There are two professors (1 for the first half of the quarter: Jean-Luc Margot, and 1 for the second half of the quarter: Tina Treude). Prof Margot makes the lectures somewhat fun, but Prof Treude has a thick accent that makes her difficult to understand. The material is extremely boring if you're taking this for an easy GE and not actually interested in the subject. Don't wait until the day before final to study because there is a lot of material.

No need to go to lecture, but maybe it helps (I wouldn’t know). I gave up on going to lectures because on the first day I showed up late and had to sit on the floor, as there were no more seats left. Hw is 40% of grade and really short (graded on accuracy however). Midterm was moderately easy, but Final was hard (both all MC). I used the pdf version of the book and posted ppt slides to study for exams; very light work load, but I would say put in some effort if you want the solid A. I got median on the midterm and a 50-something % on the final, whoops. (Pretty much equivalent to taking ¼ of a class if you don’t mind getting a “P” or somewhere from A- to B-)

This class is a great GE if you're looking for something interesting with very minimal work involved. As others have mentioned, this class is taught by 2 professors-Margot is an astronomer who handles basic astronomical and physical concepts while Treude is a marine scientist who lectures on the biological and chemical aspects in astrobiology. Some people here felt that the professors were boring which is unfortunate but understandable if these individuals sat at the back of the lecture hall. This is a very large class taught in a really big lecture hall so I recommend sitting closer to the front where you can actually see the professors' faces; they are both passionate about teaching this class and it helps to see them if you have a hard time listening to European accents . I'd also like to mention that they were both incredibly nice and helpful. I had a serious medical emergency that forced me to miss the midterm for the class. Both of the professors were very supportive and understanding and let my final exam grade count for my missed midterm grade as well. Do NOT slack off for the final, there were some surprisingly tricky questions. I devoted one entire day of studying for this class' final and was able to come through with a 100%, it's definitely doable! None of the concepts in this class are difficult and most should be familiar for anyone with a minimal science background. I highly recommend this class.

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.