The best aspect of this course was the fact that it was taught by a Nobel Prize winner. The telescopes provided were great, the review sessions helped students understand difficult concepts with detailed demonstration, and the use of an anthology of primary literature and astronomy textbook helped students compare visual representations. Students also appreciated having the opportunity to hold the Nobel Prize. Some students felt there was great disparity between the questions on the problem sets and the questions on the test. Suggestions included clarifying what’s expected on the homework, incorporating more math, and providing students access to an online audio recording of the lecture (because the instructor often spoke at a rapid pace.) Prospective students should have prior knowledge of math and physics.

The best part about this course was being taught by a Nobel Prize winner. Professor Riess’ passion for the subject was embodied in his engaging, and insightful teaching style. Many students found the course to be fast paced, and the homework challenging and not reflective of exam material. There was no syl abus for the course and the labs were weather dependent. This course could be improved by offering students more lab time, having less emphasis on mathematics, and incorporating better assignments that reflect exam problems. Prospective students should know that a strong understanding of chemistry and geometry are important.