Simanta Mitra - Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Professor: Simanta Mitra

Department: Computer Science

College: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Com S 309 and to be honest, it's bs. They throw so much crap at you and explain it so poorly that in the end, you felt like you barely learned anything. This guy starts throwing at you 1,000 different concepts and charts and what not and doesn't take the time to explain the important stuff. Plus, they make you copy and paste their code...

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'm torn on Professor Mitra. He does a good job helping students on their projects and getting them the help they need if he can't answer your question. His lectures aren't great. 25% of the grade is exams, but the study materials are a bit lacking. He provides review questions but not answers. Also the slides are not the most helpful or incomplete

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor, cares about his students and tries to help each of them in their projects. - The class he teaches is about a semester long project so self teaching and teamwork are what determines your grade, not only lectures. - He will talk about easy project management topics to use in the teams and if you take notes exams are easy.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

In lecture we learn how to count from 1 to 10, but the assignment of this class expect us to solve implicit differentiation of multi-variable functions. Google is your real instructor in COMS309.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a bit scattered during lectures, but overall if you take good notes and consult him outside of class, the material isn't hard to learn. He tries to give everyone as good an opportunity to succeed as possible and he really helped my 309 group get our act together and become more successful.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Horrible teacher, rambles on about nothing during lecture, generally does not seem to know what he is talking about. Class is a waste of time besides doing the project.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

COMS 309 is a big project class - one big one to be exact, but I will focus on the professor here. Simanta seems to care a lot about everything he teaches and is incredibly available, having office hours for 8 hours a week and on weekends. His organization of course material could be improved as his website is not well thought out.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very, VERY unorganized -- probably the most out of any professor I've ever had. He'll routinely make changes to the schedule while telling no one, adding a ton of stress to an already intensive course. That said, he does care about the students and the grade you receive, and is easy to reach outside of class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COMS319
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Mitra is extremely unorganized. He always changes his grading scales and his deadlines so you are never exactly sure what is going on. You usually have to teach yourself the topics, but nothing is too hard to learn. All of that aside, Mitra is extremely caring and is always helpful with your questions and concerns. Really a top-notch guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COMS319
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Best professor I had at ISU. He really cares about what people learn.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

When you meet with him ask him questions, he cares a lot about everyone learning through their project and will give you good advice and organizational tips. Lectures not very important outside of random attendence.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: COMS319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

probably the most unorganized class i have ever taken. due dates always being moved around and the grading criteria for most of the projects are really not clear at all. content of the class wasn't bad- just the organizational part was terrible

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COMS319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fun profesor. pretty laidback, as long as you do your work.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COMS311
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Super nice and approachable professor. He is rare in that he understands how students are doing and ENGAGES!! He'll stop the class to take polls and make sure everyone is getting what he's teaching. Not many CS profs go the distance he does to connect with students. He was very enthusiastic too and there were NO SURPRISES ON ANY EXAM period. 10/10

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COMS311
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is smart, good at explaining things . He emphasizes on how you prove the correctness of an algorithm. A lot of ACM problems are given, so be prepared for all-night coding. The class focuses on how well you understand algorithm and manipulate it in your coding. Also, Mitra is the Coach of Iowa State team in ACM competition.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CS207XW
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

this professor is very unclear and does not explain assignments or expectations. All of the learning comes from the book and his powerpoints and quizzes are riddled with errors. He does not seem to understand the Blackboard learn software.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: COMS319
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His grading criterion is not clear because he cares about students performance than perfection. He is always willing to talk and help you. He makes you write detailed reports which are extremely helpful in professional environment. Easily the best and most understanding professor. Keenness to learn earns an A. No book required.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: EM274
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mitra taught a tough subject really well. He wants his students to do well, but doesn't make it easy by nay means. You need to work hard to get a good grade in the class. Chegg helps with homework, but doesn't take the test for you. Problem solving class in its finest. Sadly all the mistakes make sense. Great teacher of a difficult class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CS309
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is really good at what he does. He seems like he cares about your academic well being.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: COMS309
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy Grader