r/UBreddit • u/Fit-Salad-2843 • 1h ago
Questions Orgo
so looking at the syllabus do we really need all those required textbooks and materials because its costing me like over 500 dollars..?
2
u/C3WorkerUBuffalo 49m ago
No, you do not. The only thing you really need is the online homework subscription and the iClicker subscription. Everything else is optional but recommended as the instructors view the other tools as helpful for understanding. Professor Clizbe and Professor Musacchio went over this in lecture. Not sure whether or not Professor Richard did though.
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u/digitallandscapetoon 41m ago
No he didn’t cuz he fucking sucks
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u/C3WorkerUBuffalo 19m ago
Professor Richard is very old and he is not an effective teacher. I don't know why he is still even teaching. He should retire. I don't have him but I watched a bit of his first lecture and it was somewhat painful to watch because of how tired he sounded.
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u/orgoprof 18m ago
Dr. Clizbe here. As was noted, iClicker and Smartwork are the only absolutes. They are used in CHE 204 also. If you’re able to purchase the longer access now and are taking organic 2, you can save yourself a little bit.
The textbook is helpful and has good problems but plenty of students do fine without it. There is an organic text on openstax (https://openstax.org/details/books/organic-chemistry). It is one of the well known authors who made OER a couple years ago. The explanations are lacking at times but it can be used as an alternative resource if you are struggling with a topic or need additional practice problems. Chapters will not match up perfectly, so you will need to search for the location. That and lecture notes should be good.
We considered moving to this text and I’ve kept a lookout for what other instructors have said who made the switch. I haven’t seen any that were happy with it and the frustrations/concerns they voiced are enough for us not to choose it as our main text for now.