Michael Loceff - Foothill College

Professor: Michael Loceff

Department: TBD

College: Foothill College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CS3B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was the second (CS3B) in a series of three online or in class Python classes. It was a no-nonsense course. Do the reading and keep up with the programming work and you'll do fine. The online material is full of programming examples. He goes out of his way to let you know he is there if you need him, using Zoom chats or online discussions.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 1A
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As long as you put all your effort into your assignment, you'll be fine. Look into details of each assignment because if you don't, he will deduct your points for every single minor mistake. The discussion is really helpful because he always keep up with the students' questions. Anyways, great professor, tough class, gonna take it again.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CS1A
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

takes off points for redundant code BEFORE teaching you functions. retook Java at De Anza and got an A

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CS2C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Loceff's classes can be challenging, but the upside is that you will emerge at the end a better programmer, knowledgeable of many key concepts and ready for higher level classes. Yes, he is a picky grader, but that level of feedback is rare and beats an easy 'A'. There are numerous extra credit points available at the end to get your grade up.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CS2A
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

My first official CS class and it was tough for me bc I did not really have any background, but I learned A LOT from his class. I was able to ask many questions and get good responses back. He appreciates when people ask questions and for an online class and the notes were very detailed. I would love to take his class again and I would recommend.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CS001A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he takes out points for many small mistakes. He will teach you how to code in a clear and organized way but he is a hard grader.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The work load is not heavy, the assignments are rote, and the online lectures are decent. The real issue is he has a list of arbitrary and nit-picky requirements for his micromanaging assignments. If you have any experience, skip this guy; find someone else who is in touch with the actual working industry. You'll learn his rules, not how to code.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CS2A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He will take off points for the smallest mistakes. I thought he was very confusing at time as well.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CS2B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Loceff invests a lot of time in the class and expects his students to do the same. You definitely need to do things his way, so the sooner you can adopt his style preferences and approach to spec, the better off you'll be. If you want a laid-back introduction to CS or one where you can color outside the lines, this probably isn't the best fit.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 2A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took the online C S 2A. Course is challenging but rewarding. Professor Loceff is extraordinarily attentive and responsive, which made taking my first online programming course more manageable and enjoyable. His modules are clear and well-written. The assignments are challenging; be prepared to put in work. He does have style expectations too.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CS001A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I really like his class and I learned a lot. Module is clear & easy to follow. Fair on grading, just stick to the requirement. Sometimes deducts points for the slightest mistake. Strict on style, but you'll get used to it. Assignments are exciting and require lot of effort. Can be challenging for someone who has literally 0 knowledge of CS though.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CS1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Loceff is a great teacher. Although there have been comments about how difficult the course is, he does make you work of it. It is NOT an easy ride. The modules are straight forward, but if you think that just reading them will help you pass this class (or get a good grade on assignments) you are sadly mistaken. CXH

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CS2B
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Loceff will teach you, but you have to put your effort into the assignments. If there is any confusion, he is very good about answering questions.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have to say that Michael's online modules are very clear and easy to understand. At the same time I have to say that he is a tough grader. Do not expect to get A on assignments easily or moderately; it's hard. Especially if it is your first time taking a computer course, consider taking an in campus course, not online. Your gonna have a hard time

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CS2B
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I came in from a terrible CS2A professor who only taught the fundamental concepts, not how to code well. He is an amazing professor, and I learned a ton thanks to it being the hardest class I've ever taken. Students who get As and want to be challenged, look no further. Lazy students, ye be warned.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Don't ever take his class if you have past programming experience and need it for credit. He uses and sometimes enforces questionable or plain wrong programming practices and you'll have to comply with them. If you are just starting, he's ok, pretty clear, beginner-friendly, but be prepared to forget half of what he teaches after submitting final.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CS001A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You lose a lot of points for having extra space, extra indent, or not having indent in your code. You wrote fully functional class method, satisfying all the requirements, but with having any extra spacing or line breaks or tab in your method, be prepare to lose many points. In the end, you would learn how to please him, but not really coding.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CS1A
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed his class. Some might argue that he is a really tough grader, but that mentality of his shaped me into a good programmer. He's always online in the forums and responds quickly to any questions. Best online Professor I ever had. I really want to take CS1C but sadly he's not teaching the CS1 series anymore :(

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CS001A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is very clear and straightforward. If people are having trouble, they are probably not participating in the forums or seeking help at the STEM center. Resources are there, so as long as you start your assignments early and follow the directions, there's no reason you can't get an A. Disappointed he's not teaching 1B next quarter. great professor

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CS1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I am an international student. Before I took this class, I knew nothing about CS. The online class is poor. For example, he did not mention do while loop, but the assignment answer was using it. What the ?????// How can I know it???????AM I genius ?