<p>Does anyone know how bad Chem 101 is? I requested this for first semester and I would have prof Pietrovito?</p>
<p>thank you, </p>
<p>Anna <3</p>
<p>I’ve heard good things about Pietrovito. I had Topp for chem 101 and 102 and STRONGLY recommend him. His tests are fairly repetitive from year to year, but for some reason, our class still averaged in the 60s on them. If you put in a bit of time studying, you have a great shot at getting an A from him.</p>
<p>Can anyone speak to the rumor I heard that the class is easier in the Spring?</p>
<p>how is pietrovito compared to topp?</p>
<p>I spoke with one of my friends who took Pietrovito and she said he was fairly difficult, but a good teacher. Topp is a very nice guy, but he is also really boring. His tests, though, were actually basic and predictable. I’d take him over Pietrovito in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>Speaking of Chem 101, has anyone tried the placement test? How many people actually manage to place out?</p>
<p>I placed out of chem 101 last year. The placement test is reasonable but don’t go in relying only on your knowledge from AP chem. There are a lot of things on the test that are not taught in AP chem which you will have to look at on your own time. Some examples are molecular orbitals and crystal structure as well as a lot of the quantum stuff which is much more in depth in chem 101.</p>
<p>how are Pietrovito’s tests then?</p>
<p>tough but fair…every exam by every prof will be tough though.</p>
<p>what do you mean by “tough but fair”? as opposed to Rtgrove123 saying that Topp’s tests are basic and predictable?</p>
<p>they require you to think, and they will be extensions past the sort of questions you’ve covered in class, but they are not UNREASONABLE extensions. he just requires more critical thinking rather than simply plugging numbers. that make sense?</p>
<p>are topp’s tests the opposite then? that they don’t have extensions and are more of plugging in numbers? or are they similar?</p>
<p>Thanks, Poeme!</p>
<p>Topp is very theoretical. Most of his tests are basically asking things like “what is Gibbs Free Energy?” I thought his tests were more fact regurgitation than anything else. I can’t speak to how Pietrovito’s tests compare. I heard they were challenging…but admittedly Topp also received extremely difficult reviews on PCR.</p>
<p>take chem 101 an 102 with Michael topp. easiest A at penn you’ll ever receive. you would be surprised how easy it is to beat the curve, assuming you’re decent at chemistry and the sciences</p>
<p>^^^
I don’t wanna say PennFranklin is right…but ya…in the circles I roll in, we all agree with him. I showed up to his class maybe twice a month…and normally I was more concerned with my coffee from dunking donuts than I was with his lecture. I still felt fine taking his tests.</p>
<p>wow. is it a huge difference from pietrovito? because i basically have no other choice than his chem 101 =/</p>
<p>I think the curve in Topp is the same as it is in Pietrovito. So, in theory it shouldn’t matter.</p>