Richard Calabrese | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
Richard Calabrese Expecting an A Anonymous 01/17/2013	Professor: Very smart and knowledgable. He teaches using the chalkboard - with some special lectures via powerpoint towards the end of the semester. A lot of my friends don't like him, but I think he is one of the best Chem-E professors at UMD. However, you need to pay attention in class. A lot of people complain that he goes to fast and that the material is hard to understand, but if you pay attention, and take good notes, then you will be fine with understanding the concepts and homeworks. Class: Very interesting subject; quickly became my favorite class. There are three (3) tests: two (2) midterms and one (1) final. Each test is worth 30 % of your grade. The final 10 % comes from homeworks and clicker questions. The clickers are geared more towards attendence then right/wrong answers. Generally, his curve is > 70% = A. Before each exam, he posts two past semester's exams to help you know what to expect. The exams are open book, but not open note. I generally only used my notes for the homeworks - but when I learned that the tests were open book, I tried to become more familiar with it to help me find things quickly during the test. You can tab things in the book, but don't write anything in an obvious place because he will take the book away during the test. Be quick on the tests; if you can't finish a problem that's ok - he gives more points for setting it up correctly rather then having the algebra done. The book was helpful for learning some things, but I generally focused more on my notes (I take good notes). Regarding the homeworks: don't be afraid to go to office hours. However, I recommend that you attempt the homework yourself first - at least how to set it up (that's the hardest part!). Office hours will be helpful in determining if you are on the right track. Overall: I loved this class. Sit in the front rows, pay attention, ask questions, study and you will definately pass.
Richard Calabrese Expecting a B Anonymous 12/31/2012	Yes, very difficult. His exams would probably really take 3 hours to do, however he gives you 1.25 hours and he grades hard. 50-69 on a test is a B, and anything above is an A. Hws are hard and take a long time. Calabrese is kind of witty, and his notes are all over the place on the board, but they're good if you look at them. I know this is nearly impossible with a chbe schedule, but if you can look at the textbook section ahead of the class period, this will help you understand what he's talking about. The textbook takes time to get used to, but then it gets kind of funny.
Richard Calabrese Expecting an A average650 03/28/2009	Very difficult professor. I find his lectures impossible to pay attention in. He goes very fast so you can't take effective notes, all you can do is write down the important equations and try learn what else you can, if you can pay attention. The book is not great and he doesn't always follow it so it can be very difficult when you don't pay attention. Very hard tests. 70% is an A, and most people don't get A's. The homeworks are very long and difficult and continually ruin my monday nights. He grades fairly, but he makes the class more difficult than it actually needs to be. If his lectures we more organized, explained, and a little slowerm the class would be easier and we'd learn just as much. Not the worst professor ever, but both classes are very difficult.

Richard Calabrese

Expecting an A
Anonymous
01/17/2013

Professor: Very smart and knowledgable. He teaches using the chalkboard - with some special lectures via powerpoint towards the end of the semester. A lot of my friends don't like him, but I think he is one of the best Chem-E professors at UMD. However, you need to pay attention in class. A lot of people complain that he goes to fast and that the material is hard to understand, but if you pay attention, and take good notes, then you will be fine with understanding the concepts and homeworks. Class: Very interesting subject; quickly became my favorite class. There are three (3) tests: two (2) midterms and one (1) final. Each test is worth 30 % of your grade. The final 10 % comes from homeworks and clicker questions. The clickers are geared more towards attendence then right/wrong answers. Generally, his curve is > 70% = A. Before each exam, he posts two past semester's exams to help you know what to expect. The exams are open book, but not open note. I generally only used my notes for the homeworks - but when I learned that the tests were open book, I tried to become more familiar with it to help me find things quickly during the test. You can tab things in the book, but don't write anything in an obvious place because he will take the book away during the test. Be quick on the tests; if you can't finish a problem that's ok - he gives more points for setting it up correctly rather then having the algebra done. The book was helpful for learning some things, but I generally focused more on my notes (I take good notes). Regarding the homeworks: don't be afraid to go to office hours. However, I recommend that you attempt the homework yourself first - at least how to set it up (that's the hardest part!). Office hours will be helpful in determining if you are on the right track. Overall: I loved this class. Sit in the front rows, pay attention, ask questions, study and you will definately pass.

Richard Calabrese

Expecting a B
Anonymous
12/31/2012

Yes, very difficult. His exams would probably really take 3 hours to do, however he gives you 1.25 hours and he grades hard. 50-69 on a test is a B, and anything above is an A. Hws are hard and take a long time. Calabrese is kind of witty, and his notes are all over the place on the board, but they're good if you look at them. I know this is nearly impossible with a chbe schedule, but if you can look at the textbook section ahead of the class period, this will help you understand what he's talking about. The textbook takes time to get used to, but then it gets kind of funny.

Richard Calabrese

Expecting an A
average650
03/28/2009

Very difficult professor. I find his lectures impossible to pay attention in. He goes very fast so you can't take effective notes, all you can do is write down the important equations and try learn what else you can, if you can pay attention. The book is not great and he doesn't always follow it so it can be very difficult when you don't pay attention. Very hard tests. 70% is an A, and most people don't get A's. The homeworks are very long and difficult and continually ruin my monday nights. He grades fairly, but he makes the class more difficult than it actually needs to be. If his lectures we more organized, explained, and a little slowerm the class would be easier and we'd learn just as much. Not the worst professor ever, but both classes are very difficult.