Bush, Seth  

Chemistry and Biochemistry

3.49/4.00

47 evaluations


PSC 101


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
Nov 2008
He was such an excellent professor. He's way chill with everything. He explains the material so that I can actually understand it and I'm not the best in these sciences. His tests are extremely reasonable. He's like a big kid. Awesome class. And their isn't that homework.

PSC 102


Junior
N/A
Required (Major)
Mar 2009
Amazing Prof. Definitely the best science teacher I've ever had. Must take him. He comes up w/ great analogies to make concepts understandable. He's obviously very knowledgeable and passionate about science, you can't help but want to learn from him. He's just an awesome guy.

CHEM 124


Freshman
B
Required (Support)
Feb 2008
Seth is a fantastic teacher. He explains things very clearly, is very good about answering questions, and is helpful during labs. I definitely do not have a chem-oriented brain and was really lost when i read through the book, but his lectures and office hours really made a huge difference. He would have at least one review session a week where we went over homework or test problems and we could ask anything we wanted and he would tell us how to do it - this was especially helpful because we usually always went over questions that were on the weekly homework quizzes, or questions very similar to what we would see on the midterm. everyone in my class LOVED seth!

CHEM 127


Freshman
N/A
Required (Major)
Oct 2005
This is one of the best professors ive ever had...and here is why... -Homework: There is none. He gives you a list of problems each week that you *should* do and that *might* *wink wink* be on the quizzes and tests. -Quizzes and Tests: He is above and beyond fair. If you got the process right and the units right, you could miss the answer and still get 4/5 points for example. He quizzes and tests on what he taught and the material you should know from the problems. -Humor: He manages to take a huge edge off of chemistry. Instead of being a long and boring hour rambling about molecules, he tosses in jokes every now and then to keep the students awake, with out straying off from the material. -He CARES!: Every wednesday he has an optional day that that you can come in, and for an hour and a half he will work any and all problems and questions you have. He often goes over question that are actually on the quizzes and tests. He does this out of his own free time to help his students understand. If you hate chemistry and struggle with it, and just want to pass, this is the teacher to take. If you love chemistry, and want a teacher who is funny and intresting, this is the teacher to take.


Sophomore
A
Required (Major)
Jan 2008
Bush is amazing!!! Take him if you can


Sophomore
B
Required (Support)
Feb 2008
Seth Bush is one of the best professors I've had at Poly. He recognizes when students have problems and is very willing to help them. He even has a weekly review session. I had Hagen for 128 and wished that I taken Bush again.


Sophomore
B
Required (Support)
Feb 2008
SETH IS INCREDIBLE!! He is a very good professor. He makes a boring subject interesting (as interesting as Chem can be). He keeps you laughing by explaining things in funny ways and makes fun of himself. He goes over what's going to be on the test and makes sure you know how to do it. If you still have questions or are confused, he has review classes at night for whoever wants to show every week. Or, you can go to his office hours; he is very approachable. If you have to take a Chem class, and want and or need to understand, TAKE SETH BUSH! You will be very pleased you did. He is seriously one of the best professors on campus


Freshman
B
Required (Major)
Jan 2009
Seth is an awesome professor. He gives weekly quizzes on the previous lab's material, which is usually not too difficult, and says this replaces the need for a final. Pretty sweet! He is hilarious and relates well to students. He jokes around and likes to make chemistry fun. He is approachable and very willing to help with anything. I wish I could have him for all my chem. classes. Take him for sure if you have the opportunity to!


Sophomore
B
Required (Support)
Dec 2009
Bush is what you\'d expect from a chem teacher, smart and funny. He is a great teacher and tries to help every way he can. TAKE HIM or you will be sorry you didn\'t.


Freshman
A
Required (Major)
Feb 2010
Seth Is really one of the best teachers you can find (I think). Only a freshman but I\'ve had him for almost 2 quarters now and get to have him one more time for chem 129. I really does make it easy to learn and teaches it so you understand it. The funny thing is the tests are definitly difficult but you find yourself being able to do it none the less, thought multiple choice part is tricky. HE IS WORTH HAVING! And as a side note, This quarter I was first priority and got in, but in less than a day his 70 person class was full. People want him and so should you!


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
Jan 2011
Take seth! He is super down-to Earth, and a very very good teacher. If you ever need help he is willing to talk it out at office hours. He's also really funny so class isn't boring. He was my lab teacher too and it made it so much better because he really knows what he's doing and how to teach. Quizzes, midterms, and final aren't too bad if you study. Take the supplement course if you can because it really helps to do well on all tests and quizzes.


Sophomore
C
Required (Major)
Jan 2011
Seth is awesome. He makes lecture exciting and he's the best for lab. I actually wanted to go to lecture just to hear his silly jokes and talk with him about random crap. I still stop by to talk to him in his office hours to shoot the breeze. By far the best for any chem course!


Freshman
N/A
Required (Support)
Nov 2011
Seth has got to be my favorite teacher this quarter. No matter what material he presents, he's able to do it in an entertaining and or easy to understand way every time. He also is willing to help in and out of class, and this is one of the lectures I have to listen to since everyone can laugh at his jokes (or attempts at one). If you're able to get him, I recommend you take that chance because this is a class you don't want to miss.


Freshman
N/A
Required (Support)
Dec 2011
If you can, take his class! He is by far the best chem professor out there. He explains things in a way that anyone can understand them, even if you are convinced chem isn't your thing, you'll understand it. He is a really interesting lecturer and i wish i had been able to take him for lab. Also he has the highest class average out of all of the chem 127 professors. He also gives helpful homework quizzes to help boost test grades if he feels the majority didn't understand something.


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
Dec 2011
He is awesome. Guaranteed A.


Freshman
B
Required (Major)
Jan 2012
Seth was my favorite teacher last quarter. And that is saying something because I hate chemistry! He made it understandable, and also understood that for many kids, chemistry isn't their thing. He helps out in every way possible and even has extra office hours. If you go to lectures and office hours, you will pretty much get an A. The only reason I got a B was because I failed the first midterm, because I skipped his office hours and review sessions. Take Seth and you will do well AND Understand the material.


Junior
D
Required (Major)
Jan 2012
The only reason I took Seth is because of his outstanding reviews. My overall feeling on his class was negative tho, the notes I got from lecture were worthless. Regardless I went to every lecture, studied the book hour after hour, went to his reviews, and when I'd ask him for help he seemed to give me the run around, no definite answers or true advice. I'm thankful I was at least able to move on to Chem 128, perhaps my preference of learning is just vastly different from the majority of freshmen that take this course. For instance I really like learning from a powerpoint, which he had none of. I like it when teachers are willing to share their answers to their worksheets, Seth was not. You only found out some of the answers by going to the review or his office hours. This made it very hard to just monitor if you're doing it right. Even my tutor had trouble understanding some of his wording and tough questions on the You Can Do its and was surprised he didn't share a key of any sort. Bottom line- I spent the quarter hanging on a string. Come his final I thought, there's no way I can bomb this, I know how to do all previous questions from our midterms and quizzes, all the practice equations from every chapter and so forth, and what ya know, half of it was useless information I had studied. His final gave me nightmares. I don't think Seth is a bad guy, plenty of people love the dude and that's great, but all I got to say is that I think it's LARGELY a preference of teaching methods. On a positive note I will say his humor was helpful and comforting at times.


Freshman
D
Required (Support)
Apr 2013
Seth was a good teacher, but his class was so much work. I spent literally every waking moment reading that stupid book, studying everything, and going to study groups. I cried during every test, that's how hard they were. I was devastated to get a D, but I honestly blame myself. If you think you're going to do poorly in this class, GET A TUTOR right away. I wish I would have done that...I wouldn't have to retake this horrific class next quarter. Seth, though, is a funny guy. Pretty cool, but he has a really hard time understanding questions. I think it's because he's too smart. His brain doesn't work like mine and that's why he never understood me...just my theory. It's chemistry, so for most, it will suck. Pick your poison, and Seth isn't too bad of one.


Sophomore
A
Required (Support)
Nov 2013
Everyone loves Seth, he is so amazing. I studied so little and did great in his class and I suck at chemistry. Super easy A!!


Freshman
A
Required (Major)
Dec 2013
Seth Bush is an amazing professor. He's entertaining, he presents material very well in class, and I haven't quite seen another professor who candidly cares about his student's success as much as this guy does. There are radically contradicting reviews about the difficulty of his class, mostly because there are radically different aptitudes for learning chemistry. All I can say is that if you try and make the most of the classes you will learn chemistry. Get this class if you can!


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
Dec 2013
I love Seth! Not only is he a great professor, but a really great guy. At the beginning of the quarter I was terrified of failing this class because all of the work ahead seemed so daunting. Yet, Seth provided us with so many resources that it made the class totally doable. He gives homework's that are not due called "You Can Do Its" (DO THEM...they REALLY help), holds office hours three times a week, and has learning assistants walking around the class that are really nice and helpful. Seth is clearly an extremely smart guy, but he realizes that he is teaching entry level chemistry, and presents the material in a way that is really easy to understand. The final grade is composed of quizzes, activity quizzes, labs, two midterms, and a final. It is by no means an easy A (Chem is hard!) but Seth is definitely one of the best out there..take his class if you can!


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
Feb 2014
Seth is literally the best teacher I've had at Cal Poly so far. He presents things very clearly and he is a very experienced teacher. Go to his review sessions and do his You Can Do It homeworks and you will get a good grade in the class. He really wants to work with you so that you learn as much as you can. He is a super nice guy and I HIGHLY recommend him


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
Apr 2015
Best CHEM professor, he's really hard to get so grab him if you can! He graded really fair, and presented the material really well, and the combined lecture/lab was perfect and super engaging.

CHEM 128


Junior
B
Required (Major)
Apr 2007
Dr. Bush is one of the best professors I have ever had. He is hilariously funny and very helpful. If his class is an option, you would be a fool not to enroll. He has reviews outside of class every week that are VERY helpful and I highly reccommend going to them. His tests are hard, but he gives you the front page of the exam before the test and he provides you with everything you need to do well on them. I had him for three quarters and I am sad that he does not teach Organic chemistry or biochem. BEST PROFESSOR FOR GENERAL CHEMISTRY SERIES LECTURES AND LABS!!!!!!


Freshman
A
Required (Major)
Feb 2008
Seth is a fun professor with a sense of humor that was even more funny at an 8am lab. Very eager to help students learn and do well. I highly recommend him to anyone.


Sophomore
A
Required (Support)
Feb 2008
Dr. Bush is awesome and so so easy. Serously, if your having any troubles with chem take Bush becase you are virtally garanteed to pass. Im not sure how much I learned but he was definitely super frendly. Go for Bush for the A!


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
Apr 2008
Bush was a very easy teacher for chem. I didn't take AP chem in high school, but Bush presented the material so simply and easily that I was able to do really well. His tests were moderately difficult, nothing special, and he gives quizzes each week straight from the homework. There is no homework, just suggested problems, which was nice. He gives you a study guide before every test also. My only complaint would be that he sometimes talks to the class like you're all in kindergarten. This makes the material easy to get, but it's hard to listen to sometimes.


Junior
A
Required (Support)
Mar 2010
SETH IS THE MAN!!!!!! HE is funny, knows his stuff like there\'s no tomorrow, and is extremely helpful. 10/10!!!!! Take him and you will not be sorry.


Freshman
A
Required (Major)
Apr 2010
best chem prof out there. if you can find a way to get into his class, consider yourself lucky. he is a great teacher and goes out of his way to help you.


Sophomore
C
Required (Support)
Nov 2010
Seth is a super funny teacher. He makes chemistry seem easy while you are in lecture. But do not go into the test thinking they are going to be as easy. His test are difficult. He gives half multiple choice and half written. The written half (for me) were easier and straightforward. Each MC is worth 4 points each. So missing one greatly effects your grade. I have had better chemistry teachers at Cal Poly but his class is fun to go to.


Sophomore
B
Required (Major)
Mar 2012
He is as amazing as everyone says he is! Tips: 1) Go to class and take GOOD notes. Copy down everything he writes on the board. 2) Do the YOU CAN DO IT's 3) Go to his review sessions whenever you can! 4) Ask questions if you need help 5) Scan the book before you go to class Good luck & you should be able to succeed in this class if you follow my tips


Freshman
B
Required (Support)
Jun 2013
He is quite a hootenaneous person I must say. That is... He is a hootenanny. Love Dr. Bush. He is so funny, and is lectures are quite enjoyable

CHEM 129


Sophomore
A
Required (Major)
Aug 2008
Bush is one of the better teachers at cal poly. He gives good review sheets, and has a review outside class before every quiz/test. His notes are very organized and he worked at a steady pace.... also he is funny as hell and super nice.. his tests accurately depict what you learn in lecture and he often gives you a chance to enhance your score with extra credit. If you get a chance to take him then its in you're best interest to do it. I learned a shitload


Freshman
B
General Ed
Jun 2010
Great Professor. He gives review sessions once a week answering homework problems, does whatever he can to help everyone to succeed. Best part of the class was probably the exams, 2 MT and one final. They were straight forward, none of the tricky multiple choice questions that you usually get in chem exams. As long as you understand the concepts and do all the examples from the text, you\'ll do fine. And also, the final was surprisingly similar to the MT, which is always nice. Good luck getting into his class =P.


Sophomore
A
Elective
Jun 2010
Super easy professor! You are guaranteed an A for doing minimal work. Best prof on campus!!


Freshman
A
Required (Major)
Aug 2010
best teacher at poly, hands down


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
May 2011
Seth is absolutely the best professor I have had a Cal Poly. I had him for 127 and worked his class into my schedule for 129 just so I could have him again. He is an incredible teacher, and not only that, he is passionate about his students. He makes class so intriguing and fun. He is funny and dynamic. He made me love chemistry! Seth is wonderful at explaining concepts and will ensure that the class understands before moving on (even if that means he has to alter his lecture schedule). His tests are fair and, if you work hard, manageable. Go to his office hours!!!! He is very helpful! I love Seth!!! I recommend him to everybody!


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
Jun 2011
Every person that ever asks me who to take for any general chemistry course will get my recommendation for Seth Bush. Seth is the man! From day one, he establishes that he goes by his first name, not Dr. or Professor Bush, which definitely helps to ease the tension a little bit. On top of that, he is a total teddy bear. Not in the sense that he's a pushover, but that he will work with you consistently UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS. His office hours are beyond helpful, and so are his "You Can Do It!"s. Additionally, he has review sessions that allow you to re-learn concepts from earlier lectures in the week, and is incredibly interactive with his learning style. There were multiple lectures this quarter where I was laughing my butt off at the ICE box drawings (you'll get this if you take him). Seth is a genuine teacher who puts in the maximum amount of effort to help his students understand concepts. He is not easy by any means, and his class still requires effort. He teaches the same material as any other Chem 129 professor. I think the difference between Seth and other professors is that he narrows the focus so that you don't waste your time learning things that you don't need. He teaches you the general concept of what you need to know, and how it applies to life. I actually felt this course was highly applicable to life, and I am thinking about changing my major to Biochemistry because of this class. I had 11th priority this quarter, and went from not thinking I was going to get chemistry at all to getting Seth, the best teacher at Cal Poly. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! TAKE SETH!!!!!! :)


Junior
A
Required (Support)
Jun 2012
seth is seriously the best chem teacher i ever had! i didn't even open the book ONCE because his notes covered everything we had know. i would recommend doing the YOU CAN DO IT's, but also going over the problems we learned in class. the review sessions are EXTREMELY helpful since sometimes we would run out time in class and would only cover a topic briefly. but if you go to the reviews, seth goes over everyone's questions, and in more detail. for every quiz, the only studying i did was attending the review. seth is also really helpful in office hours and is super approachable. i would definitely recommend him to anybody! i have never had a teacher like seth. he was awesome!


Freshman
A
Required (Major)
Jun 2012
I love Seth. He doesn't expect anyone to call him Dr Bush. No one I know really studied that much and we all did really well. Take him at all costs, since the Chemistry department is full of professors who are trying to take you dwon.


Junior
A
Required (Major)
Mar 2013
Seth is by far the best chemistry teacher at cal poly. he's extremely nice and approachable when you have questions. He also has a review session before every quiz and test, and he basically goes back over all the main concepts that you need to know. I didn't open my chem book even ONCE. I didn't have to because he goes over everything in class, and he teaches in a way that is easy to understand. Many other professors at cal poly have a really hard time "dumbing things down". But, Seth makes everything so easy and simple to learn. You will NEVER sit in class and think, what the hell is he saying?? He's absolutely amazing! If you have the opportunity to take Seth, do it. You will not regret it. And you will learn the material. He also makes lab fun, if that's even possible. Usually chemistry labs in the past were horrible and dreadful. Seth makes lab less scary and more interactive.


Freshman
A
Required (Support)
Aug 2013
Seth Bush is awesome! He presents the material very clearly and gives quizzes that prepare you well for the tests. Do the You Can Do It problems and then go to his personal study session. If you make sure you understand these, you will do well in the class.


Sophomore
N/A
Required (Support)
May 2015
This teacher is THE best chemistry teacher I have ever had, he is a great teacher and explains everything with ease. He dedicates so much of his time to helping out all of the students in his class and helps you even when you feel helpless. I have learned more in this class then I have learned all year in the gen chem series.


Sophomore
A
Required (Support)
Jun 2015
AMAZING professor and over all great guy. I have never had a professor that dedicates so much of his time and energy just to make sure students understand and are confident about the material. He remembers fully what it is like to be a college student and the stress we are all under and tries to accommodate for that as much as possible. I really wish I could take more classes with him, GET HIM IF YOU CAN. You will not regret it.


Junior
D
Required (Support)
Jun 2015
Out of all my professors in the GenChem series, Seth is by far the best, hands down. You can kind of compare him to a teddy bear. He's approachable, down to Earth, explains things clearly, has a sense of humor that made class not as dry, and overall just loveable. That being said, it doesn't matter how good your professor is, if you don't put in the work or time, you're gonna do bad in this class. I didn't find this class relevant to my major at all (I'm CompSci) nor did I find it very interesting (I honestly think the GenChem series is filler for my flowchart) so I had very little motivation (until the very end of the quarter where how well I did on the final determined if I got a F or D) to spend time for this class. If you want to do well in the class, practice. (YCDIs are a good start.) Practice practice practice. If I just spent maybe another hour or two a week, I would have done better in the class.

CHEM 351


Senior
A
Required (Major)
Mar 2010
Dr. Seth Bush is a great instructor, you should take him.

HNRS 629


Senior
C
Elective
Nov 2016
Fuck this guy. Id like to stick my tounge up his ass.