2.1

Dennis Richards

Computer Science - British Columbia Institute of Technology

2.1
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
29%
Would Retake
89
Reviews
2.1
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
2.2
Helpful
2.1
Clarity

29%

Would Retake

89

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

14

4

8

3

8

2

14

1

45

What Students Say

As well, he tries his best to ask for feedback, but gets rather frustrated when no one decides to answer

COMP2256 - 2.0 rating

Zero JavaFX on the midterm or final however

COMP2522 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

42%

Textbook Required

33%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

80% confidence
Based on 10 grades
Most common grades:
A (5)
Not sure yet (3)
B- (2)
Grade Distribution
A(6)B(3)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(0)
Based on 14 reported grades
A: 5
Not sure yet: 3
B-: 2
Rather not say: 1
Common Tags
Lots of homework (5)
Tough grader (3)
Graded by few things (3)
Hilarious (3)
Caring (3)
Get ready to read (2)
Test heavy (2)
Lecture heavy (2)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.36 avg change
Sep
Nov
Dec
Jan
Sep
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

COMP1711

5.0

(1)

COMP

4.0

(1)

COMP2526

3.9

(9)

COMP3931

3.1

(9)

OPTIONHEA

3.0

(1)
+27 more courses
Difficulty by Course

1525

5.0

3931

5.0

COMP3512

5.0

ALL

5.0

COMPWHATE

5.0

Reviews (89)
2.0
4.0
CALCULUSA
Feb 8, 2002

Don't be late for his class or face his sarcastic remarks.

1.0
5.0
COMP3512
Feb 9, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
1525
Feb 10, 2002

No Comments

2.0
4.0
COMP1525
Feb 20, 2002

god help me

1.0
5.0
ALL
Mar 2, 2002

It all makes sense to him! Does it not

1.0
5.0
COMPWHATE
Mar 28, 2002

he's the worst instructor

1.0
5.0
DIGIPRO
Mar 28, 2002

He is my option head, and he doesn't have the, how you say ... people skills.

3.0
3.0
OPTIONHEA
May 15, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
COMP2525
May 16, 2002

D'Arcy should teach this course

1.0
5.0
COMP2525
May 16, 2002

No Comments

5.0
2.0
COMP1711
May 16, 2002

No Comments

1.0
3.0
2525
May 16, 2002

Stop treating students like dogs

1.0
5.0
DIGIPRO
Jun 11, 2002

shame

1.0
5.0
COMP2525
Jun 15, 2002

public static class bob. enough said.

1.0
5.0
COMP3750
Jun 24, 2002

You think he was hard for Java? Try having him for Calculus.

1.0
5.0
COMP2525
Jun 25, 2002

darcy thought the course not him

1.0
3.0
COMP2525
Jul 3, 2002

No Comments

1.0
3.0
COMP2525
Sep 14, 2002

Do not take Digital Processing.

1.0
5.0
COMP1535
Oct 2, 2002

No Comments

1.0
4.0
CST
Nov 27, 2002

Too bad he cant code himself some hair

1.0
5.0
3931
Nov 27, 2002

Not a bad guy @ heart.

4.0
4.0
COMP3931
Nov 27, 2002

not so bad - better than java last year

1.0
5.0
COMP1535
Dec 23, 2002

Why is he teaching Delphi when he doesn't know the language?

2.0
2.0
COMP2525
Feb 9, 2003

Man, this guy could put anyone to sleep

1.0
5.0
BALD
Feb 26, 2003

Only the baldest muther in the world. He must have lost half a head of hair during that one course!!

2.0
4.0
C2525
Mar 7, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
DIGIPRO
Mar 11, 2003

My Name is Heavy G. I Don't Think Dennis has Taught me Anything.

1.0
4.0
DIGIPRO
Mar 31, 2003

This guy should be fired

2.0
2.0
DIGIPRO
May 15, 2003

No Comments

2.0
3.0
COMP2525
Jun 5, 2003

I learned more about Java by playing Unreal Tournamment in labs with others than attending his lectures...

4.0
4.0
DIGIPRO
Sep 21, 2003

Likes the sound of his own voice. His Java lectures put me to sleep, but he's OK as an option head.

2.0
2.0
COMP3721
Oct 8, 2003

Worst prof ever!

1.0
5.0
CMPT3721
Oct 12, 2003

worst pro!!! Can't understand anything! What the hell he is talking!!!

1.0
5.0
JAVA
Oct 14, 2003

No Comments

1.0
4.0
MANY
Oct 15, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
COMP3931
Nov 24, 2003

No Comments

3.0
2.0
JAVA
Dec 15, 2003

Stop the "is-a" metaphors, we get the universal remote idea! Your exams proved a lot: hey look at my bad code I scammed from someone, tell me what's wrong with it.. that proves nothing!

3.0
3.0
COMP2525
Feb 29, 2004

No Comments

4.0
3.0
COMP2525
Mar 1, 2004

Not too bad

4.0
2.0
COMP2525
Grade: A
Mar 3, 2004

OK, like the examples

4.0
3.0
2525
Mar 13, 2004

He's OK

5.0
2.0
COMP2525
Mar 29, 2004

is good with examples, goes a bit too slow through the material, guess he has to let the slow folks catch up

5.0
2.0
COMP2525
Aug 1, 2004

He is alright. He's little awkward, but his lectures are good.

4.0
3.0
COMP
Aug 7, 2004

Good Guy - knows his stuff, kind of complex lectures sometimes

1.0
5.0
COMP3931
Oct 22, 2004

Yeah, I'll just go through my slides then you will have to learn about win32 and maple by yourself and make everything work. Yeah, that should be a piece of cake. Yeah, pigs can fly, no problem-o...

1.0
5.0
1525
Oct 23, 2004

No Comments

1.0
5.0
COMP3931
Oct 25, 2004

By far the worst instructor i have ever had in my life -- including highschool/elementary 0_o

1.0
5.0
3931
Oct 25, 2004

Get a life Richards. Stop taking out your hatred on your students. Fire this guy already.

1.0
5.0
3931COMP
Nov 10, 2004

No Comments

5.0
1.0
COMP3931
Apr 9, 2005

he's the best teacher as long as you know how to communicate with him. use emails to communicate with him. He's a bit wierd in real world, but he's the most brilliant person in email. Just know how you can use him for ur advantages. And he never fails students unless they never show up.

5.0
4.0
COMP3931
Apr 10, 2005

Always ask for help if you have any problems. He is more than willing to help. Also, use email with him, he is extremely helpful in that.

1.0
5.0
COMP2525
Mar 30, 2006

Some girl was late for lecture; Dennis wasted 10 minutes of everyone's time telling her to leave rather than let her sit down and learn something. She wasn't distrubing anybody. D'Arcy should be teaching this class; knows way more Java.

4.0
4.0
COMP4932
Aug 27, 2006

If you don't understand, ask him, he'll explain for 30 mins or more. Sure, you won't get a word in, but just let him talk and you'll learn sooner or later. Don't miss his classes. Knows a lot, about math, and about games programming.

1.0
4.0
COMP4900
Apr 3, 2008

This guy is just horrible. Doesn't have a clue about what he's teaching. If you ask him a question you will know less about you asked him after he gives his answer. Is the worst lecturer in history. I would rate him 1/1000.. 1 for the high grades. He also complains about things causing more work for him when we pay his salary. Stay away.

1.0
4.0
COMP4932
Jan 15, 2009

Very poor teacher, lessons are never planned. Typically spends entire time writing [broken] code and searching msdn. If you request help, he will repeat the same thing over and over even when you try to make it clear you understand. On the plus he expects students to come in late, and encourages you to teach yourself (by not teaching you)

2.0
4.0
COMP3770
Nov 16, 2009

Rarely knows what he's doing prior to class. Wastes time trying to get code working.

5.0
2.0
COMP2526
Mar 28, 2010

I had Dennis for my Java course last term and I learned tons from him. He made me realize how much I really knew about Java not how much I thought I knew. He provided the best examples which a lot of time are tricky but they really point to those fundamentals in Java that most of us think we know but we really don't.

5.0
2.0
COMP2526
Mar 28, 2010

And yes, he gets very disappointed when his students don't show up or don't show enthusiasm in his lectures.Darcy did not even let you in class if you were one minute late.He would get furious and shut your computer if you were not paying attention.However, Dennis keeps it polite and calm all the time and treats you like an adult.No interest from y

5.0
1.0
COMP2526
Mar 28, 2010

No interest fro you, no interest from him. Go to his lectures, close your laptops(Oh yea!No games in class), pay attention, go through all the good examples he provides in his lectures AND on share out, ask questions and you will see how much you learn from him. You will also be amazed by the depth of his knowledge and his willingness to help:)

2.0
2.0
COMP2526
Apr 5, 2010

He might be good if you're getting 'private' lessons. For the rest of us, not so much. He needs to spend less time trying to milk answers out of the more 'confused' students and remember that the rest of the class wants to learn too.

5.0
3.0
COMP2526
Apr 7, 2010

Well, if you are not 'Confused', why should you have a problem learning?

5.0
4.0
COMP2526
Apr 21, 2010

He is awesome!

1.0
3.0
COMP2526
Apr 23, 2010

What a misguided and ignorant comment to make. Just because someone is not 'confused,' doesn't mean they don't need the teaching they paid for. That is the whole POINT of school, is it not?

3.0
5.0
COMP3770
Dec 19, 2010

An ok instructor, but Win32 is tough. Quizzes are 8% each & 2 hr, they can easily kill your grades. Survival Tips: Know ppl that have the lab before & give u "TIPS". If possible, do the work before ur lab, u might need the extra time. Download & use code examples from Charles Petzold's website. No coding 4 final exam, but u must know how they work.

2.0
5.0
COMP3770
Nov 14, 2011

Doesn't teach in class.

2.0
5.0
COMP2721
Dec 22, 2011

Had no coordination with the lab instructor Jason Harrison whatsoever, we approached him regarding this issue and 50% of the program failed midterm. He then told us we could all go take summer school together and that he wasn't going to make the final any easier.

2.0
4.0
COMP3770
Sep 19, 2013

Uses IE.

5.0
3.0
COMP3931
Nov 28, 2014

Really smart guy, tends to ramble a lot (bad) and doesn't hold your hand through the course (which is a good thing). Very laid back when it comes to assignments due dates and extensions, wants to see all his students pass and will help them plenty with their projects. Not a C# guy.

3.0
4.0
COMP2526
Oct 18, 2016
Wouldn't take again

His iterative approach towards the 2nd term Java class did not work for me at all. Was hard to be enthusiastic for his lectures. Was surprised by the difficulty of the exams, with a recursion question in the midterm and two quicksort questions in the final...

4.0
2.0
COMP2526
Jan 11, 2017
Would take again

He is a great speaker and I highly recommend going to all his lectures. His lectures are very informative although he does go off topic from time to time. Exams aren't difficult if you listen in class.

5.0
4.0
COMP3931
Grade: A
Jan 26, 2017
Would take again

He won't spell everything out for you, but instead makes sure you get the concepts of what you're doing and letting you figure out the coding yourself. He likes challenging his students to push themselves. He can be great to talk to, but beware chatting with him unless you're prepared to talk about random related subjects for upwards of 30 min

Gives good feedback
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Clear grading criteria
5.0
4.0
3931COMP
Grade: A
Sep 14, 2018
Would take again

Great teacher. I went to sfu after doing digi pro and i can say hes one of the teachers that taught me the most

2.0
4.0
COMP2256
Apr 10, 2019
Wouldn't take again

A few areas where Dennis Richards excels in include rambling on a single topic until the whole class gets lost. As well, he tries his best to ask for feedback, but gets rather frustrated when no one decides to answer. No, it's not because we're all "scared" to answer. It's because no one is actually following what you're teaching. Highly disorgan

1.0
4.0
COMP2522
Grade: Rather not say
Apr 16, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Very disorganized. The 4 assignments are practically repetitive garbage based around abstraction and JavaFX. Zero JavaFX on the midterm or final however. Maybe he should base the assignments around the lecture material. Close to zero practice in the assignments on using generics and lambda.

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
1.0
COMP2522
Oct 9, 2019
Wouldn't take again

He stood there for 20 minutes while he waited for us to download his lecture code and "try it on our own." Then when he waited long enough, he finally decided to code out the answer on his computer, but he did not know the right answer, and stood there for 10 minutes while he tried to figure it out. Class is a disorganized mess, Dennis cant teach

Get ready to read
1.0
1.0
COMP2522
Grade: A
Dec 4, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Dennis is not able to explain concepts in class or through email. He tells students to play around with the code provided by the course textbook, but does not understand the pre-written code well. He does not explain what exactly the code does or why something is done a certain way.

Lots of homework
Graded by few things
Hilarious
1.0
1.0
COMP3770
Jan 19, 2020
Wouldn't take again

He can't teach

1.0
5.0
COMP2525
Jan 19, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Very disorganized and unreasonable when giving out assignments.

3.0
2.0
COMP2522
Grade: A
Apr 20, 2020
Would take again

Though he's not a perfect teacher, he tries that's for sure. I learned quite a bit in his lectures. I do have to ask him a lot of questions though if I don't understand something because he tends to give confusing answers.

1.0
5.0
COMP2522
May 22, 2020
Wouldn't take again

This guy does not know how to teach. I had trouble staying up during his lectures, and he kept giving us weird-ass assignments. Uggh I just hate him.

Lots of homework
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
1.0
3.0
COMP3931
Jul 19, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Has a gift for making the easy topics complex, good teachers are usually the opposite. Cannot recommend. Outside material easily googled is much better than his instruction which is incomplete and boring. You'll wonder what you're paying for. The assignments and topics are actually very easy, it's his instruction that makes it difficult.

3.0
3.0
COMP2522
Grade: A+
Nov 15, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Dennis tried to be a good teacher, takes in all feedbacks and work upon them but still he cannot teach anything properly. Most of lectures are just fiddling in Notepad++.

Lots of homework
Hilarious
Caring
5.0
3.0
COMP4900
Grade: B-
Jan 25, 2023
Would take again

Helpful and generous professor.

Group projects
Hilarious
Caring
1.0
3.0
COMP2522
Grade: Not sure yet
Sep 19, 2023

Loud with no substance. Likes to scribble on Notepad++

Tough grader
Beware of pop quizzes
Lecture heavy
1.0
2.0
3931COMP
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 15, 2023

His teaching style certainly works for some people, but if you are not part of that subset, he's an incredibly painful teacher to have. Often difficult to ask questions that will give a meaningful answer.

1.0
4.0
COMP3773
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 12, 2023

Class mostly graded on term project & final. Lacks any knowledge in C# despite it being project's requirement. Self-learning extremely necessary. Absent for 3 weeks due to recreation, barely available in lab, often preoccupied during labs having long rants with students. Makes poor use of class time. Would avoid even if you like the material.

Tough grader
Graded by few things
1.0
4.0
COMP2522
Grade: D+
Jan 8, 2024

Totally unclear and convoluted way of speaking. Absurdly loud even when you are 1:1. Failed by 2%.

Lots of homework
3.0
5.0
DIGIPRO
Grade: B
Sep 28, 2024
Would take again

Nice person, but has an unfortunate gift for making simple topics difficult. Will try to help with specific issues if you ask, but problems are sometimes specific to your machine in these courses. Also, the content is just hard in and of itself. Lots of math in the Digital Processing option.

Lots of homework
Caring
Graded by few things
2.0
3.0
2525
Grade: B-
Dec 14, 2024

Managed to scare everyone away from Java and OOP, then proceeded to call us names in the school's reddit.Poor, condescending tone, carries out an awful pace with HORRIBLY prepared code. None of the code truly builds and everyone is left with more questions than answers after a lecture. Claims to prepare hard exams but I passed them intoxicated.

Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

42%

Textbook Required

33%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

80% confidence
Based on 10 grades
Most common grades:
A (5)
Not sure yet (3)
B- (2)
Grade Distribution
A(6)B(3)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(0)
Based on 14 reported grades
A: 5
Not sure yet: 3
B-: 2
Rather not say: 1
Common Tags
Lots of homework (5)
Tough grader (3)
Graded by few things (3)
Hilarious (3)
Caring (3)
Get ready to read (2)
Test heavy (2)
Lecture heavy (2)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.36 avg change
Sep
Nov
Dec
Jan
Sep
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

COMP1711

5.0

(1)

COMP

4.0

(1)

COMP2526

3.9

(9)

COMP3931

3.1

(9)

OPTIONHEA

3.0

(1)
+27 more courses
Difficulty by Course

1525

5.0

3931

5.0

COMP3512

5.0

ALL

5.0

COMPWHATE

5.0

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