CMPSC 64
MATNI Z A
Ziad Matni
4.0
112 reviews

112
4.0
COMM88 . Matni Z A 5 Years Ago

Hes pretty average professor, not too hard not too easy. Went to three lectures throughout the entire quarter and ended with a B+. The lectures are posted online and Iclicker was extra credit. Midterm/Final was based off of the lectures making the book optional or you could use it for more information. Tests were easier than Mullin's. Nice guy

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COMM88 . Matni Z A 5 Years Ago

If you can, I would def choose him over Mullin. He is very nice and helpful when you go to his office hours. He keeps tracks on who comes to his OH. So go if you can!

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CMPSC8 . Matni Z A 5 Years Ago

Not super nice but he's awesome on his lectures as he explains CS basics very clearly. 2 midterms & 1 final are fair if u do study based on slides. Lots of hw & labs so the study load might be heavy, but TAs & tutors are very accessible & helpful in open lab times. There's an assigned teammate for 1 project & some labs though u can sometimes solo.

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CS8 . Matni Z A 5 Years Ago

His exams primarily focus on material from lecture, making the textbook essentially optional. Some of the labs must be done w partners, which is somewhat annoying since everyone in the class starts with different levels of programming experience. Overall Matni is a solid choice for CS8; he is a very clear (and funny) lecturer

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CS8 . Matni Z A 5 Years Ago

Very nice person! Easy grader! He makes the lectures interesting and his slides are really clear! He kind of likes to have some multiple choice for definition or description on the exam so make sure to go over the slides for important terms. High average for two midterms. Final is a little bit hard but he curves. Office hour and open lab help.

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CS16 . Matni Z A 5 Years Ago

Take his class if you are CS major otherwise avoid since his hws and exams pays attention to the details which would be helpful for CS major students. For other majors, just take it from some other instructors that are being easier in grading.

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CS40 . Matni Z A 5 Years Ago

Matni was one of the best profs I've had here. He cares about the students and helping you understand the material and was very clear with his grading. He was always accessible outside of class and picked up the slack of having awful TA's. He wants you to do well if you're willing to put in the effort.

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CMPSC8 . Matni Z A 6 Years Ago

Matni seems like a nice guy but is actually really mean and condescending toward his students. The piazza page is where you can ask questions to receive backhanded and snarky comments about how you "would've known if you showed up to lecture." He often makes mistakes in his lecture slides and practice midterms that end up going unnoticed.

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COMM88 . Matni Z A 6 Years Ago

Uses an app that replaces clicker for extra credit. Tests are only based on lecture, but textbook is helpful for clearer understanding. Research paper is based on a study performed in groups and grade depends on ta. Tests are kind of tricky w/ multiple right answers, but you need to pick what HE would pick. Go to ta office hrs to do better on paper

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COMM88 . Matni Z A 6 Years Ago

Professor Matni is a very interesting lecturer. While he is clear, it is almost too much so. He makes a point to dumb down every idea he makes. There is a term paper that you write after conducting a group experiment, and the papers are competitively graded, which can be an issue. He also has a midterm & final with terribly formatted questions.

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COMM88 . Matni Z A 6 Years Ago

Matni is clear during lecture, the issue is with his exams. He asks confusing questions on his exams and purposefully makes his questions difficult to answer, but if you ask for clarification, he will give it to you.

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COMM88 . Matni Z A 6 Years Ago

Love him! The class had great content, and unfortunately the comm department grades us against each other, so it puts him in a negative light. I'm planning on taking him again next quarter for social networks because I love his teaching style so much. Very direct, and answers everything clearly. Class is lecture based, so the book is optional.

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COMM88 . Matni Z A 6 Years Ago

Matni is the best!!! His lecture is very clear, and easy to understand. I wish he teaches more pre-comm classes

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CS16 . Matni Z A 6 Years Ago

Prof. Matni was an amazing CS professor who truly made the material easy to learn. The labs were definitely a time commitment, but otherwise the homework was pretty easy. I didn't really go to class, but it's usually a good idea to attend lecture because he goes over concepts and shows us how everything works with his code. def would take his class

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CS16 . Matni Z A 6 Years Ago

I really liked Professor Matni. This class has a pretty heavy workload (two homeworks and one lab every week) but it's definitely not impossible, plus most of your grade is based on homework and labs so tests aren't too much pressure. He made the material interesting and easy to learn and was really nice and accessible outside of class.

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CS16 . Matni Z A 6 Years Ago

Matni is good as professors go but can get on my nerves. Wakes up sleeping students and embarrasses them during class(how does this accomplish anything?). CS16 has WAY more & WAY tougher homework and labs than CS8. My partner and I spent an average of 5 hours on the labs each week. Put in the work and you will pass easily, but it is time consuming.

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CS8 . Matni Z A 7 Years Ago

Good teacher. Comes across as nice but can be mean. Just dont show up late. I am a beginner and nothing made sense to me. I just suck at it, it was awful. Most people seemed to do well though. Just put in effort & make friends who can help. 1hw/1lab due once a week. Two projects. Easy midterm, hard final. Knew absolutely nothing but got a B+

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CS8 . Matni Z A 7 Years Ago

This class was great. He seemed to enjoy the material and liked to help students do well. He is very generous but also tough at the same time. If you do the work. Go to class. And study you will do fine. Great guy and great professor.

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CS16 . Matni Z A 7 Years Ago

Don't bother buying the textbook, everything are in his lecture slides which he posts online! Labs can be time consuming, but get a lab partner and it should be fine.

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CS16 . Matni Z A 7 Years Ago

Matni's lectures were entertaining (for a CS lecture, at least) and his explanations of concepts were very clear. He would also post his lecture slides online afterward, which were very thorough and helpful to look through before a test. Overall, the class requires a decent amount of work, but is definitely doable.

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COMM88 . Matni Z A 7 Years Ago

He is very helpful when students need clarification. You should definitely read the book or at least skim it. Test questions are tricky. Gives a good amount of extra credit. The end grade is curved up so your percentage grade is the worst you are going to get in the class. Usually curves by 2-4 percentage points.

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CS16 . Matni Z A 7 Years Ago

Matni is a great lecturer and is very entertaining. His homework is easy and so are the tests as long as you pay attention in the lecture. Reading the textbook is largely unnecessary as he covers all relevant material quite concisely in his lectures. Overall an excellent professor and one that I would gladly choose again.

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COMM88 . Matni Z A 7 Years Ago

Organized lecture slides with encouraged class participation. Weekly section exercises due at section, 1 research paper due towards the end of the quarter. Midterm and final sample questions released a week before the exam. Some review is done in class. Typical comm grade scale which is based on improvement. Extra credit opportunities available.

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CS16 . Matni Z A 7 Years Ago

Don't take this class if you don't have to. Labs are time consuming and tough... Computer Science isn't for everyone and it definitely isn't for me. Requires a lot of effort but can be fun if you enjoy Computer Science. Matni knows his stuff too and is a personable professor, but gives a lot of work.

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