Evaluation Comments
Course:Data Structures in Java II
            (CSC-301-602)

Quarter:Spring 14/15
Time: TuTh 15:10 - 16:40
Location: Loop Campus
James Riely PhD

Associate Professor
jriely@cs.depaul.edu
Instructor homepage

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What are the major strengths and weaknesses of the instructor?


1.   He's very humorous, and very odd. These two things mix to have one of the better experiences in a relatively daunting class.
2.   Riely is a good professor - explained the concepts, answered to questions in class and encourage students to participate.
3.   strength: enthusiasm, knowledge of subject, availability outside of class, challenged the class at an appropriate level. weakness: none
4.   He always answered questions helpfully.
5.   I cannot stress enough how good of an instructor James is. He has very high standards for himself and his students. I feel lucky to have had him.
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7.   He was clear concise and understandable. However, he relies a bit too heavily on quizzes.
8.   Was knowledgeable of the content but when helping to clarify some topics it might have been confusing or the tips were not extremely helpful

What aspects of this course were most beneficial to you?


1.   The fact that Professor Riely can answer pretty much any question with pure intelligence and examples. He doesn't just read from slides.
2.   Doing assignments. However, reading from the textbook was not beneficial as I have expected.
3.   being with this instructor and not any other one.
4.   It provided a great basis for data structures.
5.   Recursion, and just generally improving my familiarity with good programming practices.
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7.   The homework was most beneficial to my understanding in the class.
8.   The general content throughout the course I felt is very necessary towards completing our major.

What do you suggest to improve this course?


1.   I'd say a bit more examples with code pertaining to the homework. I spent a ton of time questioning if I was doing something right. Then again, probably my own fault.
2.   Less reading, practice more code implementation (low level and high level)
3.   preview the homework with code that is less vague
4.   Perhaps having the material get more advanced would be good.
5.   Not for this course in particular, but I'd love it if DePaul would offer a Data Structures III. I feel like things were just starting to get interesting...
6.   If we went over the practical implementations of the data structures more I feel the class would have been even better.
7.   Nothing. CSC 301 was one of the best computer courses I've had.
8.   More in depth explanations to questions and certain topics that may be unclear and be more clear about how to prepare for tests and how they will be structured to better prepare for them and therefore have a chance to get a better grade.

Comment on the grading procedures and exams


1.   Fair
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3.   they were fair
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6.   It would have been nice to have 2 attempts on the quizzes. Often times my errors were something I simply missed or a formatting error.
7.   Exams are fair and class is very reliant on student participation.
8.   Just being clear on what to expect for the exams and how to prepare for them in order to get a better grade.

Other comments?


1.   Professor Riely is a strange, but incredible professor and person. I can see why he's such an asset to the CS department. Thanks for teaching me data structures!
2.   Riely is the most goofy person I have ever met.
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7.   Keep up the participation questions. It is far better than asking questions to the general class, because it keeps us alert and fearful.
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