Karl Lieberherr is a Computer Science professor at Northeastern University rated 2.85/5 by 436 students, with 3.75/5 difficulty and 30.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Karl Lieberherr professor reviews and ratings: 2.85/5 from 436 student reviews at Northeastern (30.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
Pros: - Lots of time spent in Excel, great for experience - LAMBDA knowledge definitely sets you apart from most users Cons: - Weekly assignments always a number 1 priority (shortest one took me 6 hours.) - Instructions for these assignments are super unclear - TA help isn't great - Huge over-reliance on AI teaching - First few weeks are brutalCS1101 2026-02-19 03:51:10 +0000 UTC
Seriously avoid this class if possible. I took it because I needed a class with a lab for 5 credits and this was offered online. Serious mistake. The assignments are very hard and the professor essentially makes you use AI to learn everything and do the assignments. However, on exams, you cant use AI which makes them very difficult.CS1100 2025-12-10 22:42:07 +0000 UTC
I took the class twice... the first time was during my very first quarter of graduate school and I dropped it after 2 weeks because it was hopelessly more complex than I could understand. I took it again during my last quarter and was AMAZED at the depth of information Karl presented. He remains one of my two best graduate school professors.CSG711 2015-07-07 22:40:38 +0000 UTC
The man is an enigma. He has you learn algorithms through the use of a "game", which in theory is a very novel approach. In practice, it's sometimes a little silly (especially when you play by yourself). In class, he's fairly clear and is very receptive to people asking questions. Exams are open note.CS4800 2011-04-28 01:46:03 +0000 UTC
This class is like starving to death. At first, you try and try to make it through the next day, but eventually, your stomach distends, and you hallucinate the laughing specter of Karl, mocking you, as you cannot even muster up the strength to swat the flies off of your face. You, and your GPA die, just as you came into this world, alone.CSU670 2009-04-28 20:00:21 +0000 UTC
The course was Secure Software Engineering. Or, at least, that's what it was called. It turned out to be a course in AspectJ and Demeter - really just him providing a forum for his students' research projects and trying to push AOP on everybody. I am told this is what ALL his classes are.SECURESOFTWARE 2005-12-02 14:14:01 +0000 UTC
I'm an economics and business administration major, and this class was rough. Tests were hard, tons of homework, and honestly just not worth it if you're not a CS major. Wouldn't take it again.CS1101 2025-07-20 17:27:03 +0000 UTC
By far the worst professor I've had at Northeastern. As someone with ZERO excel experience/knowledge, I took this course thinking it would be an introductory course (1000 course). But, this professor has decided to overcomplicate topics as if we're all experts at CS, designed hellish weekly assignments, and the TAs are unhelpful.CS1100 2025-10-16 00:35:49 +0000 UTC
The Game is useless and even if you ask exactly what you need to turn in for homeworks, you'll still be missing something. Avoid if possible, but you probably won't be able to.CS4800 2011-04-14 22:26:16 +0000 UTC
Brilliant man, wonderful professor. My only complaint is with the course itself, not with Lieberherr. The project was one that he had never done before, and didn't even know how to do himself. Talking to others who took his class, I guess this happens a lot. Surprised to find no Lieb bashers here!CSU670 2004-11-29 13:22:04 +0000 UTC
Assignments took hours and hours and made absolutely zero sense. If you are an Econ major and need this for reqs take either of the other courses offered and save yourself.CS1101 2025-04-09 15:23:39 +0000 UTC
If you're a CSSH major (or basically just not cs and don't have much experience w/ excel) avoid taking this class. All i can say is thank god there were makeup exams otherwise I would have failedCS1100 2025-04-08 04:09:56 +0000 UTC
Work hard and you'll learn LOTS. Lieb. is a zen sort of guy, but if you get him talking you immediately pick up on his vast ability and experience. He is willing to help any time, but can be confusing at times. Great class. Do y'self a favor and take it.CSU670 2004-07-07 08:54:32 +0000 UTC
Run. Whole class tested 33% average score on exam 1, we all almost failed. I am an elite academic and had never withdrawn from anything ever. I withdrew from this. Run, you will not pass. Run.CS1101 2024-04-20 06:07:18 +0000 UTC
I spent one week in this class before dropping it. I cried myself to sleep every single night. Most of the TA's are useless except the girl one. This class is impossible if you have no cs background. Holy hell. Zero guidance, no one teaches you anything, actual hell on earth. Run, run, run, run, run, run.CS1100 2025-01-14 18:41:52 +0000 UTC
Karl Lieberherr has an average rating of 2.85/5 from 436 student reviews. 30.0% of students said they would take them again.
Karl Lieberherr's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.75/5 based on student reviews.
Karl Lieberherr has taught CS1100, CS1101 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.