AI Rate Professor

Computer Science

Nathan Greenfield

CS20A · CS52 · CS87A · 39 lifetime ratings

AI rating
62/100
RMP rating
3.6/5
Take again
65%
Difficulty
3.8

The decision

Take Greenfield only if you want to truly learn CS and ; .

Best fit · Hardcore LearnerBest for Real LearningStrict Anti-AIHeavy ProjectsSlow GraderOffice Hours Gold
  • Students who want real C++ and data-structures skill call him the .
  • Projects and and graded strictly against AI shortcuts; office hours and TAs are strong supports.
  • , and a steep curve if you lack prior OOP comfort.

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

HardWork

36/100

Many earn As after heavy project work, but others fail or expectations.

In-person CS20A drives most hard-A stories; online CS52 has a few easier-A claims with early effort.

Is the course easy?

Challenging

32/100

Data structures and C++ material plus multi-hour projects make the course intellectually demanding for most students.

; in-person DS is described as hardest.

Is attendance flexible?

Varies

48/100

; success still depends on lectures and office hours.

In-person reviews mix mandatory and optional; online comments .

Is this professor recommended?

WorthIt

68/100

, and enthusiasts say he saves the CS department for students who want real skills.

Stronger praise is in-person for CS20A; online is thinner and more mixed on CS87A.

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Strict

38/100

, and unwritten style requirements make full credit hard without exact compliance.

Format shift

In-person and online both flag tough or ; SI or .

Workload

Heavy

28/100

Weekly or biweekly programming projects can take 10+ hours and stack with exams written by hand.

Format shift

Online and in-person students both stress long HW and projects.

Teaching experience

Good

74/100

, and generous office hours dominate positive reviews.

Format shift

In-person fans are loudest; some online and .

Assessment method

Balanced

55/100

, and finals, often with autograders and written code exams.

Format shift

; some courses use only a few graded items.

Luni fit check

Weigh these signals against your actual schedule.

Get help balancing workload, grading, and timing when no option is an obvious fit.

Course format

Compare the in-person and online experience.

Classroom format

In person

37 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Hardcore Learner

In-person CS20A and related courses split hard: many call him campus-best with fun projects and ; , and unstated code expectations.

Main concern

, and delayed grades punish students seeking a light pass.

What students said

“If you ”
CS20A
“Nathan is by far the .”
CS20A
“Very hard to pass”
CS20A

Remote format

Online

3 reviews

Medium confidence · Best fit for Effort For Reward

Online CS52 reviews are mixed: two praise funny lectures and doable As with early starts, while one CS87A review warns of slow autograding and few assignments.

Main concern

stuck if you fall behind.

What students said

“HW and Projects are difficult and while, but his ”
CS52
“This guy is such a . He also uses an .”
CS87A

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

and projects and are fair if you did the work without AI.

Written Code ExamsAutograderProjects-First PrepAnti-AI Checks

Assessment risk

Standard

48/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

as fair when projects are done honestly, with written code and .

Written Out CodeQuestions from Slides and ProjectsStrict Cheating Policy
“The from the slides and projects.”
CS20A
“ .”
CS20A

Online

Online sections mention autograders on exams and .

Autograder on ExamsFew Assignments
“He also uses an .”
CS87A

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“If all you care about is getting an A in an online class where the professor doesn't prioritize .”

Voice snapshots generated from 40 reviews with strong agreement on learning quality and workload; credibility rating: High.

🧠 Real Learning Focus

74/100

“But will you learn? ABSOLUTELY.”

💻

28/100

“ , but are very fun and engaging.”

🐢

38/100

“ ”

👍

68/100

“ . Only CS class I truly learned.”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • His lectures are funny and informative
  • Lectures mostly
  • Nathan is saving the SMC CS department

Theme 2

📈 About Difficulty and Grades

  • This class is hard
  • Very hard to pass
  • He expects you to know exactly what he wants in code without it being put in any instruction

Theme 3

🛠️ About Support and Culture

  • Go to office hours!
  • He's strict about cheating
  • group office hours is an excellent resource

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

40

Recent reviews read by the AI

39

Lifetime ratings

82/100

Evidence confidence

Forty recent, detailed CS reviews with consistent themes on learning quality versus grading friction support high confidence.

Inside 40 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 522
4 out of 54
3 out of 50
2 out of 53
1 out of 511

Course coverage

CS20A23 reviews
CS529 reviews
CS87A8 reviews

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

37 reported outcomes

A range

18

A+ 3 · A 15

B range

3

B+ 1 · B 2

C range

1

C 1

D range

0

No reported values

F

2

F 2

No letter grade reported

13

Drop/Withdrawal 4 · Not sure yet 7 · Rather not say 2