Robert McCloskey - University of Scranton, Scranton, PA

Professor: Robert McCloskey

Department: Computer Science

College: University of Scranton, Scranton, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I was very bitter for awhile since I earned a C+ in his class. However, it was my fault for not putting in the work the course demanded. The class is hard if you have no experience in programming but it isn't impossible. If you get behind, it'll be very hard to recover. My advice: keep up, don't get frustrated, and work hard.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really Great Guy. A little odd but he is a computer science professor so its expected. Really smart and gives good lectures. Homework can tough at times but it is really helpful and is when i learned the most.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was not a fan of Dr. McCloskey. Average teacher, but his grading system is disorganized and you never know where you stand. He changes the weights of everything at the end of the semester. My "B" average ended up being a "C+" and he refused to tell me the scale used when I asked. Not helpful and gets impatient so pray your TA is good.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He says the first day that previous Java experience isn't necessary, but it is. The only students who did well in the class were ones that had prior programming experience. It's not impossible, but it's certainly tough and you'll spend a lot of time trying to figure out programming assignments. Not a bad teacher though.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If I tried harder, I probably would have gotten a better grade but the class is pretty miserable unless you like programming or have a background in it. He's disorganized and e-mails you programming assignments at 3AM on Saturday nights (yes, that happened). The material is simple at first but then gets really hard and makes you want to cry. Meh.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Unless you have previous background in Java, this class is tough. However, it is no better with the other teacher for the course. Pray that your TA is good because your ability to survive the programming assignments depends on this.. McCloskey offers no help himself. The midterm isn't that bad but the final really kills your grade. Good luck.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. McCloskey knows his stuff but is not a good intro-level teacher. He just throws programming assignments at you and expects you to know how to do things with Java that you were never taught. He'll give quizzes if he thinks the class is slacking off but they aren't bad if you know what you've been doing. Tests are tough. Overall don't recommend.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not a hard class. Basic logical thinking is all that is required to understand the material. Teaches it well, but hates the material. Feedback is usually kind of slow. Participate in class and let him know you know what you're doing and you'll get a good grade. And remember, whenever he asks a question, the answer is INSTANCE VARIABLE!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely hated Dr. McCloskey. Although he has a PhD in computer science, he sounds like he has no idea what he is talking about most of the time. He gives barely any help at all, and he thinks he is all knowing. The only reason I got an A in the class is because of prior programming experience, and still shaky. Avoid if at all possible.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I still have nightmares from this class after two years. It seems easy in the beginning but it gets HARD. By the end of the semester I was putting 10 hours into the programming assignments. He'll have quizzes now and then which aren't that bad but the tests are hard. If you have no interest in programming prepare for a rough semester.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CMPS340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

CMPS 340 was my first class with Dr. McCloskey and it was a blast. Some claim he's unapproachable but my class found him easy to talk tohumorous. He genuinely cares about students understanding the material and will focus until you get it. There are quite a few assignments and tests are crazy long, but he's one of the better CS professors by far.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The language is hard to grasp, but it's hard with anyone. It's even harder if you don't try or go to class, which many opted for. Tests are hard for those who don't care enough to study. Dr. McCloskey is an excellent professor who is able to answer any question well. Programs take time (~6 hours) but once you finish them, you're prepared for tests.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I had a strong background in computer programming before taking Dr. McCloskey's class; therefore, I felt the tests, quizzes, and assignments in this class were extremely simple. Without this background, the class would probably be much harder; nevertheless, I still think he did a good job explaining the concepts and helping with assignments.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Class is a typical programming class. Nothing too hard. He is a bit eccentric and his tests may seem tricky but they were open book. His programming assignments do get a little difficult towards the end. Also some say he isn't approachable but I had frequent email correspondence with him and met him a few times to discuss projects with no problems.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CIL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

nice guy but not so great at teaching just because he's a bit unapproachable and eccentric, not to mention it was a required class so not many were interested. i always tried to be nice to him at first but then i got mad about his grading system (or lack thereof) and his unwillingness to help me. if you can take someone else, i recommend it

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CIL102
• 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:

He was hilarious, content was extremely boring and useless! but if you participate he'll help you out with your grade

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you read the textbook you should be alright. The biggest challenge is the programming assignments which progressively get harder. He is a tough grader. He offers little help and feels unapproachable - so become friends with someone in class and work together. Tests are difficult... quizzes are alright as long as you study.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CMPS1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A typical programming class. Hard to do if its your first language. But his assignments get hard towards the end. Not too hard to get an A if you know computers, but if not you might not pass. Tests are moderatly hard. Make sure you understand perfectly all the terms he uses. (Method, class, stuff like that)

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CMPS134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice guy, but not a good intro-level teacher. If you take him, don't expect an easy grade unless you already know your stuff.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CIL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is quite eccentric and makes a lot of 70s references. He takes attendance at the beginning of the semester but then stops after a few weeks. All his notes are available online so studying for tests is just simple reading. If you are willing to understand the topics, you will do well.