BCHM485 | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
David Fushman BCHM485 Expecting an A Anonymous 06/14/2024	Physical biochemistry is probably one of the hardest classes at UMD and is no joke. This class is rigorous and it is really easy to fall behind on the content if you aren’t dedicating a lot of time to studying. His lecture style roughly follows the textbook, but he puts his own spin on things (pun intended). He talks really fast and rambles about vaguely quantum mechanic things that he finds interesting and then the entire lecture kind of loses its plot. The curve is massive though so it’s hard to fail. >30% and you’re guaranteed a C. He’s an alright dude I just don’t think teaching is his strong suit.
David Fushman BCHM485 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/16/2024	He's a really nice dude and you can tell he's really passionate about his research. Physical Biochemistry is already a really tough class, so expect that it will take up most of your time in the semester. Even though he's a nice person, his teaching style is kind of erratic and it's hard to follow if you're not paying attention 100% of the time. The textbook practice questions he assigns aren't really indicative of what his exams are like, so the best shot is to just study practice exams and homeworks. I would say the style of his exams are pretty consistent, but they are also super hard. The curve is crazy (~60% is a B, ~85% you're guaranteed an A), so it's hard to fail. I would recommend this class over PCHEM 2 though since the content is more interesting.
David Fushman BCHM485 Anonymous 05/13/2024	I have no idea what I'm about to get in this class but I need to review it because there are no reviews. Quantum will be hard - as a biochemistry major you probably never expected that you would have to take quantum but here we are. I think Fushman makes it easier because he wants you to succeed and tries his best to make everything as palatable as possible. However, reading the textbook in addition to his lectures is very helpful, just to add and clarify different ideas he goes through. Also, do the homeworks! The ungraded homeworks again super helpful in understanding concepts but also in helping with the graded homework. The exams have comprehensive equation sheets and he will send it out ahead of time so you get a general idea of what's on the equation sheets and what will be asked.He does grade things slow but that's understandable considering the class size is small (and lower priority) and he has no TA. The chem department needs to get this man a TA. The curve is curvy (lol) depending on the class but he also has cutoffs, getting a 160/400 is an automatic C, getting a 320/400 is an automatic A. On top of the cutoffs, there is a curve that goes A if above 85% of class - which honestly is reasonable. If you are a biochem student and thinking about this class or pchem 2, take this class. I enjoyed it - maybe you won't - my last piece of advice is to "shop" for both the semester you're taking pbchem/pchem 2 and see whose teaching style resonates with you. Fushman is the best, you can really tell he cares about teaching (and imo is good at it).
David Fushman BCHM485 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/18/2013	Dr. Fushman is a great guy. He is very respectful and considerate. He gives really fair assignments and will literally explain everything about it if you go see him in office hours. 400 points in total. 100 h/w. 300 pts equally for exam one, 2 and 3. >85% guaranteed an A. Beyond that there's a curve. I mean seriously, what more could you want from a 400 level bchm course really?

David Fushman
BCHM485

Expecting an A
Anonymous
06/14/2024

Physical biochemistry is probably one of the hardest classes at UMD and is no joke. This class is rigorous and it is really easy to fall behind on the content if you aren’t dedicating a lot of time to studying. His lecture style roughly follows the textbook, but he puts his own spin on things (pun intended). He talks really fast and rambles about vaguely quantum mechanic things that he finds interesting and then the entire lecture kind of loses its plot. The curve is massive though so it’s hard to fail. >30% and you’re guaranteed a C. He’s an alright dude I just don’t think teaching is his strong suit.

David Fushman
BCHM485

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/16/2024

He's a really nice dude and you can tell he's really passionate about his research. Physical Biochemistry is already a really tough class, so expect that it will take up most of your time in the semester. Even though he's a nice person, his teaching style is kind of erratic and it's hard to follow if you're not paying attention 100% of the time. The textbook practice questions he assigns aren't really indicative of what his exams are like, so the best shot is to just study practice exams and homeworks. I would say the style of his exams are pretty consistent, but they are also super hard. The curve is crazy (~60% is a B, ~85% you're guaranteed an A), so it's hard to fail. I would recommend this class over PCHEM 2 though since the content is more interesting.

David Fushman
BCHM485

Anonymous
05/13/2024

I have no idea what I'm about to get in this class but I need to review it because there are no reviews. Quantum will be hard - as a biochemistry major you probably never expected that you would have to take quantum but here we are. I think Fushman makes it easier because he wants you to succeed and tries his best to make everything as palatable as possible. However, reading the textbook in addition to his lectures is very helpful, just to add and clarify different ideas he goes through. Also, do the homeworks! The ungraded homeworks again super helpful in understanding concepts but also in helping with the graded homework. The exams have comprehensive equation sheets and he will send it out ahead of time so you get a general idea of what's on the equation sheets and what will be asked.He does grade things slow but that's understandable considering the class size is small (and lower priority) and he has no TA. The chem department needs to get this man a TA. The curve is curvy (lol) depending on the class but he also has cutoffs, getting a 160/400 is an automatic C, getting a 320/400 is an automatic A. On top of the cutoffs, there is a curve that goes A if above 85% of class - which honestly is reasonable. If you are a biochem student and thinking about this class or pchem 2, take this class. I enjoyed it - maybe you won't - my last piece of advice is to "shop" for both the semester you're taking pbchem/pchem 2 and see whose teaching style resonates with you. Fushman is the best, you can really tell he cares about teaching (and imo is good at it).

David Fushman
BCHM485

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/18/2013

Dr. Fushman is a great guy. He is very respectful and considerate. He gives really fair assignments and will literally explain everything about it if you go see him in office hours. 400 points in total. 100 h/w. 300 pts equally for exam one, 2 and 3. >85% guaranteed an A. Beyond that there's a curve. I mean seriously, what more could you want from a 400 level bchm course really?

Reviews for BCHM485