Spring 2022

CS 400 - Programming III

Instructor: Gary Dahl

Requirements: Required for CS

Workload: There were weekly activities, 3 exams, and 3 projects to be completed in a team of 4. I spent about 5 hours per week.

Comment: This is the last course in the sequence of 200-300-400. The class still uses Java and IMO it is easier than 300. We covered more data structures and algorithms such as hashtable, red black tree, and graphs. There was a lot of content and we did not cover much in depth of those, so it is really hard to prepare for exams. Gary was a good lecturer and he explained the content well. Though I also heard that now he wasn't as good as when I took it. But I would still recommend taking with Gary as 400 isn't a super difficult class that you absolutely need a super good instructor for it to make sense.

I highly recommend finding a good teammate since teamwork is a large component of this class. A bad team does not affect your grade as much, but it makes you unhappy for sure.

Difficulty: 3.5/5

Recommend: 4/5

CS 354 - Machine Organization and Programming

Instructor: Michael Doescher

Requirements: Required for CS

Workload: There were weekly activities, quizzes, and 6 projects to be completed. 2 exams. I spent about 8-10 hours per week.

Comment: This was the hardest class I took in my freshmen year. 354 used C and I had only a little C++ knowledge before so it took a lot of time for me to get used to it. Content covered includes C programming, DMA, assembly, caching, and basic operating system concepts. This was a difficult class and exam averages were about 55-60%. It lays foundation for classes such as 537 and 564. We had prof Michael Doescher. He got some criticism for giving too much work and always falling behind schedule. In our semester, we were also behind schedule but he did not give a lot of work so it was all good. I think he is a lot nicer than some Reddit posts said.

Difficulty: 4.5/5

Recommend: 3/5

CS 220 - Data Science Programming I

Instructor: Meenakshi Syamkumar

Requirements: Satisfy DS requirement (or CS 300)

Workload: There were weekly quizzes, 13 projects, required lab attendance, and 3 exams. I spent about 2-4 hrs per week.

Comment: This was a very easy intro data science class and IMO the easiest class offered by the CS department. If you do work you would definitely get an A. This is a great intro to CS class for those who have no programming experience before. Content covered basic programming concepts in Python, CSV/JSON data, Pandas, Plotting, and Web. I would recommend taking CS 320 if you have already got the 300 credits, or CS 368 if you want to learn Python. I only took this class because I already have CS 354, 400, and MATH 340 but regretting taking this class because it is just too easy if you have already taken CS 300. But it was chill.

Difficulty: 1.5/5

Recommend: 3.5/5

MATH 340 - Elementary Matrix and Linear Algebra

Instructor: Aleksandra Sobieska-Snyder

Requirements: Additional Math requirement for CS, Linear Algebra requirement for Math, DS

Workload: There were weekly HW and 4 exams. I spent about 5hrs per week.

Comment: This is the easiest Math class I took at UW-Madison. Math 340 covers linear algebra topics such as vector space, span, range, linear transformations, eigenvectors, etc. The class was calculation based so there were no proofs. HWs and exercises prepare you well for the exams. We had Ola and she was a really nice instructor and are very good at teaching. Math 340 def helped me in later CS class, but I would still recommend taking Math 341 or 375 as it covers more in-depth topics of Linear Algebra.

Difficulty: 3/5

Recommend: 4/5

ASIALANG 104 - Second Semester Japanese

Instructor: Takako Nakakubo - on record, Kenia Hara - actual instructor

Requirements: None, but if you are majoring/minoring in Japanese then you need this class

Workload: Attendance is mandatory, there were lots of weekly assignments. There were also a few quizzes, and exams. I spent about 2-3 hrs per week.

Comment: We did not have a TA this semester like usual, and it was just Hara sensei 5 times a week. Hara sensei is my favorite instructor here at UW-Madison. She is really good at explaining and teaching and her lecture was so fun! It is sad this was her last semester at UW-Madison. We covered some advanced grammar, kanji, and vocab in 2nd semester. It was a fun class and my favorite class at UW-Madison.

Difficulty: 1.5/5

Recommend: 5/5

MUSIC 43 - University Band

Instructor: Eric Sayre, Ashley Hawk

Requirements: Nothing, little GPA boost though

Workload: 2.5hr rehearsal per week.

Comment: Easiest band class at UW. Just attend rehearsals and two concerts per semester. If you played instruments in high school and want to keep it up, you might consider this class. No audition necessary but you do need to be good, since most people here have decent amount of experience.

Difficulty: 1/5

Recommend: 4/5