Could have been a good class, but midterms (4, with a 14% weight each, one is dropped at the end) have a total of 56% weight and the final has 24%, making everything else nearly worthless. There is no real incentive to learn besides surviving the 80% tank and gaining access to required classes. There are no quizzes, no homework, and no real checks for understanding. This is a class that you essentially have to teach to yourself. Class averages for exams are currently around 63%.

As a result of the 80% weight of exams, the class is extremely lecture-heavy. Code is rarely to never discussed, displayed, or demonstrated in lecture, with the focus being on the concepts instead. Conversely, the labs are entirely code.

Both professors are kind and helpful, and are willing to answer any questions that students bring up. However, because there is so much lecture material to cover (slide decks are often 50 slides on average, with later slide decks having 100+), there are not many opportunities to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the material being presented.

If I had known this class was as demoralizing and demanding as it is, I would have dropped or withdrawn.