Initial homework assigned gets an instant F if code is written outside the TODO comments. The TODOs are used for grading, and you get nothing back. No standard formatting; professor formats it however he likes even though he has a clang-format file.

This professor is horrible!!! First off you have to download tuffix or linux to even run his specific "buildsh file. If you can't access a machine that does you will not be able to compile and turn in an assignment and he will give you a zero. Not to mention even if you get it to compile on your machine if it doesn't compile on his it's also a 0.

Bettens will give you a 0 if your program does not compile or has any errors. He does not grade based on the completion of your projects. It either works or does not. He is very picky with attendance. Only 3 absences allowed. Automated program regressions tests do not mean your code will receive a 100%. Also accuses students of academic dishonesty.

Although most students will pass his class, (extra credit). You're basically on you're own for the large homework assignments. I've never been so depressed until I took this class, then I realized that it does eventually get worse. Don't show up late, he will always have something to say. Passed the class with a good grade, but at what cost? 3/10

Upon attending this class, we all knew it would be a weeder class. But that is an understatement by my experience thus far. He is a repeat offender of accusing numerous students of academic dishonesty with no evidence through Gradescope's flawed cheat detection system. Each accusation warrants an F for the project and a possible notice to the Dean.

Bettens accuses students of cheating for no reason. He is extremely harsh and strict with grading. His system for homework assignments is horrible and makes no sense. Overall, I would only recommend if you are willing to treat this class like a full-time obligation. The final exam was a project that took well over 12 hours.

I only writing this review to give everyone a heads up, prepare for this professor to be the center of your universe. I am surprised that the reviews here are showing good despite this not being the truth. This course is very difficult and the professor does not make it any easier. In short if you wish to take this course prepare to tolerate.

He is so strict on deadlines and being in class that he kicked a person out for being 20 minutes late to class. Additionally, the first assignment he gives is so hard that everyone and I mean everyone is doing the assignment until the last moment. Just forget all the high ratings on this teacher and only believe the low ones.

avoid this professor at all costs. please. everyone who gave good reviews was bribed to lie straight to your face because this professor is incredibly unreasonable and harsh. DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR

I'm not sure how he got his positive ratings, but he's incredibly unreasonable and harsh in terms of grading. The majority of your grade comes from homework, where he would accuse students of cheating with little to no proof. He enforces mandatory attendance that tracks your location to ensure that you're in class. I would avoid taking this prof.

If you are not already confident in C++, and I mean CONFIDENT, avoid this professor. He is great at lecturing, he knows a lot, but his homework is out of this world. Unbelievably time consuming, and the last 2 homework assignments, he hides your score, so even if you are passing and compiling with no issues, you could still get a 0.

I passed the previous 2 courses with an A+ and would consider myself proficient in C++ before taking this class, and it was a terrible experience. I don't think I have gotten a bad professor here except him; he basically teaches you the surface-level idea of what needs to be done nothing else.

So currently, I have a C+, and to be honest, even though I am passing this class, it wasn't worth the effort; his teaching style isn't great, and his homework assignments are graded insanely hard. Not only will he give you zero on segments, but he will deduct points. Try to take another professor if you can.

does not have compassionate towards students who are actually struggling with the material, waste of time.

Awful. Just awful. My interest in CS went from great to discouraging. Gradescope grades the homework which is harshly graded. Easily calls you out on cheating if something's similar. He doesn't care about struggling students. He's never wrong, always right. Has to give out extra credit because of all the students failing his class.

This professor is just really bad I might even say the worst professor I've had of all time, before this class I had a passion for cs and after his class i don't know if i want to continue to be honest, he is just extremely terrible. I will continue to pursue cs on my own accord. Some professor just shouldn't be hired he is one of them.

Avoid at all costs. Insanely harsh grading along with really difficult homework.

Professor Bettens is probably the worst CS professor I've ever had. He has insanely difficult homework assignments, a horrible grading system, and he shows no compassion towards his students. I've gotten A's in all my previous CS classes and now I'm unsure if I will pass this class. Avoid him at all costs.

If you want the harshest grader in the world who doesn't teach much, Thomas Bettens is the professor for you! Be prepared to make entirely correct code that compiles and passes unit tests in the terminal, then have his grading system on Gradescope give you negative points because of trivial things like wrong include orders.

He clearly has a passion but is one of the worst professors I've gotten by far, try to avoid him at all cost, he grades extremely harshly while not offering you any help, he teaches the surface-level ideas but once you start to go into depth goodluck.

This is coming from someone who got an A. I think this is the worst professor ever; it wasn't worth it to go to a different professor. He was incredibly awful, and to put it into perspective, I don't know if I want to pursue computer science anymore because of him, do yourself a favor and go with the other professors

Please do not get this professor, he goes over the surface level information, he doesn't really get into depth and good luck on homework, because he doesn't let you get any help because he thinks its cheating even though its only homework, he makes you scared of mistakes in a bad way

Let me get straight to the point, some professors don't know how to teach, he is one of them, he was insanely difficult and not worth the effort to get an B in the class. You will feel defeated after every quiz, and homework. The walkthrough videos should come included in the homework because then we would learn something, he is just awful

This professor is really bad, he goes over ideas and surface-level concepts. If you actually want to do well, your time is better spent just using outside sources. I recommend getting another professor, but if he is the only one, I recommend just waiting till next semester and instead doing a computer science elective.

This professor teaches like he does not care about his students or their learning. It reminds me of one of my high school teachers who was about to retire and lost all interest in teaching. If you miss three classes for any reason, he will fail you automatically. This professor is great if you don't care about your GPA.

My experience has been pretty awful thus far; you do learn in his class, but at the cost of your grade, unfortunately. He makes you scared to fail and if you know anything about programming you will fail a lot of the time, he tries his best but it is pretty bad, some friends and I were talking and we all agree the class could be better structured.

Disclaimer: I transferred w/the class pre-req (A) from my JR College. Take someone else. His data structure explanations are ok, but he barely covers the code for implementing which is all his HW is. I asked for help, but he just directed me to C++ YouTube videos & Syntax guides. Unless you're a C++ pro & can teach yourself, don't take his class.

Super old-fashioned, picky professor. You aren't able to take photos of the lecture or whiteboard. He will put you in the spotlight for entering class a minute late. He does his best to ensure students are punished for not knowing 100% of the topic. Only take this class if you're a masochist.

This man is evil dont take his courses

Well mannered and highly respectable. The level of difficulty is understandable but the instructions / frameworks used to base grading is anything but welcoming and ideal. Most projects and work from class seem that there is only one route of solution even though problem solving in programming can result in coming up with various solutions.

Barely taught us CS and the final was on how well you know Excel Spreadsheets. Makes sense.

This professor make me feel like I'm not in a perfect mood in CS. Homework assignments are strictly graded to the MAX, and quizzes are a pain to work on. Even if you know a lot about C++ or not, you will most likely not to survive in this course. Take him at your own risk if you ended up taking him!

This class was unfair in grading. Save yourself the headache. Pros: Assignments are take home. Lowest homework and quiz grades dropped. Cons: AUTOGRADER IS THE WORST, YOU WILL LOSE 30-90 POINTS FOR FORMATTING. Discussion board is unhelpful. Lectures don't teach; full self learning required. Insanely hard homework. No class Discord allowed.

He's the last professor you want to pick at CSUF, much less data structures!

He is good at explaining concepts, but the homeworks are a pain to complete. Even if you pass all tests, no errors, understand the concept, yet still possible to receive an F for the hw. 60 points taken off for formatting. oh an only 1-3 submissions each worth 100 pts. Doesn't matter is he is nice, it's unfair and quite literally makes no sense.

Unrealistic expectations and has a method of my way or the highway and other way of programming that was outside of how he does it is considered cheating.

A nice person with a terrible course. He teaches you the bare minimum while expecting you to understand the maximum, his assignments are graded horribly, homework is tricky and confusing, and in the latter portion of the class, he outright refuses to tell you what you get on homework until it's too late. Know what you're getting into if you take it

Tough grader, insanely test-heavy, and drowns you in homework. Lectures are dry, tests barely match what's taught, and grading feels arbitrary. Office hours? Not helpful. If you value your GPA or sanity, avoid this class unless you enjoy academic pain.

I never thought that I would have the energy to write up a "rate my professor" review, but this professor has absolutely given me a reason to. Grading in class is insanely difficult for a lower division course. Minor errors in formatting, sketching or even using his class examples TOO similarly can cost you 10% deductions in your overall grade. DNI

This professor is known for being terrible for a reason. Homework is a drag and will have you suffering. He will take off points from your work for any small reason. His lectures are very boring and he will make you feel bad for not knowing something. Please avoid this professor.

1 is more than enough for him. If I was to rate I would give 0. Do not take his class. Avoid at all costs.