[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQzMjAwMDU0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2026-05-27 20:19:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"Lectures are not good -- slides are jam packed with content which is hard to read and understand (like incredibly complicated formulas which aren't even necessary to know). On the bright side though the exams are about a 3.75/5 on the easy scale (5/5 being very easy) and HW is very easy -- so a very easy CS elective and paired well with 577","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMzA3Nzk2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-12-17 14:34:28 +0000 UTC","comment":"Class is insanely easy, only issue is that the grades are curved rather than actually being cutoffs. So even if you have a 99% going into the final, you could still end up with a C or worse. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMzA2NTg0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-12-17 09:01:00 +0000 UTC","comment":"They should reduce the percentage weight of the assignments. The way this course is structured is unreasonable. Never seen such a disgusting course.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMjU1NjQ4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-12-15 05:47:42 +0000 UTC","comment":"The class was well structured, and the lectures were informative. The professor seemed knowledgeable and was extremely accessible outside the course.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMjE4OTUw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-12-13 00:14:19 +0000 UTC","comment":"Her lectures and the class as a whole were fairly well-organized. The curve does not work, though, since 70% of the class is homework and nearly everyone has a grade in the upper 90s going into the final. They try to reassure you by saying \"a 90 will likely not get a C\"... not really what you want to hear.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxODc1ODQz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-11-16 05:35:19 +0000 UTC","comment":"She does not want to overwhelm students, and I appreciate the course design. Tests are not difficult. I recommend taking CS540 with her.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxNzgxODI5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-10-30 22:10:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"Her lectures aren't the greatest when she brushes over the hard content, but she has definitely improved over the semester. They provided great study materials for the midterm, and it felt easy had you prepared well. The projects can sometimes be challenging, but for a cs major, it's actually a really light class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxNzU5MjMy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-10-27 02:30:49 +0000 UTC","comment":"I want the instructor for 540 understand that it is an intro course with the prerequisite only algebra and 300. It should not contain these many high level contents for students with the prerequisite. Maybe it is not hard to cs major students, while not only the cs major students will take this course. It is hard for those who are not cs major","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxNzU2Nzc3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-10-25 22:46:48 +0000 UTC","comment":"While I agree with others that it does sort of seem like AI is beyond Blerina's area of comfort in terms of knowledge, the lectures are still way easier to follow than other CS classes at UW-Madison. She made studying for exams easy, and the midterm didn't feel too challenging overall when compared to comments I've seen for previous years of 540. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxNzQ3NDEy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-10-23 04:37:02 +0000 UTC","comment":"Insanely lecture-heavy, but constantly has a horrible lecture structure spending way too much time on everything easy and brushing past anything difficult. Half the time it seems like someone else made the slides for her and she's trying to bs her way through without knowing what she's talking about.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:51:42.004108+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxNjQ2ODA0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3030661","instructor_name":"Blerina Gkotse","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-09-16 21:53:53 +0000 UTC","comment":"Doesn't explain anything in lecture","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3030661","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMyNzQxODc0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-12-22 04:11:19 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Dyer is really a nice person at heart, but he was by far the most strict grader out of all my CS classes, where practically the average student at an 80% gets a BC. The exams this semester were NOTHING like his old exams, which were about 100x easier. Exams were 60% and one slip up and you're done. Really unfair semester. Greatly saddened","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5OTA1MjE3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2018-04-26 16:05:04 +0000 UTC","comment":"I got to have Chuck his last semester teaching. He is a solid professor who explains all content quite clearly. He even has fun "pop quizzes" where he gives the winner a candy bar. That being said, it does move a little slow at points. The class is of average difficulty, and you get note sheets on the exams.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI4MTkzODQ5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2017-05-03 00:55:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"Chuck is an awesome professor. I am so sad this is his last semester teaching in UW- Madison.  I was taking a heavy load of classes this semester, and I frequently have to miss classes. However his ppts are so comprehensive that even if you miss the class, you can still understand the material by self studying. Wish i can take more classes with him","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2OTc0NDU2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-09-15 09:32:28 +0000 UTC","comment":"Class was extremely interesting and Chuck was obviously passionate about the subject. The class was a bit on the easy side, but it was still a 500-level CS course, so there was a decent amount of work to do. I'd recommend the class to any CS major.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2ODY2ODc0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-08-05 13:40:19 +0000 UTC","comment":"I did not find his lectures very easy to follow. I took this in the summer, so it was even worse when he tried to cram everything in the end. I mostly skipped his lectures and made a complete note sheet containing much of his lecture slides. I found that he likes to re-use very old exam questions, and the tests are fair.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2NDAwNDEz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-04-27 23:52:46 +0000 UTC","comment":"Chuck is a really nice guy and great professor. Clearly cares about the material and knows what he is talking about. He's the kind of guy that sits down on the floor with you as he is walking out for the day to help you with a problem. Great demeanor and always open to feedback and suggestions.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1MDA5MTIw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2015-07-01 01:33:01 +0000 UTC","comment":"If you want to understand AI, Dyer is an amazing and fun professor. He provides engaging explanations for topics and class and linked me to resources to help brush up on my math. As with most coding classes, the projects can be tough and at the whim of the TAs; however, the problems and goals were always clear. Practice concepts for the exams!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzODk5Mzk1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2014-11-26 20:49:18 +0000 UTC","comment":"Really nice prof. Very helpful and you get to learn a lot!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzMjU3MDgx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2014-05-15 15:52:54 +0000 UTC","comment":"CS 540 is a good class, and Chuck Dyer is a good professor. The class was quite hard for me, however I did have a high interest which is what helped a lot. Chuck can be a bit dry at times, but he's an extremely friendly and kind individual. Went to office hours and he was very helpful. I highly recommend, but be prepared to read and work a LOT!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE2NDcwMTI5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2009-12-04 11:48:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very good professor. Very clear and easy to listen to. Knows his stuff! Homework is as hard as they say but is an excellent way to master the material. Among the best in his department.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE1MTgwNzUz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2008-12-12 23:31:00 +0000 UTC","comment":"No Comments","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEzMjIwMjQ0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2007-05-29 01:54:30 +0000 UTC","comment":"Homework take a lot of time, but you learn a lot from it. The notes he provides are incomplete. Some notes are in the book, others in powerpoint slides and some thing you need to know are only discussed in lecture so you have to go searching between a few different places to find what you're looking for. A pretty good prof.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:49:12.830657+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEyMTYzMzIz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:876207","instructor_name":"Charles Dyer","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2006-08-16 00:18:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very enthusiastic and helpful.  Exams tend to be tough (usually an extension of, rather than a regurgitation of presented material) and homework requires a lot of effort.  My advice is to take Calculus prior to this class.  There is a lot of math notation used which can be confusing to those who haven't had Calculus.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/876207","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:47:44.771050+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2OTU3MTQ4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2116381","instructor_name":"Collin Engstrom","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-09-06 14:51:32 +0000 UTC","comment":"Solid considering he just started teaching. He's the kind of teacher that's more than happy to walk through entire segments of Homework during class if enough people ask for help.   Easy A if you're good at programming.  Still very manageable even if you're not.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2116381","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:47:44.771050+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2MTI3OTk1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2116381","instructor_name":"Collin Engstrom","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-03-09 16:01:24 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fantastic professor. The lectures are great and organized. He is always there to help.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2116381","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQzMjk4NTI5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2026-07-11 20:09:21 +0000 UTC","comment":"Worst class I have attended ever. No attendance policy so no one attends the lecture, assignments and projects people just asks Claude to do it. People even use Claude during mid term because no one cares, Professor is not even there during the exam. People are just grading him high because everyone gets an A lolz. It's literally a waste of money.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxODQ1MDk3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-11-11 22:26:10 +0000 UTC","comment":"Just to repeat the same idea as the other posts, literally good. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxMjA3MDc2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-05-08 04:22:41 +0000 UTC","comment":"Easily one of the best CS professors at this school, his explanations are very clear and its obvious he is really smart guy. In his lectures he is always checking in with students to make sure they understand the material and was ALWAYS open to students asking questions. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxMTk3MDQy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-05-07 18:36:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"love this man","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxMTg1Njk0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-05-06 23:37:35 +0000 UTC","comment":"The goat. He explains everything extremely well. Best professor in the CS department.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxMTI0NzE3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-05-01 21:18:51 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred the cs540 goat","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwOTc3MjU3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-04-18 17:32:18 +0000 UTC","comment":"Honestly just a really clear professor, I highly recommend. A star player in the CS department","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwNzQ1MTEz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-03-07 02:05:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof. Sala is excellent. He has the ability to break complex concepts into smaller pieces and explain them very clearly!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5NDU2NTM1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-05-14 02:54:36 +0000 UTC","comment":"I've honestly usually struggled with ML classes but he never lost patience with me. He is very available after class and speaks loudly, clearly, and at a reasonable pace. He also tends to summarize some of the more technical algorithms in such a way that the broader idea is understandable even if you've just been exposed to it.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5MzU0OTQ0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-05-03 17:41:21 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred Sala is a legend. He explains the concepts very well and always listens to students. He likes to keep things focused on the big picture rather than getting bogged down with formulas, and he makes it very clear to students what is important. Projects and lectures are relevant and interesting. Exams are difficult, normal for a 500 level CS class","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5MTA3NDY5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-03-31 19:13:00 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred is an amazing professor. CS 540 is a very difficult class, but he does a really good job explaining things and the grading it fair. 70% of your grade comes from projects (which can be time consuming) but you will usually be able to get 100% on these. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3Mzg2OTgz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2023-01-28 02:08:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is a good professor and has a strong understanding of the AI field, including both the theoretical foundations and practical applications. He also effectively communicates complex concepts to us and provide hands-on experience through projects and OHs.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MTc3NTY3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2023-01-08 20:16:45 +0000 UTC","comment":"Sala is just a legend. One of the nicest professors I have ever had and deeply cares about the content and the success of his students. Excellent lecturer that knows how to explain the content in a very clear manner. Additionally, he is very accessible outside of class and even willing to help with personal projects involving ML/AI!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MjMyNDQ4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-12-23 15:25:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred is a great professor. He actually cares about his students and will set time aside to help any student, usually for as long as they need. Great professor for a tough class. Exams are difficult, but they make up a much smaller proportion of your grade compared to the projects. Definitely recommend Fred","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MjMxMDQw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-12-23 05:32:24 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred is amazing. Explained the content very well. And also very knowledgeable about AI, ML, Probability, and Math. 540 is also nice class. Content very interesting and very easy to get A. I didn't do to well on final but still got an A since project are pretty much 100% if you follow directions and go to class. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MjE1MzE3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-12-21 17:58:06 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred was the goat. Made lectures interesting and really cared about the success and wellbeing of students. Take him if you get a chance, you won't regret it.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MTI2NDA2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-12-15 00:20:45 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred is a homie. He made challenging topics easy to understand and made sure to answer all questions people had during the lecture. I would definitely take a class with him again!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MDUzNjAw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-12-09 19:56:02 +0000 UTC","comment":"Best CS prof I've had and one of the best profs I've had overall at UW. Incredibly knowledgeable in the material and always gives clear answers to questions. Would highly recommend taking CS540 with Fred!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2NzUyMzA1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-10-30 00:31:18 +0000 UTC","comment":"THANK GOD that CS540 is taught congruently between sections I would be soooo lost in this class if I didn't have access to Fred's lectures. Makes material very intuitive, explains concepts really well.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2NDc1NDQ4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-06-20 06:45:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very very nice guy. I would definitely to take his course again.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NDUwNzY4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-12-10 03:04:53 +0000 UTC","comment":"Definitely the best professor I had at UW Madison. Caring, passionate about what he teaches, explained course materials well.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1MTE3MDU2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-10-11 21:30:10 +0000 UTC","comment":"Awesome professor, would highly recommend! Made AI really fun and intuitive.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NzkzMjUx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-05-14 16:36:17 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred tried to provide intuition for AI algorithms, which was definitely needed. Grading on homework assignments is rough, and exams arent easy. Homework relies substantially on your ability to implement things on your own, and it can be quite challenging to know if youre doing things right. Overall, a friendly and paced profesor.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NzQ1MjQz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-05-09 05:37:32 +0000 UTC","comment":"Sharon and Fred teaches in such an engaging way that really abstracts away the non important technical aspect of AI (that you can clearly learn yourself) and focuses on teaching you the theory and concepts of AI, which is fantastic. Really couldn't stand Comp Sci people getting too technical.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NzIyOTI3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-05-06 16:37:11 +0000 UTC","comment":"I think Fred is a great lecturer. The lectures are enjoyable and he's seems like a cool person. The class itself is poorly structured in my opinion, covering a ton of topics without going too in-depth but we are still expected to perform extensive computation during exams. But as a professor and person, he is very good and I would recommend.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NzEyNzY2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-05-05 18:07:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred is a nice guy, but the lectures mostly amounted to memorizing surface facts about different approaches. I think this class should have been more technical. Also, the grading system suffers from a lack of partial credit on test cases and of test suites. In fairness, he is a new lecturer working in a new format but this was just my experience.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NjIyNjAz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-04-26 04:44:04 +0000 UTC","comment":"Made AI very interesting. Good at lectures even though he's a new prof. Definitely room for improvement given the lack of the course's pre-reqs, but already above average prof.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NjExNzE5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-04-23 21:35:13 +0000 UTC","comment":"Fred was great. I was definitely not expecting him to be as good of a lecturer as he was since he's brand new to the university. He's energetic even in the online setting, he simplifies complicated content well and his slides are excellent. I would absolutely take another course from him if I could","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NTM5NjM2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-04-12 22:06:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"New professor, Awesome at teaching, made intro to artificial intelligence really enjoyable!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:39:02.768721+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NTMyNzU4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2670667","instructor_name":"Fred Sala","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2021-04-11 16:21:01 +0000 UTC","comment":"New but phenomenal professor. Lectures were well structured and he engaged with students both during lectures and on Piazza. Some issues with their automated grading system, but otherwise a great class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2670667","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:38:39.940872+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1NzEzODI4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2770358","instructor_name":"Gary Dahl","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2015-12-15 21:37:16 +0000 UTC","comment":"Absolutely hardest professor I've ever had. He makes lectures quick but they are not worth going to. Homework is insanely difficult. Do not take him. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2770358","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:29:58.522218+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1Njc0MDg5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2761425","instructor_name":"Josiah Hanna","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-10-25 18:19:00 +0000 UTC","comment":"His lectures would typically consist of robotically reading slides, often without explanation. We would often skip example problems in class to meet the slide quota for the lecture. Unfair regrade policy where you get a -10 even for any justified regrade requests.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2761425","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:29:58.522218+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2NjU5NDE5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2761425","instructor_name":"Josiah Hanna","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-09-25 02:52:07 +0000 UTC","comment":"Awesome prof. His lectures are very clear and he understands the subject matter well\nHowever, this class is covering too many topics. So, it can't get depth or attractive logical class. Just covering the overall AI.\n+Exam is tough","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2761425","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:29:58.522218+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1OTA3MzM0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2761425","instructor_name":"Josiah Hanna","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-03-05 20:22:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very robotic delivery in class - used to simply read from the slides. Skipped a lot of examples and explanations for the math part of the class (which was around 70%). Overall, stopped attending class after the first few weeks. Homeworks were relatively easy and could be done in a few hours. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2761425","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:29:58.522218+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1Nzk4NDA0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2761425","instructor_name":"Josiah Hanna","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-01-26 04:41:37 +0000 UTC","comment":"Amazing class just a lot of work.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2761425","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:29:51.116344+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3NTU1MDE3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1996913","instructor_name":"Jude Shavlik","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-12-18 14:36:13 +0000 UTC","comment":"Grade is determined by coding homework and 2 tests. The homeworks aren't bad as long as you stay on top of them. He does a great job giving you practice tests to study for the exams. Some of the lectures are difficult to understand, but overall he is a great prof.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1996913","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwODQ3Nzk5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-04-01 01:23:35 +0000 UTC","comment":"5-star reviews are coming from top students who stand from their perspectives. If you only took probability, calc3, and linear algebra, and are still a freshman like me, wait for Prof. Sala's section (GOAT). The ability to break down complex theories extremely clearly to the dumb(me) is the true ability. Teaching is an art, and Sala masters it.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NjMyNTMw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2023-12-12 19:51:29 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof. Zhu will have a 100+ slide presentation for each lecture. However, he reads off the slides and its tough to follow. He also doesn't really respond well on the course Piazza. He is also not professional in terms of meeting his own deadlines. The projects will change them often after they are due. His exams also don't really test material well.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4MjM0NDA5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2023-09-25 21:43:19 +0000 UTC","comment":"The material for the class was interesting, but taught in a very lazy way. Dr. Zhu didn't prepare for lectures at all and gave the impression that he didn't care about his students. The regrades on the homework penalized you even if you just made a small, insignificant mistake. The class was poorly taught. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3ODg4ODU0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2023-05-10 20:53:30 +0000 UTC","comment":"I respect Dr. Zhu and his career, but his undergrad class is horrible. Lectures are disorganized. Poor designing. The class average was less than 60% for the first midterm.\n\nThere are basically no resources. There are thousands of pages worth of badly written slideshows that are given, but no one is told which parts of the slides to actually study.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3ODU0NDk5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2023-05-08 07:04:39 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof Zhu is a solid professor, not the best, not the worst. His lectures, while not the most captivating, are worth attending since his examples generally do a better job helping you understand new concepts than his slides alone. He is a very nice guy, but homework instructions were often disorganized, and midterm exam feedback took WEEKS. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM2MzgwNDMx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-05-20 05:07:21 +0000 UTC","comment":"He has a knack for explaining difficult concepts in an accessible way. Even still, you need a solid math foundation to fully understand the algorithms he covers, but having a basic grasp of the algorithms is often all you need for a good grade.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzMjg0NjQ5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2020-05-13 16:34:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"Jerry Zhu is definitely a good professor. This course is easy. I do not get A because of the final paper. The paper worth 15 points of total scores and Jerry sets 6 point for peer review to decide. Because of this idiot idea, I only get 3 from peer review and 11 in total in final paper, which is ridiculous and make my score just below A.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzMjc0NzQ5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2020-05-12 17:17:27 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Zhu teaches a complicated and difficult subject in a clear and accessible way. He was an absolute pleasure to learn from and with the support of Hobbes executed a really fun and engaging introduction to AI. I would 1000% take his class again!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzMTcxNjgz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2020-05-01 00:23:09 +0000 UTC","comment":"Jerry is a decent lecturer, but where this class really shines is in the projects. Super cool projects which encompass all the main algorithms & ideas in AI and have real world relevancy. One of the best CS classes I've taken at UW!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMyMjE3MDY4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-09-07 02:08:04 +0000 UTC","comment":"I have no idea why people is giving low score. His class, though a little bit dry, is really great. Homework is not hard. Test is easy. Yeah - really easy class as long as you know some math.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxMzIwNTYw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-01-30 17:57:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"Jerry teaches way too theoretically and advanced for the appropriate level of an introductory AI class. His tests are all free response but he DOESN'T allow you to turn in your work (there is no partial credit). Moreover, his homework does not prepare you in any way for his highly theoretical tests. The average for his final was an F. DO NOT TAKE.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxMTQ2Mzc4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2018-12-23 22:24:02 +0000 UTC","comment":"I loved his lectures. He explained some of the challenging concepts very clearly. ( His explanation for PCA was the best I had seen). He is very enthusiastic and tries to make his lectures interesting for students at all levels. However, his lectures and homework do not prepare you to do "well" in his exams.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxMTQ1OTM1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2018-12-23 20:45:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"Had homework till the day before the final exam, which gave me absolutely no time to study for other classes. Turned out to be a very difficult exam :<","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxMTQzNzAz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2018-12-23 07:05:00 +0000 UTC","comment":"Most criticism here unfair. Agree with the following: tough grader, lot of mathematics, last lecture cramming up. On the positive side, one of the best in class experiences where you actually follow what is going on and there is an active discussion going on. Advice: don't miss a single class, review linear algebra and probability and work hard:)","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5Mjc0NjUw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2017-12-19 12:41:28 +0000 UTC","comment":"Jerry means well but rarely provides applied use of formulas learned. He lives in the realm of the arbitrary and theoretical. Which would be great if you intend to continue in the field and don't want to use what you learn. Homeworks were the most useful for learning but tests were highly math heavy and theoretical.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3NTIwNTA1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-12-15 20:48:23 +0000 UTC","comment":"seems like a nice person but is teaches more theoretical math and statistics than actual computer algorithms. DO NOT take with him if you want to understand the material from lecture alone, this is nearly impossible.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3NDM3NjA1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-12-11 21:51:23 +0000 UTC","comment":"His AI class is not really what I expected. Much more math and statistics oriented. Really struggle in his class because I have little statistics background and he rushed stats ideas as if you already know them. Not recommended for CS students.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0MjYyMzkx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2015-01-09 23:58:10 +0000 UTC","comment":"Jerry is a pretty good professor, though he sometimes rushes through advanced mathematical concepts that some students may not have a strong background in. Tests are multiple choice, difficult, and highly theoretical. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0MTYwODkw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2014-12-21 12:23:01 +0000 UTC","comment":"He can really explain some tough subjects in a clear and concise manner when it comes to AI. I missed one lecture all semester because it's pretty tough by just reading. The homework assignments teach the concepts both programmingpaper wise, but I found the tests to be out of nowhere and pretty rough. Review theory for exams","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxMTY5ODEx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2012-12-26 15:37:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"5 hw worth 50% of your grade. They were difficult but fair. He isn't the best professor in the world but he isn't terrible. He seems like a nice guy also and that can count for a lot if you need help.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:28:42.485031+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIxMTQzMzYw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1785920","instructor_name":"Jerry Zhu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2012-12-21 00:42:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"We went into the final exam knowing 45% of our grade so far. 20% worth of homework that we turned in almost a month prior, and he said would be graded multiple times, just wasn't. This class is tough, and he doesn't make it any easier to learn the material. Don't expect to get an example if you don't understand something.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1785920","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:33.154676+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1OTA5MzUz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1313759","instructor_name":"Michael Coen","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-01-09 19:22:28 +0000 UTC","comment":"Didn't have papers printed out on time for tests. Final grades submitted 2 weeks late. Great guy though. Very smart and hilarious, designs assignments and tests to measure understanding, not to trip students up. Extremely dedicated to making sure students learn, stays up late the night before assignments are due, willing to extend deadlines.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1313759","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:33.154676+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1ODkxNTQ2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1313759","instructor_name":"Michael Coen","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-01-06 20:31:29 +0000 UTC","comment":"Interesting prof. with crazy/cool stories. Lectures were interesting, exams even more so. He focuses on teaching the intuition rather than bludgeoning students with tedious equations and irrelevant debugging. He also taught the class using the functional language Scheme, which I felt was something really important for anyone interested in CS.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1313759","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:33.154676+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1NjQ5NjUy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1313759","instructor_name":"Michael Coen","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2015-12-11 16:24:11 +0000 UTC","comment":"He almost doubled the class capacity to get all students on the waitlist in, what a nice guy! Snarky but intelligent remarks on every single topic from mathematics to neuroscience, he just knows so much! Definitely wanna go to his office hour. Course materials are easy to understand. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1313759","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:18:33.154676+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE2MTI1NDAx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1313759","instructor_name":"Michael Coen","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2009-08-16 19:14:27 +0000 UTC","comment":"My favorite professor I've had and also the smartest man I've ever met. He knows everything there is to know about artificial intelligence- from financial AI  (he worked on wall street as a hedge fund quant) to using AI to translate a monkey language. Crazy man! Class was pretty relaxed- Homework was somewhat challenging, exams pretty easy.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1313759","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:06:44.945023+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2MDg5NTgw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2013520","instructor_name":"Scott Alfeld","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2016-02-25 22:11:26 +0000 UTC","comment":"Really knowledgeable  in his area of expertise. Very relaxed teaching style, but answers questions very clearly and in a way that is easy to understand. Always responds to emails with detailed answers. His exams were rather hard, and programs were challenging, but I feel i learned more in his 540 class than i would have with any other professor.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2013520","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:06:44.945023+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0OTE2NjM0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2013520","instructor_name":"Scott Alfeld","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2015-05-29 02:58:51 +0000 UTC","comment":"Loves his area of expertise and it shows. Explains things clearly and concisely and has fun with it. Really relaxed teaching style while still being super knowledgeable about the topic, but the material isn't going to necessarily be easy. One of my favorite teachers to date.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2013520","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:01.465084+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5ODc4NjI0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1446267","instructor_name":"Vikas Singh","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-10-31 20:17:39 +0000 UTC","comment":"Unable to explain anything","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1446267","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:01.465084+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE5ODAzODIx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1446267","instructor_name":"Vikas Singh","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2012-02-06 14:44:12 +0000 UTC","comment":"This class needs LOT of work on programming and math. I barely managed a B. But what Vikes covers is very useful. Two questions on my interview at a tech startup were very similar to the ones on the final exam. I'm on the job for about six months now!!!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1446267","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:01.465084+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4NTcwNTE1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1446267","instructor_name":"Vikas Singh","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2011-05-10 17:08:24 +0000 UTC","comment":"this is not an easy class and needs a LOT of work. i loved the second half of 540 (after logic). The svm and perceptron stuff is really really good but very mathy. if you already have a 1-2 semesters of calculus you'll do well. Many grad students take this class, so an A may be hard.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1446267","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:01.465084+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4NTUzODQ3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1446267","instructor_name":"Vikas Singh","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2011-05-08 17:34:17 +0000 UTC","comment":"He's a very nice person and really wants to help students. But his lectures are confusing and his lecture slides don't explain anything explicitly. There are not enough practice problems to prepare for exams either. One of the most frustrating classes.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1446267","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:01.465084+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4NTUzODE4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1446267","instructor_name":"Vikas Singh","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2011-05-08 17:28:16 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very nice person, and he really wants to help students understand. But his explanation is not clear and I was lost so many times in class. There were not enough practice problems to prepare you for the final. One of the most frustrating classes.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1446267","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:01.465084+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4NTUzNDY2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1446267","instructor_name":"Vikas Singh","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2011-05-08 16:14:24 +0000 UTC","comment":"Nice guy, helpful outside of class, but lectures are sometimes very difficult to follow and rambly. Homeworks are very long and difficult. Midterm was reasonable difficult, final absurdly difficult. Choose a different professor if you really want to take this AI.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1446267","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:01.465084+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4NTMxMTQ3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1446267","instructor_name":"Vikas Singh","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2011-05-05 02:01:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"cs540 is a tough course regardless of who teaches it.  don't expect an easy A.  class is not curved and you will spend a good amount of time on HW (20-40 hrs)  you are expected to compete with some graduate students in the class too.  Vikas is actually very helpful, willing to slow down and explain things or make himself available outside of class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1446267","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:01.465084+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4MzAzOTM5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1446267","instructor_name":"Vikas Singh","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2011-03-23 16:41:55 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very nice guy and very helpful outside of class. Lectures are sometimes a little rambly. However, he'll always stop to answer questions or slow down if asked. Seems to care about the class a lot. Textbook is totally useless and not even worth buying. I didn't use it at all.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1446267","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:00:01.465084+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE3MjA4NzY4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1446267","instructor_name":"Vikas Singh","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2010-05-15 16:00:02 +0000 UTC","comment":"I have to say this was one of the most disappointing classes I've ever taken. Vikas' has his head in the right place as he's enthusiastic and very nice but his teaching leaves a lot to be desired. His lectures consist of him rambling and his online notes leave a lot to be desired. No practice exams or problems. Final exam was incredibly difficult","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1446267","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NjI5NjAy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2023-12-12 17:44:40 +0000 UTC","comment":"This is the worst class I've ever taken. He just reads the slides and TRYS to explain whatever is on them, sometimes he gets lost on his own explanation. Lectures are behind from the assignments so expect to teach yourself some of the concepts. Assignments nor lectures helped for the midterm nor the final...","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4NTI2Mjgy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2023-12-05 21:12:35 +0000 UTC","comment":"The lectures were absolutely of no use.I went to all lectures, and compared to people who didn't attend lectures I did not know any more info.The class was behind on material for the whole semester, to the point where we were taught a concept on Tuesday and the assignment on that concept was due Thursday at 9:30am, but was released a week earlier.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MjY3ODIw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2022-12-31 21:52:24 +0000 UTC","comment":"He wasn't the best professor since he was basically just reading off of the slides that were shared by the other professors. He was nice, but you would be better off taking the class with Fred Sala instead if you want to learn the material.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxODc5MTQw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-05-15 13:35:10 +0000 UTC","comment":"I dont see why Professor Laing gets so many negative comments here, because the class is actually helpful. All exercises and homework get me ready for building some machine learning projects and better understand all those concepts. Professor himself is willing to help, I remember one time he replied email 6 in the morning. Though exams are tough!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxODAzMzg1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-05-07 23:13:04 +0000 UTC","comment":"worst professor i have ever seen.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxODAzMjg0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-05-07 23:03:26 +0000 UTC","comment":"Never take his course!!!!!!!!! The lecture is extremely boring and useless. His homework, lecture, and exam are eventually do not have any relevance. The final exam is not concern about any knowledge you learned in this class, the final exam is pretty like purchase the lottery tickets. The is the most horrible class I have taken in my life!!!!!!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNzk5OTQw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-05-07 19:06:18 +0000 UTC","comment":"CS540 was my most painful experience since being tear-gassed in basic training. 10% material was taught to the extent it was tested. He uses stolen assignments from other universities creating chaos because he can't accurately judge how to test us on things he didn't create. Lectures are useless and painful to sit through.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNzk5ODE1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-05-07 18:58:40 +0000 UTC","comment":"I have never seen a course so poorly designed and administered.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNzk5NTk0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-05-07 18:46:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"This prof doesn't seem to care about his students. His slides are high level (and most aren't his), he expects you to know low level details for the exam problems, and even getting 100% on all of the homeworks won't prepare you to get a 40% on the final. Good luck, teach yourself everything, and see the future so you know how to study for the final","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNjI4NzAy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-04-19 05:30:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"Yingyu is a descent professor. His lectures can occasionally be a little slow moving where we get stuck on a topic for a while or where he focuses too much on math proofs. He's approachable before or after lecture to answer questions and is helpful. His exam contained expected topics but a few questions didn't seem to relate to course topics.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxNjAwNDIw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2019-04-16 02:06:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"Boring lecture, attendance dropped drastically within the first week. Going to the lecture does not teach you anything you need to know for the worksheets or the exams. Lecture is dumbed down, the sheet and the exam hits you in the face because no-one ever taught you how to do this stuff, so you gotta figure it out yourself.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5NzgyODQ5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2018-04-11 12:19:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"This class had so much potential to be impactful to students but failed in every way. Professor was new to the university so he reused lectures and homework from past semesters. It felt like he read off the slides in a very general way and tested us on totally random stuff. Midterm did not seem reflective of course material. Would never recommend.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5NzcyOTA3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2018-04-10 04:36:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"Worst Prof I have ever seen. Taken sildes from another prof and just basically reads them out without explaining. Exam is nothing alikes to past exam. You wont be doing good no matter you go to class or not.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5NjU1Njcy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2018-03-15 03:51:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"I'm taking his CS 540 class. I mean, the stuff is super easy, or it should be. However, he successfully turned it into a mess for me. Boring and meaningless lectures with his poor explanation. Homework and exam, nonsense. You won't benefit from preparing for it. CS professors always refresh my recognition for bad professors. He's not an exception.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:43.463401+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5NTc4MDkz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2342510","instructor_name":"Yingyu Liang","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2018-02-19 18:14:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"Forgot to submit an assignment until after a lecture (was due at beginning of lecture but assignment was done already). Professor would not let me turn it in. It wasn't a small assignment.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2342510","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQzMzYxMzA4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2026-08-12 04:13:17 +0000 UTC","comment":"He was great. He has been teaching this course for some years and knows how to teach it. He is very reachable. He allowed us to use LLMs for the projects and instead made it a competition so that you had to study to be good on the competitions. This was my best project experience I had from UW Madison.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQzMzUyOTM1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2026-08-07 19:31:39 +0000 UTC","comment":"UW-Madison would be better off spending the money they waste on this professor on AI tokens for students instead. His accent in class is almost impossible to understand. The real kicker? He actively encourages you to use AI on assignments… then turns around and reports you for academic misconduct the moment you actually do.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQzMDY3MjIw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2026-05-08 02:16:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"Had an amazing lectures!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQzMDU2MjY5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2026-05-07 04:30:57 +0000 UTC","comment":"Makes the class difficult for no reason, I go to review sessions and study groups and this is still so hard because his teaching style is not good. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQzMDA0ODY1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2026-05-02 19:05:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"Bro has significant stutters, lectures are long and dense, exams are difficult, but the majority of your grade is in homework. You will learn most of the classwork on your own time most likely, or through going through slides on your own. Lock in on practice exams and do good on the homework and you will pass.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxNDkwODc0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-07-09 13:41:24 +0000 UTC","comment":"Not very good as a professor goes. His grasp on English is not the best, but while I have had other foreign professors before, he has one of the worst stutters I have ever heard. It is distractingly bad. \n\nHe is not very forgiving when it comes to mistakes. Just be very careful if you're in his class, and be ready to work hard over small things.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxMDcyNjQ1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-04-28 18:46:07 +0000 UTC","comment":"Projects are alright, exams are very easy if you have a a strong linalg and calc background but would not recommend for a CS elective because this class is mainly math","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMzgyMzcx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-19 17:06:18 +0000 UTC","comment":"Young is a great person to take a class with and I would highly recommend. Beware that he wants to create the most sadistic exams possible, but if you reach out, he will be incredibly helpful and able to talk online, after lectures, or during almost weekly zoom review sessions. He is very passionate about his job and overall a great guy.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMzY3MTI1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-18 19:45:00 +0000 UTC","comment":"Three quarters of the test material were reviewed in recorded review lecture sessions. He responds to instantly, and is a really nice, dedicated professor who truly cares for students. Ignore the other misleading reviews. I went to office hours for an exam review and saw about 4 people. Put in the work and you'll be completely fine.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMzQyNTUy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-17 09:24:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"Nice guy who cares about his students but unfortunately isn't talented at giving lectures or structuring them. They are hard to listen to and follow as the material seems to be taught out of order, and he isn't a very good orator. The only thing that was very well done are the homework assignments. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMzM4NTc3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-17 04:09:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"You need to go into this class ready to go to/watch recordings of all of his extra coding and review sessions. I got what I was looking for from the course. Prof Wu definitely cares a lot. He needs several more years of experience and feedback to improve his lecture style. I could see him turning into a great professor. For now, he has work to do.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMzM1MjEy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-17 01:38:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"Everything about this class is mid. The lectures are hard to follow, the homeworks are meh, and the exams are difficult but can be aced if you study the right way. Prof Wu is extremely nice though, always on Piazza and hosted 20+ hours of review sessions for the final. Not the best course but easy if you take advantage of the provided resources.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMzM1MDQw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-17 01:30:54 +0000 UTC","comment":"He's a sweet professor who cares a lot for his students but the material goes into a lot of technical depth and often does not have any correlation to AI. Midterms are unnecessarily hard. Holds coding session and review session that are optional but then most of the questions in the exams come from them - definitely not a 3 credit class. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMzM0NDA5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-17 01:01:05 +0000 UTC","comment":"Dr. Wu is a very nice professor and does a good job explaining topics in class. One thing I never understood was making the exams very difficult. On the two exams offered in the Fall semester, the mean was around 50% for both exams. Homeworks were useful. Class is probably not worth the time and effort simply because the exams are very difficult.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMzE1MzYx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-16 02:03:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"This class is extremely math heavy and very hard. The homework had little to do with the exams but wasn't too bad. He is fine at lecturing, but IMO the material is very hard to understand. The notes aren't helpful at all without the lectures, but those are recorded so you can rewatch. He was willing to adjust the curve when students were struggling","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMjk0MTE3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-14 12:00:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"HE DOESNT KNOW HOW TO TEACH. I HAD TO TAKE DOULE LECTURE TIME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS DOING DURING THE LECTURE. AND THE EXAMS HAD NO CONNECTION WITH THE LECTURES. YOU HAVE TO LEARN EVERYTHING BY YOURSELF. AND AFTER THE TA TOLD HIM THE EXAM IS A BIT HARD, HE STILL LEFT THAT ONE TO US, BECAUSE HE THINGING THAT ONE IS EASY. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMjE5NjU3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-11 14:25:47 +0000 UTC","comment":"Lectures were very hard to follow and he is terrible at explaining concepts. The projects are great and very informative. However, the exams are impossible and there is no chance of studying with the class material because material as comprehensive or complicated as the exam does not exist.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMTk1NzIz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-10 17:05:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"The course was difficult to follow. There was a significant gap between the difficulty of lectures and exams. Topics presented as 'easy' became much more complex in tests. Math notation in lectures was often unclear, undefined, or erroneous. Exam preparation felt unrelated to the practical application of AI concepts. Overwhelming load.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMTg3MDk1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-10 02:45:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great for cs320 but so bad for 540. Lecture content does not correlate with exams at all. I come out of lecture with a good conceptual understanding of the material and not a clue on how to do a singular exam problem. He defiently puts the work in with a ton of extra review and coding sessions but the exams are unnecessarily hard.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMTIyNDg5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-05 20:33:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"Goodluck taking this class, class wasn't organized lecture slides had no details in them and you couldn't understand any of the things on the slide just by reading them, the lectures were useless. The professor is highly qualified and hard worker too he will hold extra study sessions for projects and exams but he doesn't do a good job at teaching","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMDM5MjYy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-11-26 21:15:08 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor tries hard and cares a lot about the class, seen in how he has 2-3hr coding sessions every weekend, answers piazza posts quickly, is always patient answering questions. \n\nBut the course lacks coherence. It is not clear in class how any of the topics are related. He does not do a good job building intuition or the big picture. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMDIzMTk5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-11-24 16:34:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Wu is a kind and dedicated instructor. He patiently answers all questions after class and on Piazza. He also holds coding sessions to guide students through the thought process for weekly projects. His lectures are not too difficult to follow.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5ODUzMjk4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-10-25 05:42:15 +0000 UTC","comment":"Young Wu doesn't have logic. Period. What he says on the class doesn't make any sense.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5ODQ5NzAy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-10-24 16:05:38 +0000 UTC","comment":"The professor was outrageous, the rules kept changing, the whole class was confusing, and he seemed very inexperienced. Can also now see him next school Spring 2025 school not even assigning him so many classes. You can see how poorly he is rated.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5ODA5NDky","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-10-13 18:32:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"Young Wu has the ability to complicate every single thing. Comparing to take the lecture, I would rather watch a bunch of YouTube videos. The YouTube videos make much more sense than this lecture.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5NzA4NjAw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-08-27 05:58:29 +0000 UTC","comment":"I took it in summer term, which is an online course. He is the real King. He works hard, so you can easily get respond in piazza even at 3:00 am. Homework and exams are easy. You can easily get an A in this course.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5MTcyODYx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-04-15 09:48:59 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is a very responsible teacher. He answers questions on Piazza in the early morning and before class. Even after the course ends, he is willing to guide students. Very nice person.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzNTQ5MzMx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2020-07-31 16:36:37 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Wu was a great professor. Explained things well and grading was clear. Everything was auto graded so you knew what your grade was before submitting programs and math homework, which made it super easy to get nearly a perfect score. Not to say that the assignments were "easy", but you put in the moderate amount of work and you'll get an A.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:31.649346+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzNTQxMzUz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2510986","instructor_name":"Young Wu","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2020-07-28 23:28:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"Young is a great instructor. Always responsive. He would stay for extra time during his office hours and is very patient with questions. He has very interesting demos in his class. Highly recommended!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2510986","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:24.844333+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwNTA5MTY0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3057885","instructor_name":"Yudong Chen","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2025-01-08 18:20:42 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is an okay lecturer at best, but you can tell he's passionate about the subject. There are weekly projects, but they are pretty easy and interesting. The tests are wack tbh - hardest part of the entire class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3057885","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:24.844333+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMjc1NzM5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3057885","instructor_name":"Yudong Chen","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-13 16:33:30 +0000 UTC","comment":"The class is really influenced by Young Wu but Yudong is a goat. He's not the best lecturer but tries to improve based on feedback. He's also just rly cute. Significant improvement between lecture quality in the first and second half of the semester. The exams are tough I honestly can't give you advice yet. I'll keep you posted.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3057885","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:57:24.844333+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMjAyMDY5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:3057885","instructor_name":"Yudong Chen","course_label":"CS540","course_id":"COMPSCI 540","course_uid":"course_e0f984e8747ee9ccaba16d75","review_date":"2024-12-10 20:39:54 +0000 UTC","comment":"Disclaimer: Grading scheme for CS540 is not very clear. Every semester they change it up, and had a curve with a fixed number of As... to be allocated.\n\nYudong Chen was great, though, unlike Young Wu. He takes his time and explains clearly (subjective). He sometimes wrote notes on his iPad instead of scrolling the course website, which was better.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/3057885","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0}]