The time-consuming homework assignments left a bad taste in many people's mouths. They primarily involved providing an appropriate algorithms for particular scenarios and proving their correctness, time and space complexity. Many people felt the grading was inconsistent, but that reflects more on the grader than the professor. Solutions to each homework was provided, so after one or two assignments, it was more clear what was expected from us. Although I spent multiple hours on each assignment, in many cases, coming up with the algorithms did not take nearly as much time as articulating the proofs clearly and thoroughly. I ended up with a high grade in the class, but I definitely didn't feel significantly more prepared for tech interviews as advertised.

The lectures were clear. The algorithms and proofs he presented in class all seemed to make sense. The homeworks were extensions of these algorithms and proofs. Sometimes the extension was a little too far, which made the homeworks pretty difficult and time-intensive. You learn what he expects after the first assignment's solutions are posted. I think a lot of people aren't used to the rigorous proofs he expects, which made them unhappy with the course. I would agree that I would've rather written some code for these algorithms instead of worrying about the proofs so much.

The exams were easier than the homeworks (as you would expect, since the homeworks took so long). If you understand what you did on the homeworks or at least why the solutions posted are correct, the exams should be pretty straightforward and you should get a pretty good grade.