AI Rate Professor

Computer Science

Shannon Alfaro

CS131 · CS141 · CS1B · CS1A · CS3A · 9 lifetime ratings

AI rating
44/100
RMP rating
2.7/5
Take again
100%
Difficulty
3.3

The decision

Avoid for CS141 if you need clear, organized lectures; only consider if and ask aggressively for help.

Best fit · Self Taught ProUnorganized LecturesLecture-Test MismatchSlow GradingPolarized by Course LevelBook-Dependent
  • In-person upper , and .
  • Online CS131 feedback is far more positive: .
  • Beginner courses (CS1A/CS3A) get warmer notes; CS141 draws the harshest criticism.

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

FairEffort

55/100

Some As appear when students use the book and ask for retakes, but many report B/B- with and hard projects.

Only online CS131 mentions easy retakes; and effort-heavy.

Is the course easy?

Standard

48/100

Intro CS can feel basic, but CS141 and CS1B are described as with fast or thin lectures.

Online CS131 called simple; .

Is attendance flexible?

Mandatory

28/100

as mandatory and expect students to show up despite weak lecture value.

; online does not clarify policy.

Is this professor recommended?

Depends

42/100

A minority call her great for beginners, but many strongly urge taking a different lecturer for CS141/CS1B.

; several in-person .

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Fair

52/100

, but and regrade intent is inconsistent.

Format shift

; in-person complains about deleted resubmit boxes and delayed grades.

Workload

Moderate

50/100

Labs, projects, quizzes, and as crushing.

Format shift

Both formats mention programming work; .

Teaching experience

Average

42/100

Praise for caring beginner help is outweighed by repeated complaints of .

Format shift

Online CS131 loved the lectures; in-person CS141/CS1B reviews are largely negative.

Assessment method

Balanced

55/100

Homework, labs, in-class quizzes, midterms, and than lecture.

Format shift

Online emphasizes book-based exams; and quiz/test misalignment.

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

8 reviews

Medium confidence · Best fit for Self Taught Pro

Mostly critical of CS141/CS1B: unorganized lectures, content that , and weak project guidance; a few beginner-friendly praise notes exist.

Main concern

Lecture-test disconnect and .

What students said

“Lectures don't match the content that and homework.”
CS141
“ , and if she feels like you're struggling, she'll put you down.”
CS141
“If you do something wrong on the first lab, you won't know your wrong until 10 assignmentslabs later.”
CS1B

Remote format

Online

1 reviews

Low confidence · Best fit for Easy A Hunter

One strong CS131 review: simple content, entertaining lectures, exams from the book, and if requested.

Main concern

Only one online review, so the glowing picture may not generalize.

What students said

“Class is "simple"/basic. Her lectures are going over what you have read... if you ask for it.”
CS131

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Exams draw from book concepts and programming, sometimes poorly aligned with lecture, with .

Book-Based ExamsPossible RetakesLecture-Test MismatchIn-Class Quizzes

Assessment risk

Standard

55/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

Midterms and ; quiz answers are not always reviewed.

Lecture-Test MismatchIn-Class Quizzes
“ do with lecture.”
CS141
“Lectures don't match the content that and homework.”
CS141

Online

CS131 exams are book-based conceptually and for programming, and if students ask.

Book-Based ExamsRetakes Allowed
“Exams are based on the book both conceptually and programming-wise. if you ask for it.”
CS131

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“Lectures don't match the content that and homework.”

Voice snapshots generated from 9 reviews (1 online, 8 in , and course-level polarization. Credibility rating: Medium.

📉 Organization Problems

35/100

“ it weeks after the due date”

📚 Self-Teaching Required

40/100

“I learned alot from the book and class was difficult to follow.”

🌱 Beginner Support

70/100

“Professor Alfaro is great, especially for beginners! ... Extremely flexible and goes above and beyond expectations to help out”

🖥️ Online Contrast

85/100

“She's entertaining. and programming-wise.”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • Lectures are all over the .
  • It seems like she is reading the lecture for the first time as she is giving the lecture.
  • and codes in class to show actual application

Theme 2

📈 About Difficulty & Grades

  • Pay attention and you will score an A for sure.
  • if you ask for it.

Theme 3

⏱️

  • .
  • Blackboard

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

9

Recent reviews read by the AI

9

Lifetime ratings

58/100

Evidence confidence

Nine reviews span 2015-2021 with detailed complaints and some praise, but heavy concentration in and only one online note.

Inside 9 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 52
4 out of 51
3 out of 52
2 out of 52
1 out of 52

Course coverage

CS1413 reviews
CS1B3 reviews
CS1311 review
CS1A1 review
CS3A1 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

7 reported outcomes

A range

3

A+ 1 · A 2

B range

3

B 1 · B- 2

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