Alan Riggins - San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Professor: Alan Riggins

Department: Computer Science

College: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Riggins is amazing. He pushes you to do your best, and through that challenges his students. It is difficult but its the best way to learn data structures. I failed the class but still managed to learn a lot of the theory. Unfortunately, he has retired.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Probably the best CS professor at SDSU along with Carroll. Too bad, he retires at the end of the semester

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

My personal opinion is that Riggins is over rated, but this is my first CS class at SDSU so I can't make a fair comparison. He is a jerk and proud of it, but it's his way of pushing you to write better code. Great lecture notes and course materials, difficult tests and assignments. Tests hold way too much weight at 65% of your grade.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Riggins is hands-down the best computer science teacher at SDSU. He really knows the material and though his grading is harsh he holds you to industry standards in order to prepare you. He may seem intimidating but go to office hours, he is there to help you learn the material and is very helpful. I highly recommend this professor.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Riggins is a good teacher because he answers questions and wants to help. However, I didn't do so well because I procrastinated and didn't go to his or even the TA's office hours until a few days before the program was due. He doesn't have much hw and there's a lot of free time but that time must be spent on the program or else struggle if not.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Gives free code for the projects during lectures. Very tough grader on projects. If your code spits out wrong answer, it is automatically dropped to a D. I made a silly arithmetic mistake that ruined the final result but you can still survive through the semester if you don't drop the ball multiple times. Exams are almost identical to study sheets.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Really good teacher, you will learn a lot. The only gripe I have is if you turn in anything that is just slightly off you will most likely get a D on the assignment. So go to office hours and he is super helpful.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Riggins is awesome and really clear with the test/PAs. However, this class is so watered down that if you just show up for class or read the lecture supplement you will get 90% of the program assignments written for you. He cares for his students and wants to challenge them but ends up givin away answers bc lazy ppl can't pass the class otherwise.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Assembly isn't easy, but Riggins is a great teacher. Make sure you go to class and pay attention, because although he can be confusing and get off topic, he does explain things thoroughly. Reading the course reader after class helped me understand better, also. He's very helpful although a little intimidating. Great guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Riggins is super funny and nice and is very willing to help his students. He has office hours from 9-12 however he gets there at 8am ready to help out. If you do come in at office hours, make sure you know your question and have made an effort on the assignment. He doesn't tolerate those who come in expecting him to write their programs for them.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He's a good guy and he basically gives you all the answers to the test as well as the code for your projects during class. That being said he teaches students to copy what he does rather than struggle and figure it out themselves. Students then develop poor coding habits and lack the skills needed for upper-division courses. Practice on your own.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CS237CS310
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof. Riggins is one of those teachers that you have to take at least once in college. He might seem intimidating because he doesn't like b.s. He knows his stuff, lectures are clear and he is very helpful during office hrs. You have to work for a good grade but if you do, you shouldn't have a bad experience. 4 progs, 2 or 3 tests and a final.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Prof. Riggins may come off as intimidating at first and he's also not afraid to call out bs when he sees it. However he is such a great teacher. He really makes you learn and efficiently too. He expects you to put time in this class, if you don't you'll have a rough time. Put in the time, go to office hours and it will be smooth sailin'

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

310 is a challenging class, and Riggins will kick your butt but you will walk away feeling you accomplished so much at the end. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze. Bite the bullet and go to office hours, he is super helpful (might rip ya alittle bit). Do not give up and bounce back! He loves that.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Riggins is one of the best CS professor period. If you want to be prepare in the real world take his class. All of his assignments show you how computer coding applies to the real world. However, he will make you work for days the good thing is that he offers A LOT of office ours so as long as you go to office ours you will be fine. Buy the book!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Overall he's a great professor, can be really intimidating at first but he genuinely wants you to do well. The class starts with some general computer theory and moves onto programming later, make sure you go to class every day or you'll fall behind really quickly. Overall, great professor, fun class once you get the hang of it.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great teacher, best I've had at SDSU so far. This class is pretty hard once you get into the assembly language portion though. Theirs 4 programming assignments and 4 tests. If you go to his office hours he'll show you exactly what to do though. I recommend taking him if you have to take this class

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Class was tough, but bearable. Explained the subject well and was very clear about the expectations. Will probably look for him for future classes.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CS237
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

One of the best profs I've had the pleasure of taking during my college career. As a CS major, I found his assignments to be easy; I earned 100% on all of them. His tests are fair and there are no trick questions. He's pretty witty and makes his class fun. If you put in effort, you'll succeed well with Riggins. He's helpful too during office hours.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CS530
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Nice, fun class. Work in groups for programs. Tests are easy if you attend lecture.