Eugene Smotkin is a Chemistry professor at Northeastern University rated 2.83/5 by 55 students, with 3.2/5 difficulty (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Eugene Smotkin professor reviews and ratings: 2.83/5 from 55 student reviews at Northeastern. TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
He never understands where his lectures are going, and makes up answers on the fly. His projects are based on nothing relevant to the class, and the class relied on our TA to get through the course. Even the TA seemed confused when he promised to talk to Gene for us. No syllabus or reference to our textbook, despite being asked to buy it.HONR1310 2021-10-16 18:50:13 +0000 UTC
Lectures are rambling and utterly incoherent; he has no idea where his thoughts start and end. Seems like an intelligent and nice person but not a good instructor. He'll tell you that you need to study the material heavily outside of class, but it's not because the material is obscenely challenging, it's because he is useless as a lecturer.CHEM3501 2017-03-26 20:51:10 +0000 UTC
If you need help, he even has office hours during the weekend. This is a chem. grad. course that I would recommend for undergrads and chemical engineering grad students as well.CHEM5651 2015-07-18 16:37:52 +0000 UTC
Class was interesting and really fun. We talked about all kinds of different energy devices and what makes the work technically and then in the market. Gene also encouraged discussions in class and was always ready to find a different way to explain things if anyone was unclear. He wanted everyone to get it - not just the majority: Great Teacher!5651 2015-02-18 11:22:42 +0000 UTC
The course was very challenging but it is a difficult subject to learn. Lectures were very helpful to help make clear the main points which can't be learned just from the text. The foundation was necessary to setup the remainder of the class which was about the practical aspects of battery design - which was lots of fun. Not too easy, but worth it!5614 2015-01-17 14:56:51 +0000 UTC
Waste of time. Class is not mandatory, I suggest not going, you'll become more confused. He goes off on tangents that don't correlate to anything being taught and it only confuses you more. If you've had chem before this class is the saddest joke and painful to sit through. The man is nice but makes a lot of mistakes. Pretty entertaining. Easy ACHMU211 2009-08-20 13:22:28 +0000 UTC
Professor Smotkin is a really nice person but I didn't really get his class. The use of Smartworks was not the best option and even though he really tried to help I came out of the class empty. Really nice person but not such a good class.CHMU213 2008-12-11 15:06:44 +0000 UTC
As a person, eugene is a great guy. very friendly and helpful. he IS really smart but when it comes down to teaching students- terrible. his tests are 'so-so', not so easy, not so hard. but avoid at all cost. by the 2nd week, less than half the class showed up. and among that half, more than half fell asleep. so, you be the judge.CHM111 2008-12-10 12:11:46 +0000 UTC
Pure awful. Day one was bad when he didn't even have a decent syllabus. Never stayed on topic. Friendly guy, and willing to help after class, but couldn't stay focused. Disorganized labs thrown together days before hand, avoid at all costs.INSTRANAL 2008-10-27 14:53:34 +0000 UTC
P chem is supposed to be hard but it seemed as if Prof. Smotkin tried to make it even harder. Most of the class was lost all semester. Questions and gradeing were vague and left everyone scratching their heads. Avoid if at all possibleCHM401 2008-09-04 14:40:22 +0000 UTC
Unorganized, unclear, vindictive. Easily the worst professor I have had at this university.CHEM3501 2017-01-20 17:49:35 +0000 UTC
I loved this course. Although I don't have a proper background in chemistry, it is the interest and the passion that Prof.Gene has made my learning more enjoyable. Unlike other rigid and structured courses, this course is adaptive and flexible and discussion based. We had lot of discussions;the professor is ready to teach what the student needs.CHEM5651 2014-05-13 12:04:39 +0000 UTC
If youve taken chem before, this class is a joke and absurdly easy, not to mention a comlete waste of time. Going to class is completely worthless. If you havent taken chem before, going to class is still completely worthless. He's a smart guy, but a horrible teacher and terrible at explaining things. Use the textbook if you need the help.CHMU211 2008-12-27 18:31:26 +0000 UTC
Very motivated to not only teach students but make sure they understand. Will explain concepts thoroughly. Interested in teaching newer, more relevant technologies which is extremely useful for those interested in entering industry. Attendance is vital. Final presentations are useful and effective for learning about a variety of topics.CHEM5651 2014-04-13 17:36:33 +0000 UTC
Prof. Smotkin is a really nice guy, but not a great teacher. His lectures are confusing and unclear. His tests can be difficult as well. He is a brilliant guy so he doesn't really understand when students cant comprehend the information. Luckily the class was curved. Not a good class to take.CHMU211 2008-12-21 19:18:14 +0000 UTC
Eugene Smotkin has an average rating of 2.83/5 from 55 student reviews.
Eugene Smotkin's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.2/5 based on student reviews.
Eugene Smotkin has taught CHEM5614, CHEM5651, CHEM5653, ENSY5300, CHEM3501 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.