D Nordstrom - George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Professor: D Nordstrom

Department: Computer Science

College: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you want to earn an A, take good notes and write down everything Nordstrom writes on the board. His projects are not too difficult; they are just time-consuming. His exams are not too difficult, but they are only 5-6 questions and he's a slightly tough grader. I'll miss him when he retires though.

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:

He said he's retiring this semester, but I'll write this review in case he doesn't. He writes notes on whiteboard, and has bad handwriting. There are no online notes. He also makes you hand in programs on paper. Other than that, his class is a joy. He makes jokes during lecture and stays entertaining. I recommend him for any programming class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CS262
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nordstrom is very knowledgeable and funny but his class is extremely difficult. The separate lab sections/projects are what will save your grade because he uses his own grading system that you are given no info on. His handwriting is tough to read so sit close. Midterm and final are tough and review sheet is vague. Stay on your toes if you take him

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CS262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The textbook is not that helpful, but his lectures are thorough, so you have to go to class and take good notes to succeed. He's funny, but he can be absent minded sometimes. Only problem is that there is only one midterm and it has only five questions which makes the tests hit or miss.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CS262
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nordstrom is a very good professor. He is very knowledgeable, and he is incredibly smart and down-to-earth. Go to office hours if you need help, and he will try his best to assist you. His handwriting isn't great, but if you ask, he'll read what he wrote. He is funny, and his lectures are pretty good. I'd definitely take him again.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nordstrom's class was much different then others. Tries to keep lectures interesting by making "jokes". 2 exams - a midterm and a final. Both were about 4-5 questions long so it was either you pass with a high grade or fail. Projects weren't that bad. As long as you attend class and listen to his lectures, should be be able to pass the class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Pros: funny, explains things clearly (if you pay attention), decently helpful office hours. Cons: The class is only graded via 2 exams and 3 projects, which would be fine except his exams are graded in such a way where if you miss one or two questions, your grade suffers severely, not to mention some exam questions are pretty vague.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

There are three projects and two exams. These are the only grades for the class. You have to print out your code for the projects and turn it in. If you do not learn well from lectures or do not want to teach yourself the material TAKE ANOTHER PROFESSOR. Spring 2015.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CS262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Handwriting is admittedly bad and he is a medium to tough grader, but he is a very engaging lecturer with a great sense of humour. Exceedingly polite as well. Don't skip class! The book is not all that helpful, but his lectures are thorough, so you'll need good notes.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CS483
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very effective

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CS222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Doesn't believe in power points and has terrible hand writing. If you are use to using piazza or blackboard to keep on task and ask questions you wont find them here. All you get is a website which is basically the syllabus and contact info with the occasional project which is never very easy to decipher. Overall 10/10 would NOT recommend

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CS440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

His tests are usually 4-5 questions, and he grades them pretty tough out of 20 points, so miss a question and you'e looking at a C. But he curves generously at the end of the semester. The book is useless, which he also admits is "only for the brave." You need to go to class and take exact notes. His tests come directly from examples in class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CS440
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Excellent Professor. I've taken just about every class he teaches at Mason and enjoyed every single one. Take good notes in lectures and you'll ace the tests. Every project in the class builds on top of the previous projects so make sure you start early or you're screwed for the whole semester.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CS262
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Funny smart old guy. LOVED IT!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CS262
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His handwriting is really bad but after a while you get used to it. All the quizzes based on the lectures and some of the questions on midterm and final. He just shows you the basic you need to spend time to learn the advance, and have a better understanding of it. He will ask you really advanced questions. Spend time to understand pointers well.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CS261
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His handwriting is really bad but everything else is straight forward.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 262
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you are in the college just for fun then this guy is right for you. Else, if you want to get good grade so that you can register for the next semester courses, please do yourself a favor and keep away from him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

definetly the most interesting CS professor ive had. He keeps the class interesting with jobs amd acedotes. His exams are a hit or miss as there are only 5 question to either you score 100% or you fail miserably. He makes up for it in the grading policy. I failed the mid term and 23 projects but still managed to get a B. 1010 would take again.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CS483
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very passionate about what he teaches. Talk to the guy, he's one of the greatest characters at Mason.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CS310
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Teacher is passionate about his subject. Explains concepts clearly. Lectures can get a bit dull but he tries to keep it interesting by interjecting jokes. Projects and tests can be a bit tricky. Overall a pretty good teacher for this subject.