Cullen Schaffer - Hunter College, New York, NY

Professor: Cullen Schaffer

Department: Computer Science

College: Hunter College, New York, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CS150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Avoid this guy. He talks really fast and writes very sloppy. You will learn a new alphabet in every class. The course started with 140+ students and ended with 30. He goes through the material too fast, textbook is poorly self-written, and quizzes are way harder than it needs to be. Even the recitation prof couldn't figure some of the questions out

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CS150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Discrete is a hard class, but Prof Schaffer teaches it in a more practical way. That does not mean it's easier, in some senses, it's harder. I took Discrete a while ago now and each semester I recognize something I learned in Schaffer's class. I almost failed, but I learned a lot, which I am grateful for.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CSCI150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Difficult class. The subjects taught in class (on the text/homework) are completely different than what is given on the quizzes/exams. Must understand every subject thoroughly. Would not recommend taking Cullen for 150.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CS150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Clear and concise in class. Will always answer/address any comments and questions. Feel like anyone who took this class and didn't like it was cause they didn't put in the effort. It's hard for a lot of people and its fast paced, so expect to work for your A

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CS150
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Schaffer is a caring and knowledgable teacher that does a good job at encouraging student participation. Specifically for 150, while the material was hard, I believe the biggest issue with the class was the textbook. It would have been nice to have more more references because not everyone learns from the textbook and understands his explanation.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CSCI150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Phenomenal professor. Passionate about the material, and always willing to help out during office hours. Speaks very fast during lectures and covers a lot of material, so be prepared. I would study for about an hour a day to be truly prepared for the exams. Wasn't sure about majoring in CompSci going into this class, ended up declaring.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CSCI150
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Discrete structures is a hard class. Even though he is a great professor he makes the class harder than it should be. I had a tutor look at the material who was also struck by how difficult some of the questions were. There is a quiz everyday that is kind of based on homework and text. You need to study for this class. I'm scared to see what I get.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CIS135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He forces you to stay in class without leaving and also harshly takes off points for being late or using ur phone or walking out half a letter grade every time.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CSCI150
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This professor is so bad at teaching the material, that I (and many other computer science majors) seriously considered quitting the major altogether, he is the absolute worst professor I have ever had in the entire history of classes taken (I have taken calculus 2 and I am still saying this!) Instead of dropping the major I switched schools, sad.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CSCI150
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Schaffer gives me hope for Hunter's CS department. The class itself is difficult; you really do need to study and work for an A. But his tests and quizzes reflect the lecture material and he goes out of his way to give in depth explanations to any and all questions, be it in class, during office hours, or via email. Definitely recommend.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CSC1335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This prof. is the worst ever. He should go home. So so bad

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CSCI150
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

There isn't a textbook for his class, instead he provides two 100 pg+ pdf files of his own notes; one for hw, one of class notes. He selects the content and makes up his own questions. The thing about him is that really wants you to learn all of it and doesn't make it easy. While he is a nice guy & is easy to reach by email, it doesn't balance out.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CS150
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you are planning on your professor teaching you in such a way that you understand then run away as fast as you can from Cullen Schaffer. One of the worst professors that I have had the worst luck of being stuck with. Do not take his class you will regret it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CSCI150
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I understand why some people find him too harsh. He's definitely strict and expects you to know A LOT in a short amount of time and then quizzes you on it. But this is one of the most rewarding and theoretically useful classes I've taken. It was terrible that semester, but so worth it. I use his lecture notes like 2-3 times a week when programming.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CS150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Discrete Structures is a difficult course, however this professor "makes it really easy." "If you take him for discrete you are almost guaranteed an easy A, no to mention the fair grading scheme."

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CS150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This professor along with the material for this class was extremely difficult, one of the hardest in the cs major req I've heard. He makes you take a quiz everyday and asks students questions in class so you always have to be on your toes and study whenever you have the chance. Will help you if you reach out to him. Not an easy A but you will learn

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CSCI133
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Programming for Everyone A+ : Pass all 11 exams EXAMS: can take at own pace, just have to finish all before end of semester; pass/fail grading; will def pass if complete practice problems; questions extremely similar to practices; can retake until pass, ques will change though ATTEND: 5 allowed absences, if absent more will go down a grade

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CSCI121
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The computers and money class was a little weird because of the way it's set up. You do an entire unit on excel for a whole class and at the very end take a 'test', which is one question from any of the previous units. It's not a difficult class as long as you don't miss too many of them.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CSCI499
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The most disrespectful professor I have ever had. Does not know what he is talking about and makes school stressful for all of us. His demands of your projects are odd and you will find yourself making your programs worse to fulfill his needs.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CSCI499
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A strict professor for CS Capstone course, he is very demanding. Harsh grader and very blunt but overall once you get used to his teaching methods, he's is a pretty decent professor. High grade curves.