2.5
Quality3.9
Difficulty24%
Would Retake164
Reviews24%
Would Retake
164
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
30
4
25
3
18
2
30
1
61
What Students Say
“The course material itself presented little difficulty for me”
CS1428 - 1.0 rating“You'll hate her, you'll hate yourself”
CS1308 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
70%
Textbook Required
38%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.01 avg changeRatings by Course
C
5.0
(1)CS13181328
5.0
(1)CS501
5.0
(1)INTROCS
4.5
(2)1380
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
1318
5.0
INTROC
5.0
CIS1318
5.0
CS2438
5.0
CIS1308
5.0
Reviews (164)
Her class is boring and her tests are terrible. I have a 98.9 assignment average and am making about a C because of the way her tests are set up. Her work load is totally unresonable
She was a really good professor. She was very helpful and if you know about computers going into that class then you should have no problem.
No Comments
Her test were very hard. The assignments were too easy. She gave no outlines and very sporadic when teaching, would jump topics quite often. Don't take unless you want to make C's on your test.
She makes the class funny in a corny way. She also does this lottery thing when she gives tests. She helps you if you ask. You have to make an effort. Her tests can be tricky though.
She's just awful -- achingly boring and stiff. Never take a class from her, ever.
Her materials are not helpful, neither are her lectures. Going to her office will not help. She has students do her grading and doesn't return assignments in time for you to correct your mistakes on the next ones. She is the worst professor at SWT.
really bad tests, no good way to study, she's also really condescending
She is a nice person, good sense of humor but a terrible, terrible teacher. I came into this class with 3 years of CS experience. I already knew how to do everything in the class but she counts off for random things on each different assignment. DON'T TAKE HER!
Not so bad except for the fact that I never went to class. Only time I ever show up are tests and 5 mins before class to turn in assignments. Basically, if you want a class with no attendance, somewhat easy assignments and tests over basic computer ****, take her. She is a better choice.
Never before had I met such an inherently evil person. Her grading is unreasonable and her policies are ridiculous.
very hard class even when i did all the assignments i still did bad on the tests, if you have to take this class do it in the summertime!!
This class was extremely easy. The tests were over basic computer knowledge, and she made it very clear in her notes. The class does require DEVOTION and attendence helps. Only lazy / ignorant people find this class hard.
Welcome back to kindergarden. Be prepared to spend hours and hours in computer lab doing silly assignments that you only get credit for if the headers and footers of your printouts are correct. Points are taken off for everything they could possibly find wrong, but not just 10 points or even 20, she and her graders really love to give out zeros.
Easy teacher, but kind of treats everybody like children. Doesn't seem that bright.
This is a basic c++ programming course. The assignments are easy; the tests are easy if you pay attention. Reicheneau does indeed take off points for mistakes in your programs that seem really trivial. But, programming is about details. She was very helpful outside of class, but a little bit impatient when questions came up in class.
No Comments
She's tough, but very good at what she does.
She rocks!!!
No Comments
No Comments
Learn C++ the wrong way! Being an experienced programmer I was appauled at the things she taught in class. Uses deprectaed headers, made up terminology, her own version of conceptual architecture. Doesn't know C++ from C and shows it. Grades like a woman more interested in complete sentences in your comments then the logic in your code. boo!
it gets better after 1318. grading policies are STUPID, like giving you a zero for putting your name and date in the wrong order, but if you go to her office she WILL change it. she tries to weed out the serious students. and of course she's incredibly evil and condescending...but stop crying about it. it's not a big deal.
...people say that if u dont pay attentin u wont do well, this lady just makes stuff up, does it all the wrong way, horrible grading rules, test are awful, pretty much the worst teacher ever in my academic career, but as of now she is all u can take unless u take it during the summer
Very anal about assignments. Must be EXACTLY like she wants them, or you lose points.
She's a nice person, but her grading policy can be ridiculous since everything has to be perfect. I've had previous computer experience, so this class was really boring...but I skipped a lot of the classes and still made an A...I highly recommend her, just pay attention to DETAILS on tests and assignments.
She is a horrible teacher who doesnt teach you anything!!
The class was awesome, but she was the bad part about it. She did a horrible job at teaching and didn't teach her TA how to grade properly. I didn't like her at all, but I did check her out a few times. HAHA
The first prof I have ever had that wanted her students to drop the course. She was not very helpful during office hours and made it quite difficult to even see her in office hours as they were very limited. Her teaching style was hard to follow and her grading was HARSH! 40 pts off for one minor error. All students had complaints about this.
I took her for the basic CS class. She knows what she wants. Its a bit challenging and the labs take a while to do. Overall the class is great. For those complaining about errors, ITS A PROGRAMMING COURSE. Your program will not work correctly with errors.
Although she is obviously very knowledgeable in her field, she isn't the greatest teacher. I could have learned everything directly from the text. Grading was very harsh. I have always been wonderful with computers, but do to her grading policy I made a 79 in her class. Alot of the so-called errors I made resulted from her faulty instructions.
very worst instructor I have yet to experience. Grading is over the top, and this is just an entry lvl course. 40 points deducted because formula is not what she expected. Can't follow here syllabus, she is all over the place. take again with dif prof, much better this time around.
This woman knows her stuff, but has difficulty communicating it, like many left-brainers. I had extensive programming knowledge beforehand, so the course material was absurdly easy (entry level course). She is very strict about grading, and all programs must be turned in to pass. Tests and quizzes can be quite challenging.
kewl web page
Worst professor ever. Mean-spirited and talks about students behind their back to the rest of the class. Grading is very strict. Programming must be to her specs.
Great Progessor, Very easy to talk to. She's very knowledgeable in the subject. I wouldn't suggest taking this class during summer sessions, it's alot of material in a short amount of time. Other than that, I really enjoyed her class... she's very willing to help you in anyway to better your grade.
She was decent. It was always really boring though..and the tests are a bit ridiculous. Homework is extremely annoying.
Well, if you aren't a crybaby, take her for 1428 and learn a little something about following directions. I suppose most of the complaints are coming from the non-CS majors looking for a blow-off class--won't happen. Crystal-clear teacher. Recommended.
I agree with the poster below. She is VERY specific concerning her directions, but if you follow them to a T, you'll do fine. If you DO make an error (and you will, trust me) just go to her office, talk to her, and if it's not a horrible coding error, she'll give back most of the points. Which leads me to say, the graders are VERY picky!
Two posts in a row, I meant to give her a 5 for helpfulness and a 4 for clarity...
Enjoyed this class. As long as you do the assignments, everything is really easy. Review the notes before a quiz.
I learned a lot from this class and she is very helpful. It does require some work to make an A though.
Makes up her own "rules" & even says the textbook is wrong. I've had people w/more CS education than her flat out tell me what i'm learning is NOT how it's done. Gives ambiguous directions & then docks points for not having ESP. Prides herself on her "following directions" oriented teaching, but i think she's lost sight of the point of the class.
Really bad and hard teacher. She thinks everyone is a computer science major !
This professor's class is a sadistic nightmare. I don't mind assignments with specific directions, but the standards she sets for her students seem pointless and designed to needlessly confuse and agitate them, like the twisted and horrendous hedge maze in The Shining. Avoid this class if you can. If not, may God have mercy on your soul.
She is extremely sexy but I suspect she is a vampire. Take this course only if you are not nocturnal and can run very fast.
She is very picky as to how she wants assignments completed, but any points docked are can be gained back just by talking to her, and fixing it on the next assignment. Your grade can only be as high as your highest test grade, so study, and make an A on her first test so you don't have to worry about it, if you wait till the end, that's your fault.
Becky aims her classes at training students to see detail. For all students this is a valuable skill but specifically for CS majors. Completing her assignments simply means following breadcrumbs, however it can be easy to get lost, and those who do not attend class, lab, or take notes might suffer. She is a good teacher who cares a great deal.
A very strict grader who offers little explanation. Non-CS majors need not apply. Requires format of written programs to comply to very strict rules, very few of which are stated, and penalizes errors such as spacing and capitalization with gestapo-esque ruthlessness, regardless as to their ineffectiveness on the programs. All in all, NO.
Yes, she is very strict about how programs must be written out and turned in, but she is looking for ability to follow directions EXACTLY. Take notes, ask for help when you need it (she's extremely helpful if you just ask her!), and don't start your programs late; you need time to read and re-read directions, and to ask for help if necessary.
Amazing, tough, and extremely helpful. Just be sure you do your assignments the way she says it; it's her way or the highway.
Seems like a good instructor until you get your first grades. She counts off EVERYTHING! If a space is in the wrong place or it is not the exact way she wants it, you will get major points off. She has also lost several exams/programs then swares she hasn't and punishes the students. I would avoid this instructor, she is not a good teacher.
Okay Reichenau is not really all that bad. Just make sure you know how to follow directions, and give your self time to so each asg. At least submit something and she will give you some credit.No attendance policy, but going to class helps out, ask questions and she will help. She is a little quirky, over all her class isnt that bad.
If there's one thing I know, people dissing professors on ratemyprofessor.com only means that the professor in question is absolutely perfect. I know some of the people who say she's terrible, and honestly, they're not the sharpest tools in the shed. Just make sure you FOLLOW HER INSTRUCTIONS, TO THE WORD, and this is gonna be an amazing experience
By no stretch is Becky "perfect." Yes, if you attend class/lab, do all the assignments & study, you'll do well. No, you won't get an A unless you follow her instructions TO THE LETTER, every time; you can easily fail even perfectly coded programs if the spacing alone is wrong. But yes, you'll end the term with much insight re: attention to detail.
I am actually changing my major after taking this course. It has completely soured me on computer science. If she represents the type of people in the industry i.e. petty, condescending and humorless; then honestly; its just not worth it.
I am a math major but have to take CS for one of my classes. Becky is hard but this class isn't easy. Make sure you study her notes very well (which she provides online) and you should do fine. she is very willing to help if you go by her office and will tell you exactly what you did wrong.
Just avoid her. There are other way more helpful professors out there that will get you through this class. Its pretty interesting stuff, but she's just a bad professor. Her late policy is to give you a 0, she's anal about grading, every thing has to be perfect. I'd avoid and gt one of the other CS professors who are way better. And act more human
Becky is an amazing teacher! All the people on here who have given her a bad rating do so because of her grading and late policy. She is very clear about her expectations and guidelines and they are not difficult to follow. If you don't like her it's probably because you are a lazy and poor student. Best professor I've had a TX State.
if y'all are planning to take her class, Don't do it. very hard teacher.
Becky was a great professor. She can be strict about the formatting, but gives clear directions both orally and written. Her lectures are interesting and funny.
Becky is awesome! She has helped me form the infrastructure on how to organize myself in college. Her class is not hard, its detailed, but in the real world of most of the majors taking the class you have to be detailed and she prepares you for that.
Great teacher, finds the line between a computer noob and a computer whiz. I'd take her again and recommend her to anybody.
Becky's a great teacher, and is very particular about programming style guidelines. This class will help you build organization and structure, and help you become a disciplined programmer. Though it's not an easy class, an A is not hard to get if you pay attention to her and detail.
She did not follow or use the textbook nor did her teaching help when it came to explaining computer programming principles. I ended up learning more out of the book then I did from her. If you have previous computer programming experience you will be fine if you do not, the learning curve will be very high.
She is very strict about grading. However, if you're going into CS her program structure is very practical, clean, and helps with future programming. If you're not CS, you may want to try someone else.
How this instructor is still part of faculty is beyond me. The drive to learn programming in her class none. If you take her class and are majoring in programing, then you will be re-thinking your major by the 4th week. By all means try to take another intro C++ class. final warning.
She is mean if you ask for help towards the end of the semester. She takes away so much point...She is not good professor not there to help students. I had to retake the class and other people as well in different semesters. STAY AWAY FROM HER! consider your self warn
This is not the type of class you can cram studying for. You have to actually know how to program if you want an A. Just a little practice and you should be able to get an easy B-A. Don't waste time studying the notes. Just do trial and error in eclipse and pay attention to lectures.
An A in this class is certainly attainable. As with any language, you MUST practice every day and immerse yourself in order to improve. Want to succeed in the class? Follow directions exactly, hone in your attention to detail, practice every day, and work ahead. Use your lab instructors to help you. Simple as that! This is one amazing professor
Becky is detail oriented and as long as you follow her assignment directions *exactly*, you will do well in the class. One week into Becky's class and I switched to the CS program, I was moved by the content she had us study in the beginning of the class and enjoyed learning to program. Becky is not for the weak of will andor undisciplined.
Get ready for long detailed assignments due every week. She is a very tough grader, and isn't afraid to admit it. Class is boring, and attendance is optional. There's no textbook, and you can find her lecture notes online. I personally wouldn't ever take this class again
I'm a genuinely nice person. This "respected" professor made me want to break things. She has ridiculous rules that are made to screw you out of your grades. 5 minutes late to class thanks to the bus? Congrats your 98 is now a 78. THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME. I'm trying to save you, don't take this class. You'll hate her, you'll hate yourself.
I have a strong CS background, so I didn't learn a whole lot. This class was a breeze. She's super nitpicky about her style guide and how you should format your code. Final is optional if you're ok with your grade up to that point. I ended up having to take it because I messed up on a few assignments, ended up acing the final in my sleep.
I can't emphasize enough how much I regret taking this course. She is very nice and always helpful, but her grading is so nitpicky that even with my almost-perfect attendance, completing all assignments, going to office hours frequently AND doing all extra credit opportunities, I will be lucky if I'm able to make a C in the class. Adios my 3.5 GPA.
TOUGH GRADER, IT'S SO ANNOYING. You have to be able to not mess up a single thing or there will be serious consequences. Had to retake this class because of the dumbest mistakes. Thankfully she has learned to give students redo on assignments. She is nice, but you do need to work for this glass. Attendence isn't mandatory but it does give extracred
Be aware CS1380 is more of a literacy class than anything else. Don't expect anything beyond Microsoft Office and some website building. All of her assignments have step-by-step instructions and screenshots, so they aren't tough. Tests come directly from the reviews she hands out, and the reviews are based on lectures she has on her website.
Nice lady, but my God she is the hardest grader I've ever met. She will literally take off points (often times more than 10pts) for the simplest things like putting the wrong date or leaving off an apostrophe on your names. Devil's advocate when it comes to grading. Do NOT take her unless you absolutely have to.
Don't take her if you can avoid it. If you're one of the unfortunate souls that has no choice but to take her class, be prepared for the most strict grading ever. She takes of tons of points off for the smallest things (like punctuation). You'll think you're in an advanced english class. Do the optional extra credit assignments. You'll need it.
Hardest class I've ever taken. Do NOT take her... She is way too detail oriented and her lectures are boring and hard to understand. She assumes everyone can follow along easily and has already done this before.
Took her in the summer for 1428. If you put in the time and effort, you'll realize that the coding done in this class is not TOO hard. It's entry level, but if you have no background in programming and coding, it will be challenging. But this field of study is not easy. Even though I averaged a B, I got a C cause her dumb grading rules.
Overall, the class is easy. There are projects due every Wednesday. Attendance isn't mandatory but it definitely helps your grade. She is a tough grader but, it's only because you are given step by step instructions on how to do EVERYTHING. Overall the class was not bad, just follow instructions and do the assignments and you'll be fine.
This class was very difficult in the beginning, but if you just get past that first month you'll be okay. Tests are fairly easy and she gives a review that mimics the test. Lab is optional, but helpful. There is homework due every week and she does give out extra credit. I was surprised by how much I learned in the class.
Becky IS tough but fair. All she wants is for the students to read and follow instruction. She grades harshly because people wouldn't follow directions (by the end of class, you definitely will). Being able to follow a style guide is important, even if it isn't popular. Pay attention and you'll do well. All lecture outlines are online from day 1.
She presents the material and her expectations clearly. If you have any interest in computer science then you should walk into this intro class knowing everything that's covered. If this class is difficult for you then change your major. You should be detail-oriented enough to follow the style guide and specs, or change your major.
The course material itself presented little difficulty for me. Understand this: it is not the course that is difficult, it is the professor. I can understand how harshly she grades on some programming assignments, as punctuation is critical, but I feel her acerbic comments and attitude towards the students are unwarranted.
Weird grade rules. You can only make final grade as high as highest test. So to get an A you need an A on at least 1 exam. The first exam is very difficult then gets easier. Do NOT turn in programs late, hurts grade. Tough grader. Takes big points off for not following directions. Ask lots of questions about PROGs. Go to office hours.
I was present in this class for one day, and then transferred to a different professor. Her grading policy in the difference between a handwritten "C" vs. "c" was 20% of that day's points. Not very reasonable for people who are trying to get a good grade to maintain their grants/scholarships.
I was pretty excited to take this course at first, but that changed just as soon as i turned in my first program and she wouldn't accept it because it wasn't stapled. Received a zero for that, and the next program too because my partners code was slightly different than mine just in terms of spacing. She's strict, her lectures are meh, it's rough.
Becky is much too picky when it comes to grading, however that's not the bad part. She is completely unapproachable when it comes to getting help. I had to seek help from other sources. She makes me want to change me want to change my major. The only upside is that she crackes a joke every blue moon.
She's a tough grader. Material is hard to grasp. Make sure you pay attention and read her instructions very clearly!
She is the worst professor that I've ever taken. She is just so unreasonable, stuck - up, and uncaring. She really doesn't care if you pass or fail, she said so herself. There is absolutely no way that you are going to pass unless you live and breathe computer science all semester. I've never had to work this hard for a C, and I'm an A student...
Avoid this professor. She won't budge on her dumb policies. Even if there's a medical note and a legit excuse, she won't care. She is not a good person and is cruel to her students. She takes the idea of a weed out class and takes it to a new freaking level. If I could describe her class, it would be a modern version of Dante's Inferno.
Tough grader but you're allowed partners for most programs, definitely recommend going by her office hours so the graders can let you know of any errors in your code.
The pickiest and most unrealistic grader EVER. She expects perfection from an intro level class. Lectures are fairly useless when it comes to actually learning the material. Everything i learned in this class was thanks to my lab instructor.
She is a tough grader, but very knowledgeable. She is available during office hours and gives good feedback. You do need to invest time in order to pass. Attendance is NOT mandatory, but she does give (easy) daily quizzes for extra credit. There are group projects, around 3 or 4.
Becky was a very tough teacher but is VERY clear about what is needed to do to get a good grade. She is snippy if you ask her a question she has already given an answer to. She is very unforgiving when mistakes are made because she is such a stickler for her own rules. The work is not hard but the work has to be done the exact way she wants it.
Becky is not as bad as people make her seem. She just wants her assignments done a certain way and wants you to follow directions. If you don't, you get penalized. If you go to her she is willing to help and give you points back if you go about it the right way. Her graders will help you too. I made an A because I followed directions.
Don't ever take this class if you have no coding experience, if you are taking more than 2 other courses, or in the summer. Thought a CS minor would help my career. This teacher is the WORST! You spend many hours and headaches to make a program work and get 40/100. This is a 1000 lvl class teaching a foreign language to beginners... YEAH RIGHT!
Becky gears her class for CS majors and engineers. She's super specific about how she wants things done because seemingly minor mistakes could lead to a company losing millions or even human lives (this is coming from her former students of who are now making $$$). If you're unable to follow simple directions I recommend you do not take her class.
Not graded much on knowing the information, grades mainly depend on how many rules you're able to memorize. You can have a perfectly working program but if you don't have spaces (that the compiler doesn't care about) you'll end up with a 50. Take her if you have to, but if you care more about actually learning, I'd recommend you look elsewhere.
Becky is an okay teacher. Her lectures are very hard to sit through. She has VERY specific grading policies and you could have a perfect program but if you do not do it to her EXACT style guide. You could end up failing her class.
If you are NOT a CS major don't take Becky. If you are a CS major I'd recommend taking her and finding another class to pad your GPA. She is a very tough grader but clear about her requirements and obviously knows her stuff. If you can pass her strict criteria then you're good for the next CS classes you need.
Only take this professor if you are okay with being a wreck at the end of the semester. Becky is a straight up evil kenevil. the worst. wants to make us cry then watch us drink our tears. would much rather gargle 20 dils while simultaneously reciting the alphabet backwards in Japanese and walking over glass with only $1 chanclas to protect me.
She tells you her expectations on day one and she means them. If you show up, pay attention and stay on top of the work load youll be fine. All programs are partner programs so I suggest finding a good one and sticking with them. Shes a tough grader but she clearly states what she expects from her students. Shes not as intimating as she seems!
While Becky is extremely strict on criteria for her assignments, especially programs, she is also very clear with what she wants and what she doesn't want. She tells you what you need to improve in when visiting her office.. You just need to know what to expect, and pay every attention to detail. I have to retake, but I'm confident this time.
She is a really good professor, yes she though but learn a lot and as long as you put attention to the class you should be good. The most important thing is that if you get a bad grade you should definitely go to her office hours.
Insanely specific. Programs relatively light in coding take days because of her ridiculous expectations and formatting. Lectures are a mess. No substance or coordination, no organized notes or powerpoints. She talks (very quietly) about random specifics at random intervals. If this is your first CS course, take someone else. You have been warned.
No organization or method. No online calendar or schedule. If you skip class, your grade is affected quite heavily. There is no textbook, so if you miss a lecture or two, you're almost guaranteed to fail the test for that unit. Your ability to code does NOT reflect how well you will do on projects or tests, ironically.
Becky is a great teacher! Sometimes the graders can be a little harsh with grading your programs, but she is always willing to look over and make any corrections.
Reichenau is a poor lecturer and her grading rubric is even worse. You are not graded on your ability to write good code. A program that doesn't compile can earn a 70 according to her rubric, while a perfect program with the wrong title will make a 0. The class average for programs is often below 50% because of arbitrary 0's from similar rules.
Worst CS professor in the department. Her grading rubric for her programs is probably the worst part. You get 0s for getting one name in the title wrong, and so many points off for simple formatting issues. A program that runs fine can easily get a 0 because of spacing. Lectures are boring and all over the place.
Becky is extremely strict with grading. She trains you to pay attention to detail, in an often painstaking way. A wrong file name will cost you a zero on a project, and blank spaces or bad alignment will result in heavy deductions. Having a good partner is key in this class. Go to her office hours and she will help with the detail she expects.
Becky is easily the worst professor in the department. You can turn in code that works perfectly but get a 0 if youre out of her formatting. Heavy deductions are guaranteed if you mess up her style guide in the slightest.
There's a reason why Becky's class is the last one to fill up. Project grades will fail you. A single wrong letter in a file name and you can get a 0 on a working project. One honest mistake (leave out a slash or comma, etc) can affect your letter grade. Your ability to perform academically is irrelevant. Do not take Becky.
She is a poor lecturer, her grading rubric is even worse. The class average for programs is often below 60% because of arbitrary 0's , Exams are extremely hard. Not recommended.
Becky is an extremely harsh grader. I recommend working on programs as soon as they are assigned. Make sure to take your programs to get checked by the graders prior to turning programs in. YOUR HIGHEST TEST GRADE IS THE HIGHEST FINAL GRADE YOU CAN GET IN THE CLASS. Tests cover lots of information and it is critical to do well on exams.
If you are not a CS major and you dont know how to code coming into the class, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. I dropped the class after 2 weeks because I had no clue what I was doing. She didnt fully explain how to code in the first place, so I was just completely lost from the beginning. She is also and extremely tough grader. Dont take Becky.
A class which should be ridiculously easy is made to be the most tidious thing youve ever attempted. You can have a perfect program but use the wrong spacing and get a 60. Be prepared to spend most time making it conform to her style guide than you did writing the program.
Do not take this professor! Even if your coding projects run absolutely perfect, you will get a zero if you do anything against her style guide.
Took Becky twice. First time I thought she was the first teacher ever because of how rude she seemed, but this time around I actually put in the work. Class is not difficult if you show up and actually do the progs. MAKE SURE you choose a good partner for the class it is CRUCIAL. Quizzes every day so show up, test arent that bad/.
I cannot stress how challenging this class is. If you mess up a file name thats a 0, turn in two of THE EXACT SAME PAPER thats a 0. Your final grade cant be higher than your highest exam grade so that completely screws the majority of the class. It was an introduction class but theres almost no room to learn.
The class more about learning her rules then actual programming. The projects take hours of proof reading because she is crazy on her rules for grading. You cant get a higher average then your highest test grade. Daily participation quiz's. 3 Test including final. 7 total programs and a few quiz but they are all group quizes. Dont recommend her
Becky had graders you can see before turning in progs. They will help you find any problems with your program and catch any of Becky's specific rules. She is extremely kind but may come off as otherwise. Her exams are not hard including the final. She has in class quizzes but lets you use any paper notes. Not bad even for those who can't program.
This is not a professor that teaches you how to program, but rather one that teaches you how to follow her formatting and stylistic expectations. I've studied programming through a number of channels, and never have I encountered anyone so eager to deduct points for matters of personal preference. Avoid at all costs.
I took this prof. freshman year and it was the most difficult, stressful class I have taken. I'm a junior with a CS major. Yes, this class was more difficult than even high level CS programming courses because of the ridiculous style guide and expectations. This is to "prepare you for the industry" but we've all heard that line before, haven't we?
Be prepared to dedicate a lot of time to make sure every tiny insignificant detail matches her style guide exactly. Also, your final grade can't be higher than your highest test grade so if you do well on all of your programs but don't test well, you're screwed.
assignments are more focused on making sure you follow her guide rather than if it works. you can get a -200/100 total points, its ridiculous. the only way you can pass is if you talk to the classroom aid people, who are the ones who grade your paper and they can help you 100%. if you are reading this, don't take it as a challenge. avoid this class
Do not take this course if you want to get inspired your first year of computer science. The grading criteria for assignments is ridiculous and simple mistaken spacing can result in a zero. All assignments have 3 submissions only and if you partner screws up you will too. I am fixing to graduate and she is the most difficult professor i have had.
If you want an A, take another professor. If you want a good instructor with decades of experience and some good humor, go right ahead. She tells you exactly what she wants, and if you miss anything, there will be a massive point loss. Tests are tricky, but can be easier than progs. Be ready to visit graders several times before submitting progs.
I was willing to ignore her horrible reviews and give her the benefit of the doubt. BIG MISTAKE. It does not matter if your code is perfect and you break your back trying to follow the style guide. Simple codes, but strict unproductive grading. I would even go in and have her check my code before turning it in. Didnt matter. DO. NOT. TAKE.
Her grading criteria is spelled out in her projects. Those who get 0s did not pay attention to the instructions. She gives you the exact algorithm you need to use for everything, but if you decide not to use it you will not get a good grade for a reason.
Even though 1308 is just the first class to introduce students to programming she expects everything you do to be prefect with no room for mistakes. When asked about extra credit she will say no because "you only need extra credit if you haven't been putting in the work all year," despite how nit picky and harsh they are when grading programs.
-30 points on a program for an extremely minor mistake and -20 for turning it in a day late. The grading scale makes no sense. I took my programs to graders and her the entire semester and still did poorly on almost every one. Almost no extra credit. I read the reviews and thought it cant be that bad.. their true. Destroys passion for CS.
She can be funny at times, but she is an extremely hard grader. Dont take this class expecting it to be easy.
I'd be a lot more forgiving of the arbitrary style rules, and the overly severe point deductions for not following them. (IRL, no one cares about that). But for all the hassle, you don't really learn much of value. In a 90 minute class, she might actually lecture, at a mumble, for about 20 minutes. The rest is a waste of time.
Unclear grading criteria and awful lectures. I actually chose to drop the course and extend my time in college by a whole semester rather than finishing it with an artificially deflated GPA because of her grading. She gave me a D on a major assignment because my last name was before my first name. It cannot be stressed enough: DO NOT TAKE
I would avoid taking Becky at all costs. She is an incredibly harsh grader. For an intro CS class, it is insane what she takes off for. I did everything right on a program and got a 70 b/c I wrote the date as 06/15/2020 instead of 06/15/20. 30 pts off for that! You can completely comprehend the material being taught but still fail. DON'T TAKE HER!!
I'm an 'A' student, I'm prompt and I don't slack off. I write 'A' quality code. However, due to her grading style I usually get 'C' grades on my programs. Her grading style is discouraging for young adults that aspire to become computer scientists. Quite a shame. The greatest of all shames. A tremendous shame I must say!
STAY AWAY. She will doc -30 points on an assignment for a single arbitrary error, such as a missing blank line on an output file or a missing period at the end of a sentence. These minor errors are graded just as heavy as calculation or logic errors. These have nothing to do with learning to think like an engineer. Do not expect an A
Dont take Becky, I beg you. Worst grader Ive ever had. She doesn't have the rubric for 6 programs you will have to do to pass the class, but she will take 30 points off you and leave you with a C for a wrong date in your code.
DO NOT TAKE THIS FEMALE! She is rude, her graders are rude. Her grading is a piece of garbage. I've gotten 30 POINTS deducted just because I placed a space after a period to indicate my class section. With this pandemic, during the summer, you'd think she'd loosen up. AVOID AT ALL COST, this alone proves she doesn't care and discourages students.
Very unclear grading criteria. Takes off big for very minor mistakes. Makes you turn in two copies of each program-one online, one in person. If the file names of the two dont match, you get a zero, even if its obvious that the content is the same. She is notorious in the tutoring center for being very particular. Definitely wouldnt recommend.
I took this professor for about 3 weeks in the summer until I dropped it. Theres no clear grading and no clear source of information other than physically asking her. If you turn the proj. In wrong you get heavily penalized to the point of failing. Ive learned more from my first day in another professors class than I did in 3 weeks with her.
There's another review by a student on this site where they got -30pts for putting the wrong date on their output program. I thought they were being dramatic, but oh no. I got -30pts on the first assignment (91 --> 71) for outputting the wrong due date by one day even though I turned it in TWO days early. Find another teacher
This teacher goes through everything but does not teach in depth and if you mess up in even capitalization thats an automatic 30 points off and her graders are garbage as well they are constantly messing up
Reichenau is super picky about grading - any error in your program output, even one miscellaneous period, is an automatic 30 points off because any minor errors in code could cause a .5 billion dollar spaceship to explode (example she used), but it's pretty tiring. Follow every instruction she gives you to the letter and you'll be fine.
I had to take this course as a prerequisite because I am a math major and it was so difficult. Would not recommend if you have no experience in computer programming, she does not teach well.
If you planned on coding with a Mac (using Xcode) for the first time do not take this class. The professor teaches using CodeBlocks and will not help you when you encounter variations between the two IDEs. You will have to spend hours googling how to use Xcode in contrast to students with CodeBlocks who do not need supplemental instructions.
Incoming CS Freshman: DO NOT TAKE 1428 WITH BECKY! Huge penalties for tiny, insignificant characters. You WILL get 30 points off for writing 2020 instead of 20 for the year. Completely destroyed my passion for computer science and I'm a CS major. Graders will make mistakes and not change them as the policy for grade changes is extremely convoluted.
If you don't make your program exactly as she wants it you will lose points. Always go to her office hours before turning in a program, even if you think you did it perfectly. Don't go to her graders for help. They miss things constantly and will tell you "Your program looks good". Just go to the professor's office hours and you should be fine.
Do not take this professor if there are other options. She's not a completely terrible person but her grading is super strict. Her lectures are the type where you will want to go to sleep and her lecture notes are mundane. If you intend to do well in her class supplementary instruction is a must unless you're a CS wiz.
Becky is an extremely tough grader. I read these reviews and took the class regardless as there was no other option and I could not regret it more. Becky's grading standards are ridiculous and too much to ask for if your new to programming.
Professional demeanor, no-fluffs lecture style, with regimented criteria for the homework that is sometimes applied inconsistently by assistant graders, so bring stuff to her office hours gratuitiously. If you pay attention in class she warns you about most of the tricks that appear on tests/ assignments. If you're a CS major, she's a great prof.
Terrible lectures as well as a messed up grading system. She will dock off 30 points for putting the year as 2020 instead of 20, but only minus 20 points for turning it in late? She doesn't actually teach how to code well but focuses mainly on her strict guidelines. DO NOT TAKE. I got an A at ACC coding and learned way more there.
Doesn't care if you don't know anything about code. Basically said that if you don't know anything you have to teach yourself. Makes you type out urls to find her online pages for assignments and other important info. Makes the course difficult because she wants to. Don't take this professor if you want to save your money for actual education.
I chose "Hilarious" as Becky's title because it's hilarious to me how such an incompetent and harsh grader is allowed to teach an INTRO level computer science course. If you don't follow her EXACT style guide, even the tiniest mistake will result in -30 points for program assignments. She tries to claim coders can't make mistakes...I call total BS.
Submitted the wrong file and would not let me turn in the right one. Very rude and strict. Hard grader on code will take points off if it isnt structured good. Bad experience
The content of the class is not hard. I got an A in lab doing the exact same thing. The teacher is malicious. She will not allow any mistakes. She takes off crazy points for the smallest things. Minus 30 for this and minus 30 for that. I am a hardworking student and never failed or had to retake a class before. This was my first.
First class I ever dropped. I thought this class was for beginners being an intro course but I was clearly wrong, unless you have plenty of experience youll be fine. Grading is TOUGH! I put my wrong ID once and had 2 minor errors and completely failed when I thought Id do good. Shes nice, makes jokes but you will need to know your sh!t to pass
I took her online course during the pandemic. She is responsive and overall a good teacher, but it's the graders who will fail you. Every program (c++ btw) has to be exactly perfect. Having an extra space anywhere in the program will result in a grade of a 70 as a starting point. Only way to pass is to do good on tests. Her website will be ur bff.
Has no reason to be teaching an entry level course with her ridiculous grading choices.
Becky is brutal if you try to get away with the minimum effort. The assignments are very easy. The class is about learning to follow the instructions of how to make the program. The requirements are clear and defined. There is no questioning what to do. Really sweet lady when you meet her in office hours.
If you want a good grade your output must be EXACTLY what she outlines, down to the number of spaces, which is a little frustrating. She is not lenient or flexible.
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