The Ultimate List of the Best Chemistry Professors in US Universities (2024)

Choosing a good college professor is a focal point for students’ academic and personal growth. Great professors, in particular, significantly shape students’ understanding of complex scientific concepts. Indeed, finding the best chemistry professor can lead to a more engaging and effective learning experience. For this reason, students rely on professor ratings and reviews to make informed educational decisions. And they’d better do it!

4 Criteria to Select a Good Professor

Choosing the top chemistry professors involves a comprehensive evaluation based on several critical factors. The primary source for data is Rate My Professors, a platform aggregating student feedback and ratings.

The methodology used to rank these professors includes:

• Student reviews of professors;

Platforms with professors’ ratings provide valuable insights into their experiences, offering qualitative and quantitative data on teaching effectiveness and student satisfaction.

• Percentage of students who would take the professor’s class again;

This criterion reflects the level of satisfaction and approval from students who have experienced the professor’s teaching firsthand. A high percentage of students willing to retake the professor’s class indicates several key factors, like effective teaching methods, positive student engagement, strong reputation, and trust among the student community.

• Average rating on teaching performance and overall quality;

Professors with extensive teaching experience are likely to have refined their teaching methods and better understand student needs. Positive student feedback and high percentages of students willing to retake their classes indicate effective and engaging teaching styles.

• The perceived difficulty level of the courses taught by the professor;

While a challenging curriculum is essential for academic rigor, professors must balance this with supportive teaching methods. Indeed, professors who can maintain high academic standards while being accessible to students are highly valued.

Top 10 Chemistry Professors in the US

1. Alexander Spore.

• University: University of Pittsburgh.
• Would Take Again: 100%.
• Level of Difficulty: 5.
• Average Rating: 5/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 183 reviews.
• Student Feedback: “Dr. Spore is one of the best lecturers I have had at Pitt, and he provides plenty of practice problems. The exams are tricky as they are graded in a way that can cause you to lose points easily due to how questions depend on previous questions. Overall, the class is set up for you to succeed if you stay engaged. Highly recommend it!”

2. Daniel Waddell.

• University: University of Cincinnati.
• Would Take Again: 97%.
• Level of Difficulty: 3.3.
• Average Rating: 5/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 200 reviews.
• Academic Background and Qualifications: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati; BS in Chemistry from Ohio Northern University.
• Student Feedback: “Dr. Waddell was great! He made a nearly 300-person lecture feel very personal. He includes lots of class participation in his lectures to ensure students understand topics. Loved his daily dad jokes as well :)”

3. Tom Huxford.

• University: San Diego State University.
• Would Take Again: 92%.
• Level of Difficulty: 4.
• Average Rating: 5/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 179 reviews.
• Academic Background and Qualifications: “Tom Huxford is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at San Diego State University. During the last fifteen years, Dr. Huxford has worked with literally thousands of SDSU undergraduate and graduate students through his courses, including Introduction to General Chemistry (Chem 100), Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology I (Chem 365), General Biochemistry (Chem 560), and Intermediary Metabolism (Chem 562). The success and popularity of these courses stem directly from his involvement as an active research scientist and Principal Investigator of the Structural Biochemistry Laboratory.”
• Student Feedback: “Huxford is a very caring and attentive professor who makes lectures interesting. The class isn’t easy, but if you take the time to learn the material and take advantage of Huxford’s office hours, you will pass it.”

4. Eric Potma.

• University: UC Irvine.
• Would Take Again: 79%.
• Level of Difficulty: 3.5.
• Average Rating: 5/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 161 reviews.
• Academic Background and Qualifications: Fellow of the Optical Society of America, NSF CAREER Award, Department of Energy Early Career Research Award. Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Groningen.
• Student Feedback: “Professor Potma is a very clear and concise lecturer. He usually allowed a note sheet for the midterms. My only complaint is when he does examples in class, he immediately solves them instead of letting the class do it.”

5. Mary-Ann Robak.

• University: University of California Berkeley.
• Would Take Again: 79%.
• Level of Difficulty: 5.
• Average Rating: 5/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 153 reviews.
• Academic Background and Qualifications: PhD from the University of California, Berkeley; B.S. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
• Student Feedback: “I am so glad to have been able to take this class with this professor. I recommend taking this class with Dr. Robak because she lectures well and cares about her students. There is a lot of homework, practice material, and a generous amount of office hours (which I recommend going to), which can help you succeed in this class.”

6. Rebecca Kissling.

• University: Binghamton University (SUNY).
• Would Take Again: 65%.
• Level of Difficulty: 5.3.
• Average Rating: 5/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 225 reviews.
• Student Feedback: “Dr. K was the best professor I have ever had. While the class is difficult, she clarifies her expectations for the students. She is so caring and passionate about chemistry. You can still get an A without reading the textbook because her lectures are clear. Stay disciplined when going to lectures, or you will fall behind quickly.”

7. Tara Todd.

• University: Vanderbilt University.
• Would Take Again: 88%.
• Level of Difficulty: 4.
• Average Rating: 4.9/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 169 reviews.
• Academic Background and Qualifications: Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas A&M University.
• Student Feedback: “Gen Chem is hard for anyone, but Todd made it genuinely bearable. The lectures were dense but useful when reviewing for exams. Stay on top of Aktiv HW and attend class (even though the 8 am is tough, it’s worth it). In-class TopHat & LA coffee chats give grade buffer points at the end of sem. She’s really nice once you get to know her (attend office hours!)”

8. Yoel Ohayon.

• University: New York University.
• Would Take Again: 98%.
• Level of Difficulty: 2.1.
• Average Rating: 4.8/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 411 reviews.
• Academic Background and Qualifications: Ph.D., M.Phil., and B.S. from New York University.
• Student Feedback: “Professor Ohayon was my best professor this semester. During recitation, he helped us become more comfortable with the confusing topics of the course. There is a quiz at the end of every recitation, and he would give us similar questions to practice on the quizzes. He is also really funny and easily accessible outside of class.”

9. Adrian Michael.

• University: University of Pittsburgh.
• Would Take Again: 55%.
• Level of Difficulty: 4.3.
• Average Rating: 4.6/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 200 reviews.
• Student Feedback: “Dr. Michael was really easy. Most of your grade will be determined by your exams, which are nearly the exact same as the practice exams. There is no graded homework, so this class will not take up much time in your week unless you have an exam. The only downside is that his lectures aren’t the most helpful.”

10. Gerardo Ochoa.

• University: University of California Davis.
• Would Take Again: 80%.
• Level of Difficulty: 3.8.
• Average Rating: 4.5/5.
• Overall Quality Based on 212 reviews.
• Academic Background and Qualifications: Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from UC Davis.
• Student Feedback: “Professor Ochoa is great. His lectures are easy to follow, and he uses lots of practice problems. Tests are fair and very similar to his practice tests. Definitely go to his review sessions because he walks through problems similar to the hardest ones on the exams.”

Chemistry Professors With Good Ratings From Students

Having reviewed the top 10 chemistry professors, it’s clear that these educators have significantly impacted their students’ academic journeys. However, there are many more outstanding chemistry teachers across US universities. Selecting the right college professor can significantly impact a student’s academic success and overall educational experience. With many options available, students often rely on student reviews of professors to make informed decisions. The following table highlights an additional 40 good chemistry professors in US universities, helping students find the best educators based on detailed evaluations and testimonials.

Selecting the right chemistry professor can significantly impact a student’s educational journey. The professors listed here have demonstrated excellence in teaching and a commitment to their students’ success. We encourage students to seek out to appreciate excellent teaching and share their experiences with outstanding professors. Doing so contributes to a culture of academic excellence and continuous improvement.

By Alex Johnson.