Evaluation Comments
Course:Compiler Design
            (CSC-448-801)

Quarter:Winter 08/09
Time: W 17:45 - 21:00
Location: Loop Campus
James Riely PhD

Associate Professor
jriely@cs.depaul.edu
Instructor homepage

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Summary     1       2       3       4       

What are the major strengths and weaknesses of the instructor?


1.   Very engaging presenter, but sometimes goes off on tangents that can be hard to follow
2.   Knowledge of the subject matter is a strength.
3.   Knowledge of subject material, ability to understand and respond to student's questions.
4.   Very good at presenting lecture material and engaging class.Was unfamiliar with some of the material presented, which sometimes confused things in class.Expects too much time from students time - approx. 200 hours including lectures, assignments, reading, exams. For many students this it is unrealistic or perhaps impossible to spend 20 hours a week on one course.

What aspects of this course were most beneficial to you?


1.   I knew very little about compilers, so the whole topic was very interesting. I think I learned the most by doing homework #3

What do you suggest to improve this course?


1.   I know the project is a big part of this course, but I think I'd rather have more homework assignments than a big project for a course like this.
2.   Call assignments assignments (hw #1, hw #2, the midterm) and projects projects (hw #3, final project). Break the projects down into smaller pieces to more evenly distribute the work. Spending 30+ hours on hw#3 left me little time to read the dragon book.

Comment on the grading procedures and exams


1.   Grading was fair. I thought some of the midterm questions were a little vague
2.   Grading was always fair and impartial.

Other comments?


3.   I felt like the material on compiler optimization could have been presented more effectively.