Homework assignments were challenging and time-consuming, requiring significant effort. Students found the class became much easier when they actively collaborated with their group and attended discussion sessions.
What you’ll be able to do
Perform operations on signed and unsigned numbers, including evaluating overflow
Implement Boolean logic circuits, use Boolean identities to perform algebraic manipulations, use Karnaugh maps to implement any function of 4 variables, use DeMorgans's Theorem, implement any function as SOP or POS
Design datapath circuits, decoders, muxes, priority encoders, tri-states, understand hierarchy and how to build up larger datapaths from blocks, design ALUs and other digital circuits using rudimentary HDL constructs
Design sequential circuits, analyze synchronous vs. asynchronous designs and flip-flops vs. latches, trace the behavior of a sequential circuit, design state machines for control Logic
Analyze basic processor architecture, define a control word and analyze operation of the datapath in relation to it, describe the basic operation of a single-cycle stored program computer
“Used by” includes alternatives; linked courses may
have other requirements. This is a best-effort interpretation; check the
catalog requirements above.
Raw average: 3.83/5 from 40
quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average
(3.66/5), weighted as 20
additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each
captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who
chooses to leave a review.
For this course: 3.2/5 raw quality · 3.0/5 difficulty · 6
reviews
RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.
Past student reviews · Setareh Behroozi
Setareh Behroozi taught a challenging course where students found homework time-consuming but manageable through group collaboration and discussion sessions. She was helpful during discussions, providing complex examples, and was noted for knowing student names and showing genuine care for their success.
Some students criticized Behroozi’s availability, reporting slow email responses and inflexibility with make-up assignments. One student found the flipped classroom format and video content outdated, while another described the experience as difficult due to limited after-hours support.
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2024: 3.35 GPA, 57.7% A/AB (n=78 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.35 GPA, 57.6% A/AB (n=85 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.30 GPA, 64.4% A/AB (n=87 letter grades).
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2026: 3.32 GPA, 63.9% A/AB (n=36 letter grades).
Historical instructors & teaching patterns
Past student reviews · Mikko Lipasti
Mikko Lipasti received mixed feedback on his teaching style. One student described him as a smart professor who cared about their education, while another found his lectures time-wasting and recommended bringing a crossword to class. The latter reviewer noted that Lipasti occasionally clarified confusing textbook points, suggesting students attend lectures despite the pacing.
AZADEH DAVOODI is recorded teaching in Fall 2008, Fall 2010, Fall 2012. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
ERIC HOFFMAN is recorded teaching in Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Spring 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
JOSEPH KRACHEY is recorded teaching in Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2023. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
JULIE HSIAO is recorded teaching in Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
KATHERINE MORROW is recorded teaching in Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2016. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
MICHAEL MORROW is recorded teaching in Fall 2008, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
MIKKO LIPASTI is recorded teaching in Spring 2011, Spring 2019, Spring 2024. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
SETAREH BEHROOZI is recorded teaching in Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025, Spring 2026. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
XINYU ZHANG is recorded teaching in Spring 2015, Spring 2016. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
YU HU is recorded teaching in Spring 2009, Spring 2012, Fall 2015, Spring 2018. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future
schedule.
Calendar & sections
Spring 2027
Schedule loads here as you scroll.
Section
Mode
Enrolled / capacity
Waitlist
LEC 001
Classroom Instruction
0 / 100
0
LEC 002
Classroom Instruction
0 / 100
0
LAB 301
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 302
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 303
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 304
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 305
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 306
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 309
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 310
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 301
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 302
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 303
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 304
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 305
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 306
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 309
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LAB 310
Classroom Instruction
0 / 23
0
LEC 002
Classroom Instruction
0 / 100
0
Times are Central. Select a meeting for
details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections. Enrollment reflects scan time.
Professor Behroozi is described as caring and supportive, with one student calling her one of the best professors at UW-Madison. Another student rated her teaching 10/10, highlighting her helpfulness during discussion sessions.
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2025: 3.20 GPA, 51.0% A/AB (n=151 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.39 GPA, 63.6% A/AB (n=176 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.31 GPA, 64.2% A/AB (n=123 letter grades).
difficulty & workload
Past student reviews · Setareh Behroozi
Homework assignments were challenging and time-consuming, requiring significant effort. Students found the class became much easier when they actively collaborated with their group and attended discussion sessions.
Past student reviews · Setareh Behroozi
Students reported that Professor Behroozi was difficult to reach via email. One student cited an average response time of five days, while another noted a lack of after-hours availability.
Topics
Boolean algebra and combinational logic
Sequential logic and state machines
Computer organization and digital subsystems
Skills
Boolean logic implementation and simplification
Sequential circuit and state machine design
Processor architecture and datapath analysis
Grades
Historical instructor
Spring 2027 · Projected
Before grades are released
2.562.56–3.993.99average GPA
Approximate 80% prediction interval
0.04.0
About this estimate
The course’s semester-average GPA, not an individual student’s grade.
The center uses 5
same-season terms, weighted toward
recent results.
The range uses the finite-sample 80th-percentile rank of absolute errors
from earlier same-season forecasts. Each forecast uses only records from
earlier terms. At least four forecasts are required; bounds are rounded
outward and limited to 0–4. This is an empirical estimate: changing
instructors or grading policies can reduce its coverage.
8 earlier forecasts · 0.19 GPA average error.
Grades over time
Through Spring 2027
More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data
Where this course fits relative to
Latest available grades · Spring 2026 · all course levels
3.313.31GPA
Higher than 1717% of other courses in this group.
Course GPAs · red marks this course’s range
123123letter grades
More recorded grades than 7676% of other courses in this group.
Typical course in this group: 66.066.0 letter grades.
About this comparison
1280 courses over the same term, each with at least 30 recorded
letter grades. Cross-listed courses count once. GPA is not a measure
of difficulty or teaching quality. The typical course is the median by
recorded grade count; tied values are not counted as lower. Grade
counts describe course scale, not unique students or typical section
size.
Descriptions compare GPA with this group’s average: at least 0.20
higher or lower; otherwise close to average. Section size uses median
recorded enrollment: small up to 30, mid-sized 31–99, large 100+.
Lectures and discussion/lab sections are described separately.
Sources & history
UW–Madison
Catalog & offerings
Descriptions, prerequisites, and recorded course offerings.
Catalog observation history
Observations at scan time; dates do not imply when a catalog change took effect.