David Weintraub - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Professor: David Weintraub

Department: Astronomy

College: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

It's harder than you'd think, but compared to things like chem and bio, it's not bad at all. Go to class, take notes, and go over the study guides and you should be fine. There's also optional homeworks for extra practice which are super helpful. He's a good lecturer, funny, knows what he's talking about. Good class if you need a science credit.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He's a very knowledgable professor, but this course is not an easy A. You can either read the book or go to class taking good notes. If you solve all the practice problems, you'll be fine especially with the curve (but he doesnt give out answers).

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Do the homework and read the book and go to office hours and youll be fine! He is very approachable and clearly passionate and good at explaining/providing analogies. You have to take it seriously though. I recommend going to class because his lectures make more sense than the book, however there is no participation or attendance.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Weintraub is one of the most passionate professors out there. Althought attendance is not mandatory, because he posts his lecture slides, showing up to lectures and reading the textbook helps a lot. Also Weintraub posts all his previous years tests online to help students prepare well. Very helpful in office hours as well!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Prof. Weintraub is VERY knowledgeable of ASTR, but for an intro class would advise to not take his class. His tests are extremely difficult (although he prepares us well) and most kids average a C/C- before his slight curve (if any). His class requires a strong background in physics and tremendous dedication to achieve any success. I'd avoid it

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1010
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Weintraub is amazing, he is really patient and answer every question you have. He is always available outside of class and would love to discuss astronomy with you. He not only teaches the knowledge but also encourages students to think and reflect. Highly recommended!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

hes a really cool guy and he seems passionate about his own studies. im a senior engineer who needs a technical elective. for an intro class, this was WAY TOO DIFFICULT. i spent an hour a day reading and doing hw, but i never scored above average - tests were written so difficultly and the TA's are horrific graders. realllly hoping for a curve

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Amazing professor! If you put in effort by reading his textbook, going to lectures, and by doing all the optional homework assignments, this class should be manageable. Also, he posts previous year's tests and lists exactly everything you need to know for the exams. The TAs this term were awful graders, but the curves and regrades made up for it.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Weintraub is definitely the best professor at Vanderbilt. His astronomy lectures are very interesting and fascinating, and although his tests are more challenging than people would expect, he prepares you well for them, and posts exam information, with full details on what to know, and he releases prior exams to help you succeed.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

he is a good professor. though this class is definitely not easy. I would recommend people who like challenges to take his course. you can definitely learn a lot. but again, the test is a little rough but there is going to be a curve. so seriously without all prejudice I'd say he is above average, the course is a little above average.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

could not agree more with the poster above me. without a curve the CA is around 60%. you could read and reread and reread his book, do every single hw question twice, and completely understand the study guides and past exams and theres a good chance you fail. literally made me change my minor from astronomy. just praying theres a final avg curve

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Am not a fan of this man. His class is a intro science for non-science majors and it seems that he goes out of his way to make the tests arbitrary and open to interpretation to the extent that you can know the material and still be screwed. Class is boring, he seems very pretentious, and I am now permanently infected with a hatred for astronomy.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASTR2130
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Weintraub's lectures are comprehensive, but reading is crucial to success in the class. Weekly graded one-page papers also help one to master the content. A tough, but clear grader, he went above and beyond to make himself available outside of class. He is a passionate and knowledgeable instructor; his class is certainly worth taking.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1010
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The class itself is interesting and the essays are super easy but the tests can be sort of rough unless you have a pretty thorough understanding. It's a good idea to understand both the concepts and formulas!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Weintraub's tests were difficult because there were only 8 questions per test. Missing one question hurts a lot, especially with stingy TAs. I found Dr. Weintraub's lectures fascinating, however, and he easily simplifies complex ideas. Study the key astronomers hard, read the book, and you can definitely get an A/A-. The Curve helps, too.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Non science major, and obviously needed the AXEL credit so took Astronomy expecting a workable A- to A. Absolutely not that. Grading and tests are unreasonable to the point where studying for a week results in consistent fails to C's. Friends all in the same boat; none of us are dumb or lazy, just not science majors. Frustrating and disappointing

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ASTR101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Seems geared toward students who are already good at physics and math. Tests not very clear and grading by TAs not always done well (according to prof himself). Not many office hours but he will make time to meet with you. Highest test scores count more toward your grade so you can work your way up but class averages were pretty low in my class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1010
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Just don't take this class. We have 4 tests and 2 papers and a final and it's almost impossible to study for the tests because you honestly have no idea what to expect. He puts really random things on the test and there isn't very much on them so if you miss one question you're already a 75. I thought this was supposed to be an easy A but ITS NOT

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ASTR2130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I literally only went to three classes- the first day and the two test days and I wound up with an A. There's one short paper to submit every week, two tests, and a final paper. As long as you've done the readings and are a reasonably good writer this class is pretty easy and also really interesting, especially if you like science and religion.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ASTR102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Loved this class. Weintraub wrote his own book, so you could either read the book or go to class, but you never have to do both. Clear questions, engaging material, really knows his stuff. Also really respectful to other answers for the question "How Old is the Universe?" while clearly explaining how he arrived at his answer. Definitely worth it.