Advanced application programming using a high-level, virtual-machine-based language. Topics include generic programming, exception handling, automatic memory management, and application development, management, and maintenance tools, third-party library use, version control, software testing, issue tracking, code review, and working with legacy code.
4
UnitsLetter
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitEngineering
CollegeDecent professor teaching a very easy class. The course is well-structured and instructors are accessible nearly all the time. It is important to have cooperative teammates, since the course is fundamentally structured as a massive group assignment.
Professor Conrad is genuinely one of the best professors at UCSB, he is a great instructor and teacher, demanding but fair, and above all he is understanding. The course is very well structured and taught by an excellent teaching staff accessible even during late nights. Cannot recommend taking CS156 enough with Professor Conrad.
Conrad operates less like a CS instructor and more like an off-brand theatre director, one with a flair for dramatics. He confuses authority with entitlement, treating minor classroom issues like personal vendettas. At one point, he even erupted at an entire team mid-class, presumably mistaking the situation for opening night.
He's nice, but the class sucks, and he's not doing it any favors. The group projects are poorly organized and I learned very little despite putting in lots of effort. He micromanages and generally makes the class feel like something from high school. Avoid CS156 unless you miss feeling like a 15-year-old taking your first AP.
Conrad is a nice guy. I guess that's why he has a high rating. He and his teaching team sucks. He creates projects that require a high level of participation from he and his TAs (reviewing PRs, responding to many different group questions), and then does not attend to these responsibilities. Bad planner, bad at supporting students. Bad class.
Cs156 taught me how to code. Loved this class and loved conrad!