Charlie McDowell - University of California Santa Cruz

Professor: Charlie McDowell

Department: TBD

College: University of California Santa Cruz

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CSE112
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was a fun class with Charlie. He could be a bit mean sometimes, but he was often justified. Basically gave us all the tests beforehand so I don't know why people had so much trouble. Haskell was fun to learn. People who have to take it with Mackey next quarter will wish they took advantage of how easy Charlie made some aspects of the course.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CSE112
• 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:

I signed up for this class expecting a different professor and they gave us McDowell 2 days before classes. Most of our grading is based on exams and given he hasn't taught the course in over 25 years, he's obviously very unprepared. His lecture styles are mostly Q&A and he does iClickers. Overall I wouldn't recommend this professor to anyone.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CSE112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

So I took this course expecting a different professor and last second the school gave me mcdowell. He was obviously not prepared to teach this course and it shows. 80 percent of the grade is based on written tests, he constantly messes up during lecture so I have no clue what to believe. Only reason he has a decent ratemyprofessor is because of 5j

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 5J
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I have a lot of experience for Java but I got B+ for this course. The prof used crowdwork a silly platform. I forgot to grade other students work twice so I only got 70% for homework. And the professor asked us to buy iclicker which is expensive. After we bought one he said he decided to not to use icliker. You need to be careful to take his course

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CMPS12A
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is the guy who takes more than half of 12A students not pass the course, which let the spring 12B seems empty. This professor is more like a good scholar, but not a good professor. By his bad lecture and weekly unbelievable quizzes, it's hard to learn and you can't pass his 12A.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CS12A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was okay. His logic was easy enough to follow. Lectures were more or less just FAQ sessions. Quizzes were hard, and the questions intentionally trick you into getting the wrong answer. Programming assignments are challenging for beginners but doable. He didn't use Clickers for this quarter.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CMPS12A
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Should've followed RMP and not taken this class with him, but i wanted to take tantalo in the spring. I wouldn't take a class with him again. Smart guy bad teacher. For beginners find another prof. 12a will no longer be offered, but in the future dont take a class with him.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CMPS12AL
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures were just Q&A sessions. Hes been teaching this class since 1998 and doesn't seem to take the hint he needs to better his teaching style. The average for the course was a 69.1 and was graded without a curve. This being said, he must have failed a quarter of the class, and given D's to another quarter. Don't bother with his class, garbage.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CMPS12A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Too hard for beginner.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 12A
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I already get really anxious when asking questions and he just made it so much harder for me. He made fun of/ridiculed those who asked "stupid" questions. I know very little about programming and any question I would ask would be considered ridiculous. I had to try and learn everything by myself. He's a horrible professor. I learned nothing at all.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 12A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Charlie has entertaining and educational lectures. Those who complain about his quizzes being difficult most likely don't do the practice quizzes or go to lecture, as the problems on the quizzes are exactly the same as the ones on the practices quizzes, or examples given in class. Overall, I've learned a lot

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CMPS12A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely knowledgeable in CS, but that's about it. The man cannot teach at all, his lectures are very fast paced and he doesn't go over a lot of things. Most of the time his class is like q&a session, but you won't even know what questions to ask because you haven't even learned anything from him. Wouldn't recommend at all.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CMPS12A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

. I'm in his CMPS 12A class right now. BiWeekly quizzes, pretty damn hard if you've had little to no experience with java. This guy literally stands in the lecture hall for an hour and tells us he doesn't like lecturing and to ask him questions instead?? Zybooks online is used for homework and its just a bunch of garbage exercises.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CMPS12B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Every lecture is basically a Q&A session, so I don't really see value in attending his lecture. Our programs would get marked down for minor errors and the quizzes and finals are worth more than the PA's. Overall very bad professor, would avoid at all costs.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 5J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Taught myself everything and treats lectures like question and answer sessions.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CMPS12B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are very unhelpful, but still mandatory. I learned most of the material from outside sources. Reading check quizzes are a waste of time. The way programs are graded is harsh, you can have a functional program and still be marked down 50% for petty errors. Overall very ineffective professor

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CMPS5J
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Oh charlie. This professor is one to remember. His lectures are more of a Q and A type of deal so come in with questions you have about the program assignment or the textbook. Be cautious when asking questions however, as Charlie is prone to ridiculizing students who ask ridiculous questions.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 5J
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Attendance to lectures are mandatory, he checks attendance by doing IClicker questions. His lectures are really a Q&A, you will most likely learn the material by reading the textbook.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 5J
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, very easy class if you study. Has a great sense of humor and does very well in preparing students for his quizzes and finals. Also he curved the class by a huge percentage.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 5J
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Charlie's classes are based on students asking questions, which can be useful, but sometimes not very helpful as this is all pretty basic stuff. Read the book, attend section, do the practice tests, and you will be fine.