Brian Esselman teaches a demanding course with 2+ hour labs and 5+ hour postlab reports. Students found him approachable, though some criticized the disorganization, TAs giving wrong answers, and reliance on old videos. Exams were manageable for those who stayed on top of the material, but lab grading criteria were sometimes confusing.
Organic Chemistry II covers molecular structure and bonding to predict reactivity in aromatic, benzylic, allylic, and carbonyl systems, emphasizing stereochemistry, regiochemistry, and spectroscopic analysis.
Brian Esselman taught with clear lectures and provided practice exams and problem sets that students found helpful for preparation. He emphasized understanding concepts over memorization, while exams were described as difficult and requiring significant study time. One student noted the course graded on four exams and three quizzes.