Professor Garg is one of the best professors at UCLA. He has the ability to convey the logic behind chemical reactions and mechanisms. Unlike other professors, his tests are fair and predictable. Predictable in the sense that if you studied then you should do alright if not great. Here is my advise to get an A:

1. Take careful notes in class. He writes down everything that you need to know on the board. You should know it forwards and backwards. It may seem alot, but if you organize it by color coding each type of reaction (ie Alkenes, benzenes, etc)on printer paper or make flash cards, then its does not seems too bad. You would actually find many similarities between mechanisms. Also, Garg is very nice, to the point where he tells you what you do not need to know for the class.

2. Do the problem sets and practice midterms. They are literally the same type of questions he will ask on the exams. If you mastered those questions, then you should do alright on the exams. Honestly, Professor Garg is not there to trick you, but to actually challenge you and help you understand the concepts in chemistry.

3. Go to office hours. Garg is a very approachable professor. He honestly is not there to get you, but to help you (he says that all the time--and its true). Plus, you get that professor-student connection

4. Discussion section: Its really a time where you could ask your ta any mechanism that seems unclear. Also, it helps you earn up to 3% extra credit (that only applies if you actually have a registered clicker and participate in the clicker questions.)

5. Do the extra credit! He gave out two extra credit "projects." The first one is making a ring tone. However, only the top five got five extra credit point. The second extra credit oppertunity is the music videos. Almost everybody gets ten extra credit points if they actually did a video. If your music video is supurb, then you can get 15 extra credit points.

6. Retrosythesis problems may seem painful. But in reality, they are just puzzles. If you think about them as that, then you may find them easier to solve, if not interesting and amusing.

If you follow these tips, there is no reason why you shouldnt get an A in his class.

The bottom line: Take 14d with Garg. You will not regret it.

1. Wait until Spring Quarter to take 14D with Garg, you will not regret it. Just do it.
2. Hands down, one of the best professors at UCLA. My personal favorite, actually.
3. If you are struggling in the chemistry series, don't worry, Garg totally makes up for your past experiences with 14a b and c.
4. Very enjoyable class.
5. Very approachable professor. Get to know him. Attend office hours.
6. Participate in class/extra credit opportunities.
7. Attend the lectures - he's a great professor; just go to the first one, and you'll know what I mean -- you'll keep coming back to learn more chemistry.
8. Have fun and enjoy learning 14D! :D

It really says something about a professor when a lecture hall of 400 is full to the brim throughout all 10 weeks of lecture (with many students even sitting on the steps of CS50), and when the students give him a standing ovation at the conclusion of the last lecture.

Neil is extremely personable, approachable, and in general concerned with student learning. He aims to make the lecture hall feel more like a classroom environment, and he succeeds by and large.

The material is indeed difficult, but Neil's teaching style made it very easy to understand - he used the chalkboard, drawing up and writing up examples and his lecture notes. He provides enough information that students are able to understand concepts, but not so much that it becomes completely overwhelming.

He and the TAs also provide plenty of practice problems, all of which are greatly helpful in preparation for exams. His TAs are chosen directly from his research lab group, and are all highly capable and qualified to do help you succeed.

In addition, Neil is quick to respond to emails and VOH questions (both very helpful for this course), and is very patient during office hours - he will take the time to explain concepts and answer questions to assure that you understand the material.

This class is indeed challenging, and Neil will include problems on exams designed to make you think. However, all of the material is covered in detail in class, and an A is attainable (take this as the word of someone who had done poorly in the entire chemistry series, and yet still achieved an A - even without doing the extra credit).

On the subject of extra credit, Neil offers many creative and fun opportunities to gain extra points, which help reinforce the material taught in lecture. He also tends to introduce themes/culture references for the quarter, which makes things a little more fun and interesting (e.g. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Princess Bride).

TL;DR - Neil is an amazing professor; if you have the option, wait until spring quarter to take the course with him.

P.S. Tips on acing the course:
1. Learn reactions (conditions, reagents, mechanisms, etc.) the week he gives them to you - they're not too difficult, but there are a lot of them. Flash cards are great.

2. Write down any dates, names, molecules he brings up in lecture/draws on the board. Neil often uses these as extra credit questions on exams, and they aren't tough to remember.

3. The book is not necessary to do well in the course, but it does provide background and thorough explanation to help you understand. (It is rather dense literature however.)

4. Synthesis will most likely be difficult at first, but keep practicing and remember your reactions (see #1)

5. Volunteer for demonstrations/questions in lecture! He may give out awesome rewards =)

14D has definitely been the course I've enjoyed the most at UCLA, as well as the one I've learned the most from. I cannot express enough how thankful I am to have taken this course with him.

O MY HOT DAMN I need to put in my two cents for this man!!!!!!

First of all, there is NOTHING in the existence of this planet that i hate more than chemistry. It is the BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. NOTHING let me repeat NOTHING compares to my hatred, that burns with the white hot intensity of a thousand sun, for chemistry. HOWEVER, Garg made chem actually sort of itty-bitty teeny-weeny, almost enjoyable.....almost. My love for Garg almost trumps my hatred of chemistry....almost. He not only cares about students PERSONALLY learning the material, he is funny, kind, and just a wonderful human being. His extra credit is freaken bombdiggity, and everything he does is FAIR. My run of chem grades goes c-, c-, c+, D, B-. so you see how my hate for chem shows though my grades, but honestly if i tried a little harder i could have easily gotten at least an A-, i just took Garg for granted and didn't study hard enough. The material is still difficult, don't get me wrong, its just GARG being such a WONDERFUL MAN, makes it all sugar coated with love and care :] i FREAKEN love him!!! Oh, and Stephen as a TA is also FREAKEN AWESOME and ADORABLE TO BOOT. Seriously...he's so cute i just want to kick him! and he's an AMAZING TA!!!! uggg I want to marry them both :[ If Garg is enough to make my write an evaluation and Stephen is enough to make me go to an 8 AM discussion in FREAKING BOTONY, then you just know that these guys are worth waiting for!!!!!

I was wondering whether the two years of excited chatter about the new 14D professor was merely hype... but no, Dr. Garg not only meets, but exceeds all expectations you could have of a professor!

14D is naturally challenging, but Garg renders it manageable and makes you feel as if you can really understand ochem. His tests are extremely fair: if you do the problem sets (he doesn't throw a Thinkbook of problems at you--all psets can be finished with not too much time) and past exams, practically nothing on the midterms/final is a surprise. His synthesis problems will require some critical thinking, but there is ample practice for that.

I needn't mention much about how great of a guy in general he is; the other reviews can attest to that. He definitely imparts a personal touch to his teaching--whether it be in life advice he gives in his lectures, or personally emailing people who did well in the class after final grades came out, or saying hi to you should you pass him by on campus (even if you never went to OHs!)

In short, take this professor for 14D. He'll change your view of not only 14-series, not only south campus, but all professors in general. On the last day of lecture, he got a standing ovation--he definitely deserved it!

DR. GARG IS SERIOUSLY THE BEST PROFESSOR I HAVE EVER HAD!

The chemistry series was a little difficult for me and I was starting to get discouraged by chemistry, until I had professor Garg. He is by far the most amazing professor out there. He is truly concerned about his students learning and genuinely wants us to learn, and him to help in any way possible. This man will change your view of not only chemistry, but professors. I have had horrible professors here at UCLA and Garg gave me hope that there are still some professors out there who want you to learn and love to teach. I loved Dr. Garg's class, and I was actually pretty bummed out the last day that it was over!

Dr. Garg is by far the kindest, most caring and most educational professor I have ever had. His voice never puts you to sleep, and he doesn't talk about his cats all day - but the way he teaches is so engaging, you'll want to learn even if you hate chemistry (like I do). 14D is a difficult class with a lot of information being thrown at you in a short amount of time, but Garg makes it all manageable. If you have any questions at all, he always answers them and makes sure you understand everything that's being taught. His TA's are great, also very helpful and very nice. There is a lot of extra credit presented to you, and if you're really not getting it no matter how much you study, you can just talk to Garg and he'll always help you understand. He genuinely cares about all his students, and wants everyone to do well and pass the class. Trust me, wait a quarter or two and take it with Garg. It's worth it, I promise.

I had 14D and 89 with him. By far, the most amazing professor at UCLA. Very inspirational and makes you want to learn and come to class. Makes learning enjoyable and is just an overall funny guy. 14D is normally a hard class, but the way he teaches makes it so easy to understand. He is always available to help and answers every question in the best way he can, never making it seem like you have asked a dumb question. There are no dumb questions with him, he just wants to make sure you really understand the material. The way to do well in the class is really go over all the problem sets and practice midterms so that you know how to do each problem perfectly. And when taking the tests, (there are no surprises on the tests, you know exactly what to expect), make sure to double and triple check your answers. There are many extra credit opportunities so make sure to take advantage. Definitely take this class if you have the chance. As far as Chem 89 (the honors section), its a really chill class and you get to learn a lot of cool things without the stress of really worrying about your grade with the added benefit of being able to get know Professor Garg better. Again, by far the best professor I have ever had.

I have never written an evaluation here, but just this once only for Neil Garg. Excellent professor, excellent super TAs, and excellent class overall. He convinced us that organic chemistry can be fun and improved our skills in problem solving. His Spring 2012 class gave him a standing ovation on the last day and there was a reason for it.

Best professor at UCLA...he is inspirational as a professor and as a human being...take 14D with him!