CHEM 4320

The course material is difficult and there is a lot of it but Machan is really approachable and gives you a great idea of what will be on the tests. Read the textbook and do the practice problems as well as redoing the practice problems from class. It takes up so much time but it's all you have to do to get a good grade.

Although Prof. Machan is a good lecturer, he falls short of the ideal when writing exams and helping people understand the material. Previous reviews have said that his practice problems and review sessions give a good idea of what is on the exam. This is no longer the case. This semester in particular he seems to have gotten the idea that previous exams were too easy, and writes the Fall 2025 exams with a particular eye for concepts he didn't focus on in class, weren't topics of review sessions, and never emphasized in class material.
His communication style also leaves something to be desired. Multiple times important information was only communicated buried in the text of a single email or post, and he was borderline rude on multiple occasions. I have heard from multiple that he is often rude and combative in office hours and openly belittles people who ask questions.
Although I have to emphasize that he is an effective lecturer, he is not a good professor. Sadly, he is the only option for a required class in the major, and it shows.