A crash course in organic chemistry | Jakob Magolan

Jakob Magolan is here to change your perception of organic chemistry. In an accessible talk packed with striking graphics, he teaches us the basics while breaking the stereotype that organic chemistry is something to be afraid of.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.

[Lostpanda]

The subject is quite easy, the students struggle at it because of the limited time they get to absorb all the new information.

[pieinyourface]

He was one of the better speakers I've heard on TED. Really good use of tone, fantastic way of summarizing literally the most complex topic that exists.

[MikeJamesMedia]

Fascinating! I love these talks that introduce us to complex subjects in such a way that we can become interested in learning more. Thank you!

[dawsonzentz]

Tips from someone who got an A in orgo 1 and am now taking orgo 2: orgo 2 is so far identical to orgo 1; it’s mainly synthesis (predicting products)... also, this will be for a class that is taken on MWF, not TTu... you should read every chapter before the lectures. If I were you, in the morning, watch the lectures for the day (or attend lecture), and take notes. Good notes. And that’s all. The next day, do the practice problems even if they aren’t assigned and attempt to understand the material. You have to work on orgo five days a week and honestly one or two days on the weekend. It is very time consuming but 100% not difficult. It’s just a TON TON TON of information, and that’s what makes it hard. Especially when you get to the final. My orgo 2 final this semester is 40% of my grade and I’m nervous, but that’s why you take good notes... good notes including writing the main mechanisms you learn, writing down tough nomenclature (naming molecules), and just doing practice problems. PRACTICE PROBLEMS ARE THE BEST WAY TO SUCCEED in Can’t stress that enough. Pls reply if you have questions, I’d love to answer them :)))

[mikemeyerphotopro]

If you were the only Organic Chemistry teacher, then everyone would love organic chemistry. Sure it's a difficult subject but a good teacher makes things easy. I failed general chemistry twice, spectacularly. Third time I had an amazing teacher who gave us real life examples of all the reactions. I got an A in the lab and a B in the class. We need more passionate, excellent teachers !!!

[busyrand]

This was my Favorite Course in my college years. I learned so much, and it shapes my perspective on things today. Outstanding talk!

[alit]

Beautiful presentation. But i still cry after every organic chemistry lecture 😂

[vatsaltrivedi]

Awesome... I was just waiting for a ted talk on organic chemistry to be delivered, because I am an undergraduate student, and wherever I go, I find people looking and underestimating this science with the same disregard as you rightly mentioned. A few times I tried my self to convince them about the importance of this science, but I don't think my convincing strengths are that strong. I am going to recommend this video to all whom I find unconvinced. Again, great talk Sir!

[thepedobear]

Everyone can notice how nervous he was from his voice but he preformed perfectly

[starshot]

I actually learned something from this for my upcoming study in chemistry. Wow

[incognitotorpedo]

Dang, that was a good presentation. The graphics made a big difference. Thanks for giving credit to the guy who did them. You two both did a great job.

[mvccree]

One of the best ted talks and most important. How much better would we be off as a society if people didn’t let fear mongering of “chemical” or “synthetic” or “pharmaceutical industry” get in the way of them educating themselves.

[SMEGMA]

As someone who has started to specialize in orgo for my research I definitely agree that there is a lot to love about the subject outside the horrors of the class. It really has to be hard for you to learn the volume of material, but you have that knowledge the application of it can be incredibly fun and interesting.

[blue_tetris]

"Finally a video that's just about science without anything even tangentially political in it!"
*one-tenth as many views, flat-earthers show up to complain anyway*

[robertdunlop]

Nicely done, thank you. I am so thankful for our local community colleges, and contributions like yours.

[liliyufan]

This video makes me love and know more about organic chemistry. I will try my best to learn it.

[axon]

More of these talks please. This is good old TED quality.

[nathanchoi]

This introduction is like narrowing down an iron bar into an iron needle step by step in a nice manner, with occasionally elaboration on the excluded iron debris and comparison of it with other debris from other production. That hand shake and hand grip analogy is also nice.

[athickie]

It has everything to do with the type of professor you had for Orgo. They could make or break your whole perception of the subject!

[melTiceTiger]

The way he presents and talks about organic chem with fascination and excitement in his voice makes me want him as a professor.