Skip to main content
Sponsored
ASTR 1210 Introduction to the Sky and Solar System
Last taught: Fall 2026 Add to Schedule
☆ Rating
Difficulty
GPA
Instructor
Enjoyability
Difficulty
Recommend
Reading
Writing
Groupwork
Other
Total Hours

Grade Distribution

No grade data available

Average GPA
Students Measured
Review Summary Updated April 05, 2026

Despite its reputation as an effortless credit, this course demands a heavy time commitment and consistent studying to actually secure a strong grade. The instructor is deeply passionate and highly accommodating, offering recorded lectures, flexible policies, and plenty of straightforward points through weekly homework, participation clickers, and completion-based labs. The real hurdle comes during testing, where you will face notoriously dense and tricky conceptual questions drawn heavily from the textbook and online practice modules rather than simple memorization. Keep up with every assignment, watch or attend the lectures, and focus your prep on genuinely understanding the concepts, and you will likely finish well; otherwise, save your time and explore a lighter alternative to fulfill your requirement.

84 Reviews

Add Review
Fall 2011
3.0
Average

The professor is adorably goofy, but isn't one for jokes. Personality aside, the class was definitely manageable, even for one who didn't put in much effort. As long as you do the homework, somewhat regularly attend class (due to clicker questions), and scan the book so you know what's happening in class, you should do completely fine. I didn't study for any of the tests and got a B in the class.

Instructor 3.0
Enjoyability 2.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 3.0
Fall 2011
3.3
Average

This can be a "trap" course if you decide to put in zero effort. Although, you sort of bottom out at a B even if you do terrible but not horrific on the exams, so definitely take if you're up to the task. A can be attained if you simply read the book and stay actively involved in learning process through the entire course.

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 2.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 0.0
Fall 2011
3.3
Average

Two mandatory labs at night, a midterm and final, clicker questions during the semester so attendance becomes necessary, online homework due weekly. Murphy is excited about Astronomy-- the course is doable for non-science majors

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 3.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 0.0
Fall 2011
4.7
Average

Murphy was great - he has the ability to explain any concept clearly and answers questions in class well. Easy class overall.

Instructor 5.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 5.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 2.0
Fall 2010
3.7
Average

Eddie is really tall and awesome. He's passionate about what he's teaching and includes some pretty sweet vacation pictures of his family. Watch out - you actually have to do more work for this class than you would expect, and you can't really skip because there are clicker questions.

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 0.0
Sponsored
Fall 2010
3.7
Average

This is a great science class for a non science person. I liked Murphy. I found that my grade improved significantly when I stopped bringing my laptop to class and just listened.

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 3.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 0.0
Fall 2010
4.0
Average

not a very difficult class, as long as you show up and pay attention. mastering astronomy and the study area are very helpful on tests

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 4.0
Fall 2010
3.0
Average

Murphy's a cool dude, but boring class. Don't take except to fulfill a requirement

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 2.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 0.0
Fall 2010
4.0
Average

Murphy is such a great guy. You can tell he really enjoys this subject. iClicker questions in every lecture, so make sure you don't forget to bring it to class. HW problems due every Sunday. They are very helpful, and sometimes Murphy uses similar questions on the tests, so make sure to study them. Overall, I really enjoyed this class and would recommend it!

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 3.0
Fall 2010
5.0
Average

He's a pretty sweet guy, and obviously cares about his students. Pretty simple class if you attend lectures, bring your iClicker every class because there is always questions, and do your homework on time. The questions on the homework really help during midterm, and final time because if he chose those questions for homework, it means that they'll most likely in some shape or form end up on the exam.

Instructor 5.0
Enjoyability 5.0
Recommend 5.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 4.0
Sponsored