Laird Thompson - University Of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, Champaign–Urbana, IL

Professor: Laird Thompson

Department: Astronomy

College: University Of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, Champaignâ€"Urbana, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ASTR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

SO MUCH INFORMATION. For a 100 level course information was broad and the test questions were concise. Need to go to class for iclickers. Class dragged and no one pays attention. Super easy to get a B in the class but impossible to get an A. I got 50% on both exams and still got a B.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ASTR100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Pretty easy concepts but a lot of information to remember for tests. So tests are pretty difficult and worth a lot (40% for each test) but he curves them a bunch. Out-of-class activities give you easy 5% extra credit for the class. Don't need to buy the book either, didn't use it once.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASTR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This class is incredibly easy. Tests are really basic. Go to the lecture and you'll have virtually no problems. Minimal textbook reading needed. Homework was eaay. Enjoyable class, great for a gen. ed. option. Has a spectacular sense of humor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I'm not sure why anyone would recommend this class. Yes there are very large curves on the test, but thats because everyone fails it without the curve. I would suggest taking any other class to cover this gen-ed.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I encourage anyone who isn't very sciency to take this class, super easy as long as you pay attention in lecture. Thompson's grading system is awesome and you can tell he loves astro. Pretty cool guy and an interesting class

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ASTR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Thompson was extremely nice and very knowledgable about astronomy. Has a very strong passion for it. The class wasn't too bad- i didn't read the textbook at all and still ended up with an A in the class. Tests are really difficult but he curves them really good! Lectures are pretty boring but helpful in terms of the test. Not a bad class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ASTR122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I would recommend ASTR 100 or 150 if you are looking for an easier Astro class. Thompson knew his stuff and was actually fairly famous in the astronomy world, but his lectures are pretty dry. His tests are quite difficult, but he has a very generous bell curve. I got a C+ on every test and an A in the course.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ASTR122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class was terrible. Prof. Thompson clearly is passionate about what he teaches, but has no idea how to teach! He just talks to himself and rambles. He is very unclear about what will be in the tests. Although the curve was generous, this class is still too hard to be a 100 level class. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASTR122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is so knowledgeable about his subject and clearly passionate about it; it made me enjoy class more to know that he was excited about what he was teaching. He's also very nice and approachable, and always willing to help.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ASTR122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class was great for a GenEd! Only two tests-midterm and final, but the curve is extremely generous. He is passionate about the subject and approachable. Read the textbook...lectures will make more sense! homework is easy especially if you get help from TA or prof. I would recommend this class and prof to anyone!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ASTRN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Thomson is very smart & easy going,I liked him but the only two tests (midterm&final)were kind of ridiculous because there were so many pages of notes and so much info that it was impossible to know everything, and he doesnt give you anything to narrow it down, he makes hints of what could be on the test during lecture but that didnt help.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I really liked professor thompson! I thought he knew a ton about his subject and he was very passionate. It helps to read the book before lecture, you pick up a lot more. The tests were a lot harder then expected, a lot of people questions. You should go to the observations as soon as possible so you don't have to worry about them.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASTR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

You must attend a good number of lectures to get iClicker credit. Shouldn't be hard to get an A by studying the lecture notes, which are only provided in lecture. Look for the 'hints' to exam questions in lecture. No need to purchase the textbook. Thompson is a very good professor for an introductory course.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ASTR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is the nicest prof. and he is always willing to help, you can tell he really knows his stuff. Exams are a bit difficult but the curves are very generous so you'll do fine, i dont know why people would have a hard time, he HINTS at exam questions and they show up there! Oh, and i love the sound effects they make me laugh

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASTR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took Astronomy 100 with this guy expecting it to be an easy A...nope...easily one of the worst classes ever...test questions were random, hard, and ridiculously hard. Over half the class got below a 60% on both the midterm and final. Nice job buddy.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Class was easy, fell asleep all the time, but on the quizzes you can just look over some ones shoulder. only 5 of 7 quizzes counted, real nice curve, but expect to get your ass kicked by the tests

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ASTR122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Thompson is blindy funny...he doesn't know he is making the comments he is. Material is very interesting, but tests can be challenging. I fell asleep every class but still had a good grasp on the material. Great guy and knows his stuff.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: AST122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very helpful and enthusiastic about his job. Super funny! He's a really good teacher and explains things very well during lecture. You don't even really need to read the book...sometimes lecture notes are more helpful. The tests are somewhat difficult because the material is hard, but the curve is usually high.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ASTR122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a super-nice guy. Very helpful, and gives nice lectures that don't depend on Powerpoint. The class is tricky, but you'll learn a lot.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ASTRONOMY100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very easy and very funny. Tests can be a little tricky, but the curve is at least 15% for each test. Also, minimal work throughout the semester. Great class overall.