AI Rate Professor

Computer Science

Chris MacAdam

CS36ANDCS37 · CS36 · CS3637 · CS37 · 27 lifetime ratings

AI rating
93/100
RMP rating
4.7/5
Take again
92.31%
Difficulty
2.4

The decision

Take MacAdam for CS36/37 if you want real coding growth and can handle a work-heavy but fair class.

Best fit · Hardcore LearnerBest C++ mentorLots of homeworkExtra credit labsDrops lowest examIndustry-practical coding
  • Widely called the top CS/C++ professor at IVC who makes you actually learn to code
  • Heavy homework and in-class labs, but and
  • Attend, finish labs, and keep Blackboard HW current for a realistic A path

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

EasyA

80/100

Many students say an A is doable with homework, , and a , though a few warn grades are not automatic.

All evidence from 27 in-person CS reviews.

Is the course easy?

Standard

52/100

Programming practice is substantial and , but and structured for serious learners.

.

Is attendance flexible?

Recommended

35/100

Several say do not skip and labs force you to .

.

Is this professor recommended?

MustTake

92/100

Overwhelming majority call him the and ; only rare harsh outliers.

; take-again near 92%.

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Lenient

76/100

and dropping the lowest exam commonly pad grades for students who try.

Format shift

In-person only.

Workload

Heavy

32/100

Lots of , and in-class labs that can feel like a higher-unit course.

Format shift

In-person only.

Teaching experience

Excellent

92/100

Students praise clear board , and genuine care for learning.

Format shift

In-person only.

Assessment method

Balanced

48/100

Mix of , and exams with .

Format shift

In-person only.

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

27 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Hardcore Learner

In-person C++ students rave about structured lectures, labs that force practice, , and big skill gains despite heavy workload.

Main concern

Workload can feel like a 5-unit class packed into 3 units, with .

What students said

“If you are serious about learning about programming this is the class for you.”
CS37
“Even with bare minimal effort, it's possible to attain a high B or even an A by the end of the semester if you attend all his lectures.”
CS36ANDCS37
“TAKE MACADAM FOR C++ (CS 37). He is the EASIEST professor for C++.”
CS37

Remote format

Online

0 reviews

Low confidence

No stored summary is available for this format.

Main concern

No main concern is stored for this format.

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Exams are real coding checks but friendlier with drops, , and .

Drops lowest examExtra credit on examsSome hand-written codeHomework usable on tests

Assessment risk

Standard

58/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

In-person exams include coding under time pressure for some, but and are frequent.

Drop lowest examExtra credit questionsLimited time codingUse HW on tests
“ grade!”
CS37
“giving everyone a very limited time to complete comprehensive exams, including writing code by hand”
CS37
“Allows you and .”
CS37

Online

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“I can't imagine taking ANY computer science course without Macadam.”

Voice snapshots generated from 27 in-person CS36/37 reviews, , and grade cushions. Credibility rating: High.

🎯

92/100

“ . If you're a computer science major, you will want to do the work he assigns.”

📚 Workload Reality

32/100

“Treat his 3 credit classes as 5 credits in workload.”

🅰️ Grade Path

80/100

“Getting an A is easily achievable.”

👍

92/100

“This class literally SAVED MY LIFE! Thank you, Professor Macadam!”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • He lectures and writes in a way and pace that is very easy to follow
  • Very reasonable instructor and
  • I love how he turns on

Theme 2

📈 About Difficulty & Grades

  • and I spent a lot of time
  • An 'A' is very doable if you try to keep on top of
  • Gives lots of as well

Theme 3

💻 About Learning Outcomes

  • you WILL learn to code
  • If as a prob solver
  • I greatly improved in my coding skills

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

27

Recent reviews read by the AI

27

Lifetime ratings

82/100

Evidence confidence

27 detailed CS36/37 reviews from 2014-2020 with strong consistency on workload, , and teaching quality.

Inside 27 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 521
4 out of 54
3 out of 51
2 out of 51
1 out of 50

Course coverage

CS3712 reviews
CS36ANDCS3710 reviews
CS364 reviews
CS36371 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

18 reported outcomes

A range

14

A+ 3 · A 10 · A- 1

B range

3

B 3

C range

0

No reported values

D range

0

No reported values

F

0

No reported values

No letter grade reported

1

Not sure yet 1