CS 4501

Web Programming Languages was honestly one of the most fun cs classes. I feel like it was actually pretty applicable. You learn PHP, Javascript, Jquery, HTML, CSS, mysql etc. There are 4 projects and 1 final project, which are all individual, but they're not too bad. Just don't leave things to the last minute because they progressively get longer and may take longer than you expect. The tests and quizzes are open note, which is nice. Expect to carry around a bunch of thick code packets - definitely a little old fashioned but sometimes just seeing the code is useful. There are in class assignments every Thursday which you work on with a partner. If you don't finish the assignments in lab you get 20% taken off. Overall, the projects are pretty fun and the work load is not that bad.

At first, when I decided to take this class this semester, I was worried because the grade distribution for this class seemed quite low and nobody reviewed this class. However, I was interested in Web programming, so I took it anyway. You have four programming assignments you need to do, and you have to do your programming demo with T.A. and I feel like your grade somewhat depends on how strict your T.A. grades based on Rubric. First assignment is actually way more tedious than the rest of three because you have to only use PHP to do your assignment, whereas jquery and ajax can make your life easier later. This class is notorious for having a really long exams... and I am not sure how Professor Soffa will go about this next semester, but she lets us use the code handouts. Just a warning. STUDY before you go take the exam. You actually will not have enough time to go over the code handout and finish the exam. I personally think Professor Soffa is not a harsh grader, but two exams do worth a lot, so make sure to read over the powerpoint slides thoroughly. You do learn a lot of different web programming languages, but it is more like self teaching, and lectures are not really engaging, but you do have in-class assignment every week that counts towards your grade each week. It is not a wide idea to miss a class in my opinion. Also, extra credits for each programming assignment are not that hard to do, so it is always better to do. Late penalty is quite harsh since you are losing 15 %, so think well before you decide to turn something late. No groupwork unless you want to work with someone else for in-class assignments. I didn't get a textbook and I personally think it is not necessary for this class.