3.0

Alison Sunderland

Computer Science - Weber State University

3.0
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
50%
Would Retake
160
Reviews
3.0
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
3.0
Helpful
3.0
Clarity

50%

Would Retake

160

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

32

4

26

3

47

2

23

1

32

What Students Say

WORST TEACHINGLEARNING Experience at WSU

CS2450 - 3.0 rating

Alison Sunderland has a weird obsession with group projects

CS2450 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

61%

Textbook Required

12%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 108 grades
Most common grades:
A (38)
B (18)
A- (12)
Grade Distribution
A(49)B(24)C(10)D(2)F(1)A-/B+(23)
Based on 118 reported grades
A: 38
B: 18
A-: 12
A+: 11
Common Tags
Lots of homework (49)
Group projects (44)
Participation matters (39)
Gives good feedback (37)
Tough grader (29)
Skip class? You won't pass. (18)
Clear grading criteria (18)
Get ready to read (18)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.75 avg change
Feb
Apr
Oct
Jan
Feb
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CS2150

5.0

(1)

CS1410

4.7

(3)

CS1030

3.3

(33)

CS2130

3.1

(39)

CS2705

3.0

(1)
+3 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CS2150

4.0

CS2450

3.5

CS2130

3.3

CS1400

3.2

CS-2810

3.0

Reviews (160)
5.0
1.0
CS1030
Mar 28, 2011

Alison was fun and entertaining to listen to. For anyone interested in getting a CS degree this is a good class to take. I would take again. The class was not difficult and didn't take up a ton of time.

4.0
1.0
CS1030
Jun 20, 2011

Alison is a good teacher. She definitely puts in 110% to what she does. If you take her class, it might move a little slow for you, but if you pay attention, you will learn something new every day.

5.0
1.0
CS1030
Sep 29, 2011

Great teacher!!!

5.0
1.0
CS1030
Dec 5, 2011

This teacher is the best teacher I have ever had. I had issues come up in the middle of the semester and she worked with me on getting assignments turned it. If you go to class you will pass the class. Simple as that. 500% recommend her even if you don't have to take the class.

5.0
2.0
CS1030
Dec 7, 2011

Great teacher. She's enthusiastic, always had a high level of energy, and always willing to help students that don't understand. Not a difficult class if you attend regularly, pay attention, and do the weekly homework (usually less than 30 mins) Highly recommended.

5.0
1.0
CS1400
Apr 4, 2012

I was nervous about learning a programming language when I signed up for this class. She made it fun and interesting. I talked to students who took the same class from other professors and was grateful to have her as mine, if I'd had a professor dump an assignment on me without any direction I would have quit. The perfect choice for a beginner.

1.0
5.0
CS1400
Apr 20, 2013

If you do not already have a grasp of Java, do not choose this professor. Goes way too fast, assumes you know what is going on, mocks you when your programs do not run. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TEACHER.

4.0
3.0
CS1030
Aug 16, 2013

She made the class fun! Read the Chapters! Quiz questions, assignments and test questions come straight out of the chapter. Quiz, tests are open book & have time limit. Read the book & do homework & you can't fail! She goes fast when she types the programs so keep up & ask lots of questions. I would take a class from her again! I love CS now!

1.0
4.0
CS1030
Oct 31, 2013

Hands down the worst teacher I have had so far. She cannot keep the attention of the class and she will put the class into groups to do pointless exercises so she grade past work. She grades very harshly on the smallest things. I would never recommend this teacher.

3.0
3.0
CS1030
May 4, 2014

Prof. Sunderland really knows the subject. It can be difficult as she moves fast but will slow down when asked to. Quizzes and exams are open book but you need to have read some of the material already as they are timed. Once you get into the programming, it can be difficult, so ask questions or you will be lost. It's a harder class but passable.

3.0
3.0
CS1030
Sep 17, 2014

A pretty good professor if you can keep up. She moves through the material a bit too quickly for most of the students.

2.0
5.0
CS2450
Oct 20, 2014

Better Like Group Projects This class felt more like 4000-5000 level course with assignment due every WEEK, solo assignments is like a solo group project. More work in this class then in my 3000 & 4000 level classes combined (including class time those 2 as well)! This course will take all your time! SRS Group project as well!

4.0
2.0
CS1030
Grade: A
Dec 22, 2014

Alison gave weekly assignments and quizzes, but they were all simple. All tests and quizzes were open book, open note, and even open Google. She has many interactive activities in her lectures. Participation and attendance matter.

5.0
1.0
CS2450
May 1, 2015

Alison is a great teacher. She is very helpful in this class, and you shouldn't worry about the group projects because they are the easiest part of the class, because you just divide up the work equally.

4.0
1.0
CS1030
Grade: B
May 8, 2015

This class was an easy A. The tests were open book, and she taught everything in a way that was relatable and easy to understand. I didn't like the group projects, and you had to stand and sit every 10 seconds when you were working in a group. Other than that, I would recommend taking her class because she is fun and good at teaching.

3.0
5.0
CS2450
Grade: Rather not say
Jul 15, 2015

Busy work, no real world application taking away points from the groups that do not "win" is again not a real world application. The whole class has seemed to be a burdenous way to lower students GPA. In the real world, none of this documentation is written until you have been awarded the contract. WORST TEACHINGLEARNING Experience at WSU

5.0
4.0
CS1400
Grade: A+
Jul 22, 2015

She is the best programming professor I know. She goes through details and makes you know your stuff by the end of the class.

3.0
1.0
CS2705
Grade: A+
Nov 10, 2015

Prof. Sunderlands Classes usually involve lots of 'IN-CLASS' work. This also means there wasn't much 'OUT-OF-CLASS' work. She always has a good story to go along with the concept to help understanding. If you don't show up to class I don't see how you could pass.

3.0
2.0
CS1030
Grade: A
Jan 14, 2016

Most days I liked her as a professor, but always liked her as a person. She's upbeat and smiles a lot and it adds to the experience. She definitely knew the material well enough to teach college level courses but I don't much care for her teaching style because she puts us in groups to do trivial things together. She does not budge on grading!!

5.0
1.0
CS1410
Grade: A
Jan 14, 2016

I don't like programming, period! I needed to take CS1410 to complete some course work. She had us programming from day one. Each lecture was completed in Visual Studio-she explained what we were learning, she programmed with us, checked for understanding. I learned a lot and did not feel intimidated.

3.0
3.0
CS1030
Grade: B
May 1, 2016

She is very unwilling to help with special case situations. I had a family emergency and told her that I wouldn't be able to attend class or do any of the work for a few weeks. She told me that she is sorry but she wouldn't work with me. I would have received an A in her class if she had worked with me. Even with me aceing everything I only got a B

4.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Aug 10, 2016
Would take again

She was a good professor. A little unorganized, and some of instructions left us all confused, but she was good and fair. I'd take her again.

1.0
4.0
CS2450
Sep 10, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Wonderful and lovely person, but not professor. The amount of homework distracts from the whole purpose of the course. No late work - no excuses. Then doesn't return your homework for WEEKS! Final is a group project, but you compete with each group - if you 'lose' your grade takes a hit. Only one group gets full credit. Bad learning experience.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
GROUP PROJECTS
1.0
1.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Sep 26, 2016
Wouldn't take again

She is by far the worst professor I have had in the CS department so far at Weber. Almost all of the homework is busywork, the lectures are super repetitive, and there are multiple group projects that you can't get full points on unless your group was the best.

Tough Grader
5.0
4.0
CS1400
Grade: A
Nov 12, 2016
Would take again

The way she teaches this class is very effective. She writes programs in class while the class copies it onto their computers. I learned a ton. There were a few times where she assigned things in programs that she didn't explain and didn't seem to know how to do. Doesn't accept excuses if assignments are late, docks points.

LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: B
Dec 12, 2016
Wouldn't take again

This course was so full of busy work that there was no time for actual learning. Constantly making you play stupid games with neighbors. You have to do every single assignment and program as well as the quizzes and exams or you're screwed. I did fine in the course, but the overall amount of work is unnecessary. I wouldn't do it again.

Tough Grader
Participation matters
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
3.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: B
Feb 26, 2017
Wouldn't take again

She is a pleasant woman and is very open to talk with students but as a professor, she isn't that good. She roughly gives out 4-5 assignments a week which really can be difficult to manage when you have other classes to also do homework in. She does grade very harshly and most assignments she doesn't explain the requirements all that well.

Tough Grader
Participation matters
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
5.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: A
May 10, 2017
Would take again

Took the class online. A lot of homework, but you will get a good grade if you put in the effort, even if you make mistakes. I did have to use the internet for some of the requirements that were not explained very well in the book and did not include tutorial videos. The group project is a pain when your teammates don't communicate or do any work

Participation matters
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
GROUP PROJECTS
2.0
4.0
CS2130
Sep 1, 2017
Wouldn't take again

This is a good class to take, but she is very frustrating and you will have hard time to understand her. Nice person but not good teacher. The course was very unorganized and didn't have any proper due date for some assignments. Lots of busy work besides non-stop homework.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
5.0
3.0
CS2130
Oct 23, 2017
Would take again

I've enjoyed this class, there is a fair amount of homework but she is very lenient with late assignments (read: you can turn in almost everything late with a minimal penalty). Concepts are explained in a way that's easy to understand, the trickiest part of this class is the programming assignments which don't really have an in-depth explanation.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
LECTURE HEAVY
2.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: B-
Feb 28, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Sometimes quiz due dates show up on calendar before it is due, occasionally a quiz won't have a due date published on canvas until after the quiz has closed. Assignment due dates change every week, so if have full schedule and require careful time management this class will throw a monkey wrench into your plans on a weekly basis. Lots of busy work

Tough Grader
Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
1.0
2.0
CS2130
Mar 5, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Pretty lackluster. Content seems very obscure and presentation is difficult to follow. Lecture videos have very poor audio rendering them nearly useless. Very slow grader. Assignments require updating to reflect prior assignment feedback. However, often the previous assignment isn't graded when it comes time to submit. :/

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
GROUP PROJECTS
1.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: C+
Apr 3, 2018
Wouldn't take again

I have had Alison in the past and really only took this class from her due to my work schedule. She is kind of rude and doesn't really teach very well. Her lectures are long and hard to follow. Your grade is dependent on quizzes and exams.

Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
2.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: B
Apr 18, 2018
Wouldn't take again

This was probably the worst CS class I have ever taken. Alison makes you do an ungodly amount of homework/reading. She can teach you some of the concepts, but she grades so harshly that if you don't completely understand you will fail, for sure. I would never take another course from her.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
2.0
4.0
CS1400
Grade: B+
Apr 20, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Sunderland did alright at explaining the actual concepts of what you are supposed to learn in a 1400 course. Lots of homework, but somewhat understandable for how much you need to learn for the CS degree/career. Downside was how harsh she was on grading. One flaw and programs/assignments would get docked. Look around for other professors.

Tough Grader
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
GROUP PROJECTS
2.0
3.0
CS1400
Grade: B
Apr 26, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Very unorganized. You never know when projects are do, so you can't plan ahead. They appear on canvas days before they are do, so you have to always be checking . I won't be taking her class agin

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
GROUP PROJECTS
2.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: A
May 5, 2018
Wouldn't take again

This class is 90% busywork. You spend the class making charts, graphs, diagrams, mock-ups, flowcharts, tables, spreadsheets, and many other graphics. In the last month, you do the same thing with an assigned group in hope of "winning" a "contract" with a "client" for a shot at a perfect final project score. At least you get to grade your teammates.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Clear grading criteria
GROUP PROJECTS
1.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: B+
Jun 19, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Alison Sunderland has a weird obsession with group projects. Even if your taking an online class, you are still forced to work with a group of peers who all have different schedules. The class itself is completely irrelevant to anything you'll ever actually do as a software engineer. The professor uses terribly made outdated videos to teach

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
GROUP PROJECTS
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
4.0
CS1030
Grade: B-
Jun 25, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Terrible teacher. Grades really heavy on assignments that are pure busy work. 10 points for an assignment that takes 2+ hours. Don't answer questions correctly, just do assignments how she wants. When I asked her why I got a bad grade on my homework she just said I need tutoring. Get ready for pointless group projects.

Tough Grader
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
GROUP PROJECTS
4.0
3.0
CS1410
Grade: A+
Aug 19, 2018
Would take again

Writes code along with you in class to show examples. Assignments are easy if you attend class. Don't buy the textbook, you'll use an online one that's helpful. I genuinely enjoyed her class. She's willing to work with you and look at your code for corrections. Tons of opportunities for extra credit, and she's very approachable. Great professor!

Gives good feedback
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
EXTRA CREDIT
2.0
4.0
CS2450
Dec 2, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Very disorganized. Admitted to missing her first day of Monday classes because she forgot she had them. Didnt make an announcement when she was going to be gone for two weeks, only had a vague ONL on the syllabus schedule. Repeated a lecture because she felt she hadnt done it well. Scheduled student meetings during class, costing a week of class.

Skip class? You won't pass.
GROUP PROJECTS
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
3.0
CS1410
Grade: A
Dec 6, 2018
Would take again

She's a little spacey, but does a good job teaching and explaining the material. Textbook is online, don't buy the physical one. Lots of extra credit, and she takes time to help students. Attend class and you'll know everything you need since she has you code along with her. Assignments are fun. Good teacher (she's super nice), and easy class.

Gives good feedback
Skip class? You won't pass.
EXTRA CREDIT
2.0
3.0
CS1030
Grade: A
Feb 28, 2019
Wouldn't take again

I and Many other students feel as if we are back in second grade. There are "group activities" and Constant moving through out the classroom. We play get to know you activities, every time we have a group activity. If you cant make it to class you miss "class work" which is 10% of your grade, which can add up.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
Group projects
1.0
5.0
CS2450
Grade: B
Mar 13, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Very unclear instructions and next to no feedback when I approached her she simply tells me to read the same horribly written instructions easily the worst class I have ever had.

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Tough grader
1.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: A-
Apr 9, 2019
Wouldn't take again

I get this class is made to learn how to work in groups, but doing group assignments on an online class is stupid. And then spends the whole semester teaching how to do a SRS document then changes the format for the final? Why?!? Online group projects dont work because everyone has such different schedules, there is a resaon we took it online....

Lots of homework
Group projects
Tough grader
3.0
3.0
CS2450
Apr 10, 2019
Wouldn't take again

She is obsessed with group work. You will be constantly shuffled in and out of groups. A lot of homework and discussions constantly being due so don't forget you have hw to do almost every night. Her grading seems random.

Group projects
So many papers
Tough grader
2.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: A-
Apr 15, 2019
Would take again

Interviewer was shocked when I told them what I learned in my Software Engineering class. Seems this class should focus on learning to code in a team, yet it was spent all semester working on a document that is meaningless. Her grading is very spardic, grades easy for one week, the next week it's graded hard. Homework? Get ready!

Lots of homework
So many papers
Tough grader
3.0
1.0
CS1030
Apr 17, 2019
Would take again

its an okay class just do your work and you will pass

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
2.0
2.0
CS1030
Apr 17, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Too many kid activities. Constantly moving around the room, counting off each student to put into a group. This is a college course, not high school. I personally feel like the course was not worth what i paid for it. The Grading system didn't make a whole lot of sense. She is very specific on how she wants things done. Only on way to skin a cat.

Lots of homework
Skip class? You won't pass.
Group projects
4.0
4.0
CS1030
Grade: C+
Apr 17, 2019
Would take again

Professor Sunderland makes the class discussion relate to things. That makes it easier to understand and remember for the quizzes, tests and homework.

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
3.0
4.0
CS1030
Grade: A
Apr 17, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Has lots of assignments and lots of busy work. She was knowledgeable about the material she taught. Your grade will take a hit because the assignments and groups projects.

Lots of homework
Participation matters
So many papers
4.0
4.0
CS1030
Apr 17, 2019
Would take again

Very knowledgeable of course content.

Respected
Caring
5.0
4.0
CS1030
Grade: B-
Apr 17, 2019
Would take again

Great personality, tough grader. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Gives good feedback
EXTRA CREDIT
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
CS1030
Apr 17, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Much of her class is busy work, instead of learning about computer systems. She acts like the students are in grade school and gives group assignments and get-to-know you games. Also, she won't let you make up classwork assignments.

Lots of homework
Skip class? You won't pass.
3.0
3.0
CS1030
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 17, 2019
Would take again

I honestly though the professor was fine, but the textbook probably needs updating the most. The in-class work is pretty heavy in regards to the affect it has one your grade. Other than that it was pretty standard stuff.

Participation matters
Group projects
4.0
5.0
CS2450
Grade: B+
Apr 19, 2019
Would take again

Professor Sunderland is an excellent professor. She puts time into the lectures and tries to present the material clearly. She's very specific in the way she grades things, so you have to cater your documents to exactly what she likes. The course takes a lot of hard work, and a lot of group work, but it's very passable!

Lots of homework
Group projects
Lecture heavy
3.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: D+
Apr 19, 2019
Wouldn't take again

The class was at most a 2 hour class. Most of the time was spent doing busy work for both the homework and class work. Very unreasonable grading for assignments, because it was as if she was micro managing the assignments.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: A-
Apr 19, 2019
Would take again

i actually learned several new concepts with this professor. the assignments we worked on were similar templates that professionals use in the industry. i felt more job ready after creating an srs document with group and presenting it as if i were talking with a client.

Gives good feedback
Respected
Participation matters
1.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: B+
Apr 19, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Class lectures are a waist of time as she has videos up on canvas. She is very judgmental that us programmers only want to program (go figure). I think its great to take a step back and look but don't have a holier than thou attitude about it. She plays group games way too much! This class is a lot of work!!

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Skip class? You won't pass.
5.0
5.0
CS2450
Grade: B
Apr 19, 2019
Would take again

Weekly homework, classwork for every class period. Final is a group project. Overall, it's not a very hard class if you put your valuable time in it.

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Group projects
5.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Apr 19, 2019
Would take again

She is unfairly rated by many students. She is always professional, and respectful. She knows her stuff. If you come to class and pay attention you will actually learn something. If you don't pay attention to the lecture or assignment instructions, you will do poorly. You can't just show up and get good grades, you actually have to do work.

Respected
Clear grading criteria
5.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: A-
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

Gave weekly progress updates and overviews of what was required during the week. Very transparent and helpful

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Caring
5.0
1.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

Alison was very caring and would respond to any questions in a timely matter. Her class revolved a lot around group project but she laidout the assignments well it was easy to comprehend.

Gives good feedback
Group projects
4.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: A-
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

I took the class online. Alison gives great in-depth feedback and is very responsive to emails. I could do without the weekly group discussions. Offered extra credit 2 times during the semester.

Gives good feedback
Group projects
EXTRA CREDIT
4.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: A+
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

I was scared to take this class but Alison made it great. You can code in Python which makes it really nice. Graded on programs, ZyBook activities, and Math Assignments. You need the textbook to do a few assignments. I never read the textbook, I only read the ZyBook. No midterm or Final! Wasn't a fan of grading your own assignments though.

Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
3.0
2.0
CS2450
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

Lots of group projects. Discussions are vital so don't miss any. Pretty easy work but lots of it so expect something due every day. Would take more classes from Alison.

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Group projects
3.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: B+
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

Alison is a great professor, I have had her in a few of my courses. She is willing to work with you and help you succeed

Respected
Lots of homework
EXTRA CREDIT
3.0
3.0
CS2450
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

Some of the specifications on what she expects on some assignments can be confusing; however, she gives really good feedback once you are done with your assignment. She also stresses group participation.

Gives good feedback
Group projects
EXTRA CREDIT
3.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: B-
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

Not to hard the book work is easy, once you know how to do it.

Get ready to read
5.0
4.0
CS2150
Grade: A+
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

Alison did an amazing job teaching this class. Especially given how many changes to had to happen that where outside her control. Great Class! I learned a lot and got a lot of practical programming experience.

Gives good feedback
Clear grading criteria
Caring
4.0
4.0
CS1400
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

Alison is a great professor. She is very lenient and makes you work hard to pass her class. She gives out extra credit so that's nice.

Gives good feedback
Caring
EXTRA CREDIT
2.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Apr 22, 2019
Would take again

Not a bad teacher, lots of busy work. Very nit picky so make sure you follow all of everything exactly and you will be fine.

Lots of homework
EXTRA CREDIT
Tough grader
3.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: B-
Apr 23, 2019
Would take again

good teacher but takes a long time to grade assignments

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Get ready to read
3.0
3.0
CS2130
Apr 23, 2019
Would take again

Honestly just good and structured. It's nice to have a teacher that has a clearly laid out structure to their class.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
EXTRA CREDIT
3.0
3.0
CS2450
Apr 23, 2019
Would take again

Gives extra credit, reuses old lecture videos, final is a group project which is hard for an online class because people have all kinds of different work schedules. But, you get out of the class what you put into the class.

Lots of homework
EXTRA CREDIT
So many papers
5.0
2.0
CS2450
Grade: A+
Apr 23, 2019
Would take again

Great class all around:)

Gives good feedback
Group projects
Caring
4.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Apr 23, 2019
Would take again

Good class, pretty enjoyable. You'll have to do a chapter a week from the online textbook for participation points, and it's a pretty good-sized chunk of the final grade, so do it!

Get ready to read
3.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Apr 23, 2019
Would take again

Took the class online. As others have said, plenty of busy work. Not much help with regards to lecture videos. The zyBook basically teaches the class which was disappointing. If you don't have much programming experience you probably won't do well. Average programming assignment grades were quite low. Book work can help push your grade up though.

5.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Apr 23, 2019
Would take again

Very good teacher, explains everything thoroughly but it is a hard class but she is always willing to help and answer questions.

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
5.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: B+
Apr 23, 2019
Would take again

Good teacher, annoying class

Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
Caring
2.0
4.0
CS1030
Apr 23, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Grading criteria very unclear. Lots of busy work. Lectures are difficult to get through.

Lots of homework
Tough grader
3.0
3.0
CS2130
Apr 23, 2019
Wouldn't take again

It is not a bad class it is just very unorganized. She switched the schedule up midway through the semester and didn't warn us witched caused me to miss assignments from sections way back. But she does give opportunities for Extra Credit.

3.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: A-
Apr 23, 2019
Would take again

Ok professor, she is very detailed and specific in the things that she wants students to do. For this course we used an online zybook which was actually very helpful for this course. I've taken this course before and we used a different textbook, which was terrible. Pros for taking her for 2130: The zybook.

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Get ready to read
3.0
3.0
CS1030
Apr 24, 2019
Wouldn't take again

She's very nice but doesn't have any room for a missed class. It doesn't really matter what the situation is too. I absolutely hated the group project and that destroyed my grade.

Lots of homework
Skip class? You won't pass.
3.0
4.0
CS2450
Apr 24, 2019
Wouldn't take again

She's okay for a professor, her course is organized and her instructions were mostly clear. Puts us into groups for a project and pushes us a little too hard with the discussions. I would've been more okay with her if she hadn't graded assignments more specifically. However, those extra credit assignments saved my grade from dropping a level.

Participation matters
Group projects
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: B
Apr 24, 2019
Would take again

As my second time taking this professor, she was exactly how I remembered her the first time: funny, great at giving feedback, cared about student opinions, and good at pushing you towards the right direction. She very much encourages students to talk to each other and get used to working together. I will be taking more classes from her.

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Caring
2.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: B-
Apr 24, 2019
Wouldn't take again

way too much focus on discussion posts and group projects for an online class. uses 4 year old videos for lectures. its basically a business class disguised as a CS class.

Lots of homework
Group projects
3.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Apr 24, 2019
Wouldn't take again

SO MUCH BUSY WORK. Not a hard class content wise, no tests. Just lots and lots of pointless diagrams and group discussions with one group project at the end. Easy to follow along but the homework does take a lot of time. Grading was all over the place.

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
Group projects
3.0
2.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Apr 24, 2019
Would take again

This class wasn't difficult if you read the Zybook and the textbook. Some programs were more difficult than others but you can choose your language and the class focuses more on the math than programming.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
5.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: B
Apr 24, 2019
Would take again

Alison Sunderland is an amazing Professor. This is the second course I have taken from her and have come to appreciate her upfront expectations. The course is mentally stimulating and requires real effort which adds to your development. Participation is a must and I can see why she requires it. Its only to help you better understand the material

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
3.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: C+
Apr 24, 2019
Would take again

Tough class lots of paper work.

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Group projects
4.0
4.0
CS2450
Apr 24, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Lots of paperwork, but very knowledgeable of the course material

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Group projects
1.0
3.0
CS1030
Apr 24, 2019
Wouldn't take again

turning in work done in class gives points toward your grade, which means attendance is graded. constantly getting up and moving into groups that don't really serve a purpose. Slides are sometimes not correct, wrong picture for topic, etc. Lots of homework that seems to be more busy work than what is needed to understand the concepts

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Group projects
4.0
3.0
CS2450
Apr 25, 2019
Would take again

Lot's of group projects that can be extremely frustrating if your team does not want to try as hard as you do.

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Group projects
2.0
5.0
CS2450
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 25, 2019
Wouldn't take again

lots of homeworks .

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Group projects
5.0
3.0
CS1030
Grade: A
Apr 25, 2019
Would take again

Great professor but we focused too much on classroom participation instead of actually learning sutff

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Group projects
3.0
4.0
CS1030
Grade: A-
Apr 25, 2019
Would take again

Has you do a lot of classroom activities

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
Group projects
3.0
3.0
CS2130
Apr 25, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Most of the course was just reading the textbook with a few supplemental instructional videos from the prof. I wish it were the opposite because the videos were more helpful at explaining the material.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
3.0
4.0
CS2450
Apr 25, 2019
Would take again

Great teacher but very nit-picky with homework answers and completion. This course is a group oriented course where you are working with others pretty much the majority of the class and with that there are many (often pointless) discussions. However I dont think that you would be able to do the course without groups. Overall a good experience.

3.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: B
Apr 25, 2019
Would take again

Solid class, no tests. Make sure to keep up with the Zybooks.

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Clear grading criteria
2.0
2.0
CS2130
Grade: A+
Apr 25, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Beware there will be a lot of busy work for this class but you can easily get an A if you do all the extra credit in her class.

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
4.0
2.0
CS1030
Grade: A+
Aug 12, 2019
Would take again

A lot of group work but overall a great class

Group projects
Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
5.0
1.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Aug 12, 2019
Would take again

I liked not having to take a proctored test for a programming course, trying to spout out a program or function from memory. While time consuming, found overall useful.

Gives good feedback
Clear grading criteria
2.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: C+
Aug 12, 2019
Wouldn't take again

She doesn't respond back quickly at all and will flood last week with work and there is busy work assignments but the structure does makes sense and the programs were nice

Lots of homework
EXTRA CREDIT
3.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Aug 12, 2019
Wouldn't take again

There is a lot of work for this class and at times I did not feel that she was very organized. When there were videos on a subject in the chapter they were very helpful so she knows her stuff. It is just that she would only make a videos that covered maybe 1 or two subjects in the chapter but the assignment covered 16 different ones.

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Get ready to read
3.0
5.0
CS2130
Grade: C+
Aug 12, 2019
Wouldn't take again

No tests. Lots of work.

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Get ready to read
1.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: A+
Aug 12, 2019
Wouldn't take again

The course itself is very interesting, though we learn it only from zyBooks. The instructor takes long (3-5 days approx.) to respond to emails. If you ask her a question she will tell you to post it on the discussion board for others and herself to answer. She gives ridiculously hard coding assignments that she gives no tutorials/help for.

Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: B+
Aug 12, 2019
Would take again

Uses zybooks for most of the material and instructor videos for the rest. The textbook was almost worthless. Good professor.

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Caring
4.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Aug 12, 2019
Would take again

Tough grader but fair. Assignments could use more guidance and clarification. Very nice not having to do a final. Sunderland is a solid professor. Her classes are not easy but not impossible.

Lots of homework
Graded by few things
Tough grader
4.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Aug 12, 2019
Would take again

I thought the class was difficult, however she provides plenty of documentation to be able to pass. You forsure need to know coding in order to complete the programs.

Gives good feedback
Clear grading criteria
3.0
5.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Aug 13, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Sunderland herself isn't the worst, but CS2450 is just a poorly written course. I took it online and you were required to participate in discussions on multiple days, even if the discussion topic didn't actually inspire for good discussion. Final project is a group project that is loosely connected to what you did the first 75% of the semester.

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Group projects
3.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: C
Aug 13, 2019
Would take again

Attend class. The notes and book are not helpful in the homework.

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Participation matters
3.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: A-
Aug 13, 2019
Wouldn't take again

I took this class online. It is a lot of work and Sunderland can be pretty picky in regards to grading. Overall as long as you keep up with everything its fine, but don't fall behind or you will struggle.

Lots of homework
Group projects
Tough grader
3.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: B+
Aug 13, 2019
Wouldn't take again

I took this online. It is a lot of busy work and she has you grade your own assignments. Its pretty tedious and if you dont grade it correctly she will dock points. The programming assignments aren't related to the course whatsoever and if you dont know how to code you will need to go on campus to get tutoring or online help.

Lots of homework
Skip class? You won't pass.
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: B
Aug 14, 2019
Would take again

I had a good experience in class. As long as you turn in all the work, you will do well.

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Group projects
3.0
4.0
CS2450
Aug 15, 2019
Would take again

Overall the class was quite hard. You need to make sure to stay on top of everything.

Lots of homework
Tough grader
4.0
4.0
CS2450
Aug 15, 2019
Would take again

I've hear a lot of bad things about this class, I didn't think it was bad at all. A lot of bussy work, was time consuming but very passable. The group project kinda sucked, more so because it was an online class.

4.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: B
Aug 15, 2019
Would take again

The workload is relatively reasonable. Assignments are self-graded, and making necessary corrections will earn back half of the number of points lost.

Clear grading criteria
4.0
3.0
CS2450
Aug 15, 2019
Would take again

good professor, group projects were fun when the groups were allowed lots of creative flexibility.

Respected
Participation matters
Group projects
4.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: C
Aug 19, 2019
Would take again

Introduces you to the not so fun part of computer science. The planning. But very essential and good information.

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Group projects
5.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Aug 26, 2019
Would take again

Prof. Sunderland is awesome. She keeps the class well entertained, and makes the class enjoyable. She does a great job relating concepts to real life things, which makes things easy to remember. I don't think I used the textbook once though. I would definitely take her again!

Gives good feedback
Group projects
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Nov 12, 2019
Wouldn't take again

She has you grade your own written assignments. She hands out an answer key -- which, on more than one occasion, had incorrect answers. Even still, she'll take points off as she sees fit. Programming assignments were a bright spot in this class. She gave off a persistent 'I don't want to teach this class' vibe.

Lots of homework
Tough grader
3.0
3.0
CS2130
Dec 6, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Hopefully she reads these ratings people are giving, they all seem to say the same thing.

1.0
4.0
CS2130
Grade: A-
Dec 12, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Forget about asking for help, she will just send you a link to the tutoring center. The majority of the semester she was at least three weeks behind on grading, even when you have to grade your own assignments. She just couldn't post the answer key. Worst professor I have ever had.

5.0
4.0
CS1400
Grade: A
Apr 17, 2020
Would take again

Enjoyed her class immensely. It was hard work but very rewarding. Her examples weren't arcane foos and bars but real world, understandable and interesting.

Lots of homework
Group projects
Clear grading criteria
1.0
2.0
CS1400
Grade: A
May 4, 2020
Wouldn't take again

She had zybooks and it was the worst. She also is just a bad teacher doesnt give any feedback and and her code is bad. She linked to another professor videos cause she doesnt have her own. The videos were good and that's were I learned the most.

5.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: A
Aug 10, 2020
Would take again

Prof. Sunderland was an awesome coach through discrete mathematics. She responded to email quickly, was sensitive to personal student situations, and taught a thorough, meaningful course. I had this class online for the summer, and I truly felt I engaged with the material, to the point of registering for other courses by her again. Great professor!

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Clear grading criteria
1.0
4.0
CS2130
Oct 29, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Lectures for multiple class periods on the same content. Makes you grade your own assignments with 0 room for error. If you explain how you got it wrong you can get half points which is nice, but if you forget to add a small thing or simply write it different than the key the answer is deemed wrong. Need to know how to code before taking this class

Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
4.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Nov 14, 2020
Would take again

Her lectures are very high-energy and convey her cheesy personality. Though, sometimes she ends up taking far too much time on a topic. The bulk of the homework is assigned as group work, but she runs group evaluations, so if you end up with a slacker group member, they won't drag your grade down. Be prepared for the massive group project final.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
Group projects
3.0
3.0
CS2130
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 22, 2020
Would take again

Alison has no idea how to teach a student how to code, so I would suggest taking this class after you have learned a few coding languages. 3 assignments each week (Zybook participation, code, math-like assignment). Also you grade your own assignments but she takes forever to put grades in. The coding is fairly easy. No tests.

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
Participation matters
3.0
2.0
CS2130
Grade: A-
Dec 16, 2020
Would take again

You'll be learning the material from Zybooks and a math textbook. There were a total of 11 programs we had to write from scratch, which shouldn't be a problem if you've already taken up to CS1410. There are also assignments to go along with every chapter, which are self-graded and you can make up 50% of missed points.

Gives good feedback
Clear grading criteria
EXTRA CREDIT
3.0
3.0
CS2450
Grade: A+
Apr 25, 2021
Would take again

Sunderland will teach you the real word of software development, and that's a fact. Homework is a lot of technical writing (often multiple pages) and sometime in-class work. Final project is a software proposal + presentation, and winning group automatically gets an A. But if you do your homework you'll get an easy A, anyway.

Lots of homework
Group projects
So many papers
2.0
1.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Aug 8, 2021
Wouldn't take again

I cannot stand Sunderland, I honestly believe that she doesn't even know how to write a single line of code. All of her vides were recorded in 2013 or earlier, the audio is horrible, she takes FOREVER to grade assignments, and she doesn't give accurate feedback, because she isn't a computer scientist.

Hilarious
4.0
2.0
CS1030
Grade: A
Jan 4, 2022
Would take again

Good teacher that teaches simply and effectively. Credit is given for class work, homework and quizzes. Interactive activities that help learn concepts, including multiple group projects. Somewhat difficult to get in touch with outside of class but otherwise a great choice.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
Group projects
3.0
4.0
CS1400
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 5, 2022

Professor Sunderland is very kind and you can tell she values your time. She gives amazing feedback on all of your assignments (when she grades them) and you can tell she loves her job. I just struggled with the way she taught. I left feeling confused a lot of the time (but she does have a lot of office hours for help). She's overall an ok teacher.

Tough grader
Amazing lectures
Gives good feedback
2.0
3.0
CS1400
Grade: B
Nov 30, 2022

Very dry and lectures are very boring. She also makes you develop your own test cases for Programming assignments.

3.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Dec 11, 2022
Would take again

This class was tough, online recordings are poor quality, audio and low res(480p). Very tough grader! BUT! Feedback is awesome and she gives great information if you ever need to go to office hours! Biggest downside is the graded discussions which depend on your classmates participating (spoiler alert, they don't), but still easy to stay on top of.

Tough grader
Clear grading criteria
Gives good feedback
1.0
3.0
CS1400
Grade: A
Dec 15, 2022

My biggest complaint is the time it takes to grade. I have assignments turned in weeks ago that have not received a grade, and without that grading feedback I'm likely to keep making the same mistakes. Also, some assignments are not made visible until she talks about them in class, which makes planning out a semester and budgeting time much worse.

1.0
3.0
CS1400
Grade: B
Dec 15, 2022

Doesn't give feedback, doesn't lecture well, assignments are surprises, and is somehow the most dry individual I have ever met.

Participation matters
1.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: C-
Dec 21, 2022

She has a grace period to submit assignments a day late but will criticize you for using them. Assignments are graded late and won't give you time to review comments to fix your errors before the next assignment is due. Responds late or doesn't respond at all to emails. Claim she'll work something out to help you and later redacts those claims.

2.0
2.0
CS2450
Grade: Incomplete
Feb 2, 2023

She's really all over the place. unoriginal and hard to keep up with. YOU WILL DO GROUP WORK. every single class period there is a classwork assignment that is due at the end of class based on the group work done in class. If you just want to get classes done and learn stuff, better find someone else. if you enjoy chaos and group work she's for you

Participation matters
Group projects
1.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 4, 2023

The class material was released in weeks. So you don't know any of the future assignments and cant plan out scheduling. Sometimes Peer Reviews couldn't be finished because she forgot to assign them. Group Discussions were required each week but felt like they contributed nothing. Email response times were at least 3 to 4 days.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Group projects
1.0
3.0
CS1030
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 22, 2023

Doesn't care about student emergencies, doesn't offer zoom or other options for classwork when emergencies arise. Talks in a condescending tone like we're in junior high. Interrupts you. All classwork is meaningless, you won't learn anything else past the first 2 weeks. entirely meaningless groupwork that's not what you turn in for points.

Tough grader
Participation matters
4.0
3.0
CS-2810
Grade: B+
Apr 10, 2023
Would take again

Prof Sunderland was good. She does have lectures which can be vanilla. Zybooks is required. I do like how she does MIPS programs during class because she explains whats going on and how its working. The program assignments/assignments are easy because its what you learned in class that week.

Clear grading criteria
Respected
2.0
4.0
CS-2810
Grade: B
Apr 28, 2023

You need to be in class, every singe day. Which is fine, but there are no exceptions, not working with you, she responded to an email more than two weeks late. Assignments take two weeks or more to grade as well. Text book and ALL material from her videos to everything else is outdated and feels like I am learning coding in 2008.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Group projects
1.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: A-
May 4, 2023

Ambiguous grading. Says you will receive full credit if you submit assignments one day late but you will not be given peer reviews and will loose 25 points. Said reviews will help you on your next submission version but, you won't receive feedback in time for the next submission. She is booked for to many courses and cannot handle grading/teaching.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Lots of homework
1.0
3.0
CS-2810
Grade: A-
May 9, 2023

Take this class only if you're willing to waste multiple hours a week learning out dated material and if you want to have to talk with her after every assignment she grades because she graded it wrong. I lost count how many times this happened. The semester ended and two projects were never even graded. Absolute disaster of a semester to be honest.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
CS1030
Grade: C
May 31, 2023
Would take again

DO NO BE LATE!!! I loved having her as a professor and she worked with me when I asked for leniency because knew I was genuinely trying and she wanted me to succeed.

Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
Hilarious
1.0
2.0
CS1400
Grade: C+
Aug 7, 2023

Don't take this professor's course if you have any circumstances that could cause you to miss class, she will not work with you. Was hospitalized during the summer semester and denied multiple times a way to make up work I missed. She dislikes online teaching and makes her preference for in person teaching a burden for the entire class.

Group projects
Lots of homework
1.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 1, 2023

I took her for another class and it was good but this class was awful. There was no video lectures to watch and she just said "read this chapter this week" and that was the extent of her teaching. I had no idea what I was doing most of the time. 0/10 dont take CS 2450 online or from her

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Group projects
3.0
1.0
CS1030
Grade: A+
Nov 4, 2023
Would take again

As I didn't get to have her in class I didn't get to know her skills a lot. She definitely is a caring teacher and wants to see you do your best. She left valuable feedback on every assignment I turned in.

Gives good feedback
Caring
2.0
3.0
CS1400
Grade: B
Nov 25, 2023

She knows her stuff codes well. But she can't convey her ideas at all. She doesn't answer questions well. You aren't required to go to class I guess but you won't wanna miss she does these group activities once a week. They're worth 20 points and you don't want them to stack up. If you can take a different professor.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Group projects
1.0
5.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Feb 1, 2024

Extremely tough grader, more of a textbook teacher than a common sense one. It doesn't matter if your work was correct, absolutely have to go by exactly how she notates. Overall her teaching wasn't anything to write home about, would never take this teacher. Every assignment is a group assignment. No future planning possible.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Group projects
3.0
3.0
CS1400
Grade: F
Apr 2, 2024

A good teacher, but a poor choice for anyone with social anxiety. She forces group work under the guise that it is a better educational experience. Class participation has too much overhead. You can't be independent. If you can live with her methods, the lectures are easy to consume. She informs you of her policies, office hours, and due dates.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Group projects
2.0
5.0
CS2450
Grade: B+
Oct 28, 2024

I had her for another class and it was pretty good. This one...chaotic. Modules are released a week at a time so you cannot plan ahead, and there is a group project due every week except for 1-2 assignments. Groups are assigned/reassigned every two weeks. Some of these projects took 10 hours of a week, 6-8 minimum. Grading was ambiguous. Miserable.

Tough grader
Group projects
Lots of homework
3.0
3.0
CS1400
Grade: B
Oct 31, 2024

Professor Sunderland's class can be a mixed bag. The lectures are dry, but she's helpful during office hours. While group work is required, Unstuck study's study tools made prep a breeze. Just stay on top of assignments.

1.0
5.0
CS2450
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Jan 26, 2025

Terrible professor. Grades based on things that aren't told to you when assignments are given and she doesn't give feedback but instead makes fun of you for not knowing what you're doing. Would never take a class from her again. I ignored the reviews here because I wanted to fit 2450 onto my schedule, horrible choice on my part, trust the reviews!!

Tough grader
Group projects
1.0
2.0
CS-2810
Grade: B+
Feb 18, 2025

When she is actually teaching she is easy to understand and elaborates on concepts well, though if you ever have a valid reason to miss class she will not care. My grandfather died during fall 2024 semester, she refused to let me make up a single assignment putting me at risk of failing for having the audacity to attend his funeral in another state

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
CS2450
Grade: A
Apr 2, 2025

ONLINE CLASS Course is poorly organized, slow responses, and unclear grading. Group projects are time-consuming, with vague criteria and constant reshuffling. Materials are outdated, and technical issues persist. The final project is unfair, as only one group can earn a perfect score. Overall, it's frustrating and poorly managed.

Tough grader
Group projects
4.0
2.0
CS1400
Grade: A
Apr 16, 2025
Would take again

Alison is great! She did a one-on-one meeting at the start, which is unheard of for an online class. From there, I personally never interacted with her, but she gave very detailed feedback on my assignments that went over the rubric and how I got or missed some points.

Clear grading criteria
Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

61%

Textbook Required

12%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 108 grades
Most common grades:
A (38)
B (18)
A- (12)
Grade Distribution
A(49)B(24)C(10)D(2)F(1)A-/B+(23)
Based on 118 reported grades
A: 38
B: 18
A-: 12
A+: 11
Common Tags
Lots of homework (49)
Group projects (44)
Participation matters (39)
Gives good feedback (37)
Tough grader (29)
Skip class? You won't pass. (18)
Clear grading criteria (18)
Get ready to read (18)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.75 avg change
Feb
Apr
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Jan
Feb
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CS2150

5.0

(1)

CS1410

4.7

(3)

CS1030

3.3

(33)

CS2130

3.1

(39)

CS2705

3.0

(1)
+3 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CS2150

4.0

CS2450

3.5

CS2130

3.3

CS1400

3.2

CS-2810

3.0

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