Kirk Pruhs - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professor: Kirk Pruhs

Department: Computer Science

College: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CS1510
• 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:

You won't sleep in his class. He cares about the students and he understands your problem when you ask a question.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CS1510
• 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:

1510 with Dr. Pruhs is an intense class as he has forced participation (calls on everyone randomly), and extremely difficult HW assignments. But, Dr. Pruhs is incredibly engaging and interesting and the actual grading is helpful (everyone passes (provided you participate) regardless of your actual percentage), which takes a lot of the pressure off.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CS1511
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class (well, any class with Dr. Pruhs) is a totalizing experience. Attendance and participation required. Homework due each lecture, done in groups. He expects you to have learned something from your prereq classes and apply those skills. 1511 demands your attention and only releases you from its grip when Dr. Pruhs is traveling.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CS1511
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Theory of Computation with Pruhs was the hardest course I have taken to date. The material is inherently difficult, and you're assigned homework assignments with every lecture. That said, Pruhs one of my favorite professors at Pitt. About as clear as possible with explaining proofs, and sometimes pretty hilarious too.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CS1510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, if you enjoy the subject material of algorithm design like Dr. Pruhs does and like any computer scientist should, then you'll love this class. He provides plenty of interesting examples and the homework is challenging and will definitely help you learn. Exams are based off homework and lecture, but are still difficult.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CS1510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors I've ever had! He is good at activating students to learn Algorithms. Lecture is pretty clear; the problems raised in the course could be resolved perfectly. I highly recommend this course and Professor Pruhs!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CS1510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely one of the worst teachers I've ever seen. Can't give much help to struggling students. Algorithms are hard, but not as hard as dealing with a professor who assumes students are supposed to know everything before they came to class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CS1501
• 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:

This guys not that bad. He just happens to teach the 1st upper level CS class that most students take, and a lot of people are upset that they actually have to start working hard. As far as lecturing goes, hes one of the best CS profs I've had. He knows his stuff and explains it very clearly. I will agree that hes somewhat unapproachable.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CS1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The best in class professor I've ever had. Comes across as unapproachable outside of class though.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CS1501
• 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:

A horrible prof. ignore the last persons comment. he doesn't grade fairly at all. he doesn't believe in partial credit. the class average for the tests were 30%, and this is bad b/c some people have retaken the class and kill the average. the TA's might give you a decent grade on projects, but this prof. is not worth it. TAKE ANYBODY ELSE!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CS1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible lecturer, unapproachable and always seems annoyed if you ask him to explain something further. He gives little time for hard assignments. Get a good TA. The pace of the class is somewhat fast, you must get ideas quickly. The ideas presented are interesting though to be fair, and challenging in their own right. Many withdrew from this class

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CS1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not bad at lecturing as far as CS professors go. The class is straight forward and organized.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CS1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He seems to have gotten better at lecturing, but he comes off as very unaproachable.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CS1501
• 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:

Doesn't really know what the book doesn't explain and he really isn't too fond of details.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CS1510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is intelligent..keeps things so that only intelligent cud understand..no money for guessing wt happens to most students

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 1510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Doesn't care about students at all. Why is he teaching?

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CS1652
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good class but the students knew more than he did

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CS1510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Can't teach. In his defense the material is hard. Guarantees a C with effort.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CS1652
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

impossible tests...only knows what the book says...not always enough...fall '02