If you need a science GE, definitely take this course. It was incredibly easy and had no exams. There was a lecture quiz through Gradescope during every lecture, but they were usually multiple choice and consisted of only 5 questions. There were also weekly labs, but they were also very straightforward and easy. The lowest quiz and lab are also dropped. There is a final paper in place of the no exams, but it was relatively simple and was basically graded on just completion and correctness. You don't have to buy the required book; I never opened it once. Professor Paige is super chill and knowledgable, and I recommend this course for anyone looking for an easy and fun GE credit.

Super easy GE course. Most of the grade is a final term paper w/ a topic you choose from a list (some of them aren't even scientific/technical). Other than that it's mainly labs (which are super easy) and lecture quizzes. The lecture quizzes make it so you have to attend most lectures, but honestly a lot of people were able to figure out the answers online. I still went to lecture because it was really interesting! The material is pretty diverse, and is generally easy to grasp. Prof. Paige is also super knowledgeable (he's even part of the science team for one of the instruments on the Perseverance rover) and is just a super sweet and excited guy. Don't buy the textbook! Have fun!

The final paper is worth 40% of the grade. 4-page single-spaced so it's basically 8-page double-spaces. If you find good sources and select a topic that really interests you, you'll pull it off. Ask the professor for sources that he recommends!

There are quizzes for every lecture so people seldom miss lectures. But most of the answers are in the slides and you can always discuss with neighbors or even with the professor so it's not hard to get almost-full credits.

The labs involve very basic math (in 1 or 2 labs) and planetary observation. You can always google or ask the TA how to do them.

A film assignment accounts for 25% of the grade. Going over certain scenes again and again took me 4 hours but I got most of the credits as well, so it shouldn't be hard if you really spent some time working on the assignment.

Don't listen to the earlier reviews. The class is very low effort, but Paige is a hard ass when it comes to grading. I've kept a 4.0 for years at UCLA and this is the only class that broke that streak. Don't go in expecting an A, the earlier grade distributions aren't demonstrative of the current class status.

i have no idea why paige has a 2.5, this is the easiest class i will probably ever take at ucla. i got an a- and i didn't try at all on the final paper.

the class is easy as fuck. no tests, just daily quizzes that you fill out in class, and i think two are dropped. admittedly, the labs are really hard, especially if you don't know anything about it, but if you wanted help you could probably get it from the ta - i don't know because i never stayed for lab class.

for a science ge, this is a great class, just make sure you go to lecture and please don't buy the book. he also gives hella extra credit.

I took the Mars class. In short -- if you're looking for an easy science GE that's vaguely interesting, this is the class to take.

No exams. There was a daily quiz which you had the entire class to complete based off the lecture. If you missed something, you could ask Paige after lecture.

Labs were worksheets that guided you through different stuff online. Easy.

There was a required field trip to JPL, but since many people weren't able to make it, it ended up being extra credit for those who went. He also required that you watch The Martian (no, I'm not kidding).

Term paper was the bulk of the class, but nothing to sweat over.

I liked Paige; he was an affable guy who was very accesible and responsive to students. More than willing to help with the term paper and the like. More importantly, he's an expert in the field and knows what he's talking about.

Don't bother buying the textbook.

paige is amazing. he is interesting, hilarious and probably the most interested in his own subject professor i have seen. the class is not that hard and interesting if you love space in general. i recommend him.

i absolutely love professor paige. he manages to make mars seem interesting, and always makes his lectures fun to listen to. he is very helpful and really wants everyone to do well. one of the midterms is dropped so just study for one and you can not even take the next one. i highly recommend this class as an easy GE that you will actually enjoy.

Easy A class, he drops the lowest midterm score and the lowest quiz score(quizzes are three questions, super easy) Hes funny and you'd be crazy not to take him.

Professor Paige is extremely brilliant, humble, and sweet. He makes lecture interesting by incorporating jokes and making everything so understandable. He also posts lecture notes online which means you can listen to his explanations rather than writing down the notes. As for his midterms and final, although there are a few questions from the book, the majority are based off of his lectures. I thoroughly enjoyed this class and I came out of it with an appreciation for Mars and space in general.