DO NOT WORK SOLO!!! This is the hardest class I've ever took, only one I've failed. Each project is abt 2000+ lines of C++ so work w a TEAM. Prof is rlly nice but the projects are too huge, w no skeleton code. Class is just 5-6 projects, they take ~2 hrs daily 7 days/wk. Assign #2 is insanely hard if you get stuck just ditch it don't fall behind.
Completely project-based, which is a blessing and a nightmare (if you're solo which i did). You will spend a lot of time debugging to ensure thousands of fuzzed inputs exactly match Gradescope. Good, principled coding design will mean fewer headaches, segfaults, and refactoring later. Project 2 is arguably the hardest project (parsing + type check)
DO NOT WORK SOLO!! WORK IN A TEAM! I failed this class despite working so hard bc each project is ~2000 lines of code (there are 6 projects). Prof is really nice and super helpful but projects have no skeleton code so it's INSANELY hard. If stuck on assign 2, just ditch it, don't fall behind. Hardest class I've had. You should spend 1-2 hrs daily.
Only graded on projects due throughout the quarter. The late policy is pretty generous. Imo organizing the course like this increases the workload a lot because you definitely need to attend lecture (no recordings or slides) in addition to working on projects throughout the quarter. People like him but idk if it's worth it unless you love theory.
Homework makes up your grade. Do the homework, fun class. Also if you do well on the homework, no tests for you, Yay. So do the homework. Puzzles class.
He is a great professor who seems to enjoy what he teaches. your grades are only made up of weekly homework assignments, with an optional midterm and optional final to replace some homeworks. Pretty stress free class, however the assignments are a lot of work and are pretty difficult. office hours are helpful just make sure you get ahead of the hws
Very affective and efficient teaching methods. Fair yet challenging. One of the best classes I have taken at UCSB for developing problem solving skills.
Great lectures, he makes difficult things easy to understand. hw is hard but fair and its easy to get help. Graded on weekly hw assignments with an optional midterm and final. Glad I took this class with him
In my opinion, the best Computer Science professor I have had at UCSB. Very clear and fair grading policies. Tends to put less emphasis on quizzes and no exams, and teaches project-based courses with interesting tasks.
Amazing lectures and great TAs. Start the assignments early because none of them are actually difficult but require time to fully process what is being asked. No tests, only very fun programming assignments. Plus you get to learn scala which is excellent, and prolog which is pretty cool too. Tied with CS138 as the best class I've taken here.
His lectures are very good. The lectures focus more on the theory while the homework focuses on implementing the theory. There were no exams, only programming assignments due about every two weeks. He has handouts that cover everything in lecture though it's also good to go because he explains well.
By far my favorite Computer Science professor in UCSB! He is extremely helpful when it comes to learning the concepts. If you actually listen in class and make genuine attempts at the projects, you won't need to crack open a single book or study. Super nice, funny, and smart.
Great Lecturer. Projects were pretty tough, but not impossible. and they build on, so don't fall behind. Overall, learned a lot