This class is co-taught by Jean-Luc Margot and Tina Treude. Tina deserves a higher rating than JLM because the material she tests us on is way easier than what JLM puts on our tests. She is not as engaging as JLM, but she is way, way easier. Her midterm was easy and fair, and the final that JLM gave us killed us all and destroyed our grades. This class isn't necessarily hard, but JLM puts very confusing and irrelevant material on the final. I had an A up until the final day and ended up with a B+ in the class – JLM curved in other quarters, but he decided not to curve the class for us. The class as a whole isn't hard, and there is extra credit offered, but be weary of JLM and his killer final.
40% homework, 30% midterm, and 30% final (+ 1% extra credit if you decide to do it).

This class is co-taught by Jean-Luc Margot (who covers the more physical side) and Tina Treude, who covers the biological side of astrobiology.

The extra credit is to take a trip to: Griffith Observatory, OR La Brea Tar Pits, OR Mount Wilson, OR California Academy of Science, OR Natural History Museum.

The professors are incredibly engaging - they even add jokes on the exams!! The work load is minimal (only took me ten minutes a week), but it also reinforces your understanding. There isn’t much math involved at all.

Overall, a HIGHLY engaging and fun class - I recommend this to anybody who’s even remotely interested in science, space, or life on other planets (and who isn’t?)!

I thought this class was by far one the most interesting class's I've taken at UCLA thus far. It is a lot of information that is being thrown at you. The homework assignments take 5 minutes to do if simply just pay attention in class (15 if you go through the slideshow. The exams aren't hard.

Lecture may not be very engaging but the material is not difficult. We had a weekly homework assignment that was one page which was usually fill in the blank or answering easy questions (which you could usually answer by just going to lecture). The midterm was short and was straightforward.

I disagree with the reviews, this class is not easy, and Professor Treude does not make it any easier. She has a monotone voice and puts you to sleep. Going to class was pointless since all the the lectures were off a powerpoint that was just read and not explained. The midterm was a lot easier than the final but the only way to pass the class is studying and grasping the material on your own, otherwise you will be lost and confused.