Ronald Buta - University of Alabama

Professor: Ronald Buta

Department: TBD

College: University of Alabama

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Wonderful man, wonderful professor! Buta is so sweet and passionate about astronomy. He is a kind grader and offers lots of credit with clicker questions and extra credit observation nights. He's retiring now, but I had to spread the word about what a great guy Prof. Buta is. Lots of love for him!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bless his heart, he cares so much about astronomy and gets so excited and isnt a bad teacher, hes just not the best at being in control of a room of 200 people and he usually goes over time bc he just gets so excited talking. Tests are harder than the study guides but the homework is really easy.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Buta is an experienced and tested professor. He loves his job and is passionate about his field. The course is easy for anyone who listens to lecture, or reads the textbook chapters. Homework 2-3 times a week, but all in all an easy A.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is seemingly very nice and is definitely very passionate about Astronomy, however that doesn't make him good at teaching. His tests were nothing like the study guides or lecture notes. The book helps a little, but not much. This class is passable if you put a lot of work and dedication into it, and I admittedly did not. Homework is not helpful

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am a double major, and this is the hardest class I have EVER taken. The material is interesting if you pay attention, and Dr. Buta absolutely loves the topic, but if you do not want to learn the concepts behind basic astrophysics do not take this class! He takes attendance through clicker questions at the end of class. Minimal homework.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

RONALD IS THE GOAT! BEST TEACHER EVER SO FUNNY.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am an honors student and struggled to get a B in this class. He does give test reviews but I found the tests to still be challenging. Averaged about an 80 on the tests. I actually found the final was easier than his other tests. Gives extra credit but do not take this if you are looking for an easy A. You absolutely have to work hard for it.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Buta is a pretty good professor, his lecture is very interesting if you concentrate on your mind to listen what he said in class. The test is easy if you study hard, I always get almost 100 in his texts. So many bouns that can help you improve your grade. And the observation session is very interesting! I strongly recommend you to take!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AY203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

To put it simply, he loves what he does. This man devotes his life to pictures of space. I remember one class he brought out old plates from a 4 meter telescope in South America I believe. The were one of the last set of plates to come out of that telescope as they were taken right before the CCD era began. I could visibly see the joy on his face.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The only reason you have to go to class is for the clicker questions. Even if you get them wrong you get partial credit. He gives study guides for the tests and if you do the study guide you'll get at least a B on the test. They are relatively easy. The class is relatively boring, but i sat on my laptop the whole time and made 90's on all tests.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you go to class there is no reason you should not get at least a B. The only reason you need to go to class is because clicker questions. Dr. Buta is a good professor to take if you need an easy NS course.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Class is in no way mandatory. The class itself is easy, but you will need to read because you WILL NOT pay attention. He i very nice, but it is next to impossible to pay attention. Preferable to a difficult teacher but not first choice.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: AY
• 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:

DO NOT TAKE HIM!!!!!! He's a sweet heart and very passionate about astronomy but his tests are NOTHING like the lecture, it is nearly impossible to stay awake let alone pay attention in class- and I'm the kind of student that sits in the front row... AND the textbook wont help you on exams either... so good luck if you have him haha. good luck!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you want to fall asleep in class this is your guy. Easy A if you do the study guides and memorize those. Extremely boring teacher. Takes forever to respond to emails. Clicker attendance for points

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PY106
• 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:

Took this guy based on his 4-something rating he had on here at one point. Then I found out it was astronomy students. He is a terrible physics teacher. The class stressed me to no end. He's mean and not approachable. Very condescending. Thankfully I passed and got all my physics behind me but this guy is a complete nightmare. KNOW CAL 2 INTEGRALS

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PH106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you can, avoid this man at all cost. Test is nothing like the material in class. Just don't take this guy...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PH106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy is an Astronomy teacher ....not a physics teacher. His homework is 300 level physics homework and the test are nothing like it or what we talk about in class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

very interesting class. Buta is a great guy and wants his students to do well. Must study to make good grades cause test have a lot of info but mult choice so its easy. Take to fulfill N requirement.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice man, but good luck trying to stay awake in his class. He does not explain things very well, and there is not much point in going to class, other than the extra credit you get from in-class bonus questions. Study VERY hard, he gives good study guides. Also, go to all the observing sessions... they are not as bad as you would think.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: AY101
• 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:

Prof. Buta is a great teacher. He is an actual experienced and traveled astronomer who loves what he does. Class attendance is not mandatory, and all you have to really do is study for quizzes and exams, which he gives study guides for most of the time. Plus he gives lots of extra credit opportunities.