Louis Pataki - New York University

Professor: Louis Pataki

Department: TBD

College: New York University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HOU101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pataki is always smiling and glad to answer your questions both during office hours and by email. I got lost in a part of his lecture, but he explains everything to me after class clearly. Do not be worried about the tests. Although the questions in the tests are hard, all the questions follow the points he told us in the class. Just take him!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HOU101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I love Dr. Patakis class and he always goes deeper on the topic he is teaching. We havent used our textbook a lot as he covers most topics in his slides. Lecture can sometimes be boring but he is very accessible outside of class; just go talk to him if you want to know more and be SO ready for the tests.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HOU101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Pataki is passionate about what he teaches. His lectures slides are clear and provides all the information you need to know from the textbook (online, free). His lectures usually go deeper than the textbooks and he talks a lot about his past research experiences. He is always happy to discuss course materials and scientific topics with you.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HOU1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's clearly a really brilliant guy, very likable, and super sweet. Sometimes his lectures can be a bit boring, but he doesn't really get mad if people are zoning out. He's so smart that sometimes he makes concepts a little more confusing than they have to be, though. Generally overall though I would say he's pretty easy and a lenient grader.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HOU1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class is the most boring one I've taken at NYU. He knows a lot about astronomy and has a lot of experience in the field. The class starts easy enough, but it is really easy to fall behind as the concepts get more complex and his lectures get more boring and story heavy. He really likes to tell anecdotal stories about astronomy, very boring

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HOU1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Pataki is very kind and is just overall a caring person...I cant say that I really enjoyed his class because I *had* to take it for a science credit. Despite that, as long as you take notes and do well on the group projects and labs, it is an easy A. He is a pretty funny guy with lots of stories to tell.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HOU101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

A kind man that likes telling random stories while lecturing. His slides/lectures are pretty vague seems like he expects prior astronomy knowledge. Grades essays/labs lightly. Will deduct points if he sees that you are not in class, I had mostly As on his assignments/exams got a B-, i think that's why i got a deduction; he never answered my email

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HOU101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Often disorganized and gets confused easily. The main project consists of 3 essays 4-6 pages long. Wouldn't be too bad if his lectures weren't confusing. His grading criteria doesn't make sense either. Name-drops often too. Not really accessible during office hours either. Wasn't the worst teacher I've ever had but not the best either.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HOU1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Really nice and understanding.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HOU1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He pretty much just lectures, which is so boring. But, if you ay attention you will get an easy A. Turn in your labs and you will be fine, he does grade these a little harder than expected. He posts all the lectures online so you don't even have to go to class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HOU1
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, he's a great guy! Gave me a B+ even though my midterm and finals were both a C-. Make sure you do as many papers as you can if you aren't good at this class. Try and stay on top of your work or you will easily fall behind.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HOU101
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

dont blink-- youll fall behind

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HOU101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pataki is very passionate about astronomy. He does lecture often so it gets boring sometimes. You should purchase the textbook if science and/or math is not your best subject. You MUST study for the midterm and final because it's very challenging. If you go to office hours Pataki will definitely help you!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HOU101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Pataki is a very nice and extremely knowledgable professor. Has great stories from his experience in the field. This class was a bit difficult since I'm not a science major but it was not too challenging. He lectures a lot but if you take notes and pay attention, you'll do fine in the class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HOUUF101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Louis Pataki is an astronomy expert. If you care about the subject, you'll appreciate that. If you don't, you might be frustrated and confused and should take someone else. His class notes aren't the most concise but you'll know what to study. Most of the work is completing lab questions at home. Midterm and final aren't too bad if you study hard.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HOU1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Pataki is THE sweetest man. For the most part, he clearly explains topics and ideas explicitly how they appear on his (very easy) tests. He is always available to help and genuinely wants you to succeed. He is a very lenient grader. His stories are often first or second-hand; take this class to learn astronomy from a true astronomer.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HOU1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a good guy, but this class is supposed to be designed for students who aren't majoring in the sciences nor do they particularly excel in them, and I feel like this is often forgotten. The class isn't particularly difficult, yet the midterm and final are. Lectures are helpful, but sometimes a little too anecdotal.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HOUUF101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you need to get your science requirement out of the way (like I did as a liberal studies major), history of the universe is the class to take but Pataki is NOT the professor you want. He means well, but he talks to you like you're Neil Degrasse Tyson and already know everything. Then when you ask questions he makes you feel stupid. Easy A though

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HOUUF008
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of worst professors I have had at NYU. His lectures are completely disorganized and mostly comprised of personal anecdotes rather than information from the text that will be on the exam. He is extremely unclear with his directions during labs. You won't learn anything of significance in class, so be prepared to read the textbook.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HOU
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I had Professor Pataki for History of the Universe over J-Term so yes my experience with him probably isn't as difficult as it would have been over the semester; but even so, Professor Pataki is amazing. He is so passionate about the topic & gives great lectures. He really cares about his students so he's very approachable & VERY helpful. Take him!