Reviews of professor Steven Backues

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
I think his exams are quite difficult. He asks open-ended, application-based questions which can be difficult to prepare for. All exams are cumulative. Quizzes are spread out but easy if you set aside an hour to prepare for them. If you show up to class, do the homework, watch the lecture, and study, you will do fine on the exam.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Awesome teacher! Straight forward about the material needed to know for quizzes/ exams. He gives practice problems in class, practice quizzes, and practice exams all that relate to the actual quizzes and exams. He offers 12 points of extra credit through out the semester. Also does some printed notes. Can tell he wants his students to succeed.

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Really nice guy, takes the time to make sure you understand material. Exams are every 2.5-3 weeks though, I don't recommend taking him with other hard classes. Frequent homework but based on completion, not accuracy. Offers EC opportunities and is a fair grader. Only complaint is that exams aren't spaced out enough, studying was so stressful.

Rating: 3.0/5, difficulty: 5.0/5
I had him for the first half of the semester, and his exam questions and in-class questions are so difficult. You can work in groups for every in-class assignment, but nobody really knew how to approach the problems. Study for this class as much as possible, and the book is helpful!

Rating: 3.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
He didn't seem like he was too invested in my success, I had a better experience with other teachers

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Dr Backues really cares about his students & the subject, you can tell he puts a lot of preparation into the course. He's also a really good talker/lecturer so I would definitely recommend watching his lecture videos. If you study better on your own rather than in a group, I think it's alright to skip class SOMETIMES because it's pure groupwork.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
Professor Backues is great! He is super helpful, very clear on what he wants and he lets you work with a partner on all labs. Its an easy class just show up, pay attention and follow directions. Recommend taking him!

Rating: 3.0/5, difficulty: 5.0/5
exams ask very open ended questions but wants you to be as detailed as possible. tough grader but there are lots of opportunities for points. attendance is sometimes mandatory and hell let you know when but his lectures are from long powerpoints and can be hard to follow