Patricia Vacca

CIS29 · CIS0474 · CIS3441 · CIS · COMPUTERSCIENC · CIS1328 · CIS4343 · CIS11 · CIS13 · CIS3528 · CIS28 · 85 lifetime ratings

AI rating: 57/100
RMP rating: 3.7/5
Take again: 60%
Difficulty: 2.9

The decision

if you want structure and learning, but if you need a gentle or flexible instructor.

Best fit · Hardcore LearnerKnowledgeable but polarizingLots of workStrict attendanceHelpful study guidesTough personality

many students praise her knowledge and preparation, while many others call her rude or intimidating.
Students often learn a lot, but the , and tolerance for a strict style.
Online evidence is negative and describes fast lectures and random tests, while but often more positive.

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

FairEffort

58/100

A good grade is realistic for students who attend, study, and complete the work, but it is not a low-effort A.

In-person reviews often say effort is rewarded, while the and harder to manage.

Is the course easy?

Standard

50/100

The CIS content is manageable for prepared students, but the pace, workload, and .

Online evidence describes fast lectures and random tests, while but learnable.

Is attendance flexible?

Mandatory

18/100

Many students say showing up on time matters and late or disruptive behavior can trigger penalties or conflict.

, while the online review only says skipping class hurts.

Is this professor recommended?

Depends

56/100

and learning, but many advise avoiding her because of her tone and strictness.

The online review is negative, while and strong criticism.

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Fair

55/100

She provides study guides, drops a test score in some classes, and rewards work, but students also call her tough and strict.

Format shift

In-person reviews provide most grading evidence; the online review says bonus .

Workload

Heavy

32/100

Students repeatedly mention lots of work, labs, reading, and studying even when the class is ultimately manageable.

Format shift

Both formats mention work or workload evidence.

Teaching experience

Average

61/100

She is knowledgeable and can prepare students well, but her rude or intimidating style creates major negative experiences.

Format shift

Online teaching evidence is negative, while but includes many strong positives.

Assessment method

Balanced

62/100

Reviews mention labs, assignments, study guides, chapter tests, major tests, and sometimes .

Format shift

The online review is test-heavy, while , and tests.

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

49 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Hardcore Learner

In-person reviews are split, with many students praising her preparation and knowledge while others criticize her strictness and rude tone.

Main concern

and blunt personality can make the class stressful.

What students said

“She gives a lot of work but prepares you for all the tests.”
CIS13

“She cares about the students and tries to spend time with everyone.”
CIS13

“she can be very rude.”
CIS13

Remote format

Online

1 reviews

Low confidence · Best fit for Self Taught Pro

The only online review is , and weak support.

Main concern

The online class may move too fast and leave students without enough guidance.

What students said

“They really zoom if you keep up or not.”
CIS13

“The and some questions don't even make sense”
CIS13

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Exam evidence varies, with some reviews describing hard or random tests and others mentioning study guides, chapter tests, dropped scores, or and final.

Book TestsChapter TestsStudy GuidesDropped Test ScoreBonus Questions

Assessment risk

Varies

56/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

In-person reviews mention study , and in one case , but do not clearly prove proctoring or open-book policy.

Study GuidesDropped Test ScoreChapter TestsNo Midterm Or Final

“ and gives lots of study guides and practices.”
CIS13

“no mid term or .”
CIS3441

“She gave out study guides for tests”
CIS13

Online

The online review says book tests feel random and .

Book TestsRandom QuestionsBonus Questions

“The and some questions don't even make sense”
CIS13

“she tries to remedy by giving you bonus questions.”
CIS13

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice
“Dr. Vacca is great. You will learn a lot. She is not easy but she cares about her students.”
Voice snapshots generated from 50 reviews, highlighting key themes in , and personality fit. Credibility rating: High.

🎯 Teaching Quality

61/100

“She is smart and knowledgeable, but mean and intimidating”

👍 Recommendation Fit

56/100

“If you are willing to attend class and do all the work, she's the best.”

📚 Workload Reality

32/100

“There is a LOT to learn and lots of work.”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

She really prepared me for the tests and assignments.
She is smart, but makes bad comparison of materials
She is the rudest teacher that i have ever meet.

Theme 2

📈 About Difficulty & Grades

Her class is easy if you STUDY
Easy teacher, easy class as long as you do the class work
She gives a lot of work but prepares you for all the tests.

Theme 3

🕒

You have to go to class or you get lost.
Showing up late to class will easily get you on her bad side.
NO TALKING, NO CHEWING GUM, NO USING RESTROOM.

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

Recent reviews read by the AI

Lifetime ratings

92/100

Evidence confidence

The 50 reviews cover many years and provide rich, consistent evidence that she is knowledgeable, strict, workload-heavy, and polarizing.

Inside 50 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 544

4 out of 513

3 out of 56

2 out of 57

1 out of 515

Course coverage

CIS1336 reviews

CIS284 reviews

CIS292 reviews

CIS1 review

CIS04741 review

Show 6 more courses

CIS111 review

CIS13281 review

CIS34411 review

CIS35281 review

CIS43431 review

COMPUTERSCIENC1 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

8 reported outcomes

A range

A 4 · A- 1

B range

B 3

C range

No reported values

D range

No reported values

F

No reported values

No letter grade reported

No reported values

Patricia Vacca

x x if you want structure and learning, but x x if you need a gentle or flexible instructor.

Four answers before you build your schedule.

FairEffort

Standard

Mandatory

Depends

See how this professor fits your week.

Compare the in-person and online experience.

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

In person

Online

See what students actually said.

🎯 Teaching Quality

👍 Recommendation Fit

📚 Workload Reality

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

📈 About Difficulty & Grades

🕒 x x x x

See exactly what the AI read.

Quality ratings

Course coverage

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

A range

B range

C range

D range

F

No letter grade reported

if you want structure and learning, but if you need a gentle or flexible instructor.

🕒