Mason is not suited at all to teach 14B. He told us he usually teaches the 20 series for chem (physical chemistry) so his teaching approach did not appeal to many students. First, he wastes a large amount of time doing derivations, only to end with the phrase "but you won't need to do this on the test." Second, he never did any example problems in class so it was up to the TA's to do that. (but you could always switch TA's or attend another discussion if yours isn't helpful). Third, he would post helpful practice exams online but refused to post any solutions (so no one was sure if their answers were right). And fourth, the class wasn't curved and the extra credit he assigns if often lengthy.
By the end of the session, 98 people (out of 160) dropped the class. This class isn't impossible though, just be warned b/c if you take it over the summer it can be easy to slack off. Just do practice problems EVERYDAY and stay on track. This is even more fast paced since its only six weeks so best of luck. If you can though, try to take this class with another professor. Its not the worst if you end up in Mason's class, but definitely look into other teachers if you have the option.

Professor Mason is a very dry, monotone professor. It was very difficult to stay fully engaged during lectures.

Here is the breakdown of points:
- Five homework problem sets (20 points each)
- Midterm 1 (100 points)
- Midterm 2 (100 points)
- Final Exam (200 points)

The average for the first midterm was 52/100, the average for the second midterm was 72/100, and the average for the final was 130/200.

Although the exams were not curved whatsoever, the professor did offer a maximum of 100 bonus points. The bonus points consisted of extra homework problems, practical application problems, and a trip to the California Science Center or Petersen's Auto Museum.

To do the homework, you need the Atkins' Chemical Principles textbook. You can find the textbook for free at libgen.io
The fifth edition along with the solutions manual is also free on that website.

Preparation for exams:
You are allowed an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper front side for the first midterm and 8 1/2 x 11 sheet front and back on the second midterm and final. To prepare for the exams, go through the homework and do each problem type. Also, he posts practice midterms that moderately prepare you for the actual exam because the professor constructs unique exams for each and every midterm and final.
Go to the review sessions and all discussions. I had a TA that was not helpful, so I attended the discussions of another TA that was helpful. This TA was helpful in working out questions similar to the homework problems and question types on the tests. I highly recommend Ha Seong as your TA.

In retrospect, there were several moments I wanted to follow my classmates and drop this course. However, I pushed through and with the bonus points and homework assignments I was able to earn the grade I set out for myself and you can too.

Best of luck!

In lecture, he mainly tried to summarize topics of each chapter but his explanations weren't helpful because they are too vague. He doesn't spend time during lecture to go over problems and wastes a lot of time showing us how to derive equations which we are not required to do on tests. He gives practice midterms but refuses to release a solutions guide and encourages students to work together which isn't a useful studying strategy because not everyone is able to comprehend the material during a short time period. To be honest, Professor Manson is a nice dude but I think the majority of my classmates and I struggled with was the fast pace of the class due to the length of the summer sessions. So my advice is to not take science courses during the summer. You are better off taking general ed or other humanities courses. Best of Luck!

I had to drop the class. Professor Mason is very vague in his lectures, he gives an excessive amount of homework that never pertained to his confusing, almost meaningless lectures, and his exams would be purely mathematical when he would only go over seemingly abstract concepts and did not work through any applications of math in class. Don't waste your time and energy in Mason's class. If you really want to have at least some comprehension of Thermodynamics, I suggest looking for another professor.

By the third week of class, there was only approximately 20 students of an initial 200 still going to that class everyday. This is just to show you how awful the experience was.

Good Professor. I would take the class with him again. The lectures were boring, but he was a wonderful lecturer. Very friendly and very helpful. He allows you to have a cheat sheet on the midterms and finals.

Selling the textbook and solution manual for $70.

I live near campus so can meet on campus!

Please feel free to contact me,
**********

(First come first serve)

selling chemical principles the quest for insight 5th edition and the solution manual for 115 OBO. books are in great condition, better than used condition. Ill be on campus all summer. if interested email me at *************

Professor Mason was a good professor. He was very approachable, and he will answer any question you have for him carefully and with concern. I took his chemistry 14B class over the summer.

Professor Mason, well he is just really good at teaching chemistry. Simple as that. I mean, he knows exactly what steps to take while lecturing that help with understanding information. His lectures are impeccably organized, as well as his teaching style. He goes through many problems during lecture, and makes sure that the students understand the information, which is great because it helps you understand other thermo problems. I like his teaching strategy more, compared to Lavelle's boring conceptual strategy.

Also, he is one of the few chemistry professors that actually gives credit for completing homework assignments. I have no regrets taking his class, I really understood thermodynamics. I just wish we spent more time on organic chemistry; would've been nice, but thats not his fault.

As great of a chemistry professor he is, professor Mason does have one flaw. He tends to talk very slowly sometimes, and that draws people to fall asleep. Frankly, I wouldn't even consider this a flaw. Because of that characteristic, I was able to write more precise notes. Most students fell asleep during class, but hey who cares! Honestly better for the students who were alert during class. They helped with the extremely generous curve.

My final score was an 85%, but I ended up with an A.

Awesome professor 10/10, take him, but stay awake, and you will be fine.

XOXO Gossip Girl

(Just kidding it's Gary ;D)