Absolutely awful.... however test are easy compared to other classes; the reason the curve is so low is because everyone is stupid from learning with him. DON'T DO IT. Use class time to go to the library and teach your self, he reads verbatim out of the book anyways and if at all possible sit in on Yoon's lectures and you might learn something.Rate My Professors ↗
Historical instructor
STEPHEN NELSEN
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Quality 1/5Difficulty 1/5
Quality 1/5Difficulty 5/5
Probably one of the worst professors I have ever had. You can not understand when he speaks, he can't write on the board, and his exams are brutal. My advice is to read and memorize the books. He shows you reactions but not WHY they occur, which is what you need to know...Good Luck! Pick a different professor if possible...Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 1/5Difficulty 3/5
God Awful!Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 1/5Difficulty 5/5
DINOSAUR. This man should be retired. Clearly knowledgeable, just as clear: not made for teaching. His chicken scratches on the board are useless, uses reagents not found in the book on tests. and he mumbles...A LOT. The curve ROCKS but you must be able to teach yourself or you're screwed.Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 1/5Difficulty 5/5
Terrible... just terrible, worst "teacher" I have ever had, and that includes my forth grade teacher that punched my classmate for having TWO pairs of school scissors in his desk instead of just one (and than pushed him to the ground for crying about it).Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 1/5Difficulty 4/5
He knows chemistry, but certainly doesn't know how to teach it. Don't go to lecture, you won't be able to read the board or hear what he says. If you can teach yourself, then take his class and benefit from the curve.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with STEPHEN NELSEN
Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory covers multi-step synthesis, advanced techniques like high-vacuum distillation, and independent research.
No offering record · Fall 2012
with this instructor · course overall, matching historical terms
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2008–Fall 2012Recorded teaching history
Distinct courses recorded per term
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2012 | CHEM 346 | Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
| Spring 2012 | CHEM 346 | Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
| Fall 2011 | CHEM 547 | Advanced Organic Chemistry |
| Spring 2011 | CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry II |
| Spring 2011 | CHEM 990 | Research |
| Fall 2010 | CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry II |
| Fall 2010 | CHEM 682 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2010 | CHEM 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2010 | CHEM 990 | Research |
| Spring 2010 | CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry II |
| Spring 2010 | CHEM 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Spring 2010 | CHEM 990 | Research |
| Fall 2009 | CHEM 547 | Advanced Organic Chemistry |
| Fall 2009 | CHEM 990 | Research |
| Spring 2009 | CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry II |
| Spring 2009 | CHEM 990 | Research |
| Fall 2008 | CHEM 641 | Advanced Organic Chemistry |
| Spring 2008 | CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry II |
| Spring 2008 | CHEM 990 | Research |
| Fall 2007 | CHEM 641 | Advanced Organic Chemistry |
| Fall 2007 | CHEM 990 | Research |
| Spring 2007 | CHEM 547 | Advanced Organic Chemistry |
| Spring 2007 | CHEM 699 | Directed Study |
| Spring 2007 | CHEM 990 | Research |
| Fall 2006 | CHEM 641 | Advanced Organic Chemistry |
| Fall 2006 | CHEM 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2006 | CHEM 990 | Research |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
{
"instructor_uid": "instructor_fc6382d5749a74dc0b82fede",
"source": "madgrades",
"source_instructor_id": "2600944",
"identity_basis": "source_id",
"identity_status": "source_identified",
"name": "STEPHEN NELSEN",
"email": null,
"first_observed_at": "2026-09-06 23:14:58.172943+00:00",
"last_observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
"ratings": {
"review_count": 34,
"quality": 1.38,
"difficulty": 4.15,
"quality_count": 34,
"difficulty_count": 34,
"profile_id": "rmp:619581",
"source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/619581",
"match_basis": "exact_name",
"observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:04:45.429768+00:00",
"courses": {
"course_daf4a0053696c0e96c07064d": {
"review_count": 26,
"quality": 1.31,
"difficulty": 4.15,
"quality_count": 26,
"difficulty_count": 26
},
"course_cd61788835b38f3e2ffee992": {
"review_count": 2,
"quality": 1,
"difficulty": 5,
"quality_count": 2,
"difficulty_count": 2
}
},
"bayesian_quality": 2.2243280679802204,
"prior_mean": 3.6596857835465957,
"prior_weight": 20
},
"grade_statistics": {
"gpa": 2.805,
"graded": 854,
"counts": [
179,
107,
213,
76,
220,
36,
23
],
"sections": 29
},
"current": false,
"courses": [],
"revision": "b68f68efcd3387a01fee00416f57beb6d43f3bcb",
"instructor_url": "/instructors/STEPHEN_NELSEN--instructor_fc6382d5749a74dc0b82fede"
}