Reviews For Patrick Cavanaugh

Patrick was a student-teacher, so he wasn't the greatest when I had him as an instructor. Class wasn't very interesting - I had two years of computer programming in high school. I think he did a good job explaining programming and how to program, but I felt course material did NOT prepare me for CSCI-1620 with John Clark. I hear they have re-structured the course to be better, but I would take Fulkerson if given another chance.

Overall		Knowledge		Speech		Availability
Tangents		Homework		Exams		Grade Recieved	A
Class Taken Spring 2006

Cavanaugh is a pretty cool guy. He really knows his stuff about Java, too. I've asked some pretty obscure questions and he's either known the answer or researched it and gotten back to me on it. He doesn't make a whole lot of jokes in class (unlike some other professors in IS&T) but classes aren't boring at all.

His tests are hard. I don't know if Bob does the tests or if every teacher does their own, but the tests are challenging due to the "what's the output of this code" questions. I averaged a low B on the tests and an A+ on the assignments.

Overall, Cavanaugh is a great teacher, and I would recommend him to anyone serious about programming.

Overall		Knowledge		Speech		Availability
Tangents		Homework		Exams		Grade Recieved	A
Class Taken Spring 2009

Take 1620 with Cavanaugh. You'll be glad.
Cavanaugh is one of the more difficult instructors for the 1400 / 1620 sequence. He writes his own assignments for 1620, and they tend to be harder than assignments in other 1620 classes. We had 20 students in our class to begin the semester, and all but about 6-10 dropped after the first assignment. He assigns about one program every other week. Even though these are harder, you still want to take his class. It'll prepare you better for the rest of your computer science career than the easier teachers. Cavanaugh really good about his office hours, and is a lot of times available after class. He also checks his email often.

Tests are to be respected, but not obsessed over. I didn't study at all for either test (the midterm or the cumulative final) and got a C on both of them, but aced all the programs to get an A (partly because he curved both.)

He's also really good at explaining things. Questions are always welcome. He sprinkles in tech jokes every now and then as well.

Bottom line: take this course with Cavanaugh.

Overall		Knowledge		Speech		Availability
Tangents		Homework		Exams		Grade Recieved	A
Class Taken Fall 2009

Good teacher
I agree pretty much completely with the other reviewer and I took the class the same semester as him. Lots of people dropped after the first few assignments, which were probably the hardest for me.

I have a feeling he might revise the way his class flows in later years. I really hope he doesn't, though, because he pretty effectively weeded out anyone who shouldn't have been there after the first few programs. The second half of the semester was almost completely about different data structures, and was quite a bit easier. With the possible exception of the Dynamic Search Tree, which still wasn't all that bad.

Do these things to pass:

1.) Go to class. You're going to start feeling like you don't need to be there. Just keep going. Cavanaugh bumped my grade up in 1400 and 1620 because I had almost perfect attendance and my papers were never late. Participation is important.

2.) Start the programs the DAY you get them. For me, the initial hump of getting something that compiles is the most laborious part of the program, after that it's all gravy. The second assignment (the first assignment was review of 1400) took a long, long, long time to make. Just stick with it and do not fall behind.

3.) Study for the 2 exams but put the majority of your effort in your programs. Like the other reviewer, I got a C on the midterm and final, and an A in the class. I only had one program that wasn't 100%, and, ironically, it was the first assignment (the review of 1400). This padded my grade and I ended up with a fairly comfortable A.

4.) If you're stuck, go to his office or e-mail him. This is another reason starting early is important, it's easier for him to make time for you immediately after you get the assignment, instead of 11:30 PM the day before it's due.

Overall		Knowledge		Speech		Availability
Tangents		Homework		Exams		Grade Recieved	A
Class Taken Fall 2009