Let me get right to the point: this class is hard, but it's NOT THAT BAD.

I was so scared to take Chem 14A because of all of the horror stories I heard about Lavelle's class. But honestly, honestly, it's not that bad.

Yes, I did take AP Chem (junior year), and I reviewed a little over the summer, so maybe that made a difference. This class was mostly review for me, in the sense that I had seen all of the material before.

However, I still worked really hard, and I'm confident that even if you didn't take AP Chem, you will be just fine. He does give a lot of homework, but you have all of it ahead of time. Actually, he never even collects it, so it's up to you to have the discipline to do it. One thing I like about this class is how structured it is- no surprises.

Just DO THE HOMEWORK, and go into any TA's office hours and/or Lavelle's office hours to clarify any questions you have on the homework. Don't worry about reading the textbook, because I did in the beginning and it's sort of a waste of time. It doesn't hurt, but it goes way too in depth and his course reader outlines the level of understanding that you need to have.

Do the workbook, understand it, do the practice midterms, do the practice finals. I'm not a genius, I'm a sorority girl, and I'm pretty sure I got and uncurved A.

This class isn't "easy," but it's chem.... chem is never easy. It's definitely do-able though, and as long as you stay on top of your work I promise you'll be just fine! Don't be scared of Lavelle! He's a nice guy! And this is coming from a girl that never paid attention in lectures by the way (too boring.. do the homework and read the course reader and lectures aren't that important hate to say it...)

Well, I'm taking 14B with Lavelle next quarter.. hoping I have a similar experience!

Seeing so many mixed responses, I wasn't quite sure what to expect for Lavelle, but this class is NOT BAD. His teaching style focuses on math/algebra, so just know if that's your strength, you'll be ok! If you've taken AP Chem, it definitely helps to transition into this class since we go over so many similar concepts! The only chapters I thought that were pretty challenging were quantum mechanics (first chapter) and titrations (last chapter), but if you take the time to do the practice problems and ask TAs for help (ask around to see who's good for your level; Devon explained titrations in a great straightforward manner), you'll learn all of the tools you need for the quizzes, midterm, and final!

*Note: I recommend buying the Course Reader for your own year and not from past years since you also get practice quiz problems which can override your worst quiz score!

I don't tie my shoelaces before walking to school because I want to die before I make it to this class

I'm selling the course reder for $45, email me at *************

I got the textbook and solutions manual for sale for lavelle. email me at *************

Really straight forward professor. Take him for 14A. I would recommend Scerri or whatever that guy's name is who looks like the evil villan from spiderman for 14B. I had a shitty AP Chem professor, and I still did really well in this class.

Professor Lavelle is a nice guy but not really a good professor. I had him for 14 A and 14 B and I got an A- in both. in order to do good on quizzes you must do all the problems assigned in the book. to succeed on the midterm and final, just do all the practice tests in the course reader. You gotta study A LOT but as long as you are about 10% above average you should be able to get an A-. Lectures are very very boring so for me it was just nap time. If you have time i suggest you go to as many discussion sections as possible. ask around to see who are the good TA's and go to their discussions (jennifer casey and xiaming and janie and rob tobolowsky are awesome TA's) and go their office hours if you have questions about any concepts or problems in the book. Not too bad. I didn't take AP chem in high school and I did good so there is no need to be scared just be prepared to work

Okay, so here's an evaluation for 14A an 14B coming from someone who's never taken ANY chemistry in his life ever (No regular chem/honors chem/AP Chem)

I had Lavelle very recently for 14A (Fall 2011) and 14B (Winter 2012). I ended up getting an A in 14A and an A- in 14B. According to a lot of the reviews here, I should have failed because "omg yu didnt takez teh ap chem lawl. ur soo gunna fail". I'll give you an honest evaluation of how to do well in this professor's class.

First off, 14A: The key to 14A is to read the book and take notes. Try reading the section that Lavelle is going to cover that day in class (it's only about 3-4 pages a day with lots of pictures--not too bad), and pay attention at his lectures. Sometimes he gives small extra examples here and there and trust me, it DOES help to pay attention. By reading the material beforehand, lecture only helps supplement what you're learning in class. In addition, try to get in the habit of doing the problem sets that he gives in his course reader, because you will notice that his midterms are very very similar to his problem sets. If you stay on top of them, I guarantee that the quizzes will be cake. Another thing to note is to note just "go through the steps" with certain kinds of problems. Actually understand WHY you're doing something. Ex: Why do we have to convert Torr's to bars for this problem to work? And last of all, the main way to do well on Lavelle's finals and midterms is to do all of the previous years' midterms that are located in the back of your course reader, IN A TIMELY MANNER. This means, start doing the practice tests maybe 1.5 weeks in advance so you can have enough time to ask questions, go to office hours, if needed. On his previous midterms and tests, bear in mind that the way to do well on "trick questions" is to simply pay attention and try to apply the method of problem solving from other questions to the one you are trying to solve. I ended up getting A's on both the midterm and final following this method.

Now onto 14B: This class is harder than 14A-- I'll be completely honest, due to the material. A lot of people on here complain that Lavelle is being unfair by giving a hard final, etc, but think of the reason for him doing so. Is he REALLY a sick twisted man that loves seeing pre-med kids drown in their tears, as they are plunged into the depths of oblivion? No. He's trying to do a favor for those people who actually stay on top of their work and don't try to take the easy way out of things. For 14B studying, as well as doing the same things that I mentioned in the 14A thing above, try going to the test bank before quizzes and getting a few quizzes from previous years. Traditionally, the first quiz is rather difficult compared to his other quizzes (which are written by the TA's, by the way), and the best way to prep for it is to do old quizzes in addition to your course reader problems sets. Yes, thermodynamics is filled with lots of equations here and there, so PLAN AHEAD.

To sum it all up, the way to succeed in 14A and 14B is to read the book, do the problem sets, and attend lecture, to clarify material. I can definitely say that I'm happy that I took Lavelle and that I truly do feel more prepared for 14C.

Overall, bear in mind that this is the most honest review and advice I could give, and that it's coming from someone that had absolutely no chemistry background in high school. A fair amount of effort is all it takes to do well in this class.

Well, I had Professor Lavelle for 14A and 14B.
If you've taken any chem in high school take him for 14A and give yourself the easiest science A. his tests are calculations and stuff so you shouldn't suffer.. just do the problems on a DAILY BASIS please GOD, i wish I had a time machine to go back and do that so I could change that B+ to an A-

HOWEVER,
for 14B avoid avoid AVOID this professor. He gets increasingly conceptual for some odd reason, and there's no longer a balance that if the midterm's tough, the final's easy. HIS TESTS ARE REALLY HARD FOR 14B take ANYONE ELSE but him.

Have fun, hopefully my advice helped you.

Personally, I liked Lavelle. A lot of people don't like his teaching style and find his class too difficult, but I thought he was pretty cool. Not an easy A by any means, but his accent is awesome! Don't be as afraid of him as some people make him out to be. I almost didn't take his class due to all the terrible and intimidating reviews, but he ended up being quite enjoyable. I even took him again for 14B!