Hardest courses in Computer Sciences

Past student reviews · Marc Renault

One student found the lectures had almost no correlation to the homework, creating the feeling of taking two separate classes and requiring significant extra effort to connect the material.[1]

Past student reviews · Carla Michini

Homeworks were extremely hard at times, though the total volume was limited to eight assignments. The workload is demanding due to the difficulty of the problems rather than the quantity.[1]

Past student reviews · Amos Ron

One past student said Amos Ron’s homeworks were 10–15 pages biweekly. Another said the homework took many hours and lectures met three days a week for 75 minutes.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Hina Mahmood

Projects were lengthy and required students to start early, while exams were fair and mostly theoretical.[1]

Past student reviews · Beck Hasti

Exams and projects were difficult, but the criteria for success were described as super clear.[1]

Past student reviews · Eric Bach

Homeworks were difficult but interesting to work through, while exams were reported to be easier than the homework assignments.[1]

Past student reviews · Luke Jeffreys

The course was considered pretty hard due to the sheer amount of content, though the instructor provided fill-in-the-blank lecture notes to save time.[1]

Past student reviews · Mitch Keller

The grading system was unique and demanding: students needed full marks on all assignments and tests or extra credit to achieve an A; otherwise, the highest possible grade was an AB.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Chris Rycroft, Laurel Ohm

One student found the homework tedious but manageable, while another noted a heavy workload that was doable with time. Rycroft's exams were challenging but included partial credit, whereas Ohm's exams were described as having very reasonable difficulty.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Michael Ferris, Laurent Lessard

Homework assignments were difficult and time-consuming, with one student noting they would ruin their social life, while another found them helpful for learning.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Florian Heimerl

Project workloads varied significantly, ranging from one to over twenty hours per week depending on group dynamics. Exams were generally not considered super difficult, though some students noted that tests covered obscure topics mentioned only briefly in lecture.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Setareh Behroozi

Homework assignments were challenging and time-consuming, requiring significant effort. Students found the class became much easier when they actively collaborated with their group and attended discussion sessions.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Jim Williams

Students reported a large amount of busy work, some of which was challenging and time-consuming. Exams were inconsistent in difficulty, with multiple-choice and programming components varying in ease.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Louis Oliphant

The projects took a significant amount of time, and the exams were described as pretty difficult.[1]

Past student reviews · Pedro Morgado

The course had a huge workload with many homeworks, exercises, and a group project. The first half was very difficult without a strong background in Linear Algebra or Calc 3.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Michael Doescher

Projects were extremely time-consuming and often repetitive, but students appreciated that the grade was largely based on their completion rather than just exams.[1]

Past student reviews · Shayne Wadle

Students noted that homework was the primary basis for learning and was very similar to exams. Some found the homework difficult even with lectures, requiring significant independent work outside of class.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Ahmed Mahmood

Exams were reported as very tough and lengthy for the available time, while projects were considered fine.[1]

Past student reviews · Tyler Caraza-harter

Assessment included two 30-minute quizzes and a long project requiring 15-20 hours for a small grade percentage.[1]

Past student reviews · Perry Kivolowitz

The workload is demanding, with students reporting that 30 hours a week is not unusual to do well. Individual projects can require a minimum of 30 to 50 hours to complete, making the material and assignments time-intensive.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Robert Nowak, Eduardo Arvelo

Homework assignments were challenging but graded on completion, while summer terms were described as crammed and intense.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Michael Ferris

Assignments often required more than 14 hours to complete, with no penalty-free late days or assignment drops available.[1]

Past student reviews · Andrew Kuemmel

Homework was due Monday through Thursday, often involving participation tasks that took significant time. Students also faced weekly Friday quizzes, with midterms scheduled on Sundays.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Yuhang Zhao

The workload was high but useful, with extensions and extra credit provided to help manage the intensity.[1]

Past student reviews · Young Wu

Exams were reported as extremely difficult, with one student stating they were impossible to prepare for using class materials alone. Another described the exams as 'sadistic' but noted the instructor was helpful when students reached out.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Suman Banerjee

The course typically includes four moderate quizzes and four straightforward programs, though one student warned that the final program was particularly challenging.[1]

Past student reviews · Setareh Behroozi

The course was described as extremely hard, particularly for undergraduates, with one student noting it made their brain hurt. TAs and the professor went the extra mile to break down difficult concepts.[1, 2]

Past student reviews · Barton Miller

The class required weekly quizzes, a participation event, and extra credit opportunities. One student noted that while the course was less challenging than core CS classes, missing quizzes made getting an A difficult.[1]

Past student reviews · Eftychios Sifakis

Lectures primarily involved case study go-throughs with code. Practice exams were provided for review, supporting the course's lenient grading structure.[1]