This can be a difficult class but once you figure out how it operates, the workload becomes easier to handle.

Labs:
Tend to be quite clear, do the work!
Tests:
Are tough but MOST questions come directly from previous semesters' tests which are all posted. Also, there is always a healthy curve.

One of the most important things I would say is to not be intimidated!

I have to agree with everyone: hard but worthwhile. This class is pretty much tests and labs. The tests are all conceptual (name 3 things for blah, why do we use such and such, give an example of blah), and curved.

The labs are comprised of pre-lab, in-lab, post-lab. These are time-consuming, some more than others. The TA's are wonderful, and these are definitely doable. You'll know exactly what you're getting and what to do - lots of critical thinking, but nothing confusing.

I learned a lot in this class, but it definitely takes a bit of getting used to.

I learned more in this class than any other class I've taken so far here.

This class is really difficult.

A course of truly epic proportion. I have never worked so hard in a class before, but the feeling of satisfaction after getting my code to run for the labs was incomparable. As mentioned by many others, Bloomfield is a great lecturer who cares a lot about expanding our knowledge of CS. You'll have to learn how to use Linux, code in C++, write assembly code, create your own Makefiles, and do countless other things. Some of the labs are frustrating, and a few took me roughly 15 hours to complete, but I do not regret a single minute that I spent coding for this class. As far as exams are concerned, they are quite difficult and graded somewhat arbitrarily. However, the curve is more than generous, so don't be discouraged if you score about a 60%, as that very well may be the class average.

On a more critical note, the post-lab reports which followed many of the later labs were a pain to write, and certainly felt like busy work. Also, one of the more difficult labs was assigned during Thanksgiving break, which is pushing the limit for what a professor can reasonably assign. Finally, some people (myself included) experienced some issues with VirtualBox, the virtual machine that we used to run Linux.

Despite these detractions, I would highly recommend this class to any computing major. Worth it.

Bloomfield is a very engaging lecturer, which is something I can say about few professors. Definitely explains things very thoroughly and gives you plenty of real-world applications for the material. Also throws in plenty of humor as well.

The only downside is the labs - they can get ridiculously long, especially hash lab (though you can get one-day extensions for no penalty if you need them). Overall, you'll learn an incredible amount from this class if you put in the time.

Bloomfield puts a lot of time and energy into the class, as it's intended to prepare you to take almost all of the more advanced CS courses, and his efforts show in the utter organization of the class. Yes, you will be expected to do plenty of work for the class (15 hours per week is not an exaggeration; it's probably the average), and yes, the format of the class forces you to never fall behind, and yes, the exams are hard, but if you are doing some sort of CS major, the skills and information you learn in CS 2150 are invaluable. It's a tough, manageable class. My advice: Go to the TA office hours and study using old tests.

This is not an easy course. It's the core curriculum of the CS major, so you cover a lot, and it's rough. But Bloomfield is an excellent professor, and paying attention in lecture and going in for help when you need it will go a long way towards success in this class. The learning curve is a bit steep at the beginning, and once you figure it out, he'll throw something new at you, so don't ever think you can slack off. Start on labs early, or you'll be up late a lot. Exams are hard, but fair, and he curves them up to a reasonable average. Expect this course to take up a lot of time, but it's very doable if you apply yourself.

So I have no idea what the person below me is talking about. Bloomfield teaches you everything you need to know in lecture. Yeah, he doesn't completely define things in the lab write-ups often, which is a pain, but that's because he wants you to figure it out and not to just tell you what to do and have you regurgitate what he tells you. Professor Bloomfield is definitely a wonderful professor and I really enjoyed 2150 this semester. It's a tough class and you'll feel like crying all the time (only slightly joking) but it's worth it. You really are going to learn a lot and this class really is where most of your interview questions will come from so don't snooze. There are three parts to each lab/week: prelab, inlab, post lab. They're TIME consuming but you don't have other 'homework' assignments throughout the semester. You "only" have these three weekly assignments. Go to office hours, especially Sunday for the prelab and Wednesday for the in lab, if you don't finish, or the postlab. Those tend to be less crowded. The TAs for this course are SO WONDERFUL, so use them and Bloomfield's office hours are also really great but there are a lot of people and he has a rotation system where he lets everyone ask a question or two for a few minutes and then goes to someone else so you might have to wait a lot of time before you get to ask a question again but that's just because he genuinely wants people to understand what's going on. The only thing that I really disliked about this course was that often, I felt like large parts of the exams didn't reflect what we were learning but rather he was trying to test us on minute details that he touched upon for only a slide or so. Studying for this class is tough because there's a lot of info but if you watch his lectures, go to lectures, review the slides, review old exams (there are like 7 past ones for each exam you take) and ask questions. Go to class because 5% of your grade is based on attendance. And post/answer on piazza because that apparently gives you a couple booster points. This class is worth it, but it's not easy or to be taken lightly.

Unfortunately Bloomfield is your only option for 2150 most of the time. He seems so pompous and smug in class, I can't stand it. Be prepared to teach yourself everything. I hate this course so much and you will too. Don't be a CS major, that you wont have to deal this guy. Problem solved.

I had a lot of fun with this course. But here's what I wish I knew before I took this course:
1. Labs are not created equal. They tend to follow a roller coaster pattern. It usually goes from really easy to super time consuming/hard, then back to easy. So make sure you don't procrastinate on the some of the labs...
2. I'd probably take notes on his slides. Print them out, take notes on them. Wish I'd done that as it'd help with studying for tests...