ASTRO 3

He sends out a warning email saying that the class is math/physics based, but that's not really true. The labs are math based, but everything is obscurely information based. Yes, some of the questions are directly from his past exams that he posts, but a lot aren't either and he doesn't test on basic/general knowledge but rather ridiculously small details from the reading. You get nothing from going to lecture. The class is not worth it - don't take this class unless you're actually genuinely interested in the universe. HORRIBLE CLASS.

Astro 3

Professor Malkan Is a very passionate lecturer, and can be pretty funny to watch at times. Lectures were kind of pointless, but I read all the chapters in the book and ended up getting an A- in the class. He was sort of intimidating to talk to, but when I had a question about something he seemed to really care about helping me and had a conversation with me about it. Overall, I'd recommend this class and professor!

Astronomy 3

I just checked my grade and found out that I got an A-. I was never interested in Astronomy or Physics, but after taking this course, I became a little interested in observing the stars.
Firstly, for the difficulty of this course, it was a little challenging for me. You will get this 700-page textbook, and should get your mind ready to read the entire book if you don't trust other people who say you are pretty much well prepared with previous exams that are on the course webpage and Professor Malkan's powerpoint notes. I did not trust those people, and had to read almost every chapter with extreme concentration.
Secondly, I found the homework very frustrating. I don't know the way other people had done this homework. But for me, I had to read two to three chapters prior to do this homework and even after that, it took me a while to finish it. You will have to get an online access to textbook publishing company website and do the problems online. Sometimes it is very annoying because they ask you about very tiny details that are explained on the little corner of your book. Also there is a penalty if you get it wrong. The number of problems are usually about 80~100 per chapter. It looks like not a lot at first glance, but it is a lot and you will realize that you have to read the textbook. I think some other people did the homework without reading the textbook, but I had to be sure that I understand the materials rather than getting the problems right.
Thirdly, I have to say Prof. Malkan is amazing lecturer. He is very well prepared almost all the time except when his wife had to do the lecture. He talks very fast but explains the material very well. If you do the reading before the lecture, you will not find it boring. I saw some people saying he is a terrible lecturer, but he is very passionate and willing to teach you.
Fourthly, the exams are pretty easy if you do the reading and understand the material. About half of the problems on the exams are directly from your homework. So make sure to do the homework.

I took ASTR 3 with this professor, and must say that it was by far one of the easiest courses I have taken. Malkan posts past midterms and finals at the beginning of the quarter, so you know what to study for. The class was covered elementary physics mixed with some beginner astronomy. I am not even that smart (4 on AP Calc, and 4 on AP Physics B Tests), and I did not have to do a single reading the entire year. I managed to squeak out an A even though I barely put any effort into the class. Seriously though, STUDY HIS PAST EXAMS, and you are fine!

This evaluation is about Astro 3: Nature in Universe, not Physics M155.

I took two Astro classes at UCLA, one of which with Prf. Malkan in Fall 2009. This might be a hasty generalization, but I want to say UCLA astronomers are good people indeed, but terrible teachers. 'Generous' grading scale they employ, intriguing class materials they teach. Yet insincere lectures they offer, and unreasonable tests they give out.

I took Astro 3 with Malkan because I thought it was going to be an easy GE. I was definitely wrong. I ended up with an A- but it is a lot more work than the students in the other Astro 3 class had to put in. The midterms and final were tough too.

If you're looking for an easy GE, do not take this class with Malkan.

this guy is cool, i love his midterm, even though, i fell asleep for 10 minutes, i still had enough time to finish this, which kind of upset me, since i hadn't been sleeping for 3 days just to review for his midterm. and somehow the midterm turned out to be ridiculously easy...............