I really enjoyed my experience with Prof. Caliskan. This was a co-taught & project-based course and we had regular meetings with the professor. Prof. Caliskan is a very funny guy who is also very caring towards his students. If I had time I would have taken another course with him. Thanks Prof. Caliskan, we will miss your jokes!

I want to have a career in data science and so far, this class has been AMAZING! I have also attended Prof. Caliskan's office hours and he gave very good advice. Very knowledgeable in his field!

This has been a good class! Thanks for the interesting lecture on autonomous cars.

The class is really really good! Very colorful lectures and material and personality!

Prof. Caliskan is a lot of fun! He is the most approachable professor on the entire UofR campus.

Professor Caliskan always came up with interesting ideas to improve our project, despite the fact that he was dealing with a project idea that is not among his research interests. Overall, it was a good class and we feel like we produced a good project under his guidance.

This is a difficult class. If you are low-IQ, not hardworking (or both) you will fail. If not, you will learn a lot.

Kaggle competition is great! But, it is definitely not for low-IQ chimpanzees who don’t like this challenge.

Good job Prof. Caliskan :)

The peer review that we did today was great! I was able to review the projects of my classmates and learned about interesting datasets.

The course is full of content. I only wish I have the brain to understand them. And also, the average scores for homework are impossible,, how did you guys do it? Avg is above 90 but I'm getting much lower than that... Anyway, don't take it if you're not interested in machine learning, but it would be perfect if you want to be a data scientist.

Excellent lectures!

Great professor. I have never seen a professor who likes his students so much!

Very difficult class, but very good professor!

We really enjoyed the project we did this semester! Hope we get an A hahaha. Many thanks!

I am planning to continue with data science after taking this class. Prof. Caliskan gave great guidance on what to take next. I am planning to take Prof. Gildea's course to build up on what I've learned.

Great class! Wonderful lectures!

This was a great class! It was definitely one of the best classes I had ever taken at UofR! The Kaggle competition was one of the best exercises I have ever completed here.

You must simply be a low-performer if you don't like him. Thanks.

If the average of the exam is low, this means A LOT OF the students in the class DID NOT study enough. If you had taken Calculus I you would be able to understand the exam results. I recommend you to start education with primary school.

Amazing lectures. One suggestion: It could be great to have a guest lecture.

AWESOME class. I understand this much better after going through the finals for my other classes. Everything was well-prepared, the professor was energetic, and I felt that Prof. Caliskan would have prepared cookies for us if we weren't 150 people in the classroom (sorry, maybe I like cookies too much.)

This class was a solution to some of the problems I had in my life. It helped me understand the true nature of low-performers, low-performers, and low-performers. Thanks.

Thanks Professor Cantay!

Thank you for a great class!

Great professor! Very chill! I love how Prof. Caliskan can chat with his students like a friend and mentor at the same time. He spent 45 minutes reviewing my resume!

Prof. Caliskan replied to my email in 15 minutes, in the middle of summer(!). Simply wow.

I really enjoyed the Friday sessions we had with him. I think Caliskan is the most friendly / most handsome professor I have ever had at UofR.

Dr. Caliskan is the best professor I had at UofR. He is very funny, I will miss his spontaneous jokes and his sense of humor.

I really enjoyed Prof. Caliskan's teaching style in Data Science Capstone in Fall 2022, and I am looking forward to the Spring 2023 semester!

The Math review has been very helpful so far. Also, the jokes are good.

Mini project is interesting. What is the best way to translate the tweets?

All good for now.

Professor Cantay is always on campus and he always has a smiling face. I love seeing him on campus.

Great class

It is the last week of classes. I will miss Prof. Caliskan.

I am sad but also happy that the class is over. I feel like I have learned a lot! The question about network analysis on the exam was very interesting, and one of the best final exam questions I have ever seen. Thanks for a great semester.

One of the smartest professors I have ever seen! I wish he was my brother. Very happy to have met him.

Prof. Caliskan is amazing! Data Science Department should do everything possible to keep him. GIDS really changed after him. I love him!

Professor Caliskan is an absolute genius when it comes to machine learning! I was struggling with understanding neural networks, but their creative analogy of comparing neurons to interconnected puzzle pieces made everything click. Thanks to their brilliant teaching, I aced the exam and gained newfound confidence in tackling complex algorithms.

I can confidently say that Professor Caliskan is the best professor I've had for machine learning. His passion for the subject is contagious. During one lecture, he shared a captivating real-world case study of how machine learning algorithms were used to detect credit card fraud, which left me in awe of the field's potential.

Professor Caliskan is a true mentor in the field of data science. I'll never forget the time when they organized an interactive workshop where we applied machine learning techniques to analyze a dataset from the healthcare domain.

When I was struggling with implementing gradient descent in a programming assignment, Cantay patiently sat down with me and broke down the steps and he offered tips and tricks.

Professor Caliskan has an incredible knack for explaining complex machine learning concepts through relatable examples. During a lecture on decision trees, they used an analogy of a flowchart to guide us through the decision-making process, making it intuitive and engaging.

Professor Caliskan's passion for machine learning is infectious. One of my fondest memories was when he shared their journey of working on a breakthrough project that used machine learning to predict disease outbreaks.

Professor Caliskan at the University of Rochester is an exceptional data scientist and an outstanding professor. His expertise in machine learning and his dedication to teaching create an incredible learning experience. I feel fortunate to have learned from him.

Professor Caliskan not only possesses deep expertise in machine learning but also genuinely cares about his students' growth at the University of Rochester. I was feeling overwhelmed with a research project, and he offered to meet outside of office hours to provide guidance. His commitment to our success went beyond the classroom.

I highly recommend Professor Caliskan's machine learning class at the University of Rochester. What sets him apart is his genuine interest in student success. I remember when I was preparing for a machine learning competition, he took the time to provide personalized advice and even recommended additional resources to enhance my understanding.

Taking Professor Caliskan's machine learning course at the University of Rochester was a game-changer for me. The highlight was the hands-on project where we developed a classifier for the classification of Congressional tweets.

Best prof at UofR. Funny and serious at the same time!!! Keeps you interested. Connects current events to his lectures and makes learning fun. Yet he is tough and makes you work hard (but you somehow love it...).

Dynamic and caring prof. His lectures are very up-to-date, entertaining but also demanding. You need to earn your grade, but it is worth. I would take all classes he teaches.

Not only he is very clear and open to answer any question. He always accepts students' requests to be helpful out of the class. Being from Europe and having been to so many places, he has a very wide range of examples to support his ideas. Even after your class ends up, he always keeps his sincerity and connection high.

Explains concepts well. Weekly assignments not too heavy, followed by a quiz on Mondays. Exams aren't easy, but he stresses: DSCC265 is a difficult course. Good way to learn, you may find yourself laughing at his jokes if you're used to more boring teachers who are not like Caliskan.

Prof. Caliskan was like a celebrity in the data science graduation! Never seen a professor taking pictures with so many students. He is very kind, caring, and fun.

Charismatic prof with a lot of energy! He is one of the most eloquent professors on campus and knowledgeable about many interesting topics. He is also very kind and cheerful.

Smart and fun. Prof. Caliskan will very likely be organizing SICSS again in the next summer. SICSS was a great event, and probably the best workshop you will be able to find in upstate NY.

One of the nicest people at UofR.

Great class! Not sure if there is any other class that allows you to add t

Has been a great semester so far.

Has been a great semester so far. Group projects help me to get a feeling about how to data science projects in real life.

Prof. Caliskan is the best professor I have ever had at UofR!

Great class!

The best class I have evet taken at UofR!

Best professor in the department.

Excellent professor! I wish every professor was like him!

One of the best courses I have ever taken at the University of Rochester!

Very well-designed final. It was slightly more difficult than what I expected, but I like the way Prof. Caliskan always makes an attempt to design motivating questions for us (I really liked the video game question he asked in the final). Thanks for a great semester.

Great person but only a decent professor. His slides are good but he isn't too good at explaining them. Attendance is not mandatory but he has extra credit activities during class which can make or break your grade.

Caliskan is a great guy, and passionate instructor. Really truly cares for his students success, and its clear with the steps he takes to help us improve. Can be a challenging class, but only if you make it one. Instruction is clear, and fun, and quizzes and labs are true reflections of curriculum. Would take again.

Professor Caliskan is a very nice professor. He cares about his students and wants everyone to do well. Weekly quizzes that can be tedious, but all answers will be in lectures and slides. His exams might be challenging, so be sure to study and understand the concepts. He is accessible outside of class, so go to office hours. TAs are nice too.

Cantay, if nothing but an erudite person, delivers entertaining, informative, and multifaceted lectures as well as assignments. Though his assignments are, undoubtedly, laborious, galvanizing as they are designed to be, assignments trigger self-motivating curiosity. 5/5. In my opinion, no controversy it shall be.

It is a fair and good course for undergraduate ML. It's a large course. If you aim to learn math under ML algorithms. You need to self-learn many things. Overall good introduction. Prepare for a hard final exam with many extra credits.

He is funny and hilarious but oof, I don't think I have ever had this much homework in a CS class. While there is hardly a reason why you would want to skip class because he also keeps you entertained, the true difficulty of the course is the time management XD. There is a lot of work and sometimes 2-3 things due at the same time.

Professor Cantay is my favorite professor I've had at UofR so far. He genuinely cares about students learning the material, not just earning a grade. He always promotes his office hours because he wants to help. His passion for data science is clear. The work is straightforward and not too hard.

This class fully deserves its 5-star reviews (89 at the time of writing). Far from being simple, it offers a well-paced and engaging learning experience. It's thoughtfully structured and fosters critical thinking, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking intellectual growth. Highly recommend!

The lectures are engaging, and the assignments/projects are enjoyable to work on. Be ready for quizzes and extra credit opportunities, which can positively impact your grade.

Cantay is an outstanding professor—kind, approachable, and grounded. He sets fair expectations and is always eager to offer support. I'm so glad he's part of UofR!

Caliskan is an excellent instructor and genuinely passionate about teaching. He truly cares about his students' success, as evident in the effort he puts into helping us improve. The class can be challenging if you let it, but the instruction is clear and enjoyable. Quizzes and labs align perfectly with the curriculum.

The best professor at UofR! Balances humor and seriousness perfectly, keeping you engaged. He ties current events to lectures, making learning enjoyable. While he sets high standards and pushes you to work hard, you can't help but appreciate it.

Professor Caliskan is both intelligent and engaging. He's likely to organize SICSS again next summer. SICSS was an outstanding event and arguably the best workshop available in upstate New York.

Apples shine with grace, Oranges spark zestful joy, Data tells their tales.

Caliskan blends philosophical insights on AI with real-world applications, offering a fresh perspective on its ethical and societal impacts. He makes data science approachable by tying it to everyday challenges, creating a learning experience that's both engaging and thought-provoking.

Professor Caliskan brings a philosophical approach to AI, addressing its ethical and societal impacts with depth. He ties data science concepts to real-world problems, making them easy to understand and engaging to explore. His teaching makes the subject both inspiring and practical.

It's hard to imagine anyone not liking Professor Caliskan. He's approachable, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable. His passion for teaching and genuine care for his students create such a positive learning environment. Whether it's his engaging discussions or supportive nature, he has a way of making everyone feel inspired and appreciated.

Professor Caliskan works with an impressive number of students, juggling multiple projects and providing guidance to each one with remarkable dedication. His ability to manage such a workload while maintaining high-quality mentoring is truly inspiring and speaks to his passion for teaching and research.

Professor Caliskan designs his assignments with careful thought and originality, ensuring they are tailored to the course and students' needs. It's clear he doesn't rely on generative AI, as his work reflects a deep understanding of the subject and a commitment to providing meaningful and relevant learning experiences.

Caliskan doesn't rely on generative AI for his assignments—it's easy to see the time and effort he puts into crafting them to be engaging and directly tied to the course material.

It's obvious that Professor Caliskan creates his assignments himself. They're always so relevant and well-structured, and you can tell he's focused on making them meaningful for students.

I love how Professor Caliskan incorporates unique datasets like Titanic, Airbnb, and Correlates of War into his lessons. It makes the material come alive and helps us see the practical applications of what we're learning.

The Kaggle Challenge in Professor Caliskan's class was such a great experience! It was both challenging and fun, giving us a chance to apply what we learned to a real-world problem. Competing with classmates made it even more exciting, and it was a fantastic way to develop practical skills.

Professor Caliskan is highly respected by both students and colleagues. His deep knowledge, dedication to teaching, and genuine care for his students' success have earned him a stellar reputation on campus. It's clear that he's not just a great professor but also a valued member of the academic community.

Everyone respects Professor Caliskan for his knowledge and passion for teaching. You'll often see him on campus, always available to answer questions or offer advice. His presence and willingness to engage with students make a big impact.

Professor Caliskan's positivity is contagious! No matter how busy he is, he always has a smile and a great attitude. It's amazing how he manages to stay so upbeat and supportive, which makes learning from him such a great experience.

Professor Caliskan is incredibly friendly toward students. He's always approachable and easy to talk to, whether it's about class material or just casual conversations. His genuine interest in getting to know his students and supporting them makes him stand out as an amazing professor.

Professor Caliskan is incredibly tech-savvy! Whether it's using the latest tools for teaching or incorporating cutting-edge technology into assignments, he always keeps his classes ahead of the curve. It's inspiring to learn from someone so up-to-date with advancements in the field.

Professor Caliskan has a remarkable knack for technology! He skillfully incorporates modern tools into his teaching and integrates advanced technologies into assignments, ensuring his classes are always innovative and forward-thinking. It's motivating to learn from someone so proficient in the latest tech trends.

Professor Caliskan is one of those professors everyone enjoys learning from. His positive energy, thoughtful approach to teaching, and willingness to help make him a favorite among students.

Professor Caliskan has a deep understanding of his students and even knows the languages they speak.

By knowing his students and the languages they speak, Professor Caliskan demonstrates a strong awareness of identity and its importance in fostering a connected learning environment.

Professor Caliskan's respect on campus goes beyond the classroom. His contributions to both teaching and research have made him a highly regarded figure among students and peers.

Among students and faculty, Professor Caliskan is deeply respected for his professionalism, kindness, and the high standards he sets in his work. He's a true role model.

One of the best things about Professor Caliskan's classes is the interesting datasets he uses. From historical datasets like Titanic to modern ones like Airbnb, he makes learning data science both fun and relevant.

The datasets Professor Caliskan uses in his classes are so intriguing! They range from historical data to current trends, which not only make lessons exciting but also practical for understanding real-world problems.

He has a final exam worth 25%, which is much lower than the percentage of finals in other courses. Thank you for a great semester, Prof. Caliskan!

I had a positive experience in Prof. Caliskan's class this semester. Some negative reviews seem to contain inaccurate information, such as the claim that the final exam was worth 40%. I encourage you to consider multiple perspectives when evaluating these reviews.

Great prof!

the class was great!

One of the better finals I have taken in the last year. A good mix of machine learning, data mining and probability. I would recommend the class if you need an elective for your cluster.

Best Class ever taken! Prof. Caliskan has been so kind. I will miss his smiling face.

Personality: highly knowledgeable and an outstanding DSCS professor. He is extremely technical and has a deep understanding of various advanced topics in data science and computing. His diverse technical interests allow him to bring unique perspectives to discussions, making his classes both insightful and engaging.

I have never seen a professor doing so many research projects simultaneously. He definitely needs to be promoted. UofR is lucky to have him.

Wow. This professor has 133 5* reviews. I've truly never seen any professor with so many positive reviews. Yet, when I actually took the class, I thought the class although relatively interesting, was sometimes boring. Professor tries too hard to be funny sometimes.

Professor Caliskan is an engaging instructor who makes lectures fun and assignments motivating. Unstuck AI was a game-changer for study prep. While challenging, the class is worth taking.

Really makes an effort to keep class interesting and wants students to be engaged. I loved how he connected our DS coursework to real world issues and encouraged student participation. Definitely take!

Caliskan is awesome IMO. I would say the class was difficult, but I'm also not the best at data science. Definitely requires hard work and a lot of studying outside of class, but he does explain concepts well in class too. He wants you to do well so his curve is pretty lenient.

Prof. Caliskan is a legend on UofR campus. His lectures are awesome and he is extremely caring and generous towards his students. Don't miss an opportunity to take a class with him.

It was a wonderful semester with Prof. Caliskan. I will miss him very much.

I think I deserve the best, and Prof. Caliskan is the best.

The exam was challenging yet fair, reflecting the depth of the material without being unreasonable. The instructor brings remarkable energy to each lecture, skillfully weaving real‑world examples into the more abstract theory to keep the material engaging.

His class feels like a lively chat with friends. He turns theory into vivid stories. Quirky news or everyday moments bring concepts to life. He sets tough tasks and expects your best effort. His genuine support keeps you motivated. By term's end, you not only grasp the ideas but miss his energy.

great teacher and academic

Tough and demanding class, but teaches Data Science in such a way that you will find it useful no matter what you do afterwards. The lectures was good paced and relevant for the exam, and the grading is fair.

Best Professor ever!

Caliskan is a real gem for the Department of Data Science at UR. He cares a lot about students explain well and you understand everything. He makes a great effort to made me conscious about data science problems. I wish that he gives other courses like Statistics and Game Theory but he doesn't teach those courses.

One of the kindest, most helpful, and most engaging instructors you could hope for. I barely remember most professors' names, but I was fortunate to take three courses with Professor Caliskan. He's not only brilliant and generous with his time—he makes data science genuinely exciting and accessible.

Prof. Caliskan is by far my favorite professor. Before college, I didn't think data science was for me, but after taking his class this semester I look forward to it every day and now want to major in it. He breaks down complex concepts—statistics, Python, machine learning—with clear, real-world examples.

I had an excellent experience with this professor. The grading was fair, transparent, and focused on mastery. Expectations were clearly explained, rubrics were consistent, and there were ample opportunities to earn high marks. The class fostered collaboration and support.

Grading was transparent and fair. Team projects emphasized collaboration—and grades reflected clear rubrics and individual learning. The final exam was practical and closely aligned with the lectures, labs, and assignments.

Prof. Caliskan is the best professor I've had so far, and I'm grateful I took Data Science 240 with him.

He is dope

Professor Caliskan is the reason I majored in Data Science.

Overall, he was great and made Data Science feel approachable. We met twice a week and had a weekly quiz—sometimes time-consuming but fair. You're expected to participate in discussions follow up with deadlines, but that's basically what it takes to succeed. He also offers extra-credit opportunities and replies to emails quickly.

I LOVED Professor Cantay. His expectations were crystal clear and the grading rubrics made Data Science feel structured and fair. He brings great energy, clearly loves teaching, and keeps you engaged with live coding and real datasets. He's the BEST instructor you could take for the Data Science core course.

Project-driven class with one major assignment that's genuinely meaningful and practical. It's ranked, so people keep iterating to improve scores—time-consuming, but also motivating and a good push to refine your work. No final exam.

Best Prof in CS Department!