My roommate took Astro 3 with McLean and sang its praises: no math, no homework, easy tests. What the heck, I figured, and enrolled in Reitzel's figuring it couldn't very different. After a quarter that featured 35% math, weekly homework graded by a faceless grader even the TAs didn't know, and tests that required a good deal of studying, I can sufficiently lament not waiting for McLean to come around again. Reitzel attempted to be cool and easy to understand, leading to over-emphasis of many incredibly simple concepts like phases of the moon and the effects of gravity on stellar bodies, lulling you to sleep before barraging you in the second half of the quarter, when the class mysteriously morphed into Physics 6A. I've never had a more useless TA than Trott, who was completely and utterly unable to communicate concepts to us in any way, and veered off into theoretical calculus just for fun on occasion. I could keep complaining, but there's a simple solution: take it with good ol' Scottish McLean and avoid Reitzel at all costs -- if you're non-science like me and expect an easy GE, you'll be sorry.

Prof Reiztel was probably one of the worst I had here at UCLA. While his tests were not "hard" they were totally misleading. In his lectures he barely covered a third of the material he wanted to, so one would think that you would not be tested on material he never covered-- WRONG! He gave really easy examples on homework and in lecture, then pulled out test questions which required you to pull all the information together and extrapolate.something he claimed he would NEVER do. His final was probably the easiest test. As well, his TAs were totally opposite graders. One TA graded extremely hard and one extremely easy, and the prof not going over any of the grades to realize the disproportion. I am sure he is very knowledgeable, but he certainly didnt show it in his teaching.

I thought Professor Reitzel was an enthusiastic teacher- considering in the first week he stood on the table and described the moon going around the earth, pretended to be the earth going around the sun (projector) and made us guess what crazy music he was playing before every lecture. Lectures weren't always that interesting, but he was! There was little homework even though the TAs were sort of stiff on the grading. Tests were very fair and relatively short if you just did the reading. A great GE that was fun and easy.

Reitzel was a very interesting professor who was definately exited about astronomy and reflected it through his lectures. While the class did drag on at times, they were few and far between. I found the material to be very interesting even though it was just to satisfy a G.E. requirement. His tests are fair and the workload is welcome considering how scarcely he gave out homework. A warning though if your t.A. is Trott because this poor guy is very withdrawn and quiet and seems to think more quantitatively than qualitatively. Questions that needed to be answered with words would instead have trott throwing equation after useless equation at you leaving most of the class in puzzlement.

i took prof reitzel's astro 3 for GE requirement. he's not the most exciting or organized lecturer, but lectures are fairly simple and straighfoward. the material is not hard to understand at all. the homework isn't hard since my TA gave me the answers. the midterms/final started out really easy, but got harder. the class is pretty easy, i didn't even read the book. (but of course it was so easy that it made me want to slacked off and i got a C.)

One word.. EASY. His class is easy compared to the other classes I'm taking, but his midterms are EASY~ His homework is kinda gay cuz his stupid grader is so picky, but hwk is only worth 15%. overall, i recommend everyone to take astro 3 with reitzel, i dunno about the other professors. Also, his TA Mike McElwain is the best. He was so helpful.

Dr. Reitzel is awesome. His lectures are not boring. He is so animated: he uses props and demonstrations to help everyone understand. He's super funny, likes cool music and is an all around nice guy. Just don't talk while he's trying to, or he'll get annoyed. This is a good class to get rid of a GE requirement while getting a decent grade. The tests are only 10 multiple choice and 5 short answer so you must know the material or your grade on it can be easily lowered. As long as you attend study sessions and actually re-read lecture notes and homeworks, you should be fine. Ooh, and Peter Plavchan is the best!! I love him, he is the best TA ever. Really nice, really tall... take his section if you can!

Reitzel is a very enthusiastic teacher who makes lecture pretty interesting. His class isn't hard and if you attend lecture fairly regularly, you should do fine. I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to fulfill a GE in Physical sciences.

Professor Reitzel is a cool professor. I find the subject matter interesting; we learn the basics about astronomy--the planets, comets, the sun, asteroids, etc. he outlines and lectures on what you need to know for tests. he plays alternative music related to astronomy before and after class and will play music that students bring up to him, if he thinks it's related to astronomy. I think people in general enjoy his class, because he's funny and does really good examples in class, often bringing in props and stuff to make his point. he seems to really take an interest in students learning the material and understanding it. Definitely recommend this professor for a GE or just for a fun class. My TA, Peter Plavchan, was really cool too!

he's the coolest professor, i actually enjoyed going to his classes. he's reaaaalllly funny too~