Bill Kocay - University of Manitoba

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Bill Kocay - University of Manitoba

Professor: Bill Kocay

Department: Computer Science

College: University of Manitoba

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: COMP2190
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

If you are just ok with math, this course will be hard for you. I had to self-teach myself a lot of concepts mentioned in class. Had to use untaught math software. Feedback in assignments and tests are poor. Notes not posted online. Textbook never used (YouTube was my salvation) Interesting course tho, and very friendly guy, but not a good prof

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: COMP2190
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Kocay's class was very interesting, his assignments were fun and his tests were easy. However, there were some problems. He does not post notes online, so attendance is a must. The instructions on his assignments were often very unclear. And, he requires that we work with mathematical software that he does not teach you how to use.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: COMP2190
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Each assignment are worth 36% heavy on matlab. Doesn't even teach how nicely how to use it. If the assignments were of 10% then ok .. but its about half of the term marks and the professor doesn't make students fully equipped to tackle it. may be good professor for higher level courses but for second year course he didnt make life easier for you.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: COMP2190
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Doesn't give any useful feedback on assignments or additional references on course material. Relies only on his in-class notes which are a bit of a mess as he doesn't prepare them beforehand. I've had harder courses, but the way he teaches makes the work harder than it needs to be.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: COMP7750
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I took graph theory with him. One of the most confusing prof I have ever seen. He teaches way too fast to understand anything. And his assignment are too big and difficult. He is well known for giving bad grades. I would never recommend this prof to anyone. His exam question are also too difficult for an exam as we have limited hours to do it.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: COMP3030
Grade Received: C
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Automata Theory is hard as it as, and Kocay was not making it any easier. He doesn't post any material online, and there is not much on this subject on the Internet either; thus taking notes is very important. Unfortunately, he doesn't go through enough examples during his lectures because he spends most of the time proving theorems instead.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: COMP3030
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The best prof ever !!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: COMP3030
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Kocay's notes are a mess. If you look at other notes from other universities his does not even come close to being good. Incomplete examples. Incorrect examples. Needs to be corrected often. The word definition is not in his notes. Example: PDA: NFA with a stack. That is not a defintion. That is just your own make up on the spot. Disappointing.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: 3030
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The course material is easy, but the course is difficult. Professor would rather you mimic his methods then actually understand the material. He has refused to give decent marks on answers to questions that were completely correct despite even agreeing that it was completely correct.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: COMP3170
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Really great teacher. Gets excited about the subjects explored, and tests exactly what he teaches. One of the greatest profs in the department, if not THE best.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: COMP3030
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very much a great professor. Enthusiastic about the material, teaches thoroughly, and exactly relevant material to the test. Gives GREAT help outside class, and is really happy when you take interest in the material. Doesn't post notes online but in-class notes are really phenomenal on the overhead (sounds oldschool but he's great at it) A++

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: COMP2130
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He teaches a challenging course, and makes it moreso by marking tough. However, he is a very smart prof and good at explaining concepts, ableit unorganized.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: COMP2130
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Makes the course a 'weeding out' type course, however, if you put in the effort you will come out having learned a lot. Has a hard time 'dumbing it down' & doesn't really give any resources. I felt like I never really knew how well I did on an assignment or test because he seemed to either give 1/10 if any part was wrong or 10/10 if it was perfect.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: COMP3030
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

His soothing voice makes you wish you could abandon all your career goals and dedicate your life to theoretical computer science. There is something in the fantastical way he explains things that entertains your soul. His lectures belong in computer science heaven; they make you feel enlightened.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: COMP3030
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Do not ever miss a class. This guy is a genius, and if you talk to him out of class at the level he expects of you, you will do amazing. He is the real deal, and only serious and passionate students of CS will succeed in his classes. The midterm was quite easy, but the final was ridiculously hard. I only missed a few classes. Marks generously thoug

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: COMP2130
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

In terms of the course material it is in a completely different level from what you would learn in MATH 1300, 1500 and 1700. As for the assignments don't expect to have seen any (most) of the questions before. He marks things on a 10 point scale. I like math even more and maybe I chose the wrong major. He is really hot for such an old man ;)

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: COMP2130
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This guy really knows his stuff, but it definitely feels like a math major course, and a challenging one at that. No examples of applications to computer science, like you might get with Braico. He taught the content well, and in a problem-solving style as opposed to a give-you-all-the-formulas style. If you miss a lecture, be sure to get the notes

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: COMP2130
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Tough tough prof. The assigments are a slog to get through as there is material on them that is never discussed properly in class. Tough tests & very tough marker. 2130 is a hard course to begin with, take it with an easier non-math prof if possible but you prob won't have a choi, our class avg in the midterm was 20 points less than in 2140 & 2160.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: COMP2130
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Explanations and in class examples are fairly clear, except when he skips steps which is most of the time. It never feels like he gives you enough information to solve the assignment or exam questions. This man is a brilliant professor, but a lousy teacher.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: CS434
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Brilliant, but his exams/midterms felt more like a test of intelligence, rather than course material.

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