If you put effort into this class, you're pretty much guarenteed an A. Gives quite a few extra credit oppurtunites. Also the lectures are interesting so its not a chore to attend class. One of the best proffesors Ive had.

Here is what you need to know: - He has an English accent, so it is very easy to pay attention in class. - He types up lecture notes that explain the material well. They contain all the formulae/concepts you need to know for HW/exams. Exams are very fair. - If you know Python, later HWs will be easy. - 9% EC available Townsend is a God-send.

I absolutely loved this class, and the awesome lectures by Rich persuaded me to take many more astronomy classes. Very passionate about what he teaches, very willing to put in effort for students, and a really great guy overall. Lectures are fun and exciting, so if you have the chance to take a class with Rich, you should!!

Rich was a great professor who always made lectures interesting. The homework did get hard towards the end of the semester and all three tests were difficult, but the extra credit you can earn throughout the semester makes up for it and makes the class an easy A/AB

This class is a standard science heavy class, but his lectures are interesting and very clear. They are also very based on the book so you should read the textbook and study your notes. The online homework is frustrating because of the software so go to office hours. The tests are fine and there is a LOT of extra credit so class is easy to pass.

He took a subject that was already interesting (space) and taught our class about it in an engaging and thought provoking way. He has great comedic timing during lectures which made waking up for them a lot easier. This is a great course for someone needed physical science credits.

Rich himself made 103 worth taking. He was very engaging in class and extremely knowledgeable about the field. In class demonstrations were interesting and taught in a way that made it enjoyable. Offered many extra credit opportunities. TA's were lackluster and awkward teachers thus I skipped a lot of discussions and still passed easily.

Prof. Townsend is such a great professor. You can read on your own but coming to lecture helps a lot (he provides i-clicker questions as well). Tons of reading assignments and quite challenging homework. But he gives tons of extra credits as well. Come to all the extra credit talks and you'll be fine.

He's fine! Very open and responsive to e-mail. Exams and homework are somewhat challenging, but they're NOT impossible: if you study hard, you can ace them. And he gave a ton of extra credit. Don't be tempted to skip readings: read thoroughly and take notes. Put in the work and it's an easy A (don't put in the work and it's definitely not).

Townsend is one of my favorite professors I've had. He made a class that did not interest me, into something that I enjoyed coming to. He is extremely nice and actually cares about his students. I would recommend taking any classes with him.

The tests are next to impossible no matter how hard you study, and there is a TON of reading each week if you expect to keep up. Class is all super heavy and fast lectures. Definitely not a 100 level course.

He offers lots of extra credit and is a GREAT lecturer. My only complaint of this class was the amount of reading, I dreaded it every week. His lecture slides are online, and the tests are easy if you do the "test yourself" questions at the end of each chapter. Also, the discussion sessions aren't mandatory or that helpful.

Prof. Townsend is a great astronomy teacher. The lectures are clear and the material is not too difficult. The clicker questions are mandatory, so lecture is required. Lectures are basically further explanations of what was in the textbook. If you miss a reading, that is okay, you will understand it from the lecture. He makes class exciting and fun

Rich is a great professor. While the lectures are mandatory due to iClicker questions, they are super helpful and you wouldn't want to miss them anyway. He does his best to make them interesting and he really knows what he is talking about. Plus he gives tons of extra credit so the grade isn't that big of a concern. Would recommend!

Rich's lectures are incredibly interesting, but they're mandatory to attend due to iClicker questions at the beginning. This is definitely a more difficult course, especially for those who aren't as math inclined (like me). If science/astronomy is up your alley and you aren't afraid to work for your grade, then I'd recommend this class.

Nice professor, decent lecturer, and allows the content of the class to be taught in a conceptual way.

This is hard, but besides a two are three really impossible homeworks, the rest were fine and I have a good grade in the class. There are clicker questions at the beginning of each lecture, so make sure you go to each one or have a good excuse. Prof is easily accessible through email and will even help with homework if you ask!

Mandatory attendance at lecture recorded by iClicker questions. Weekly homework that is virtually impossible to get perfect scores on. Tons of calculations on half of the midterm questions. If you excel at physics and chemistry, be my guest. But beware, this is not a 100 level of difficulty.

Great teacher. The class is super interesting and I genuinely enjoy going to class. The tests are not too hard and the discussions do not take attendance. He does, however, require iClickers for lecture. Definitely would recommend!

If you are interested in space and want to know what the universe is made up of than this is a good class for you. He loves what he is teaching and goes over information from the reading that might be easily misunderstood. The readings can be a bit tedious and repetitive and the homework can be a bit difficult to get a perfect score on. A

Professor Townsend is a great guy, he keeps lectures very interesting. Going to lecture will be helpful when it comes to what will be emphasized on the tests.

In 103 I figured Astronomy and learning about the Cosmos would be great. Well, get ready for heavy chem and physics. Not blaming him for my struggles with chem or physics. On Homework he gives has 0 feedback, 0 solutions once you've finished. Lectures don't really help, confusing celestial topics are confusing. Tests are Okay. Cool guy bad prof.

Keeps class lectures interesting and clear. Textbook is helpful for clarifying topics in lecture and is very helpful. Not a very difficult class but some studying required.

Great professor, kept lectures interesting. Rarely loses track of the topic at hand. Tests are rather easy with minimal studying required. Book is useful for further explaining concepts covered in lecture.