Nathaniel Derbinsky is a Computer Science professor at Northeastern University rated 4.22/5 by 595 students, with 3.37/5 difficulty and 97.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Nathaniel Derbinsky professor reviews and ratings: 4.22/5 from 595 student reviews at Northeastern (97.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
Derbinsky goated. Engaging, funny lectures. Knows how to explain complex topics like functional programming to CS beginners. Made lots of time for office hours and seemed to genuinely care about everybody's success. Quick to grade and explain feedback. Best introduction to CS I could have asked for.CS2500 2024-04-12 11:52:20 +0000 UTC
I just wanted to document this experience. I worked as a researcher with Prof. Derbinsky. My experience is that Prof. Derbinsky is a rude person from my personal interaction.CSR 2022-11-08 11:26:56 +0000 UTC
Prof Derbinsky is the nicest and best teacher I have ever had! He truly cares about his students and will take the time to re-explain and help with any topic. His class was super interesting, easy to understand, and extremely useful. He did such an awesome job of engaging everyone and even met with us outside of class to help with projects!DS2000 2021-05-11 01:50:03 +0000 UTC
Lectures are easy to follow and he is a nice funny guy. Just get ready to play the lottery on getting a coding partner.CS2510 2021-04-30 20:50:27 +0000 UTC
Professor Derbinsky is an amazing professor! He's one that isn't condescending or makes you feel bad if you don't understand a concept. He will help you and be really supportive if you reach out to him! Super friendly on piazza and all around nice guy. His lectures are really helpful and he will answer any questions you have.CS3200 2020-10-08 02:31:17 +0000 UTC
Very approachable, both inside & outside the class. Attend his classes, he simplifies everything & teaches all you need to learn in the course with clarity. Get ready to work though, you won't get an easy A here. I detested DBMS before taking up his class & now I will be graduating with a specialization in DB, need I say anything else?CS5200 2017-11-30 03:06:20 +0000 UTC
Derbinsky is awesome!! I took Fundies I as a non-CS major with very little prior programming knowledge, and while the course is definitely challenging, he made it such a positive experience I could succeed in. He is an engaging lecturer, very knowledgeable, and so genuinely caring for his students (def go to office hrs!) Would highly recommend him!CS2500 2024-03-20 14:09:12 +0000 UTC
Derbinsky was one of the most impactful professors I've had at Northeastern. He is very understanding and knows how to break difficult topics into more simple concepts.CS2500 2023-10-18 16:39:13 +0000 UTC
Professor Derbinsky is awesome at teaching programming to beginners. He provides many informative videos to help students get started with programming. He definitely took care of his Fundies 1 students. Course was definitely time-consuming, but Derbinsky does not give you a hard time.CS2500 2023-04-27 03:48:51 +0000 UTC
the absolute GOAT.CS2500 2022-12-16 18:55:03 +0000 UTC
AMAZING. Probably the best professor I've ever had. His lectures are super clear and engaging; I found the time flying by and I was never bored. He's hilarious and makes learning CS fun. Also super accessible - he's always happy to talk to students after class and help with code. If you have the opportunity, TAKE HIS CLASS!CS2500 2022-11-26 01:18:26 +0000 UTC
Great Professor. Class is run really well. Stays on top of Piazza comments like a hawk. 10 / 10 - would take again.CS2500 2022-10-03 21:15:17 +0000 UTC
Prof. Derbinsky is funny, engaging, and really good at teaching students how to code, even if they have no prior coding knowledge/expierence.CS2500 2022-05-02 18:10:11 +0000 UTC
Derbinsky is great, he goes over topics very thoroughly and is very funny. His lectures are fun to attend and he clarifies any doubt a student has. He is also very approachable after classes.CS2500 2022-04-07 02:10:18 +0000 UTC
Literally the goatCS2500 2022-03-15 21:55:40 +0000 UTC
Nathaniel Derbinsky has an average rating of 4.22/5 from 595 student reviews. 97.0% of students said they would take them again.
Nathaniel Derbinsky's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.37/5 based on student reviews.
Nathaniel Derbinsky has taught CS2510, CS2500, CS2501, CS3200, DS2000, DS2001, CS4500, CS5200, CS6220, DS5230 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.