[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:25.577061+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4MzA0OTk2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:597662","instructor_name":"Michael Hunt","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2011-03-23 20:31:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"This is a really interesting class that applies to everyone, regardless to if you are a design studies major or not.  The discussion sessions are usually pretty fun and my TA was very helpful, and knowledgeable.  I would recommend this class to anyone, but I did find the exams to be a bit challenging if you were not well prepared.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/597662","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:25.577061+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE2NjUwNzQ4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:597662","instructor_name":"Michael Hunt","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2009-12-28 18:20:04 +0000 UTC","comment":"I LOVE Prof Hunt! The material learned in this class is useful for virtually all majors, and the way he lectures is fascinating. His exams are thorough and all recall, but they're relatively fair and easy if you prepare well. The discussions are only an hour long and meet every other week in different buildings on campus. Such a fun class!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/597662","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:25.577061+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE1NDM1MzQ0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:597662","instructor_name":"Michael Hunt","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2009-02-02 18:36:40 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very interesting lecturer, which makes paying attention easy. There is a lot of material covered on each exam, but they're generally pretty easy. I'd definitely recommend him to everyone. Plus his name is Mike Hunt.. ha ha","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/597662","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:25.577061+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE1NDAxMjA1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:597662","instructor_name":"Michael Hunt","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2009-01-21 22:20:01 +0000 UTC","comment":"A great teacher who is very interested in the subject and always wiling to help! Make sure to participate in section, though, because the papers and participation really help your grade. Exams are very in-depth but not too bad if you memorize points given in lecture.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/597662","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyNzMyMDYy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2026-03-24 18:31:53 +0000 UTC","comment":"Class always had interesting content and she's a great speaker. The class wasn't challenging but I always appreciate a professor that actually teaches me new concepts in an engaging and educational way.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyNzE3NzE1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2026-03-20 01:36:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"She creates a very positive and welcoming classroom environment and is approachable when students need help. Her lectures are engaging, and she explains concepts clearly with helpful examples that make the material easier to understand. I found the course enjoyable and would recommend taking her class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMDk0Nzc3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2025-12-08 16:19:56 +0000 UTC","comment":"Uchita is the most amazing professor I've ever had. DS 221 is such an interesting class, and her lectures are excellent. She responds to emails super fast, is always available outside of class, super knowledgeable, and is just a fantastic person overall. Plus, she even wrote a recommendation letter for me—truly a GOAT.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxNzY4MzY5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2025-10-28 20:05:46 +0000 UTC","comment":"Lecture attendance isn't mandatory and she posted the lecture on canvas anyway. Discussions are more tedious than the lecture itself. Depends on your TA.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4Nzc3NDMw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2023-12-22 18:36:05 +0000 UTC","comment":"Knowledgeable, passionate, and cares about her students! Graded only on 3 exams, 2 projects, and Discussion participation. Covers fairly simple material on the posted lecture slides, but worth attending lectures only to take notes on specific studies about concepts, which are asked on exams. I only used the readings for evidence for the projects. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2ODgxNTQ0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2022-11-22 19:54:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great professor! Easy to do well in the class if you pay attention to lectures and go to discussion.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1OTIyMjU5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2022-03-10 03:38:58 +0000 UTC","comment":"Exams are tough but all of the materials came from the lectures. Lectures are not mandatory, but unnecessarily missing them is going to be a pain in the ass. Key tip: Pick Rudy's discussion class, and your grade will be saved. Meet him outside of classes, and ask him for feedback on your papers. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NTkyNjMw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2021-12-19 00:32:20 +0000 UTC","comment":"The concepts discussed in class are very easy to understand. However, the tests ask you to recall and explain specific examples and research studies discussed in lecture, so make sure you attend lecture, write down almost everything Vaid says; not just what's on the slides, and study a lot for exams. I got an A without doing any of the readings.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NDc4Njkz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2021-12-12 02:28:49 +0000 UTC","comment":"Clear, concise lectures. LOTS of research examples given, can seem overwhelming, but its doable. Seems to genuinely want students to do well. Project criteria clearly spelled out. She stops lectures to ask for questions. Discussions werent as useful as I had hoped.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NDU5NjAx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2021-12-10 18:55:27 +0000 UTC","comment":"I hear a lot of complaining about this class and I don't get it. Attend lecture, take notes on what's NOT on the slides, then use print outs of the PP slides to fill in that information later. If you try to copy down everything she puts on the slides and nothing else, you'll miss a lot. This is college, people. Do the rdgs to ace multiple choice.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NDEwNjA3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2021-12-08 02:35:36 +0000 UTC","comment":"Ridiculously hard. Attending lectures and discussions is pointless in terms of exam preparation. If grades arent curved at the end of the semester theres going to be a lot of negative feedback on here.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NDA5MDk5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2021-12-08 01:16:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"The grading criteria is painfully unclear, the lectures are frankly a waste of time (my grade went up when I stopped attending them), and the discussion section activities do not help with learning the concepts at all (she orchestrates them). She also insults students' intelligence by overexplaining simple stuff yet doesn't define important terms.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1MjgzODM0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2021-11-22 03:04:27 +0000 UTC","comment":"Horrible. Professor is unapproachable, rude and lacks basic teaching skills. You could copy down every slide word for word and read the textbook front to back and still fail. She tests students on random, offhanded comments she makes throughout the semester, rather than the actual material we've been learning. Doesn't provide any sort of exam prep.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:26.401961+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1MjU5NDIy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2738955","instructor_name":"Uchita Vaid","course_label":"DS221","course_id":"DS 221","course_uid":"course_a320994e11fabfd2e91776fc","review_date":"2021-11-17 20:54:51 +0000 UTC","comment":"I cannot stress how unbelievably difficult this class is. The material itself isn't necessarily difficult, but the exams ask very specific questions from things Vaid barely mentions in lecture. Lectures are bland & Vaid isn't the best professor. She vaguely describes each concept then asks challenging questions on exams. Do not take.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2738955","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0}]