Marc Destefano - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Professor: Marc Destefano

Department: Cognitive Science

College: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COGS1010
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I've had him for 2 semesters now, and he's been by far one of my favorite teachers. He clearly knows his stuff, and is very enthusiastic about the subject. He is also very willing to help you learn, and the smaller lecture group makes it easy to ask questions.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GAMEDEV1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very opinionated. Avoid if in a major that isn't comp sci, cog sci, or art. He will grade you according to his opinion of what your major's worth to the team is.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COGS4960
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took most of his classes throughout the years (+ a research project). Easily my favorite professor ever. He has an obvious love of his field, and is very knowledgeable about almost all aspects. Very approachable. His classes can be either hard or easy, depending on how much work you want to put into it.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COGS4320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Best teacher ever. He adds a lot of humor to his lectures and is extremely knowledgeable about everything he teaches. IF you can get a class with him do so without hesitation!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COGS4320
• 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:

Mark's a great professor and a great guy too! He's passionate and well-informed in game design. His lectures, ranging from notable figures in the industry to probability with dice, offer plenty of information and are very interesting to listen to. Almost most important of all, he's a clear speaker so you shouldn't have trouble understanding him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COGS1010
• 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:

Marc is the best Professor I have ever had. He's one of the most interesting person you will ever meet. If you can, take his classes. Just never use Comic Sans font, mention Tigger, or say you like Monopoly.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COGS1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You gotta work in his class, but the work is fun and interesting. Tests aren't terrible but do study. He is always available to help, and is a really great guy. He's funny, very intelligent, and insightful in a delightedly sarcastic manner. NEVER MENTION TIGGER OR MONOPOLY IN CLASS (unless you wish to die/be amused, depending upon his mood).

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSYC2520
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

OMG...Best Prof EVER!! Interesting, fun, and really knows his stuff.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSYC2520
• 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:

Excellent, excellent, excellent. He is completely honest and bends over backwards to help you (when his bad back permits it!)

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSYC2520
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Take this man's class! He is knowledgeable and approachable, and besides, you'll learn a lot about some really great subjects. Marc (he goes by his first name) makes game design interesting and non-trivial, has has some really relevant insight.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Take a class because he's teaching it, whether you need it or not. They've all rocked.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Marc is probably the most intelligent, down to earth and positive professor at RPI. I only wish he taught more classes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSYC2963
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome teacher! Take all his classes. Hes a terse guy just don't take offense cause he doesn't mean offense. Great at what he does, don't miss his classes or you will fall behind though.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSYC4968
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is THEE person to talk to about game developement at RPI.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Great class, lots of fun, learn alot, very practical.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Awesome class, good professor. A very understanding and reasonable guy. He gave us a lot of creative license and my group was able to make a great game.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ICG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Best lecturer ever to give lectures for any course. The fact that I was interested in the subject to start with may have been relevant, but still. There are relatively few tests and assignmets to form your whole grade, but if you put in any effort, it's

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the best courses amd best teachers well .. EVER. Fun atmosphere and very informative lectures. But, contrary to previous post, it is not better than sex. Nothing is better than sex, except sex with multiple partners ....

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I wish that there were more assignments and that they were graded on a slightly larger scale instead of just out of 5 points. Tests were worth too much in comparison to what they covered. Lectures were awesome and informative.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Best prof at RPI. The only class I've had at RPI where there have been MULTIPLE interesting lectures. In fact, all the lectures have been interesting.