readings and do the homework yourself. But honestly, lecture was the biggest waste of time -- I stopped going, and still had one of the highest grades in the class... it's mainly just a matter of studying the material yourself and comprehending it in a way in which you can do well on tests... which he's pretty bad at making, too, actually.</p>
<p>I had davis in 215 this past year and he is the man. His lectures are fun and interesting, he loves to blow stuff up. def take 215, it's not very hard either.</p>
<p>209 Sucks. Avoid Zax at all costs. If you really want to take 209 wait until the spring so you do not have Zax. Zax's tests tested test taking ability rather than whether or not you knew the material (I'm saying this when I got a 1520/1600 and a 2220/2400 on the SAT). I got a B+ because I bombed the second midterm, but so many people who put in work into this class did horribly in this class because it just tested test taking skills. I know a girl who got a 5 in AP chemistry and she got a B- in this course. Avoid this course!</p>