He does his best to explain the concepts. The test are not too hard, but they are not extremely easy. Even if you are not doing well in the class, he gives you opportunities to do better (extra credit, etc.) If you study hard (and right) you will definitely pass the class.
Nice person, helpful in lab but test are very hard. Test were multiple choice and problems for our class, the multiple choice were very hard and counted for most of the test. This is a hard class point blank but he doesn't help you much on the test, although he does give extra credit and won't give you less than 50.
ALWAYS available to help and really cares about his students. Gives a copy of the old test for every test in class. Really down to earth and explains things to where you can understand them.
I am taking Dr. Barbas now for OCHEM 2 summer. Point blank, this class is extremely difficult, but Dr. Barbas is a great professor. You will never make less than a 40 on the test and he curves each test individually. I had a friend who made a 50 something on the test and Dr. Barbas curved him right up to a 70. Overall, study hard and you should do just fine.
If there is an opening in Dr. Baxter's class get in his instead. Dr. Barbas is too smart of a man to be teaching. He doesn't know how to teach on the student level so we can understand. He teaches class like every one already has a degree in chemistry. If you go to him for help he will tell you to read closer and study harder. He gives practice tests before the tests but they are nothing alike. If you want to do good in Organic I and II then take someone else because you will not do good in his class.
Dr. Barbas is a very good Organic Chemistry teacher. I recommend taking his class if you are serious about learning Organic Chemistry. But don`t think the class will be an easy A. Organic Chemistry takes a lot of time outside of class to understand. I took Organic I and II with Dr. Barbas and made an A in both classes. He gives 4 test and a final; you can drop your lowest test grade. He also gaves extra credit for each test ranging from 7 to 10 points. All the questions on the test are almost the same as the questions that he assigns at the end of the chapters. He also gives old tests to give some idea of what the questions will be like on the test. But be sure to read the book because there will be some concept questions. There is NO reason anyone should fail Organic Chemistry with the amount of help Dr. Barbas gives to students. He sometimes gives study sessions in lab that are very helpful and is willing to help anyone out of class. DO NOT GET BEHIND IN THIS CLASS.