I decided to enroll in Nachenberg's class after seeing all the positive reviews but I must say I disagree now that I have actually taken it. While he is pretty interesting and tells random stories a lot, this hampers his ability to teach effectively. He was always joking about how Smallberg is ridiculously slow and how he can use the extra time to tell us stories. Of course, this was all while Smallberg was reiterating important points over and over again.

If you've entered CS31 with absolutely no knowledge and you are now entering CS32, I highly recommend that you DO NOT take it with Nachenberg. One of the most important facts for Project 1 (you NEVER include .cpp files. Probably common knowledge for people who know how to program, but since I've never programmed before...) was never stated by Nachenberg (I was definitely paying attention that class that he should have said it.) while my friend told me that Smallberg must have stated that fact 10 or so times. Smallberg may be a little more boring than Nachenberg, but it seems that if Nachenberg goes over a certain topic for about an hour, Smallberg will go over that same topic for an hour one day, then spend 20 minutes reviewing it the next two days.

Nachenberg is definitely not a bad lecturer since he keeps it interesting, but if you don't know how to program, Smallberg is the better choice to teach you.

While Carey is an effective lecturer, he is by no means the "best" at UCLA. I agree that he is kind, concerned, and outgoing, but his lectures can be dull. His project are tough, so follow his advice and start early on projects 3 and 4. The best way to study for his midterms is to search online for problems on linked lists, stacks and queues, recursion, big-oh notation...basically all of data structures and algorithms.

Not only was he the best professor I've ever had, but he's a great person in general. UCLA is incomplete without the Nachenberg experience.

I was enrolled in Smallberg's CS32 section, but Nachenberg was so good I ended up going to his lectures instead. Carey (as he prefers to be called) is one of those teachers that makes you question why all other teachers aren't like him. His lectures and slides are interesting and keep your attention. He knows everyone's name so gives personal attention during lectures to make sure students are getting the material. He plays practical jokes to keep things interesting. He gives prizes (things like candy and pop tarts) to encourage class participation. On the last day of class, he even throws an 'ice cream party' during the course review. Why don't all teachers do this? Carey really embraces the notion that happy students are more enthusiastic about learning and therefore learn better. Sort of the opposite of an old-school mentality of someone like Rohr (not to bash Rohr, cause he wasn't _that_ bad).

Bottom line, take Nachenberg if you can. Shuffle your schedule around his class if you have to. CS32 is difficult so it will be particularly helpful.

I'm usually too lazy to get on Bruinwalk to rate professors, but Nachenberg is someone I just have to evaluate. If you ever have the chance to take him (he only lectures winter quarter) TAKE HIM!! His class is tough and fast paced but he is by far the best professor I have taken at UCLA so far. Terrific at explaining things with his powerpoint presentations and extremely concerned with student learning. Nachenberg is so passionate about the field that it just rubs off of you! I'm actually excited about CS!!!! But yeah, overall great teacher. Just get ready to work your butt off because CS 32 is an extremely time consuming class. Get ready to put in 30+ hours for some projects.