Prof Parra knows the topics but lacks in explaining on a more basic level. Lectures are just reading off sloppy pdfs and he expects you to do everything using his own specific methods. HW are very complicated compared to class examples (not to mention he barely covers mathcad which is expected to be used for some assignments).Rate My Professors ↗
Current instructor
Gustavo Parra-Montesinos
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Professor Parra is an extremely intelligent person and it comes off as a bit overwhelming at times. He does lecture a bit robotically while he teaches off of his pre-scanned pdf documents, but he does intermittently stop to ask if there are any questions, which is extremely important to take advantage of because he will stop to re-explain items.Rate My Professors ↗
Prof. Parra is exceptionally knowledgeable in Structural Engineering. However, he has lost touch with what it is like to be a student. He lectures monotonously off of pre-written scanned PDFs that are impossible to keep pace with and relies heavily on the program MathCAD for homework which he never teaches students to use.Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Parra is clearly very intelligent. However, he struggles with teaching. There were many topics that were not simplified to the student level whatsoever. His lectures are just him reading off a pdf with very complicated examples. Homework's are just a test of your Mathcad coding ability.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Gustavo Parra-Montesinos
Structural Analysis II
3 creditsStructural Analysis II covers displacement methods, slope deflection, moment distribution, and stiffness matrix derivation for frames.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2021: 3.60 GPA, 80.0% A/AB (n=5 letter grades); Fall 2022: 3.25 GPA, 50.0% A/AB (n=10 letter grades); Fall 2023: 3.12 GPA, 37.5% A/AB (n=8 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2023 · limited samplePrestressed Concrete
3 creditsCIVENGR 643 covers the analysis and design of prestressed concrete members, focusing on flexure, shear, and composite behavior.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Independent Study
1–9 creditsCIVENGR 699 is an independent study course conducted under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sampleMaster's Research or Thesis
1–9 creditsCIVENGR 790 is a Master's research or thesis course conducted under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Pre-dissertator's Research
1–9 creditsCIVENGR 890 is a supervised research course for pre-dissertator students.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Thesis
1–12 creditsCIVENGR 990 is a thesis course conducted under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Advanced Independent Study
1–9 creditsAn advanced independent study course in civil engineering conducted under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2023 · limited sampleRecorded teaching history
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | CIVENGR 440 | Structural Analysis II |
| Fall 2026 | CIVENGR 643 | Prestressed Concrete |
| Fall 2026 | CIVENGR 699 | Independent Study |
| Fall 2026 | CIVENGR 790 | Master's Research or Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | CIVENGR 890 | Pre-dissertator's Research |
| Fall 2026 | CIVENGR 990 | Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | CIVENGR 999 | Advanced Independent Study |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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