[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:34.976737+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2NjgyODMw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:802342","instructor_name":"Andrei Caldararu","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2016-06-02 01:52:21 +0000 UTC","comment":"Excellent instructor, one of the best I've had in three years as a math major. Lectures are interesting and easy to follow, and homework and exams are very fair and directly related to material covered in lectures. If you get a chance to take one of his courses, do it!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/802342","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:55:34.976737+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2NTUyMDg1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:802342","instructor_name":"Andrei Caldararu","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2016-05-12 11:03:27 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great teacher, homework is relevant to lectures. Exams were extremely fair","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/802342","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:48:22.830445+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0ODU0NzQ0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1284187","instructor_name":"Christopher Demarco","course_label":"ECE435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2021-05-25 16:17:01 +0000 UTC","comment":"Not the best professor for ECE 435. Materials are hard to understand and exams focus a lot more on concepts and and harder than honeworks that focus on merely computation.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1284187","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4MDU0NjUx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2023-12-30 09:14:04 +0000 UTC","comment":"CS435 was very enjoyable. Lectures were well organized & helpful. Not recorded, so attendance was necessary to learn the content well (but not required). Homeworks are difficult but interesting to work through for someone interested in the subject. Exams are easier than HWs. Bach is available plenty outside of class and is very helpful during OHs.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3OTUxMDIy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2023-05-18 03:45:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Bach is a nice enough guy, but he is a terrible professor! He presents the material without any real clear direction, and half the time stands in front of what he just wrote, making note-taking a nightmare. The homeworks are impossible, but the exams tend to be a little easier and you can muddle your way through them. AVOID!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MzY4MTQ3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2023-01-23 17:18:16 +0000 UTC","comment":"Extremely difficult professor, all of the material is presented at a ridiculously high level. A lot of the times I looked up alternative lectures. Homework is near impossible, and expects you to know terminology and material covered in CS240 (i.e. proof techniques), despite the fact that it's listed as optional. At least the exams were easy.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2ODQ0NjY0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2022-11-16 16:35:21 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Bach is kind and clearly very knowledgeable regarding cryptography, but in no way does it translate to being a good instructor. He works strictly on a chalkboard, covers his work most the time, explains complex ideas in vague symbols, has confusing lectures, and assumes us to understand his proofs before he trails off. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNzg1OTkz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2019-05-06 18:58:35 +0000 UTC","comment":"Bach is clearly an intelligent man but his teaching is very disorganized. Worst and most poorly taught class I've taken at UW. Bach just writes symbols on the board without explaining what they are and rambles on about an irrelevant proof. He is extremely disorganized and exams are impossible. He didn't even bring enough exams sheets to the final.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNjY4NDI4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2019-04-24 23:04:45 +0000 UTC","comment":"WORST PROFESSOR EVER! He can't teach and just rambles on. Lecture notes are useless and the homework isn't doable since he makes it not searchable on the internet for hints. Words them very confusingly. No way to study for exams. JUST AVOID THIS PROF!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNjYyNzky","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2019-04-24 15:42:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"Lectures are useless because he teaches at a much higher level than the class requires. He will stand in front of the board, blocking it, write out a whole proof you can't follow audibly, then you have to attempt to piece it together from what he wrote once you actually can see it. Also homework is impossible. The average is always like 5/10.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNDcyNDgy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2019-03-24 19:33:29 +0000 UTC","comment":"You can tell that Bach is very knowledgable in the material taught in CS435, but he is borderline useless in conveying that material to students. Homework in this class is very intense, and each assignment contains at least one problem that has never been discussed in class or in his lecture notes. Full examples are almost never shown anywhere.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNDMxMjU5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2019-03-13 04:54:32 +0000 UTC","comment":"Bach has a loose structure to his lectures and often rambles through examples/explanations. He will begin doing an example and won't finish it, instead saying, "well you get the point". His homework is much more involved than what he teaches in lecture, and even the notes don't help with some of the problems he assigns. Do not take 435 with him.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:40:46.468571+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNDIyNjQ5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:125529","instructor_name":"Eric Bach","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2019-03-11 02:41:10 +0000 UTC","comment":"The lectures leave people quite clueless as to what is going on. He doesn't use canvas at all and has a very minimal site made with just text and links to homework.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/125529","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:37:58.407068+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMwMDI4MTc4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1772334","instructor_name":"Gregory Shinault","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2018-05-08 17:40:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"Greg is a great teacher. Unlike most upper-level math courses, his class focuses more on application than proofs. Overall, he is one of the best math professors I've had, and is funny too! The exams weren't too hard, but be prepared to come to class as he doesn't have any slides online, and the exams test stuff he went over in class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1772334","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:37:58.407068+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5OTg2NzY1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1772334","instructor_name":"Gregory Shinault","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2018-05-04 13:13:52 +0000 UTC","comment":"He doesn't teach directly from the textbook and does his own research on Cryptographic topics. Very approachable. Can sometime make mistakes in lecture but has a good overall understanding. The course wasn't the most rigorous but I felt like I learned a lot and he keeps the material interesting and bite sized. Flexible if you have problems.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1772334","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:13:56.642900+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxMzMyMzQ2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1536136","instructor_name":"Nigel Boston","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2019-02-04 01:18:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"Easy course. Nothing particularly challenging to understand. Exams are similar to past exams which he goes over in class. The problem is that the grade distribution is low, and the content is easy, which means that you might walk out with an A or a C for the same level of understanding just by making simple algebraic errors on exams.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1536136","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:13:56.642900+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI4MTgwMzA4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1536136","instructor_name":"Nigel Boston","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2017-05-01 23:38:32 +0000 UTC","comment":"While Nigel can break down difficult concepts in easily understood ways, he occasionally comes off as dismissive of your questions. Overall, he's a nice guy who will remember you if you go to office hours and participate in class. While Bach's lecture notes/textbook are a nice supplement, going to class is all you really need to succeed.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1536136","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:13:56.642900+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0OTQzOTMw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1536136","instructor_name":"Nigel Boston","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2015-06-07 01:43:11 +0000 UTC","comment":"With the same level of understanding of the material of the course, you may get a A and C. And do not be surprised about the difference! The grading is kind of tricky and easy to lose points in the exam.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1536136","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:13:56.642900+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0ODcxNDQy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1536136","instructor_name":"Nigel Boston","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2015-05-19 22:18:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"Nigel is pretty helpful with questions and is quite clear at explaining most things, though there were times where he rushed through a topic or two and it ended up being a less profitable learning experience.  He's pretty funny and laid-back which makes him one of the more approachable professors.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1536136","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:13:56.642900+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIwMjcyMzcw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1536136","instructor_name":"Nigel Boston","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2012-05-13 20:30:55 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great professor! He is really brilliant and passionate about what he teaches. Nigel presents the material clearly and gives fair homeworks and exams. Class is engaging and fun and its easy to get an A if you keep up with the material. Highly recommend the class and the professor!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1536136","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:06:14.053692+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2Mzg0NTY1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1522421","instructor_name":"Shamgar Gurevich","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2022-05-20 23:25:32 +0000 UTC","comment":"Hard lectures but homework and exams are easy.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1522421","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:06:14.053692+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2MzI0NTYz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1522421","instructor_name":"Shamgar Gurevich","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2022-05-12 20:58:36 +0000 UTC","comment":"Not a great lecturer, but Shamgar makes it very clear what he expects you to know coming into any quiz or exam. Practice tests mirror the actual ones almost exactly. Overall, a good experience.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1522421","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:06:14.053692+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2MjU5NTYx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1522421","instructor_name":"Shamgar Gurevich","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2022-05-06 01:02:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"He comes off as rude to students occasionally, his handwriting is very hard to read, and his notes are written on crumpled loose pieces of notebook paper, but he clearly is knowledgeable and uniquely hilarious. Not a great professor, but I think everyone who has a chance should experience his lectures.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1522421","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMzA2NDk1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"COMPSCI435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2025-12-17 08:41:05 +0000 UTC","comment":"Somesh himself is a decent professor. However, there is no transparency whatsoever in this class. The curve by which the class is graded is unknown until the end of the semester after the grades are in, meaning you have no idea what your grade is. Makes everything easy until an impossible final exam (worth 30%) which only focused on like 4 concepts","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NDQ5OTcy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"COMPSCI435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2023-11-28 14:46:52 +0000 UTC","comment":"Somesh is extremely passionate about crypto. He does well at making lectures engaging and understandable. He is very helpful outside of class as well, and he usually does not move on until the class understands a topic. The exams/quizzes are difficult, but if you study and understand the materials, they're not too bad and the graders are generous.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2NTc0ODE5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"COMPSCI435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2022-08-09 20:18:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"Somesh was one of the best professors I have had in the CS department. He is funny, engaging, and helps guide students to find solutions to the homework easily, without just doing the work himself. He introduced lots of tricks and ideas to help make difficult subject matter easy to understand, and made sure the class still had fun.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NjM0NTY2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2021-12-22 20:09:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"6 homework assignments, one 100% for turning in your name,lowest dropped so it was graded on 5 homeworks+free 100%, 2 midterms and a final. Low maintenance, so good to take with hard classes but the exams were kinda impossible unless you memorize every word of each topic. The final was a trick, it was weird math and didn't include half the topics.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1MjIxMzQw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"COMPSCI435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2021-11-10 21:50:18 +0000 UTC","comment":"Somesh is one of the best professors I have had for a while. He is very engaging with the class, and makes very complex ideas around crypto easy to understand. He gives plenty of time for homework (with there only being 7*) and assigns them only when discussed in lecture, Overall, a very nice guy who loves the material and wants you to love it too.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NTMyMTkz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2021-04-11 04:48:58 +0000 UTC","comment":"Easily the best professor I've ever had. He's engaging and attempts to learn all students' names even in classes with over 100 people. He's both funny and incredibly knowledgeable. Made CS 435 my favorite class I've ever taken and inspired me to go into the software security field.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0MTc1NjMz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2020-12-22 15:39:40 +0000 UTC","comment":"This is one of the professor that expects so much from their students. During COVID-19, he posted lectures and homework. The office hours were not considerate of international students, and grading is vague. He says it is ok to ask questions, but he will think you are stupid for asking one. If you are used to being frustrated, i won't stop you","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0MTYzMjQy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2020-12-21 06:13:27 +0000 UTC","comment":"I took into to crypto with him this semester and thought he was a wonderful professor! Exams were pretty manageable and were from lecture topics, make sure to read the book and watch all the lectures. I found that a lot of the quiz answers can be found from watching lec and taking notes. Exams were open note/book. Make sure to do the readings!!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0MDQ0NDA2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2020-12-12 12:22:20 +0000 UTC","comment":"Sense of humor and a good person in general. Exam Review sessions directly relate to exam content, and I found the exams manageable if you studied/attended the review sessions.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzNjg3ODE5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2020-10-08 21:54:17 +0000 UTC","comment":"I don't know if this is just because he's adapting to teaching online, but taking this class with Jha has been the worst experience of my career as a Math/CS major. He doesn't have a syllabus, makes up policies on the fly, and doesn't communicate class expectations at all. I will take away zero knowledge from his class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzMzYyMjk2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"MATH435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2020-05-24 01:26:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is good in research, and the face-to-face lecture quality is above average, but when it turns to online, he skip classes for two weeks and I think the online lecture is not clear, he is a good guy, but just not get used to teach online due to COVID. He will never teach online again, as long as is face-to-face, he is a good prof.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzMzE0OTg0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2020-05-17 02:18:55 +0000 UTC","comment":"Somesh is a wildcard. On one hand, he will cancel lectures for a conference or give a hint for a HW; but on the otherhand, he taught all of public key crypto in the final week of school. I didn't even know how elliptic curves played into things, despite other professors spending ample more time on it. I learned, but logistics were always crazy.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzMjM1OTUy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2020-05-07 23:38:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great professor. While the class was a bit disorganized (no set dates for exams or hw), he still made cryptography interesting and the lectures were entertaining. The lectures followed the textbook pretty closely which was helpful if you didn't understand something in lecture. Would recommend.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzMjE0MjEw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2020-05-06 01:30:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof Jha is so awesome. I didn't go into Crypto thinking I'd be any good. But he makes math interesting. He's so pleasant in lectures and has amazing handwriting lol and explains things SO CLEARLY. Fair grading policies. Very responsive and helpful. Funny too. His transition and handling of the switch to online classes was great too. Recommend!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5MDAyNzA2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2017-11-30 15:23:23 +0000 UTC","comment":"Amazing Professor. His lectures made Cryptography more than just a glorified math class. Regularly cancelled lectures for business trips (pretty sure he did cyber security consultations or something along those lines) and regularly pushed back homework deadlines. Quizzes were extremely well written. Loved this guy.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3MzI2NTI3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2016-12-04 16:29:06 +0000 UTC","comment":"One of my favorite professors","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3MTc3MTI1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2016-11-13 19:15:48 +0000 UTC","comment":"I really enjoyed the lectures. Homeworks were a bit challenging, but significantly easier than what you would see in 577 or 520. No programs at all.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0MjYyNDIw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2015-01-10 00:08:45 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very good professor, though notation and grading criteria can be confusing at times. You can tell that he genuinely cares, though, and he works hard to make the material approachable. My biggest complaint is that he makes you do the homework in pairs. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyNTY0NDY3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2013-12-15 20:48:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"Awesome, awesome professor. My favorite one in the CS department (and that's saying a lot... I've had good CS professors here). He's really generous to students, and wants them to succeed. He tries to learn everybody's name if possible and does a good job of it. Really interactive. Highly recommended! If engaged at all, you should get a good grade.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:05:21.647929+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxMDU4OTk0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:981721","instructor_name":"Somesh Jha","course_label":"CS435","course_id":"COMPSCI/ECE/MATH 435","course_uid":"course_2e71825a82859020279c78b8","review_date":"2012-12-13 17:17:04 +0000 UTC","comment":"Somesh is a boss, easily one of my favorite professors at this university.  Cryptography is not an easy subject, but dude is so laid back he makes it fun.  Also one of the most generous graders I've encountered.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/981721","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0}]