Catherine Matthews - University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Professor: Catherine Matthews

Department: Computer Science

College: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very excited and funny lady. Wants to make coding fun, even if it can be boring. Doesn't post grades. Class assignments are "participation" credit but you need to understand how to do it to pass exams. Not too hard, definitely have to take notes (writing code on paper sucks) in class. Textbook isn't super necessary , all code stuff is online anyway

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Matthews is a great teacher! She explains things thoroughly and really wants you to get the A. She may seem condescending at times and repetitive, but she really cares for her students. She gives many second chances with assignments. Curves exams. Without the lectures, you're going to struggle majorly in the lab portion of the class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Posts none of the grades on Blackboard and insists you use the class website. So at the end of the semester unless you make sure to keep all of your tests, quizzes and homework you will have no idea what you've gotten.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• 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:

She tries to be good to students but she doesn't understand that many of the students (like myself) have no history or understanding of programming. The labs have 2+ hours of homework a week and you either have to do them in the lab or deal with nightmare of transferring them. If I hear "This is fun!" or "You got the A!" again I will scream.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's a little disorganized & it takes time to get used to her teaching style, but she cares SO much about her students. Keep up with her assignments and ask her for help. The lab hours help SO much for assignments. The tests weren't bad if you studied the guides. The final project creeps up on you so be ready for that. The presentations were fun!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102HONORS
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Matthews is really sweet and cares about her students but she goes really fast in her Honors section. Her tests were pretty difficult in my opinion. She has strict classroom rules but she's really passionate about programming and teaches you some cool stuff.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102HONORS
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As a polisci major, this class wasn't my easiest, but Dr. Matthews was great. She is nice, but also is no-nonsense and knows her subject. Her lecture's are efficient, and she's great at answering questions. Be prepared to stay up late some nights working on labs and make sure to study for the tests. You can't go wrong with Dr. Matthews.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A lot of people complain about her. She is a little annoying, but she is super caring and a good person to the core. The worst part about the class is keeping up with the labs. Very tedious, but not impossible. If you're studious and pay attention you will be fine.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I learned nothing in this class, she teaches fast. She will continuously say "isn't this fun? that's pretty neat! look at all the power you have. You got the A, etc." At the beginning of class she always says "scroll in to make the font obnoxiously large so the back row stays awake" and I HATE IT. Take a different teacher please . I learned NOTHIN

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is the worst class I've ever had to take. I studied more for this class than any other class I took this semester and I'm barely passing. I made an appointment with her outside of her office hours and she didn't show up. Do yourself a favor and don't take her class. And if you have to, do all the labs and maybe you'll pass.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cares about the students, very prepared for class; knows the material, Most helpful to the students.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great class! But you need to study!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Matthews was really nice and passionate about computer science. I had never taken any csce before and she explained it in a comprehensive way and made it clear what we would be tested on. She keeps the classroom lively and makes the material fun. Sometimes she goes pretty fast but it is easy to ask questions in class if you are behind.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CLS102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is very nice. Cares for her students to do well. Test are straight out of the reviews. Take advantage of her practice posts, will come in handy on the tests. Very understanding and wants u to do well.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class itself is stressful. I didn't even have Matthews as my actual professor, it was a grad student who clearly had little experience explaining the information. Labs were pretty straight forward if you pay attention in lecture. Attendance is mandatory. Save yourself the headache and don't take this course unless you have to.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I didn't like this class very much at first, but then I started going to Mrs Matthews office hours and realized that I shouldn't be stressing. Her tests are hard but they only count for 15%. The bulk of the grade are the labs every week and those are no brainers. Rarely has homework or quizzes, and attendance is mandatory.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great class! She knows the material and presents it well..

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Matthews is a brilliant professor. That being said, you can feel a little bit belittled when you as a stupid question and get her answer back. As long as you are willing to put in the work you won't have a problem passing the class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

All tests are given off class notes. The only thing in the notes is code which is not helpful to study. She flies through her material making it tough to follow. Expects you to know everything. Is downright cringe inducing in class. Claims her class is fun from day 1 but it's miserable and she makes terrible jokes. 210 would rather eat a pinecone.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CSCE102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Matthews is a solid teacher, though she comes off as unsympathetic. Class isn't too hard if you practice the code, especially if you're good at problem solving. Make sure to write down the concepts, not just what is on screen. Textbook is useless; all necessary info is online. You can do very well if you put effort into this class.