2.8

Robert Atkinson

Information Science - Arizona State University

2.8
Quality
2.6
Difficulty
45%
Would Retake
108
Reviews
2.8
Quality
2.6
Difficulty
2.7
Helpful
2.8
Clarity

45%

Would Retake

108

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

28

4

16

3

12

2

9

1

43

What Students Say

Topics were common sense material

CSE463 - 1.0 rating

I would avoid this professor

CSE463 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

62%

Textbook Required

7%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 63 grades
Most common grades:
A (35)
Not sure yet (14)
A+ (12)
Grade Distribution
A(47)B(4)C(1)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(11)
Based on 80 reported grades
A: 35
Not sure yet: 14
A+: 12
A-: 7
Common Tags
Group projects (38)
Lecture heavy (22)
Participation matters (18)
Graded by few things (18)
Caring (12)
Test heavy (11)
Lots of homework (10)
Skip class? You won't pass. (9)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.61 avg change
Feb
May
Jun
Jul
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CPI462

5.0

(1)

CSE100

5.0

(2)

EDT501

4.0

(3)

FSE394

4.0

(1)

cse475

4.0

(3)
+8 more courses
Difficulty by Course

EDP554

4.0

EDT503

3.3

EDT501

3.0

CSE463

2.9

CPI350

2.9

Reviews (108)
5.0
1.0
CPI101
Nov 20, 2011

Dr. Atkinson is a very organized and well spoken professor. His introduction to Informatics class gave me a clear understanding of Informatics. Dr. Atkinson is known throughout ASU and Corporate businesses like Pearson who have relied on Dr. Atkinson, successfully, for projects in the scope of Informatics. Not just a professor but also a role model

3.0
4.0
EDT503
Dec 7, 2011

Late feedback at best (several months+), no feedback or grade much more common. No participation in online discussion at all. Very interesting researcher, I'm sure he does care, but he is probably very overworked.

4.0
2.0
EDT503
Dec 8, 2011

Great class! Learned a lot! Clear lectures and organization. I highly recommend this class with Professor Atkinson.

4.0
3.0
EDT501
Dec 8, 2011

Dr. Atkinson is an extremely hard worker and known for what he accomplishes in his field. He might be slow at grading and returning work but that is because this extra class was given to him at the last minute. Thanks for a wonderful semester and I learned a lot in his class.

4.0
4.0
EDT503
Dec 10, 2011

ALOT of work with no feedback whatsoever but at least he's fairly organized compared to others. Should cut down the assignements if he can't grade and return them.

5.0
1.0
ASU101
Nov 13, 2013

BEST TEACHER IN THE WORLD!!!!!! HE BROUGHT DOUGHNUTS TO CLASS!!!!!!! WE GOT TO PLAY WITH STUFF!!!!!!! AND THINGS!!!!!!1!!!!11!!!!!11!!!11!!!1!!!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!11!!!!1

4.0
2.0
ASU101
Grade: A
Nov 24, 2013

Ok, I took this class for ASU 101. He is a cool guy, got to try out Google Glass, he brought us doughnuts and he was a generally nice guy. Class is mandatory 9am, which sucked, but other than that, it's a discussion class about technology with minimal work.

4.0
1.0
ASU101
Grade: A
Dec 19, 2013

very easy class nice professor. its a class with very little easy pointless work. attendance is mandatory. its mostly in class discusions about interesting things. take him hes interesting nice and cool he bought us dounghts. easy A if your a good student

5.0
1.0
ASU101
Jan 16, 2014

He is definitely on of the most interesting professors. if your taking this course i recommend that you take it with him.

4.0
1.0
CPI101
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 12, 2014

He is a great contributor to his field, but with our own class, he slacked a bit. It's not that he didn't care, but he seemed far too busy to actually run the class. Was absent from his own class a lot and took a month or more to grade assignments, which was frustrating. Lectures were great. Worth taking just for the opportunities you might get.

4.0
3.0
EDT501
Jan 21, 2015

Prof Atkinson is basically a cool guy. He's fun to listen to and clearly loves his field. I enjoyed his class. At times, the content was dry and a little boring but he's a good guy. I look forward to taking something from him again.

5.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: A+
Mar 17, 2016

Prof Atkinson is a knowledgeable guy in his field. He is an excellent professor. He tries to include as much practical examples as he can. His class has really fun activities and he tries his best to make lectures interactive. His TA is hard working and impressive in his work too. Highly recommend

2.0
4.0
EDP554
May 2, 2016

I wish I could have waited and taken this class in the fall with another professor. Dr. Atkinson is a good guy but not a very effective teacher. It was hard to get motivated in his class.

5.0
1.0
CSE463
May 10, 2016

Great Professor and actually teaches unlike some of the other professors in 340 and 355. He provides real world examples that facilitated the lecture material. No final, cares about students and answers questions.

5.0
2.0
CSE463
Grade: A+
Jul 12, 2016
Would take again

Prof. Atkinson is amazing. You should attend his lectures since he has several in-class activities (Easy) and sometimes announces quizzes. There is a midterm which is theory-oriented but the final project is fun to do. I learnt a lot of new stuff, added some skills to my repertoire and finally got a good grade. The perfect course.

4.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A-
Aug 12, 2016
Would take again

He teaches pretty well. He is also pretty lenient with grading. His assignments are decent. Projects are also good and easy. He kept only one exam which was a little difficult. Otherwise great prof. iF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DESIGN, take the course. Else it may be boring.

3.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Aug 18, 2016
Wouldn't take again

This course was a pain, the assignments were subjective most of the time and the grading was not consistent, it seemed harsh at times, this is probably due to a disconnect between the Professor and the TAs. The midterm was a pain to study for, the study guide did not cover more than 30% of the questions, and designing websites is very tedious.

Tough Grader
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Aug 19, 2016
Would take again

Great prof. A nice guy and pretty funny. He had tons of really good examples to illustrate points. His lectures were always engaging and interesting. I learned a lot from this class. My only critique would be that the work load went from low to VERY HIGH towards the very end of the semester since we didn't get the final project until very late.

LOTS OF HOMEWORK
Caring
LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
3.0
EDT501
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 30, 2016
Would take again

Not receptive to e-mails but in class great instructor.

Participation matters
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
1.0
CSE463
May 4, 2017
Would take again

Great professor. He simply helps you to understand the materials without crazy tests and exams. There is a lot of work for this class, but its fun. We had one midterm, and one project instead of the final exam which can be a big plus if you get your project done earlier and focus on other finals. TAs were good too.

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Hilarious
4.0
1.0
CSE463
Grade: A+
May 9, 2017
Would take again

Class was fine overall. The material is boring, but at least the teacher is very enthusiastic about the content. Assignments, exams, and project is easy. It would have been nice if the teacher was more articulate about requirements for the final project in advance instead of adding tasks near the deadline.

5.0
1.0
CSE463
Grade: A+
May 9, 2017
Would take again

Atkinson is a very passionate lecturer and he is interactive. He graded very leniently on the midterm and the final project. There is a very light work load throughout the semester until the final projectthere's a lot to do but if you don't wait until the last minute you'll be fine.

Participation matters
2.0
1.0
FSE201
May 12, 2017
Would take again

This class is completely irrelevant to being a UGTA but at least it was easy. There's almost zero time commitment.

Gives good feedback
4.0
1.0
FSE394
Dec 9, 2017
Would take again

This course has drastically improved since previous semesters, and Atkinson is working hard to make the UGTA program the best that it can be. I really appreciate him as a professor.

Caring
5.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
May 3, 2018
Would take again

This was my favorite 400 level CSE class . The reason is because there's no programming in it. You use Axure to make prototype websites for all the projects. I enjoyed the professor and the class material. There's class group activities are just short quizzes, writing assignments, exams, projects, and a final project. He dropped the lowest exam.

Gives good feedback
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES
Caring
5.0
1.0
CSE463
Grade: A
May 15, 2018
Would take again

Interesting course: the guy is great at keeping your attention. You can definitely tell he gives presentations for a living. The class is super easy, to boot. I personally felt like most of the covered topics were common sense, so I can't say I got much out of it -- but it was interesting and very, very easy. A good class to raise your GPA.

Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
3.0
2.0
CPI101
Grade: A
Dec 3, 2018
Would take again

Generally easy class, full of lectures & presentations. Attend lectures though as he occasionally makes you turn in class activities for points. Topics are interesting and exams are easy with all short-answers from the lectures/presentations he puts online. Only complaint is doing full essays for only 5pts but he gives you month and grades easy.

Get ready to read
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
3.0
CPI101
Grade: A-
Feb 19, 2019
Would take again

Atkinson was a bit of a strange first professor to have. During last semester he had an injury so would often come into class late or not show up at all. On occasion when he wasn't there, the TA would teach or someone from his department. He was more focused on research than teaching. 1 presentation in front of the class, lectures every day.

Participation matters
Lecture heavy
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Mar 16, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Topics were common sense material. Lecture attendance is a grade. Many lectures were just guest speakers with him absent. Had weekly assignments that were tedious and glorified busywork. Midterm was entirely free response that required specific memorization. Grades/project phase feedback all came back later than promised. I learned nothing useful.

Lots of homework
Group projects
Beware of pop quizzes
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: C
Mar 27, 2019
Wouldn't take again

This class was alright until Professor Atkinson stopped showing up. He left for 5 weeks and left everyone in the dark about it. The class was then run by his TA, Vishnu, who power trips in his emails and created a ridiculous midterm. I would avoid this professor.

Lots of homework
Group projects
Beware of pop quizzes
1.0
5.0
CPI350
Mar 27, 2019
Wouldn't take again

It's been a month since he's shown up to class, if that describes anything about this professor. His lectures and assignments seem to be very vague, he has very few assignments, and doesn't seem to put much effort into pushing things out on time, whether they be grades or necessary resources. It sucks he's the only option for CPI 350 + CSE 463.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
CPI350
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Apr 25, 2019
Wouldn't take again

He has the audacity to grade attendance when he leaves without any notice for over a month. He never pushes anything useful on time, has very few assignments (that are oh so very vague), useless lectures that don't prepare for exams, and open exams that are too vague to answer. Easily one of the worst professors I've had to date.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Graded by few things
1.0
1.0
CSE463
Apr 25, 2019
Wouldn't take again

This class was very frustrating. Lectures were all over the place. All of the homework was busy, boring work. Tests were extremely specific. Professor left for a month without telling us. Never have I hated a class so much. Please avoid.

1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 26, 2019
Wouldn't take again

I've never felt the need to leave a review on this site until having him. Time consuming busy work every week, a group project with randomly changing requirements, and on top of that he left for a month of class in the middle of the semester. Wasn't at his office hours, and had a class average of 50% on the midterm. Easily the worst class I've had.

Participation matters
Group projects
Tough grader
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 26, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Exams were written by TA and full of vague q's and grammar mistakes. We were given no feedback on course project until the very end. Homework was tedious and didn't teach anything. Attendance is mandatory for some reason. The professor was gone for 5 weeks in the middle of the semester and never even mentioned it. TA and guest lectures were boring.

1.0
5.0
CPI350
Grade: Rather not say
Apr 27, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Atkinson in a nutshell: disappears for five weeks without notifying class, announces a final with no studying materials two days before the date (syllabus has no mention of the date), doesn't attend his own office hours, is all bark and no bite, and only cares about his research. Oh yeah, and the midterm average was below passing. Not worth taking.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
Graded by few things
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: B
Apr 30, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Atkinson unexpectedly left for 5 weeks, and we were all left hanging for the midterm. Don't expect to gain a whole lot from taking this class. The tests consist of writing out all of the powerpoints in fine print on your cheat sheet because questions are overly specific and not based on anything you do in homeworks and projects. Overall a bad prof.

1.0
4.0
CSE463
May 5, 2019
Wouldn't take again

This man leaves for 5 weeks without telling anyone, and then has the nerve to grade us on attendance. He pushes no useful content, and homework is intended just to keep us busy. Let's not forget his exams are incredibly vague, and all free response with little to no partial credit. Atkinson is an insult to higher education. Avoid like the plague

Skip class? You won't pass.
Tough grader
1.0
3.0
CSE463
May 5, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Apparently he decided that it was okay to up and leave for an entire month without notifying students, and still had the nerve to dock points based on attendance. Classes were run by his TA and a guest lecturer in his absence. Things do not get graded promptly and exams are both vague and unnecessarily difficult. Avoid.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Group projects
1.0
3.0
CSE463
May 6, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Atkinson is more focused on his research than teaching. The tests were basically "did you memorize this random slide from lecture" and the homework taught absolutely nothing of value. The grade for the final project went in before the phase 1 grade, so we were never given any feedback. Not a great semester for this course.

2.0
3.0
CSE463
May 6, 2019
Would take again

I'm more lenient than others here because I found him to be a great lecturer. He clearly cares about the material and makes things interesting--when he's present. Guest lectures were unbearable. I got a good midterm grade but that's because I used rote memorization, not critical understanding. A rough semester for a prof I heard great things about.

Participation matters
Group projects
Amazing lectures
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: B+
May 8, 2019
Wouldn't take again

As stated by others, no respect for students or their tuition money. Leaves without notice and acts like it's nothing. Any time questions are asked he immediately just points us to his power-tripping TA. The exams were a mess with unclear questions and low test averages even after a curve.

Lots of homework
Test heavy
Group projects
3.0
2.0
CPI350
Grade: A
May 8, 2019
Would take again

Interesting professor, I had him in 2 classes. He just got review bombed because people were upset that he left for a month in the middle of the semester, which is understandable. But it was still an easy class, and I bet most of the people that were complaining about his electives got A's and B's. He's not that bad but he had a rough semester.

Test heavy
Group projects
Hilarious
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 17, 2019
Wouldn't take again

This class shouldn't be called a "CSE" class. The concepts are more related to psychology and design rather than computer science and there is no coding. Atkinson is a professor in psychology NOT COMPUTER SCIENCE. Exams are extremely vague with open questions. Attendance is taken via pop-up quiz but he doesn't come to class even when exam. Avoid!

Test heavy
Group projects
Beware of pop quizzes
1.0
1.0
ASU101
Dec 15, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Did not grade a single assignment. Every class was a boring lecture.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
4.0
3.0
CPI350
Grade: A-
Jan 9, 2020
Would take again

Man, you guys put him on blast for his 5 wk absence spring 2019. I had him fall 2019 and he briefly explained he's been having serious health problems. He didn't want to say too much, but he mentioned it was heart related. This doesn't excuse him, but he has so much passion for UX design in tech. He's so excited to teach every lecture. My 2 cents.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Inspirational
Caring
5.0
1.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Jan 13, 2020
Wouldn't take again

His lectures are very interactive. Relates every concept to either his research or current industry applications. Assignments can be brute work. Exams are a bit lengthy for the given time. Project deadlines are pretty evenly spaced. TA is knowledgeable and grading was easy

Group projects
Beware of pop quizzes
Caring
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 3, 2020
Wouldn't take again

I had no choice but to take his class. His provides no study guides, no exam materials to prepare for exams. Very lazy. If you're an Informatics major you're basically stuck with him for CPI350 and CSE463.

Group projects
Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: Incomplete
Apr 1, 2020
Would take again

Respect the professor who cares about his students' health more than grade during the quarantine.

Respected
Get ready to read
Group projects
5.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 1, 2020
Would take again

Professor cares about students and helps them through a tough time!!!

Gives good feedback
Respected
2.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Apr 2, 2020
Wouldn't take again

He's a good lecturer but never answers emails or questions and is a bit flaky.

3.0
2.0
CSE463
Grade: A
May 20, 2020
Would take again

Attendance mandatory via in class group quizzes. Drones w/ ppt slides open to discussion and often asks for it. Midterms on 100's of ppt slides but its common sense. applying things you learned in questions. Group project not hard but is very annoying to do, pick members. Not actual coding use Axure and fill out docs. Easy A but @ cost of tedious.

Group projects
Beware of pop quizzes
5.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A+
Jul 1, 2020
Would take again

I really like Dr. Atkinson's class, He combined theory/concepts with real world examples; and homework were very practical. Importantly, he has a lot of passion and energy, and he also care about his students, and very engaging with us in class. skip his lecture would be hard to understand and answer exam questions.

Accessible outside class
Participation matters
Amazing lectures
5.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Jul 1, 2020
Would take again

I took CSE463 in Spring'20 under Prof. Atkinson. Lectures were highly interactive and interesting. The assignments, exams, and the course project - helped me a lot in understanding the concepts so well. Reading assignments were very helpful too. I highly appreciate his thoughtfulness, empathy and care towards his students during the pandemic.

Participation matters
Inspirational
Group projects
1.0
4.0
CSE463
Aug 1, 2020
Wouldn't take again

He never answers emails or questions and is lazy. He is unsure what the assignment guidelines are. Redirects all questions to his TAs. The exams are rote memorization, not based on understanding. Lectures are heavy, dry, and boring. Easily one of the worst professors I've had to date. Tools for the project are outdated and hard to work with.

Lots of homework
Beware of pop quizzes
Lecture heavy
4.0
3.0
CSE180
Grade: A
Aug 4, 2020
Would take again

Most assignments are done with a computer program and they could be hit or miss on proper grading and glitches in the middle of an assignment. Nothing very difficult and would recommend for any computer science requirement.

1.0
1.0
CSE180
Aug 7, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Only showed up to make announcements about TikTok or ask if he's an OK professor. Project instructions confusing and wrong dates because he stole other non-English Prof's materials because he is too lazy to make own. Cannot fail if you utilize multiple attempts on labs and get extra credit. Nothing proctored, either. Easily receive over 100%!!!!

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
EXTRA CREDIT
1.0
1.0
CSE180
Grade: A
Aug 12, 2020
Would take again

Challenging course but not difficult at all. You just have to read the assignments well to make sure you aren't missing anything. 6wk class so everything happened quickly. Don't even think of emailing him, just email the TA's they're the ones that answer all the question. There are bonus quizzes but I never took them.

Lots of homework
EXTRA CREDIT
2.0
1.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Apr 6, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Professor Atkinson is a really caring and cool guy but he misses class quite a bit for a teacher and seems sick often. He says he is getting assignments out but sometimes doesn't do so. The content of the course isn't that hard but it is difficult to see where you are in the class because he is slow at grading.

Participation matters
Group projects
Hilarious
2.0
2.0
CPI350
Grade: A
Apr 6, 2021
Wouldn't take again

For 350 there are very few assignments and has said he was going to post an assignment for 3 weeks and never did so. Three months into the semester there were only 2 things graded and 1 midterm not graded yet. He missed class a lot and ended it early often. Seemed sick most of the semester and was hard to reach outside of class. Nice guy though!

Participation matters
Graded by few things
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Apr 12, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The class was paced horribly with a large group project given to us with only a month to do it, class material is handed out behind schedule, grading takes months to do and it's extremely hard to get ahold of him outside of class. Really the only saving grace is he's a fantastic human being, an understanding individual and an easy grader.

Participation matters
Group projects
Amazing lectures
1.0
2.0
CPI350
Grade: A+
Apr 15, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Missed 3.5 weeks worth of lecture. Should not be teaching if he is as sick as he claims. Schedules doctor's appointments DURING class. Gives no clear instructions. Currently trying to compensate for doing no assignments all semester by piling them on in last 2 weeks. I got really sick and no extensions, yet he is always sick and missing class.

Graded by few things
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
1.0
2.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Apr 18, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Constantly missed class or complained about how sick he was. Assignments took forever to be graded. Gave a take home exam to which he claimed was simple but it took about 5-8 hours to fully complete. Sent him an email 3 weeks ago and received no response. Sent 2 follow up e-mails AND reminded him in class. Still haven't received a response.

Group projects
Caring
3.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
May 7, 2021
Would take again

Prof. Atkinson is a solid guy. I found his lectures interesting and engaging. He could be a little hard to reach out of class, but he's said he's been dealing with health issues, so I gotta cut him some slack. CSE 463 itself isn't the most exciting class I've taken, but it's a good 4xx tech elective if you're a CS major

Graded by few things
Group projects
Lecture heavy
3.0
2.0
CPI350
Grade: A
Aug 16, 2021
Would take again

pretty good tech elective if u cant take FSE301 bc of internship credit. it might be annoying in person but its going to be relatively easy no matter what, tedious at best. exams are reasonable off ppts and googling if online. lecture is dry, if ur interested he will answer questions but otherwise boring. not fun but low effort A/B is all i can ask

Clear grading criteria
Lecture heavy
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Nov 8, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Worst CS professor at ASU, not due to lectures, but due to: - Completely Inaccessible by email (never replied even after repeated messages). - Slowest grader I've ever had. - Terribly written tests. - Poorly enforced rules for exams (90-min take home with too many questions, so many students cheated. Those who followed rules did poorly anyway).

1.0
2.0
CSE463
Grade: B
Nov 19, 2021
Wouldn't take again

His exam took me 8 hrs to complete. He only cares about his research. Easy A/B, bad prof HORRIBLE AT ANSWERING EMAILS, NO OFFICE HOURS, NO TA's, HW IS GLORIFIED BUSY WORK, ONLY CARES ABOUT RESEARCH, FLAGGED FOR ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND HE FAILED TO SEE ITS BECAUSE WE ALL USED SAME TEMPLATE, DISAPPEARED WITH NO ANSWER TO EMAILS

1.0
2.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 29, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Atkinson decided to announce that the final exam will be in two days, while at the same time changing the format of the exam. The format went from an online take-home exam to an in-person, one sheet of paper while a new Covid Variant is spreading. The exam will also be a week before finals week. Don't take him, unresponsive and misses class.

Test heavy
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
CPI350
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 2, 2021
Wouldn't take again

As the others say, professor cannot be reached at all by email. He's missed multiple classes, changed the format of the final last minute, and course content for the second half of the class is just based off slides made by someone else. Not very accommodating for students attending online or relying off of lecture recordings.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 14, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Utterly awful. Worst CS prof I've had. Impossible to reach by email. Cancels class with little to no warning and often. Changed midterm format with no warning 30 min AFTER exam should have been posted. CHANGED FINAL FROM TAKE HOME TO IN-PERSON 90 MIN 2 DAYS BEFORE! Homework is worthless busywork. If you don't hate yourself and your sanity, AVOID!!!

Group projects
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Unprofessional, unprepared, impossible to get a hold of, late to do literally everything. Final grades were due and he still hasn't even finished grading assignments from 2 months ago. Not just me, an entire class discord of people all in the same boat. Gives no notice of events to prepare (literally announced the final exam date two day prior).

Graded by few things
Group projects
1.0
2.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 14, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Hasnt graded anything in a month grades were due at ASU and he didnt report them. Easy class terrible teacher.

Graded by few things
Group projects
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Dec 14, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Terrible professor who takes literally months to grade assignments. Didn't know our grades halfway through the semester and he hadn't posted grades to myASU until after grades were due. He missed roughly 30-40% of lectures with different reasons for cancelling. The material taught in class is barely half interesting if you manage to stay awake.

5.0
1.0
CPI350
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2021
Would take again

easy A. class is like IEE 380 applied so not hard material, but you have to attend class in order to fully grasp exams. does not announce or remind about homeworks, exams, or projects, so you need to come to class. one of the nicest professors i've had.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Graded by few things
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Dec 17, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Dont. Take. This. Class. YOU ARE WARNED! Professor blamed the whole class for a few students cheating. Doesn't respond to email or care to do anything he says he will do. Punishes students for typos on assignment rubrics. Punishes students for learning via zoom when he gives that option. Unrealistically long exams for the amount of time you have.

Participation matters
Graded by few things
Group projects
5.0
1.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Jan 24, 2022
Would take again

took this class fall 21 and wrote a good review abt prof and bitter students reported it and got it taken down, class was perfectly fine and prof had no problems. disregard the negative reviews, theyre overreacting. the class was easy if you paid attention, just like any other class

Skip class? You won't pass.
Graded by few things
Group projects
1.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: A-
Apr 28, 2022

I took this class after reading about what a great professor he is. Be warned. I don't think I have ever been in a more boring class. I found it impossible to pay attention. He goes off on tangents bragging about work he's done. He says a lot without ever teaching. Your grade is determined by about 5 assignments. Don't listen to good reviews.

Group projects
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Apr 29, 2022

The class wasn't hard but it was just a bad experience overall. The professor spends most of each lecture bragging about the companies he's worked with and the lectures are very boring. He decided to not give us cheat sheets for exams because people cheated last semester. No test reviews, no study guides, no hints. No leniency on anything at all.

Group projects
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
1.0
CPI350
Sep 28, 2022

Just stop showing up to class out of blue. Avoid at all cost if you actually wanna learn

1.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 2, 2022

The biggest concern was the improper expectations he set for the excessively heavy-weighted exams. The information taught is not complicated. The difficulty is that students are expected to perfectly memorize dense lecture material and recite verbatim. Very odd format for someone who claims to understand learning theory.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
3.0
2.0
CPI101
Grade: B
Dec 3, 2022

Interesting class but felt like lectures got off topic sometimes. Essays were easy but worth only 5 points. Two big free response exams that are based off lectures, so it's hard to make a study guide; make sure you attend all lectures and take really good notes. Lectures were also recorded on zoom if you can't make it to class, which is nice.

Participation matters
Group projects
Lecture heavy
4.0
3.0
CPI350
Grade: A-
Dec 7, 2022
Would take again

I honestly don't think Dr. Atkinson is fairly rated. He did miss class more often than other professors but always for valid reasons. He really likes what he teaches which makes it more interesting to learn about. He is very easy to talk to and is very reasonable. One thing I would say he can work on is providing exam material.

Group projects
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
4.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Dec 13, 2022

The classes are lecture-heavy. He'll explain the slides in-depth, citing examples from his industrial experiences, along with bringing certain latest technologies relevant to the theory. The assignments (30%) are interesting and mostly design-based. The group project (20%) is heavy. The 2 exams (25% each) cover mostly everything from the slides.

Group projects
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Dec 15, 2022

Wanted to love this class. Ended up disregarding it. The professor spends most of each lecture bragging about the companies he's worked with along with random tangents. He emphasized early on how professors need to be better at getting material across to students. Then he proceeds to teach the entire class material through outdated powerpoints.

Lecture heavy
Test heavy
4.0
3.0
CPI350
Grade: A
Feb 21, 2023
Would take again

Professor Atkinson is one of the best professors I've had in my four years at ASU. He does go on tangents regularly in lectures, but they are always related to the course material. He really does care for all of his students and is always responsive communications. Close-minded people get annoyed with him due to some of the conversations in class

Participation matters
Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
CSE463
Grade: B+
Apr 25, 2023

Spent most lectures complaining about chat gpt. Then expects you to memorize everything for the lectures with absolutely no notes on free response exam questions.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Graded by few things
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Jun 23, 2023

Extremely disorganized. Homework/group project is easy. His tests want you to memorize 500+ slides with no notes allowed. Curved heavily. Lecture videos were recordings of him talking to an in-person class.

Group projects
Test heavy
5.0
2.0
CPI350
Grade: A-
Jun 30, 2023
Would take again

Professor Atkinson was one of the best professors I've ever had, he gets a bad rep on this site because of some health problems in the past. For my class (Spring2023) he missed a couple of classes due to surgery but would hold remote classes. The workload was average and he was extremely passionate about the subject. Very enjoyable, would take agn.

Participation matters
Inspirational
Accessible outside class
1.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: B+
Aug 16, 2023

Lectures are a lot of waffling, with tidbits of information here and there. Two exams with open ended questions, you MUST memorize 500+ slides in addition to anything he waffled about in the lectures, and you must understand it like you have a degree in the material. Not worth taking.

Group projects
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
CPI101
Grade: B
Dec 11, 2023

Just take it with Hansford.

3.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Dec 18, 2023
Would take again

Atkinson enjoys what he teaches and the concepts are interesting since it combines ideas from psychology or ethics and applies them to CS and UI/UX. However, the tests are free response and no cheat sheet to memorize any concept he might ask about from previous lectures. There is a bit of favoritism, but just participate a lot so he knows your face

Group projects
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
2.0
CPI462
Grade: A
Jan 31, 2024
Would take again

He loves teaching and he cares about each student in his class personally. The guy is noble. So if you truly care about learning and getting something out of a course, I would recommend taking his class.

Participation matters
Group projects
Inspirational
5.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A-
Apr 25, 2024
Would take again

Favorite professor I've had at ASU. Kindest guy you'll ever meet, makes lectures light-hearted and engaging, though the group project can be tedious at points.

Group projects
Amazing lectures
Caring
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Oct 15, 2024

Good guy, TERRIBLE teacher. Lectures are completely unrelated from the class material. 800 slides to review before the midterm. He spends the whole class discussing about random topics and always ends up on tangents. Lecture summary: this UI su***, the study of a walking stick and reward systems. Would not recommend.

So many papers
Caring
1.0
3.0
CSE463
Oct 15, 2024

UX class, but the user experience? Brutal. 500+ ancient slides—I'm forgetting it all by the end of this sentence.

1.0
5.0
CSE463
Grade: A
Dec 4, 2024

The class is completely GPT-generated, and even his TAs admit that he GPTs all the coursework. Lectures are boring and totally unrelated to the material; the professor goes on random tangents and leaves class whenever he wants. The TA provided a completely misleading study guide THE DAY BEFORE THE EXAM because the professor forgot to publish it.

Get ready to read
Group projects
So many papers
2.0
2.0
cse475
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 7, 2024

He is a really nice guy but this course seemed to be a mess. Lecture slides were extremely long and his published slides seemed to be all over the place. You can tell he uses chatgpt a lot and as a student it was really discouraging and killed a lot of the excitement and motivation I had for the course.

Hilarious
Caring
Lecture heavy
5.0
2.0
cse475
Grade: A+
Dec 7, 2024
Would take again

Atkinson teaches to help you develop an intuition for understanding these systems and prepare you for the future that is coming. If you actually want to learn in this class, it is easy and fun. The workload is light if you don't procrastinate. Exams are heavy weighted at 50% for 2 midterms, but they are free-response industry situational questions

Caring
Graded by few things
Online Savvy
5.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A+
Dec 11, 2024
Would take again

The course is fun and the prof is engaging. There are a lot of graded components like in class activities, Canvas discussions, group projects, and theory exams. The class isn't difficult, just requires effort to complete everything. Professor Atkinson is really caring and has a very accommodating mental health policy.

Group projects
Lots of homework
Caring
5.0
1.0
CPI101
Grade: A+
Dec 12, 2024
Would take again

I don't know why people talk so badly about him. Prof. Atkinson is super chill, accommodates regarding mental health, and makes the class super easy. I took him for CSE301 and CPI101 and plan on taking him for two more classes. Only two tests are short responses but focusing on knowing the material and not small details. He is my favorite prof!

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Caring
2.0
1.0
ASU101
Grade: A+
Dec 12, 2024
Would take again

I'd take him again only for ASU101 though. He's disorganized, but for a class like ASU101, it's definitely an easy A with him. Just do all the homework assignments and go to every class, and you're solid. He does tell you to put your phones and laptops away during his lectures though, so that's 50 minutes of zoning out while he's talking.

Participation matters
Lots of homework
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
cse475
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2024
Would take again

Inspirational professor who taught during life-changing surgery. His lectures are very informative, and he often lectures on how the concepts he teaches are used in industry. Tests are free response, so you have to know the content. If you do the homework and stay engaged in class, you'll develop an intuition for the concepts covered in class.

Group projects
Amazing lectures
Inspirational
3.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: B+
Feb 19, 2025

The professor is engaging and passionate, but the class can be challenging with open-ended exams covering a ton of material. Staying on top of the lectures and using tools like unstuck study for study prep are key.

3.0
3.0
CSE463
Grade: A
May 23, 2025
Would take again

You can tell that he is really passionate about this sort of stuff, but for the rest of us, ehh, not so much. Assignments and the final project are a little annoying though because some of the grader's feedback don't make sense.Tests are pretty normal, as long as you yap enough on them you should be fine. Just another easy CS elective.

Group projects
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
CSE463
Grade: Not sure yet
Jun 4, 2025

Rudely wouldn't accommodate my wrist injury for taking notes on a computer instead of hand-writing. He's passionate but goes on tangents a LOT, end result is the course feels more like psychology than computer science. Course is far too dense for an elective, lectures are hours and hours long. He also plugs his personal LinkedIn posts.

5.0
1.0
CSE100
Grade: A+
Jul 2, 2025
Would take again

This class is very easy and gives you the basic concept of CSE 100. There is a lot of homework and code, however it is very helpful with the exams. The exams are more of making sure you comprehend the stuff that is being taught and give an opportunity for a lot of points, no yes or no answers. Final project, but it is simple. Group Work too.

Group projects
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
5.0
1.0
CPI101
Grade: A
Nov 24, 2025
Would take again

Super free class. Good teaching. Easy assignments. Attendence needed since group work needs to be in person. Very kind flexible. Would take again this is not a class you have to worry about at all.

EXTRA CREDIT
Group projects
Amazing lectures
5.0
1.0
CSE100
Grade: A+
Dec 1, 2025
Would take again

Excellent professor that communicated quickly and extended deadlines when canvas was down. Lots of coding assignments but manageable if you watch the lectures and learn. Midterm and final were individual projects, which I liked. Has a very thoughtful mental health policy. Would definitely recommend taking this professor for online coding classes.

Clear grading criteria
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

62%

Textbook Required

7%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 63 grades
Most common grades:
A (35)
Not sure yet (14)
A+ (12)
Grade Distribution
A(47)B(4)C(1)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(11)
Based on 80 reported grades
A: 35
Not sure yet: 14
A+: 12
A-: 7
Common Tags
Group projects (38)
Lecture heavy (22)
Participation matters (18)
Graded by few things (18)
Caring (12)
Test heavy (11)
Lots of homework (10)
Skip class? You won't pass. (9)
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Ratings by Course

CPI462

5.0

(1)

CSE100

5.0

(2)

EDT501

4.0

(3)

FSE394

4.0

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cse475

4.0

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EDP554

4.0

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3.3

EDT501

3.0

CSE463

2.9

CPI350

2.9

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