There are some interesting parts to the unit, but overall it was pretty unenjoyable and (unnecessarily) difficult. It probably had the most boring lectures in all my 3 years at uni and the labs kinda just dump information on you then require you to spend most of your time installing packages rather than actually coding anything. Once you figure out everything needed to do the assignments they're not too hard, but figuring that out was just way more difficult than it needed to be due to how the unit's taught. The UC refused to answer questions he didn't like and could be rather passive aggressive in his responses (frankly it was unprofessional, no excuse for it). Another reviewer called Arran helpful, I think they've either got the wrong unit or hit their head because we can't be talking about the same Arran. The exam was easy but I think that was to make up for the fact that half the cohort was failing. Overall, don't take it as an elective.

Anonymous, Semester 2, 2023

I really enjoyed this unit. All the labs and code are done in C11, so I suggest brushing up on C, however, there is a very quick revision in one lecture. Pretty easy to do well, you just need to keep up with the labs and lectures. Some labs are really hard and not very well explained, but thankfully they weren't assessed. I found all the labs interesting, and the project is really just a continuation of the labs. Arran comes across as abrasive when responding to messages on the forum and so he can come off the wrong way, but don't be afraid to ask questions, if he doesn't fully answer your question just say you still don't understand. He gives really good answers and is really helpful.

Anonymous, Semester 2, 2022

Arran Stewart is the most boring, passionless lecturer I've had at UWA. He cared more about trying to ping half the cohort for plagiarism in a midsem asking questions about content that wasn't even delivered in lectures than actually teaching his content! Top 72 university in the world? Did they see this unit?

Anonymous, Semester 2, 2022