Solid and challenging lecture and you can learn a lot from it. Dude is smart and nice. Grading is curved so be ready to compete and work super hard.

By far the hardest professor I've ever taken here. During our quarter, he decided he didn't like giving HW and based it off of 3 midterms and a final. There wasn't many practice problems for the class. More of just understanding the conceptual and abstract ideas. Made me an expert on the topics he taught though. Guy is wicked smart.

He teaches the class very well, and the homeworks are reasonable. Homeworks are graded more harshly than necessary, but the class is curved anyway. You receive a Z-score based on how well you did compared to your class, I think 90+% of the class passes.

Don't believe the previous comments about him, his CS138 last winter was probably the best CS class I've ever taken. The lecture was very fun and inspirational, the exams are easy if you don't miss too many lectures. 10/10 best teacher ever.

Wim is a bad teacher. I learned everything from the book and when I would attend lecture I would feel like he just didn't care if we learned or not. He destroyed every part of learning I enjoyed and frankly made me doubt whether or not I wanted to pursue this major. When I look back on my life I hope I have enough Alzheimer's to forget this guy.

Van Dam is a very good professor, and I learned a lot taking his class. That said, that class was hard! However, the way he curves the class, it guarantees 75% pass with a C or better (the average being B-). Even though he is difficult, I highly suggest taking him over an easier professor because he will better prepare you for upper divs.