4.1
Quality2.6
Difficulty75%
Would Retake114
Reviews75%
Would Retake
114
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
80
4
10
3
2
2
4
1
18
What Students Say
“He's a good teacher but can be pretty passive aggressive and rude”
CSC223 - 2.0 rating“Such a horrible professor”
CS200 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
27%
Textbook Required
27%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.80 avg changeRatings by Course
140
5.0
(1)ITP100
5.0
(8)ITE140
5.0
(2)ITP120
5.0
(1)CSC202
5.0
(10)Difficulty by Course
CSC223
4.2
CSC222
4.0
CSC205
3.4
csc222
3.2
CS200
2.8
Reviews (114)
He is the best hands down!
Pretty good teacher. willing to explain everything. Tests arent hard.
This dude is the definition of a great Teacher! He is a new professor only a couple years of experience teaching, however he is extremely helpful. He really has a passion for teaching, he is extremely nice to students, and is very fast to respond to students. I definitely recommend it!!!
Professor Ahmad is an AMAZING teacher! Attendance isn't mandatory. As long as you get your work done hes happy to give you an A. His tests are straight forward and he reviews exactly whats going to be on the test a class or two before the exam day. He is very quick to respond to emails and is willing to bend backwards to help his students. LOVE HIM
He is a great professor. Explain very clearly on lectures. His exams are not hard as long as you practice and do your homeworks you will get an A
He is a good guy, he is fair, always ask if anyone needs help, and never goes to fast. It is sad he had to teach Software Design though, a VERY introductory class. He should be put on some harder tech classes where struggling students could use his help. We had 3 test, 6 Homeworks, that you can turn in whenever, and a final. Very straightforward!
He is the best professor when it comes to teaching. He always asks his student if we get what he is trying to teach. His class pace is pretty solid. You can definitely expect a good grade only if you put the effort into it.
he knows what hes talking about, do all your homework and do decent on tests and youll get a good grade. i hate programming but Professor Ahmad got me intested in it.
Very nice and laid-back guy, graduated from UVA and knows his IT stuff. Took him for spreadsheet class and it was a cinch. Doesn't care if you show up to class and as long as you do the assignments you'll do well on the exams. He does a review before exams and the tests are directly based off of them. So make sure you show up for those!
Prof Ahmed is very kind and will always stop during his lecture to make sure everyone is understanding the concept. He has 3 exams and drops the lowest one. not including the final. There are 6 hw assignments and lets you do corrections on them. There is one in class group project. He is very nice and will help you with whatever.
best professor ever, i barely understood the concept and was very lost but he helped me alot and i got a good grade, if you want to actually learn from a great teacher take him.
Laid-back and nice professor. Attendance isn't mandatory as long as you complete the assignments. If you need help, he's willing to help you. Has a review before exams and tests are based off reviews. Don't need book if you should up to class, but it is very helpfully when doing the excel spreadsheets.
This instructor is I would say one of the best teachers I have ever taken a class with. I came into the class dreading Java because of a previous experience with another teacher at Annandale, but was I happy I got in his class. He's awesome really!!!
You want to learn the material? This dude is your best bet in NVCC for computer science. Will explain everything line by line and will make sure you understand the concept. He is not like other professor in NOVA, where you stuck with reading the book by yourself and do homework and get confused and start hating the subject. Take him!!!!!!
5 programming assignment 2 concept tests 2 programming tests per sem;assmt. instructions often unclear;allows retakesfor full credit;Great lecturer, very knowledgable;Tests easy if you study;Covers data structures but no algorithms;No textbook at all;Attendance not graded or required;Nice funny guy;Would take again for all CS classes :) TAKE HIM!!
Not sure if there's a better CS professor at nova. He teaches concepts in a way that's easily understandable. you really have to not know what's going on to fail his course. Gives programming tests and concept tests and assignments. Practices examples in book and posts them to blackboard and assigns projects similar to examples as homework. hes A1
Professor Ahmad is dedicated to his students and teaching. He is a kind person who will explain the material in a very clear and understandable way. He knows a lot about software engineering and it shows in how well he lectures. I really enjoyed his class, and felt relieved because understanding the material is vital to one's future success.
Professor Ahmad is the BEST computer science professor at nova. His sense of humor is on point and he knows his stuff. 10 easy assignments that resemble in-class examples are the bulk of your grade. 2 concept tests and programming tests. A final in both categories as well. If you can't pass with him then you aren't being serious.
I definitely recommend this professor. His tests are easy, his lectures are extremely informative. He actually goes in depth about concepts and processes that behind within the program, rather than just the code. If you're unclear of some material from previous/current classes, he'll make it all clear, and is willing to help during office hours.
Professor Ahmad is definitely a dude. I only took a beginner-level computer course, so I cannot vouch for his IT classes. He was extremely laid-back, helpful, and an obvious expert in his field. He made it obvious he was always available for the students and was quick to update whenever his office hours changed. Would take his class again.
I took Prof. Anwar for the first time and first time i feel i can do well in programming. Professor Anwar teaches you well and clarifies your doubt. First professor at Nova who can teach well in Programming.
He is one of the bests, specially when you take a csc class with kanchananwanchai you will definitely know the real value of professor Ahamd. He is very smart and a great teacher. he never gets tired of explaining material to his students.
he is just awesome. very kind and patient. would definitely take again.
Most Legendary Comp Sci Professor ever. It doesn't matter where you are he breaks everything down in such way that a grade schooler to program. Take him as much as possible. He's brillians
This professor is a gem for NOVA community college, he is one of the most knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and caring teachers I have ever come across. He makes sure everyone understands the lecture and explains things in a clear and organized way that makes the material significantly easier to comprehend. TAKE HIM! you will definitely not regret it.
Professor Ahmad's method of teaching is very simple and very easy to understand. I took computer science in high school and learned absolutely very little! He taught it so well that everything was a breeze. He goes over everything in depth and makes sure everyone understands the material. He uploads the notes online. Tests are very simple.
he is very specific great teacher he is really young so he is around what seems like 23 or 24 so he understands our generation. He is kind of a hipster but its cool cause he is chill af this is coming from a hipster as well lol. He is very clear with the class stuff but you must practice at home or else you wont remember what to type down.
Please do yourself a favor, TAKE HIM if your major is CS. I took CSC200 with another prof and have to withdrawn and retake this class again with prof Anwar Ahmad and it was amazing. He knows how to teach programming and also very patient with students who are not good in coding. Already registered for CSC201 after 2weeks in waiting.
Professor Ahmad is awesome. He not only knows Java well but he knows how to teach it in a way that makes sense. If you paid attention in 200 then this class will be a breeze. You need to know the content that he teaches but his tests are reasonable and clear. Prof Ahmad is also a super chill guy and always open to questions. Take him for sure!
Professor Ahmad is a solid choice. He introduces a new concept with fastidious execution. I would describe his teaching as like building a tower; he'll explain a concept at a basic level, which most can intuitively grasp. Every subsequent lesson, he'll add a new layer, eventually bringing it to a more advanced level while not losing anyone.
Professor Ahmad is one of the best teachers i had. He is not only a gifted teacher but he is able to clarify the concepts in everyday languages. If you care about to know what you are actually doing while you are coding take him but if you just want to submit your projects without fully understanding the concept behind your code don't take him!
He makes everything so simple and easy to understand. Programming Tests are similar to projects plus its open book. Concept Tests are closed book but still easy. He is actually pretty chill too, open to questions and help if needed. Programming and Concept test 60%, 20% concept and programming finals, 20% projects for completion.
He is one of the best professors in NOVA. he is really friendly and funny. I wish I could TAKE HIM AGAIN.
Take him and you wont regret. Best teacher ever!!
Explain the concepts/theory of Computer Science very well! He gives 6 exams 3 Concept Exams that are a short answers explaining the theory of code (not as bad as they seem class average usually at an eight or higher) and 3 Programming Exams that are open note where you code a problem!!! Final replaces all lower tests grades! Highly Recommended!!!!
Professor Admad's intense/amazing lectures were in real-time.
Great Professor. Material is challenging, but highly recommend doing class with Ahmad. Offers extra credit.
Professor Ahmad was a wonderful computer science teacher. All lectures are very organized and posted online after class so you won't need the textbooks. The grade is based on six exams and two projects. He is very quick to respond to emails and always willing to help. TAKE HIM!
Amazing lectures. Make sure you understand the concept well enough to explain it in your own words. The exam has no partial credit. If you use one word wrong, the whole point of that problem will be deducted.
One of the best prof. at NOVA.
His lecture notes are color coded, especially when he explains how the code works by taking the time to trace and explain every step. Notes are on BB but I recommend students to be in class to not miss the godlike lectures. He is very down to earth, humorous, and overall helpful when it comes to CS that he can be an academic advisor.
I have taken him for several CS classes and I can safely say he is my favorite professor in my time at NOVA. Awesome and funny guy who seems to care very much for the success of his students. Entertaining lectures and has a teaching style that makes things simple to understand. Would highly recommend you take his class.
Pros Ahmad is very knowledgeable and funny. He clearly know how to explain complicated concepts in simple ways. He is extremely nice and helpful. He is the best professor at NOVA that I've ever had so far. If you want to have a good start in computer science, then you must be in his classes. His class is filled up quickly in one day or hours.
I felt like the course was too easy. He is more like a high school teacher than college level teacher. I don't suggest taking his class unless you just want to get an easy 'A.'. If you want to really learn take someone more challenge.
Great Professor. Explains everything in a very clear way, reviews the stuff from last class. He knows how to explain things. I would definitely take him again, if I was a Computer Science Major.
YO EVERYONE KEEP POSTING RATING TO GET IT UP TO 4.9!!! ---- there is nothing more to say about this prof, he is AWESOME. If you manage to catch a spot before his classes get full, do not leave it! You actually learn, he makes the class funny, he is a good man. Definitely deserves a raise.
This is the best professor i have ever had. Helped me understand CS better than anyone. I transffered out of nova after a year to tech and he was a big help. Take him if you have the chance i know his classes fill up quick
He is AWESOME . Best professor I have ever had , and number 1 at nova . Take him before his class fill up.
Spend your time and money on taking this class with a professor who actually challenges you to think. If you take this class with this professor you'll get an easy A with a mediocre professor without giving yourself a challenge. He goes super slow and spends too much time on concepts its ridiculous. Not challenging whatsoever. Find a different prof
He's quite possibly the most literal professor I've ever had. As in you are almost forbidden to be vague with him or use incorrect terminology. Which can be very annoying, but it is very real world bc this career isn't for vague people who can't clarify what they mean. Otherwise, major in musical theater. Lol. Don't take it personal.
he is a good professor, however he does spend excessive time explaining the concepts and less time on rigorous projects. he could step it up a bit or everyone is bound to get an A in his class. Take him if you want an easy A and not give yourself a challenge. The reason his class gets filled within minutes is because people want an easy professor!
Most people have taken Prof. Ahmad prior to this class but this is my first time taking him and I am glad I did. He does a great job illustrating concepts that can be confusing if you dont see what is happening. He is also accessible outside of class and willing to help you understand concepts in detail. I would recommend him to anyone taking CSC.
AMAZING professor, only ONE COMPLAINT. I petition that he adds some extra challenge projects that we can do, maybe for extra credit or just to learn. I have seen other classes do a LOT more projects that are way more INTERESTING than the ones we were given. The class would be more inclusive to people that want to MASTER the content, like agree.
Professor Ahmad is very straight forward when it comes to the lectures. He goes step-by-step on the blackboard for students to understand what is going on. His notes are very clear and precise. He's a little picky when it comes to the concept tests, so use careful wording. Gives programming projects but you can work with other people. Take him.
He is more focused on the concept than the programming part , and the funny thing is if you dont put your answer the way he distributed on the exam ( word by word) you will get 0 , he is the most arrogant person I have ever seen; he literally brag about how he is better than others. If you ask him a question a lot he will take it personal.
He actually explains the concept and does it very well, uses a lot of good analogies, he is by far the best professor I have taken at nova. TAKE HIM !!!
This teacher is a freaking joke, legit only focus on the concept of programming and not actual programming. Legit seems to not even care about helping and whats you to be exact on how you talk about programming and crap. Legit a waste of time in my thought. Get a professor who actually wants you to understand programming by doing it not TALKING!!
He is really good!! I took him for csc 201. He explains the concept really well, uses a lot of analogies. His classes fill up quickly, so if you want to be in his class, sign up early.
Great professor, highly recommend
Just finished his class. The way he conducted his lecture was easy to follow as he explained everything step by step with notes & drawings. Was accessible everyday from mon thru friday. Take him!
Good professor to easily grasp the material. He takes the time to explain with code how different scenarios would shape the program. His theoretical & programming tests/homework have a normal difficulty but becomes easy if you do the class exercises along with him as requested. I recommend him.
A legendary professor that knows how to effectively teach CS for newcomers
He really wants to win the lottery haha But take CSC200 before this class, it will help!
He is meticulous and makes you say correct terms, but I think it is awesome. He wants you to succeed and to make sure you know what you are doing. I love how he writes everything and walks you through the code - it is especially beneficial for people who have never done computer science.
Best teacher. New to computer science (no experience beforehand) and he handwrites his notes so the students can as well - super helpful. Very detail oriented but it helps you out in the long run.
He is the best CS teacher ever. No HW.
Breaks the information down really well.
The best Professor in Computer Science at NOVA. He's excellent in explaining fundamental concept behind every code. If you're new to programming, taking him is a must. He'll help you to build a solid foundation to start. Some people think his class is easy, it's because he makes it easy for you to understand difficult materials.
Prof. Ahmad is very good at making sure you understand the fundamentals behind every concept of the course. There is NO graded homework, your grade is dependent on coding and concept tests. His course was very easy and is best for those completely new to CS, but may be too slow for more advanced CS students with previous coding experience.
Hands down the best CSC Professor out there. He makes the material easy to understand and goes over the concepts in detail. If you're serious about computer science takes this professor you won't regret it. . There are five grade in total two concepts tests, two programming tests, and a final. He drops the lowest grade. JUST TAKE HIM!!!!!!!
He was an amazing teacher. I had him in person but he caught Covid so we turned to the online but still he tough us really good. Definitely if you want to CS major, take him.
He is a very respected and caring professor. Because he got COVID-19, the class switched to 100% online. However, the material and the module are very clear. He already posted all of his zoom videos from previous classes at the beginning of the semester. I would not say his class is easy-going. It is organized and concise compared to other profs.
Prof Ahmed is a great choice for those who learn better with visuals. He draws examples for each unit. But even if you don't learn that way, he's still a good choice. Only thing that bugged me is that he doesn't give feedback. So if you mess up on a test, you will have to reach out to him and ask. Which isn't a huge deal since he responds quickly.
Prof Ahmed is a great professor! He really knows his stuff and breaks each unit of the class down in a way where everyone can understand and learn! He answers questions in detail and always makes sure you understand before moving on. He makes class engaging and interesting. I hope to take him again for another CS class once he's feeling better! :)
He is great.
Such a horrible professor. Avoid at all costs !
This Professor is the GOAT. If you want to raise your IQ by 20% and become a very knowledgeable coder, take him. The people who give him bad ratings either didn't study, do HW, or pay attention. Professor Ahmad is there to help and teaches efficiently. He breaks down each concept so well. Take him and you will not regret it.
if you have the opportunity to take this class you have stumbled on gold. he teaches coding so good that i did not knew how to print hello word but i am passing csc222 with 98%. I have seen a lot of professors in nova he is hands down the top 1.
CS Professors can't be better than him. He's been here for over 10 years, very knowledgeable & easy to understand. The grading criteria were (2 quizzes & 2 exams and some HW) a little tough to expect an A. Coding assignments are for practice but not graded. Always encourages to ask questions & Answer every single question and .
Dude was awesome. Breaks everything down so it is easily digestible. He does expect you to use the proper terminology, so try to ask your questions with reasonable precision and clarity. Overall though, he's a super chill dude and his class was the best I've taken so far at NVCC.
I had him in Spring 2023, he is amazing. Lectures are clearly detailed, interactional, and helpful. Concept Tests = 20% , Programming Tests = 20%, Homework & Labs = 20%, and Finals = 40%. He accepts late work and extends due dates if asked. Available after class and office hours. I really recommend him.
This guy is a very cool professor. Always found a way to entertain us students while engaging us in the topics we needed to learn. Also, the coding projects were easy to follow with practice and good understanding. Overall, I enjoyed taking his class.
He's a good teacher but can be pretty passive aggressive and rude. My grade dropped from an A to a C because he gave pretty much everyone except for a few a 0 on the final(he asked questions that were completely different from the rubric on the final), as some sort of revenge stunt for people skipping class(even though attendance isnt mandatory).
Best Professor at NVCC. Prepares you for the real world, assesses programming final by asking you questions about your code and expects you to understand what you wrote. Finally a professor that is actually assessing you instead of just giving out As. Please give this man a promotion.
The grading criteria is very subjective and he can give up points whenever he likes. He's usually chill and soft normally but when it came to the final, he was super aggressive and rude. Attendence is very clearly not required. Overall bad Professor, do not take, and save your GPA. (FYI: Final is 40% of your grade). It's an unfair environment.
Nice damage control.
If you still take him even after all this ur just crazy, simple
"You get a 0! You get a 0!" - Professor Ahmad's thought process when grading the final. (hope you get the reference) Even after handing out 0's left and right, he had the nerve to say that all emails regarding grades will go unanswered. I would suggest you consider another professor, as he just plays games with your grades.
BEWARE!!! He pulled off some sort of stunt in which he gave 0% to most people on their finals across several classes! (0% median, 4/20 mean). Additionally, TESTS ARE 80% OF YOUR GRADE! It was very deceiving because at the beginning of the semester he was pretty chill and lenient, but the final is what messed most people up, and dropped their grade.
He went from a 5/5 rating to 4.4/5 rating after this semester. Reason is he wanted to be pushy for the final exam and give 0's to all his CS classes including CSC 222
Please for your own well being, if you are considering Anwar strongly reconsider. The way he handled the final was entirely inappropriate and uncalled for. He handed out 0s to nearly everyone because of his biased questions that barely anyone could answer in the code review. Also, for the final he preemptively stated that emails will go unanswered.
I am proud of my A, it took hard word but hell yeah I didn't cheat. The professor is very good. There were several students who got caught cheating on the class discord. It was discovered by an AI bot that scouts discord websites. You cheat...you lose. Go work for some garbage company like Tesla or Google.
Awesome professor. I earned my A. If you want to do well in this course study and work hard, but don't cheat especially on discord or you might get caught. Overall, I really enjoyed this course. I don't feel sorry for the students who are now on academic probation.
Comments are stating that students got caught cheating on a discord, but all of the students i've asked (30+) had no idea there were any cheaters, nor were most of them in the discord, YET most people got a 0 on the test. comments stating there were cheaters is most defintely a meat rider of the professor or anwar himself trying to protect his ego.
His personality would remind you of Squidward because of how depressing he is.
He is a really good professor when it comes to explaining difficult concepts. However even though I had an A all the way up to the final exam, my grade went down to a C because he gave me a 0 on the final exam. it's all or nothing for him in the final. I have social anxiety so it was hard to explain my code given only 5 minutes. so disappointed.
He's amazing but he might surprise u. So If you are taking his class: - Attend Class -Complete the 10 homework s, the sooner the better. Don't have to wait until he opens them. -Nail the concept & programming tests -He is really serious about the Final Programming test. there'll be a scheduled 5 minute random Q&A to make sure you wrote the program
went from 5/5 to 4.2/5 for a reason
The prof is very good however he does not tolerate cheating. He uses NOVA's AI bot to scout discord and reddit channels for academic violations. If you want to learn something then take him, if not move on.
Very good instructor who actually cares about student success. He does utilize one of NOVA's AI programs that scans social media channels for academic violations. I learned and learned recently that he was nominated for a faculty award.
Would take him again a hundred times over. Attendance wasn't mandatory but everything he expected you to know on the tests was in his lectures. He graded in a timely manner, was always accessible outside of class and helped with advising for transfers too. Will miss his class this semester.
Definitely isn't a good professor that others claim he is. He graded us on a very small concept he barely went over which barely anyone prepared for which messed up a lot of people's grades.
He is an exceptional professor who simplifies challenging material with patience and clarity. He's approachable, quick to respond, and when I emailed him about my mistakes on the final exam, he quickly provided detailed feedback. His organized videos from past zoom classes helped me catch up after missing classes due to illness. Highly recommended!
Professor Anwar's lectures are insightful, but grading feels arbitrary and unclear, making it hard to improve. Communication is often convoluted, leaving students unsupported. Corrections come too late, after grades are assigned, which is frustrating. Valuable insights, but more clarity and fairness are needed.
Prof. Ahmad has high standards, but if you put in the work, you'll learn a lot. Attend class, do the homework, and nail the tests. The final can be tricky, so use Unstuckstudy and other resources to prepare. Overall, a challenging but rewarding course.
Definitely out of touch these days. Very pessimistic and depressing.
The G.O.A.T. Amazing at explaining concepts and has a deep understanding of programming, algorithm design and data structures. Inspiring and funny, class environment is the best I've experienced not just in NVCC Annandale but all of Nova.
Pretty rude and pessimistic. Asked a simple question for clarification on a topic and I was faced with attitude. I Was also graded unfairly on an assignment which I brought up with him but he only defended himself. Brought it up to the chain of command only for nothing to happen since he's buddies with all the admin.
Great professor who really knows coding. His class is tough but reflects what it's like in the real CS world. If you are struggling, it might be time to rethink if CS is right for you. You could settle for a low-paying job at a big-name company like Tesla or Google, or you can actually challenge yourself and build real skills by taking his course.
He explained things pretty well but the assignments were completely different from what he taught. Very condescending. I can definitely tell he doesn't like his job
Loved this guy. I was very new to CS and was worried I might struggle, but he's super helpful. He hand writes things on the board and while he does talk a lot, he always leaves room for questions and is super cool about it. He's got a bit of an attitude sometimes but it's kinda funny. He is very available outside of class if you need extra help.
Professor Ahmad's clear teaching style made material easy to grasp. He drew diagrams, graphs, and visuals on the board, aiding visual learners like me. He paused often to check understanding, clarifying confusion immediately so no one fell behind. I highkey has the perfect teaching style at least for me.
Professor Ahmad is a very nice professor and he is very accessible outside of class. He is a little strict on the grading but that's mainly the nature of how computer science is so just prepare for exams and you will do well as you are allowed to use notes if you print them out and whatever is posted on canvas can be used during the test.
He's a great guy. If you are wondering whose classes to take, TAKE HIS.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
27%
Textbook Required
27%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.80 avg changeRatings by Course
140
5.0
(1)ITP100
5.0
(8)ITE140
5.0
(2)ITP120
5.0
(1)CSC202
5.0
(10)Difficulty by Course
CSC223
4.2
CSC222
4.0
CSC205
3.4
csc222
3.2
CS200
2.8