David Smith - Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Professor: David Smith

Department: TBD

College: Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COSC110
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor is something else. His class is super hard, and he expects you to just *poof* understand it. How about you show us some demonstrations instead of just talking at the class? If I have the choice, I'm never taking his class again. He is way too tough - expectations too high. Avoid if you can.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COSC110
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is extremely hard and he does not prepare you for any of the labs you have to complete. Do not take any of his classes.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COSC110
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Smith is approachable and will help you with assignments if you ask, however, do not take his class. His lectures and the textbook do not prepare you for the labs that are due each chapter. Be prepared to teach yourself, as very few of the concepts in the labs and course assignments are covered in the textbook or in his lectures.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COSC210
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Continuous projects with minimal instruction. Project difficulty increases while the timeframe to complete gets smaller with less instruction as well. No tutoring at all in the computer science department as well isn't great!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COSC310
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Smith is the best teacher I have ever had. His classes are extremely tough but he knows his stuff. He is always willing to help. I learned so much from him and became a better programmer. Dr. Smith is keeping this department alive. Just remember to do the homework and pay attention in class. These are advanced computer science topics.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COSC210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really enjoy his class. The workload isn't bad and he is understanding with his grading. He'll take time to show up and help you whenever possible. Overall nice professor, would take again.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COSC105
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Overall a solid professor. The class wasn't too hard since you just have to fill out powerpoint slides or take notes. Tests are all multiple choice and do not deviate from the information he presents. His midterm and final had a full page of bonus, which was really nice. With that being said, skipping class is a really bad idea if you want to pass.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COSC105
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hes a nice guy, but hes tough. Like really tough. Not taking his class again lol

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COS105
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I didn't miss a single class, took decent notes, and cracked the book open maybe once. I got an A+. His notes / lectures can be confusing and he doesn't explain things very clearly, so outside effort is required for a good grade, but he was available often and made a good effort. Overall, just show up and put in a little effort and he's fine.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COSC101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Will help you with anything at anytime. One does not even need to be in one of his classes, but if you come to him and ask him for help on some coding. he will be more than happy to help you. Classes are very tough, and have projects due every week. Does not mind helping out. Had him for multiple classes through the years.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COSC310
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is honestly the reason why I'm as good in CompSci as I am. He will stay after and help you and puts forth more effort to help his students learn than I've ever seen in a professor. I wish I could take him for every class because he is really intelligent and his awkwardness is the greatest. Best professor in the department.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: COSC380
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Super fair grader when it comes to presentations. The class is really front-loaded, you'll do a lot of work in the beginning and then it tapers off, but he is very clear about when things are due and what he expects. Brings up opportunities for out of class activities often. Really caring and great guy, take as many classes as possible with him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COSC210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His classes are tough, but he's the best professor in the whole department. His projects are difficult, but you'll learn more from him than you will from anyone else, so it really is worth the hard work and extra effort. Genuinely caring guy, any time you need help from him, he's almost always around. Goes to tutoring all the time to help out.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COSC110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great Guy, legitimately cares about, and tries to connect with his students. On one occasion I missed a class with a test, He Asked me to his office and offered me to make up for it (Although with a slight point reduction). His teaching style and slides are always easy to understand and make the textbook obsolete for all things but catching up.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COSC310
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Smith is a very tough Professor and you will need to read the book to keep up with his class. He has the worst hand writing in the world, do not expect anything from your notes. He is always willing to help you as long as he see's you're actually trying to learn

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COSC310
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor but his handwriting (pretty much just scribbles) is horrible. His assignments are pretty tough but he is always willing to help you when needed, even not in his normal office hours. Exams aren't too bad if you pay attention in class and read the book.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 210
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lots of work. 8 projects, 4-5 quizzes, midterm and Final. Very nice and Helpful guy. Would take again.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 310
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Smith is the best actual teacher in the department. His classes aren't super easy, but if you actually know what you're doing you won't have any trouble at all. If you go to IUP for computer science and don't take as many classes as possible from him, you're gonna miss out on quite a bit.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: COSC310
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Classassignments were rigorous, but not overly demanding. The assignments expected you to actually understand how data structures work. There was one mid term and the final; if you did the homework you didn't really need to study too much for the exams.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: COSC380
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

You won't need the textbook for the first half of class, and even then only one person in your group needs to have it for the project. Dr. Smith is one of the few professors in the department who genuinely cares about his students and he is always available to help, even with problems in classes he's not teaching.