Students report a heavy workload requiring about 10 hours weekly, including frequent exams and extensive textbook reading. The course is fast-paced and difficult, with exams noted as particularly hard and requiring significant study time.
“Used by” includes alternatives; linked courses may have other requirements. This is a best-effort interpretation; check the catalog requirements above.
Raw average: 4.47/5 from 256 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.
For this course: 4.7/5 raw quality · 3.6/5 difficulty · 98
reviews
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
Stephen Block is consistently praised for his enthusiasm, approachability, and ability to make difficult chemistry concepts digestible through engaging lectures and humor. Reviewers highlight his thorough explanations and willingness to assist outside of class, though some note that his soft-spoken style or occasional unclear points require active student engagement.
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2023: 3.48 GPA, 69.2% A/AB (n=224 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.36 GPA, 63.6% A/AB (n=316 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.24 GPA, 55.8% A/AB (n=330 letter grades).
Raw average: 4.34/5 from 64 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.
For this course: 3.4/5 raw quality · 3.0/5 difficulty · 5
reviews
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
Jeremy Weaver is a solid professor who explains concepts and offers accessible office hours. Reviewers note his humor and clear expectations, though one finds his frequent question-taking disruptive.
One reviewer criticizes Weaver for explaining topics incorrectly, reading slides, and causing scheduling confusion where labs precede relevant lectures. This negative experience contrasts with other reports of his engagement and clarity.
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2025: 3.17 GPA, 49.0% A/AB (n=335 letter grades).
Raw average: 4.24/5 from 29 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.
For this course: 4.5/5 raw quality · 3.6/5 difficulty · 26
reviews
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
Sam Pazicni delivers clear, engaging, and funny lectures that make difficult chemistry concepts accessible. Reviewers appreciate his passion and willingness to answer questions, though some find his pace fast. He is consistently rated highly for his teaching quality.
The course is difficult with a heavy workload. Exams are described as brutal and hard. While the honors project boosts grades for some, others caution it lacks a massive curve, emphasizing the need for consistent weekly work.
Raw average: 5.00/5 from 3 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
Historical reviews of Jaclyn Trate: Stephen Block provides helpful Piazza answers and lectures that students attend or watch online. Reviewers note that asking questions, particularly in labs, is important for success in the course.
DANIEL FREDRICKSON is recorded teaching in Fall 2017. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
ETIENNE GARAND is recorded teaching in Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2020, Fall 2021. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
FRANK KEUTSCH is recorded teaching in Fall 2006, Fall 2007, Fall 2009, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2014. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
IVE HERMANS is recorded teaching in Fall 2015, Fall 2016. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
JACLYN TRATE is recorded teaching in Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
JEREMIAH DUNCAN is recorded teaching in Fall 2008. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
JEREMY WEAVER is recorded teaching in Fall 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
JOHN MOORE is recorded teaching in Fall 2006, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2015, Spring 2016. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
MAHESH MAHANTHAPPA is recorded teaching in Fall 2006, Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
MARTIN ZANNI is recorded teaching in Fall 2007. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
RANDALL GOLDSMITH is recorded teaching in Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
STEPHEN BLOCK is recorded teaching in Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future
schedule.
Calendar & sections
Fall 2026
Schedule loads here as you scroll.
Section
Mode
Enrolled / capacity
Waitlist
LEC 001
Classroom Instruction
349 / 352
2
DIS 547
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 847
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 501
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
DIS 502
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 503
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 504
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 510
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
DIS 512
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 801
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
LAB 802
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 803
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 804
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 810
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
LAB 812
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 549
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 550
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 849
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 850
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 509
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 511
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 809
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 811
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 513
Classroom Instruction
23 / 22
2
LAB 813
Classroom Instruction
23 / 22
2
LEC 002
Classroom Instruction
330 / 342
3
DIS 551
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 851
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 514
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 814
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 552
Classroom Instruction
23 / 22
0
LAB 852
Classroom Instruction
23 / 22
0
DIS 541
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
1
DIS 542
Classroom Instruction
0 / 22
0
DIS 543
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
1
DIS 544
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 841
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
1
LAB 842
Classroom Instruction
0 / 0
0
LAB 843
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
1
LAB 844
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LEC 003
Classroom Instruction
78 / 84
0
LAB 862
Classroom Instruction
19 / 20
0
LAB 863
Classroom Instruction
21 / 20
0
DIS 562
Classroom Instruction
19 / 22
0
DIS 563
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
DIS 564
Classroom Instruction
18 / 22
0
LAB 864
Classroom Instruction
18 / 20
0
DIS 507
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 807
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 508
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 808
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 548
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 848
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 505
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
LAB 805
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
DIS 506
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 806
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 515
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 815
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 516
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
LAB 816
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
DIS 545
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 845
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 546
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 846
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 553
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 853
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 554
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 854
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 555
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 855
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 556
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
1
LAB 856
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
1
DIS 561
Classroom Instruction
20 / 22
0
LAB 861
Classroom Instruction
20 / 20
0
LEC 004
Classroom Instruction
154 / 220
1
DIS 581
Classroom Instruction
23 / 22
0
LAB 881
Classroom Instruction
23 / 22
0
DIS 582
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 882
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 583
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 883
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 584
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 884
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 585
Classroom Instruction
0 / 22
0
LAB 885
Classroom Instruction
0 / 0
0
DIS 586
Classroom Instruction
0 / 22
0
LAB 886
Classroom Instruction
0 / 0
0
DIS 587
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
LAB 887
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
0
DIS 588
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
LAB 888
Classroom Instruction
21 / 22
0
DIS 589
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
1
LAB 889
Classroom Instruction
22 / 22
1
DIS 590
Classroom Instruction
0 / 22
0
LAB 890
Classroom Instruction
0 / 0
0
Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections. Enrollment reflects scan time.
CHEM 109 is a challenging course with significant workload, but current instructors Stephen Block and Sam Pazicni are highly praised for making the material engaging and understandable. Jeremy Weaver is described as a solid professor who explains concepts clearly.
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2023: 3.52 GPA, 72.8% A/AB (n=507 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.39 GPA, 65.8% A/AB (n=708 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.23 GPA, 54.2% A/AB (n=821 letter grades).
difficulty & workload
Students report a heavy workload requiring about 10 hours weekly, including frequent exams and extensive textbook reading. The course is fast-paced and difficult, with exams noted as particularly hard and requiring significant study time.
Pazicni is noted for engaging lectures and clear explanations, often pausing for questions. Weaver is described as knowledgeable and caring, though one review criticizes his slide-heavy lectures and incorrect explanations.
Topics
Atomic and molecular structure.
Chemical equilibrium.
Acid-base chemistry.
Thermodynamics.
Kinetics.
Electrochemistry.
Skills
Introduction to laboratory techniques.
Understanding atomic structure, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, and electrochemistry.
Grades
Historical instructor
Fall 2026 · Projected
Before grades are released
3.183.18–3.583.58average GPA
Approximate 80% prediction interval
0.04.0
About this estimate
The course’s semester-average GPA, not an individual student’s grade. The center uses 5 same-season terms, weighted toward recent results.
The range uses the finite-sample 80th-percentile rank of absolute errors from earlier same-season forecasts. Each forecast uses only records from earlier terms. At least four forecasts are required; bounds are rounded outward and limited to 0–4. This is an empirical estimate: changing instructors or grading policies can reduce its coverage.
8 earlier forecasts · 0.11 GPA average error.
Grades over time
Through Fall 2026
More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data
Where this course fits relative to
Latest available grades · Fall 2025 · all course levels
3.233.23GPA
Higher than 1212% of other courses
in this group.
Course GPAs · red marks this course’s range
821821letter grades
More recorded grades than 9999% of other courses in this group.
Typical course in this group: 70.070.0 letter grades.
About this comparison
1320 courses over the same term, each with at least 30
recorded letter grades. Cross-listed courses count once. GPA is not a measure
of difficulty or teaching quality. The typical course is the median by recorded
grade count; tied values are not counted as lower. Grade counts describe course scale, not unique students or typical section size.
Descriptions compare GPA with this group’s average: at least 0.20 higher or lower; otherwise close to average. Section size uses median recorded enrollment: small up to 30, mid-sized 31–99, large 100+. Lectures and discussion/lab sections are described separately.
Sources & history
UW–Madison
Catalog & offerings
Descriptions, prerequisites, and recorded course offerings.
Catalog observation history
Observations at scan time; dates do not imply when a catalog change took effect.