Ed Williams - University of Michigan - Dearborn

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Ed Williams - University of Michigan - Dearborn

Professor: Ed Williams

Department: Engineering

College: University of Michigan - Dearborn

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: ISM382
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The class in nature had poor structure. The topics taught were random excel topics. There are few assignments, most being group work. The rubrics were vague, including the final project rubric for a project worth the same amount as the exams. This caused our groups grades to tank at the end of the semester.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: DS300
Grade Received: B-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A very nice professor who communicates effectively and quickly and clearly cares about the subject material. Though the tests are very long and intensive, so long as you know what to do with each question you should be fine. Do think the book chosen could be better, and that there should be more grade opportunities, but overall a solid choice.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: ITM382
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is probably the pickiest grader I've had. Gives a very basic rubric then knocks you 3-5 points for a spelling error in an EXCEL CLASS. Gives a semester-long group project with no rubric or criteria then knocks you down for the littlest things. Make sure every assignment is absolutely perfect or expect a B or less. Try to find another prof.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: DS520
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Took during an accelerated semester. 25% homework, 25% quizzes, 25% midterm, 25% final Homework is very time-consuming but very straight forward if you follow his examples. Midterm/final are fair assessments of what you'll learn. Difficult but fair. Study and outline notes well! Quizzes are a crapshoot (random). Do well on HW, Midterm and final.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: IMSE510
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Edward seems like a nice enough guy but chooses to use an awful stats textbook that is convoluted. Doesn't give any lectures, just ppts of snips from the book. 12 hws and 5 quizzes keep you busy throughout the semester. Tough class to take in summer I or II. If only I had gotten a better stats background in my UM-D undergrad... oh wait.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: ITM382
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not a great professor. He is a nice guy, seems knowledgeable, but needs to retire. Unfortunately, much of his teaching methods are severely out-of-date and he also seems to have a hard time understanding students. Another problem is his vagueness in requirements that he wants for assignments, which are apparent when grading. Don't recommend him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: DS632
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

We had the professor in the summer semester. Only 8 weeks. We had to use software that DID NOT WORK. He told us we should pay for it but the paid versions did not work either. The ENTIRE class was built around this software that literally 3 people out of 28 could use. I recognize that this is not entirely his fault, but could have done more sooner.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: DS301
Grade Received: C
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You have two exams for this class, and each exam consists of two separate tests. Each test is given an hour and a half to complete, and each exam constitutes 40% of your overall grade in the class. No extra credit opportunities are given. There is no room for error in this class and it's extremely challenging. No pre exam material is given.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: DS300
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I think he is your best bet for DS300 considering the other professors. The closed part of the book is easier than the open part of the book. He really will help you if you ask for it. Oh, and if you have a question in class he will stop whatever he is doing to answer it, even if it's asking to re-explain something. Overall I think he is good.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: DS300
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Williams isn't that bad of a guy, just make sure you get a good homework group and keep up with his lectures, which move fast. Make flashcards of key terms, as that's basically what the closed book part of the midterm/final are focused on. Open book is difficult, be able to *recognize* the problem then use your notes to solve it. Does NOT curve!

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: DS300
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Only gives a midterm and final, which account for 80% of your grade so if you fail one you're screwed. Make sure you have time for a tutor because you'll certainly need one. Lectures extremely fast so it's difficult to follow along. This is a tough class and his method of teaching didn't help. Nice man but I would never take another class with him.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: DS632
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Mr. Williams, having a career in system simulation, was great at teaching this course. It's very easy to get lost during the lecture but just ask and he will come over to you and will not leave until you understand it. Also, if you email him, he gets right back to you and is extremely helpful.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: DS570
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This professor was horrible. I passed the class with a B, but felt like I didn't learn a dog gone thing. This class was almost $3k that I will never get back and have nothing to show for it. In hindsight I should have picked another Cognate course, but do not make the same mistake.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: ITM382
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Talks slow, ignores questions. Grades unfairly on minor formalities (he will give you a 75% for minor grammatical errors or not doing things exactly as he wants.) Is not clear on expectations, grades on assumption that students understand. When we requested help, he denied us any help. Got a B+.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: ITM431
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

You need the book for project and assignments. However, answers to project and assignments are all located online. His exams are all conceptual and no sql queries are written on exams. He gives you a study guide before the exam and it is a replica of it. You actually do learn in class and he is a great teacher.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: DS570
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting class, and probably the best prof I've had here at UMD. Knows his stuff, very helpful, and teaches effectively. Tests what is taught in class (novel idea huh?), very accomodating to students. Would definitely take again, other profs here need to take notes from him on how to actually TEACH.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: ITM382
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

GREAT GUY. GREAT CLASS,

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: ITM382
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class is all Excel. Pretty easy. Gives great study guide, know it and you will ace the tests. 2 exams, project, and a few easy HW. Only complaint is his grading is screwy. He'll take points off for mis spellings and grammar amongst other odd things that have nothing to do with messuring your understanding of content. Got an A in class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: DS300
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

One of the easiest classes I have taken. Homework is done in groups but make sure you do all of it yourself to because it is exactly what the exam questions are! The things he emphasizes during the lecture are the written portion of the exam. Easy A if you pay attention!

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: DS570
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:

Teaches through examples, which is not how you want this class taught. Brutal grading on HW (wrong assumption loses you 50% of your grade). Could be a useful class if it was taught properly.

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