If you need an easy science GE to balance a tough class load or need a GPA booster, take this class! Dr. McLean is a great professor because not only does he give a majority the class an A, but he is really passionate about the subject and strives for students to gain the same appreciation. Meaning he is always very helpful and breaks down astronomy to make it clear and concise. The class was graded on online quizzes, one 50q midterm, 1 90q final, and discussion participation. The homework quizzes are straight from the lecture slides. The exams are verbatim his exam reviews and the quiz questions. You get discussion participation for showing up. It is extremely easy to do well and I encourage students to go to lectures because it is honestly awesome stuff to hear about. Protect Dr. McLean at all costs!!!!

Professor Mclean is the Best! From the first lecture, you could already tell that Professor Mclean is not only knowledgeable but also a very engaging lecturer. Course materials are very interesting and cover a huge variety of topics. No matter you are interested in Astronomy or not, you will love this class. Mclean himself is a humorous teacher, and you will definitely enjoy his lectures even if most of the contents are presented in the slides already. As long as you finish and practice all the homework, attend the discussions, and review the slides posted on Canvas, you will ace this course. The class average is B+. Grade distribution is 15% participation of discussion sessions, 15% homework which consists of 20 multiple choices every week, 30% midterm, and 40% final. Unfortunately, Professor Mclean is retired after this Spring Quarter. But still strongly recommend this course. If TA is Peyton, take this course! She is also one of the best TAs ever!

Easiest GE ever, best professor ever. I think he gives around 80% A, take him!

Very responsible and concerning professor! The best GE ever taken!

Professor McLean is friendly and always eager to teach. He always came to lectures prepared and I liked how he used a variety of photos so that the powerpoint slides wouldn't just be text. He also has a great sense of humor and made us laugh/smile. I had never taken an astronomy class before and I took this class as a Science GE, but he made the class very manageable and did review sessions before the midterm and final.
Professor McLean is a very fair grader and he wants students to do well in his class. The midterm and final are all completely multiple choice and the majority of the questions on the exams were the same exact questions as the ones in the weekly homework, so as long as you review all of the homework assignments before the exams and memorize the bolded terms/concepts in the powerpoint slides, you are guaranteed to get an A :)

As a sociology major, I was very nervous about taking Professor McLean’s class as I knew next to nothing about astronomy. If like me you are questioning his class, this is your sign to take it. Professor McLean was the best Professor I ever had at UCLA, and also the first other Scottish person I’ve met during my time here in America. His pure passion for all thing astronomy is inspiring, and I am beyond grateful to have learned from him. The only downside to taking his class is that I now regret not majoring in astronomy.