Bob Sterling - Tidewater Community College

Professor: Bob Sterling

Department: Computer Science

College: Tidewater Community College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CSC
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Yeah I thought the class was pretty easy. But I already knew C++. Other people in the class seamed to do fine. If you are new this is the teacher to take. And trust me, the other teachers on other campuses are much, much worse.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CSMANY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a smart guy and very knowledgeable about CS, but his teaching style is outdated. His hand writing is terrible. He is helpful if you ask. He can correct your program reading it from your printed paper without having to compile it and run it, which is amazing, but he is not the best teacher. His Assignments are clear. Tests are easy.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CSC110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The only reason I passed this class was because I already knew a lot about C++. Although I believe he knows a lot about the material, he's not good at teaching it, and his handwriting is god-awful. If you already know a lot about C++ and computer programming or are good at self-educating yourself, then I wouldn't worry about it. The exams are easy.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CSC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

To start off, he's the only computer science teacher at TCC! Secondly, he's usually late, lets out class early, and doesn't cover anything in class besides (his own) style guidelines. The tests are also only 5 questions, and tend to be on obscure rules that he covered for only 5 minutes one day, that have nothing to do with the class. AVOID

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CS205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had him for all CS classes years ago. I went on to get a BS in Comp Sci and Math and an MS in Math. I learned more about programming from him than anyone else. Prof Sterling teaches students to pseudo code and outline first which is correct. If you can't handle 100/200 level classes don't bother to get your BS because it only gets harder.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CSC215
• 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:

Adding on from my previous comment. I took his summer lecture, he drops your lowest test grade out of 3 and then there's the final. Please tell me how I failed badly on the first 2 tests, got a B on the third one, and still got a C+ in his class. This class was a joke but people can handle him if they live and breathe CS. Good Luck destroying your

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CSC215
• 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:

All I have to say is I took his summer lecture and he is hard. He is the only CS Teacher at TCC so you can not really avoid him. The professor I had at ODU in the spring taught better than this guy. He is not a bad guy, he just can not teach. His Teaching style is poor, his hand writing is poor, and his tests are hard if you dont live/breathe CS.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CSC110
• 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:

Guy is definitely difficult to understand at times, I liked him though. Too many people expected to have their hand held with him when CS is not like that. Tests are quite easy and he allows you to use a page of notes. Programming assignments were difficult at times but do able. Enforces programming style from book and him. Would take again.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CSC110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Sterling is a washed up pascal programmer and enforces HIS programming style, instead of accepting the fact that there are infinite ways to make a program for similar tasks. Everyone should complain about him being the only CSC teacher at TCC.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CSC110
• 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:

This guy may be able to program, but he is no programmer. His level of understanding to the subject seems non-existent. After having every question answered with non-related answers, I have concluded that he is a waste of time for anyone that doesn't know the subject already. It is too bad he is the ONLY CSC teacher for TCC.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CSCALL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Sterling can be a boring lecturer if you don't read the assigned reading prior to class. Asks questions during lecture to give students an chance to participate, not to answer himself! His 205/215 tests are straight from the HW exercises and easy. The 201/210 classes were more of a complement to the books and he allows page of notes. Reasonable guy

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CSCALL
• 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:

He is the worst teacher. He is incomprehensible and his "x" looks like some greek symbol. He talks to himself all the time. He DOES however allow you to bring a page of notes to a test BUT his tests are poorly made. His test questions are weighted so randomly you can literally fail a test from 1 question. He makes TCC a bad place for CS.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He really is a good teacher. He lets you have a full page of notes on each test, allows resubmission of programs that do not work and he will always help you during office hours. The only way you will fail is if you don't study.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CSCALL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Good professor with a good heart. Helped me out when I was in a tough situation and really does care. His class is easy as long as you read the book and do any assignments. He even lets you use your own notes on the tests. Programs aren't too hard and he is always willing to help you out if you need it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr. Sterling is actually pretty awesome. Yes he has bad hand writing and yes he answers his own questions, but it's only because no on else answers them when asked. He is more than willing to answer any questions you have during office hours. Just read the book and do the homework just like any other college class requires and you'll do fine

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

wow, enigma guy, I am still trying to figure him out!! even though i had him for 5 semesters so far. I don't read the assignments till the test and then get my A. worse hand writing you can possibly meet, you will wish you were asked to decipher some hieroglyphics instead!! he would ask a question and answer it by himself!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CSC110
• 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:

If you like being taught by a mumbling incomprehensible old man who teaches computer science without a computer and looks at you like YOUR the Idiot, then by all means take this class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CSC210
• 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:

Mr. Sterling is very confusing. Even went you ask questions you can't understand what he is saying. He understand you if you have problems or if you are late. But as a teacher he is not the best...

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CSCALL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you major in CS at TCC, taking his class wouldn't be optional. In fact, he's not good at communicating with others but willing to help students during his office hours. If you struggle in his class and cant get an A, be prepared to strugle more in 4-year university for CS/BS.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CSC110
• 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:

He may not be the clearest instructor, but he's not that bad. If you read the assigned reading before class like you are *SupposeD* to, you will have no trouble following along. He ALWAYS asks if there are any questions, so if you don't understand what he's talking about, raise your hand! Or talk to him after class. Or in his office-he's helpful