Jeff Smith - San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Professor: Jeff Smith

Department: Computer Science

College: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CS154
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Avoid at all costs save your time take another professor.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CS155
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely dry and boring lectures that are not easy to follow, even when you're interested in the subject. Tests and homework were not bad, and he grades very fast. But I think he only gave one A in the whole class. Lowest grade I've received in any CS class ever (of 20 taken) despite considerable effort. Avoid.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CS152
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not particularly interesting, entire class pretty much zones out on laptops / phones while he teaches in a fairly mundane matter...then he shoots up about 3 octaves to get your attention. Definitely not an exciting teacher nor very helpful. Mostly vague in everything, but not the hardest / worst I've seen

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CS49J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Some people see classes as places with students against the teacher. That's how this teacher seems to see it. He really needs to let it go. There may be something about his lectures that could use some work.. but all I can focus on is how I get to sit in his class and see him slam his stick to get people's attention, comfy with this state of things

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CS146
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

kind effective teacher; covered subject matter well (most of the time); no trauma, no drama, reasonable tests, reasonable homework, reasonable grading; does all grading himself so he can gauge how everyone's doing; very smart guy - one of the best in the dept; should change the text tho. He was happier than we were that the class ended - funny

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CS49J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's alright. Not the best, but certainly not the worst. His assignments are easy. His instructions are unnecessarily convoluted and complex. His exams are from the material that he explicitly covered in class. His lectures are boring. He wants to make sure you understand the topics though. Helpful during question time. Somewhat socially awkward..

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CS152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

basically it's a very hard class. the subject matter can be very difficult but he teaches it well. He's willing to help explain further concepts. A lot of hw but it's extremely helpful when it comes to exams. (time consuming but worth it!) Exams can be hard but if u pay attention in class and understand the hw u should be okay.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CS151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This is not a easy class, but if you are willing to learn, you will learn quite a lot from his class. His lectures are so clear and detailed and he is very helpful and pertty fair in grading.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CS152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The most demotivating professor I have ever come across. He tries to be hard on students in every way possible. Not a good study experience. Try to avoid him but since he teaches this course most of the time it might be hard to do so. So, GOODLUCK!! :)

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CS1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Thorough organized clear lectures. Very good notes. Very fair open book tests. Prompt return of homework assignments and tests. Prompt email responses. Reads every line of programming assignments and provides helpful comments. Very fair grading. I don't expect to be entertained by an instructor, I expect to be taught - and he does this very well

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CS49J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Smith is extremely helpful during his office hours and more than willing to spend however much time is needed to answer your questions. The book is heavily used, and it is strongly suggested to read it thoroughly. Open-book/note tests force you to have a very clear understanding of the material.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CS49J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He's very book oriented. If you've read the book before the exams, you'll do fine because anything he puts on the test, you can use the book. Harsh grader on the programs though.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CS49J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is teacher is so unclear. His lectures are boring, his words didn't make any sense. Cant explain clearly what he wants on the assignments. Harsh grader, strict as hell. Exams are open book and open notes but his Exams will go beyond these the material. Suggestion: Dont take his class no matter what, try to find some other teachers if possible.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CS152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's so pedantic, so clear, and so precise during his lectures; it becomes quite hard to stay awake. On the contrary, if you're able to stay awake, and are willing to learn, you'll probably learn quite a lot. Attendance is not required, but highly recommended. Tests can be challenging. Recommended.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CS49J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE HIM! He does not explained the subjects clear, and he went beyond the book. Almost one and half chapter per week, lots of reading and homework. Open book and open notes for the midterms and final, but it's hard. He's not helpful during the office hour, he can't tell where I made the mistakes on the hw. Take someone else if you can!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CS154
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

No curve. Open book midterms and final. You need to do all the hw to do good in the class. Lectures aren't too clear. You have to read most of the book to do well. His slides has some good points, but are not great at all. He tells jokes, but aren't funny.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CS155
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Smith is my favorite professor I've had at SJSU. He's an extremely smart guy, and his I always found his lectures to be clear and helpful. I'm convinced that thinking his lectures are boring is a symptom of not paying close enough attention.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CS49J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Exams and assignments are very unclear, lectures are boring and unorganized. Requires a lot of reading by yourself if you wanna pass the class. Do not take him unless you are familiar with the course material.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CS152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are torture - very long, dry, and unorganized. His exams and programs can be tricky, only because he chooses to communicate in an unclear uncommited manner. As a result of taking this class, I feel that I can pick up any new language and start writing programs within a few days.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CS152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures tend to be longwinded and not very well-organized. He doesn't seem to fully appreciate the steep learning curve in functional and logic programming (problem with the course itself, actually). Strongly recommend taking CS154 before doing 152. The book (Louden's) is awful. Be prepared to consult outside sources to fully learn the material.