Jim is a great professor. His class is fun and his humor is great. He used to be a pro scrabble player and once again his humor is amazing. He says at least 5 great quotes a day. If you can think, you should be able to get at least a B if not an A.

Great teacher. Keeps it fun and it is a very interesting class.

Cooney is a cool guy. He's dorky in the cutest way, but, his lectures have nothing to do with the tests. You must be able to learn concepts on your own. I am normally an A/B student but I had to withdraw from his class due to my inability to grasp the principles on the tests which we unfortunately did not cover thoroughly.

The man loves his science a bit too much. Hilarious Professor, Im glad i picked him. Highly recommended if you need a science for Gen Ed. lets you bring a flashcard to the test, Curves it, and offers extra credit. That's wats up!

Professor Cooney is noticably passionate about Astronomy! He teaches it well and he encourages you ask questions whenever necessary! The homework wasn't bad and neither were the tests. Plus he lets you bring a flashcard for the tests. If you have a choice between Professor Cooney and someone else, you won't regret taking him!

Great professor. He's passionate about what he teaches, and he makes it interesting for his students. He knows most are there for the science credit, so he tries to teach the qualitative aspect and stir up some fascination in Astronomy. I wish more professors had his zeal and enthusiasm for their subjects. Highly recommended!

He's really funny and keeps class interesting. He's quirky and nerdy but it's funny. The class is kind of hard because of the tests, but you can pad your grade with quiz grades which are taken online each week.

Great teacher! Always brings fun teaching aids to class. I wish all my teachers were this passionate. No attendance, but hard enough to where if you dont attend you will suffer on the tests. Tests seemed a little too tricky at times... even if you studied and you got very little feedback on your grades. I want to take him again though!

Great professor who is very passionate and smart in his subject. Go to class, and you will appreciate his nerdy humor, and his explanations. Likes to bring demonstrations to class. Tests are a bit tricky, I studied but know the concepts! Wish I could take him again =(

I passed with an A, with my thumb up my... Honestly, he dumbs down astronomy so much in this "survey course" it's almost pathetic. He skips so much material, often tells class to not pay attention at risk of getting mind blown by concepts... honestly if you find a reason to complain, you're probably the reason he teaches the way he does :) Go UCF

I would vote him one of the best teachers at UCF. He is very well schooled and passionate about astronomy. He made the complicated material understandable by sticking to important points and explaining using a variety of props which he would bring to class every day. I wish all my teachers were like this.

Good professor, he explains concepts well and tries to entertain as well as teach the class. I was able to get an A, but I had to work for it. I studied until I knew the information in and out and the tests were still hard. To get an A, you need to know the material and be able to understand what is being asked by every question. Do the extra crdit

Interesting class, online quizzes are pretty easy if you have the book next to you and if you go to class. He gives you all of his powerpoints and he lets you use an index card on his tests.

Mixed about the reviews below. Makes the subject interesting. Exams need atleast few hours of studying. I'm a 3.5 gpa student and ive gotten a low B on both exams with a lot of studying. Just a little tricky wording. I think he does the best job over other professors making the subject engaging and interesting.Not easy A at all.

Dr. Cooney's class is not hard. He is very nice guy who tries to make his classes entertaining, whether its with dry ice, bicycle wheels, etc... His tests are fair and quizzes are online, therefore its open book and class is not mandatory. If you don't get an A, then your not trying.

Mr. Cooney understands that alot of nonscience majors who don't care anything about Astronomy take his class, and the difficulty of the course reflects that. It's pretty easy as long as you read the material and do the quizzes. I didn't study for the 3rd test and got an 87.5 - because I read. ;)

Good professor, entertaining, loves his subject. Gives you a minute of break halfway through class. Quizzes are easy - all answers can be found online - but tests can be hard. Some studying or reading is necessary. If you can keep up with the material [reading and whatnot], though, it's not bad. Also offers 3 points of extra credit. =]

Great teacher! He just loves Astronomy so much and wants to share it with everyone. Online quizzes are easy. People say the tests can be hard, but I've gotten B's on most of them. You do have to read! A little bit of work is involved, but you shouldn't be in college if you aren't willing to read a little to prep for a test. I loved his class!

The teacher is really awesome. Even if you are not interested in astronomy he makes it fun and entertaining to learn about through his enthusiaism. If you don't go to class than you better read the book, because the tests are very content specific to the book. really fun class and great teacher!

Of the few classes I actually attended, he seemed like a good teacher. He was funny and passionate about astronomy. If you perform poorly, its probably your own fault.

If you don't have the passion for astronomy the same as Cooney does, the class might just seem intolerable; requires a bit more effort than your typical gened class, yet it's easy enough to get a B in the class by getting A's on the online homeworks and performing average on in-class exams.

you can get 100 on all the tests but if you do not do could on the final you fail

Really nice guy, very passionate. Difficult subject! You really need to take the time to study the material to understand it. Extra credit and online hw/quizes..tests cover a lot and final is cum. Was my only B in last semester. Offers some extra credit and notecards for tests.

Prof. Cooney is absolutely AMAZING! I cannot say enough good things about him. I felt like I actually learned something. He has a passion for the subject that is undeniable and it has inspired me. As long as you make a genuine effort, you will be fine.. thanks for everything Cooney..You're the best professor at UCF!

Took this class as required by my major. Tests are very difficult (multiple choice, ~50 questions). You sit in class and take notes. Weekly online quizzes that you can Google every answer if you're stuck. Very helpful and nice, but expects you to just KNOW a lot and memorize everything he says. Only 4 exams so if you mess up on one, you're screwed!

Loved this class!! He's got some pretty funny stories and good ways to memorize the info. Never read the textbook, but if you know the notes well you will have no problem getting a B or even an A! Now every time I'm outside at night, I always look up at the sky. This was an amazing class, and we got to look at lots of cool pictures. :)

After reading the comments on here, I went into his class thinking it was going to be IMPOSSIBLE. However, it really wasnt as bad as people made it seem. He is willing to help if you need it and while his tests are difficult, if you read the book and come to class, you should make a B. He gave out reasonable extra credit and gave study guides.

Take during Fall or Spring, not Summer. Cooney's a nice guy, don't be afraid to ask questions, he won't bite your head off. Don't expect an easy passing grade, study and go to his lectures. He posts his notes online, but they make more sense when he shows them in class. The book will definitely come in handy for online quizzes/test. Great teacher.

Great teacher. I didnt study or understand, so I did average. he lets you take an index card of notes on every test. He's a big science nerd and he knows his stuff. You dont have to go to class, but he makes it easier to understand. Tests arent the hardest ones ive taken, but PLEASE STUDY. I got a C cause i was lazy during the summer

Dr. Cooney is amazing! If you are into math or science or star trek at all you will have a blast. His class is a lot of fun. He does a lot of demonstrations and goes over most of the material in class. He also makes himself very available to students. He's hot; he's funny; take his class!!!

Dr. Cooney is an excellent professor! In addition to being absolutely adorable, he is wicked smart and always wiling to help students. He's hilarious and makes class lots of fun. Tests are very fair and there are online quizzes every week. Sometimes I think his tests are too easy. Best professor I've had at UCF! Very attractive as well.

What can I say? Jim is awesome! Galaxies and Cosmology is a great class, it's very challenging which is how it should be. He's excellent at teaching cosmology as it's his forte. He's adorable when he's at the blackboard deriving something about the universe and he gets all giddy over it. You can really tell he loves his subject which is pretty rare

Professor Cooney is the man. He's really funny and really into what he teaches. He also understands that its a gen-ed class and most people are not there because they love astronomy so he makes it pretty easy. Probably the coolest professor I've had so far. Would take the class all over again.

I agree with the previous statement: Cooney is the man. He is an amazing professor and really knows how to promote interest in his class. I didn't miss a single day of class because I loved it so much. He's one of those professors that you will remember for the rest of your life...plus I think he's a total fox, which helps.

Cooney is awesome! I found the class to be super intresting but the material is a lot to grasp. Challenging class, difficult professor but you WILL learn.

This class was by no means easy, but Professor Cooney tried his best to convey the material. He is a great professor and extremely outgoing. He is very helpful and does his job well. Studying is a must if you expect a good grade. There are other assignments in addition to tests but test grades are weighted more.

Cooney is probably one of the best professors at UCF. He is extremely funny and is passionate about what he teaches, so students actually want to attend class. You learn a lot about astronomy if you put some effort into it. I found it pretty easy compared to some other science courses at UCF.

I highly recommend this class. Dr. Cooney is a excellent teacher. He is passionate about Astronomy and makes it fun and easy to learn. The tests are not that hard if you study, and he usually curves them. Easy B, and with a little extra effort an A. Be sure to buy and read the book also.

Ignore these whiny baby posters. Dr. Cooney is a very knowledgeable and extremely intelligent man. Study the text, go to class, use Mastering Astronomy, ask for clarification and you'll be good. I got an A and I am not "a science brain". Tests reflect comprehension and 3% extra credit is a lot! I must admit I got tired of hearing, "what the hell".

I took Astronomy thinking it would be an easy class... I was wrong. Cooney makes the tests extremely hard by asking all concept questions. Quizes online were easy and he does curve your whole grade by at least 5%.

I came into AST 2002 thinking it would be a breeze. It is definitely harder than expected. Cooney is a great teacher but the subject matter gets increasingly boring in the class. I studied all day before the first exam and got a 70, thinking I was going to receive an A. Don't take this class if you are looking for an easy A.

Took this class thinking I'd get an easy A, and I did. Very interesting teacher who really likes astronomy, great at keeping your attention even though it does get dull at moments. Took the occasional break to watch Star Wars. Best teacher I've had so far.

Dr. Cooney is a pretty cool professor. He is a total star wars nerd. His lectures can get quite boring at times but he tries to keep your attention. There is no ob Definately not the easy A class. You will have to go to class and DO ALL the HOMEWORK and QUIZZES online.There is no observatory for summer classes. But overall it was a pretty ok class.

Professor Cooney is very enthusiastic about teaching his subject, and he always offers extra help after class in his office. Use his office hours, finish all the assignments on Mastering Astronomy, and do the extra credit. It's not easy to get an A because the tests are based on concepts rather than vocabulary, but it's possible if you study a lot.

Hands down best class iv'e taken at UCF. Conney is very enthusastic about astronomy. Hes a huge nerd but me and my girlfriend both thought he was hilarious. If u take good notes, do all the masteringastronomy, and study the book befroe each exam it isnt hard to get A.

Definitely not the easiest gen ed I've taken but it's not to bad. Cooney is a good guy and actually is kind of funny but very corny. Lectures are boring but his is passionate so it makes you get into it more for sure. Online stuff isn't tough and do the extra credit. I definitely recommend him, you will learn and enjoy it.

A little interest in Astronomy would help, but certainly not the most difficult class you could take. He's pretty funny sometimes and generally makes the class enjoyable. Not a bad choice for a gen ed.

Cooney is so funny and cute. He is totally into Astronomy, and his passion shows in his lectures. Lectures can get a little boring sometimes, but he tries so hard to make it fun. The class is pretty easy if you listen to the lectures, review the power points (which are online) before tests and use the textbook to complete the online homework.

Great professor. Class is easy; you don't even have to go if you do the online work and read his powerpoints that he posts on his website. Tests are straightforward and only 2 short-answer on each one, otherwise multiple choice. Funny and very nice. If you do the work you should get an A or B, piece of cake.

Good guy. He is really excited about astronomy and loves to teach it, making it a lot more interesting. His tests are pretty easy if you actually study and understand the topics rather than just memorizing terms. Recommend this class.

His class isn't the easiest, but professor Cooney keeps the class very interesting and is passionate about the subject. He's a great professor. I definitely recommend taking this class.

He really enjoys the subject and can relate the material quite well. I had no problems with understanding the material and the textbook wasn't too bad. The tests were a bit hard but studying the study guides he posts definitely help.

Teaches this class as if you have some sort of knowledge in astronomy. If you know nothing about Astronomy do not take this class. You can get extra credit on your homework assignments, but the test are difficult. Definitely have to read the book. Not your "easy A" type of class

Love this class, Love this man. He make the subject fun and interesting. He's my favorite teacher and I never want to miss class. Just be sure to make use of MasteringAstronomy's Study Area and you'll rock the quizzes. Let's you use notecards on most of the tests. 5 stars and two thumbs WAY up. <3 Cooney! AST FTW!!!

Not an easy A class. The tests don't require you to just memorize terms...you have to think. HW consists of on-line quizzes which I did well on most of them. He lets you use a notecard for the last 3 exams. He keeps the class interesting. You can tell he's passionate about it. He'll warn you if it's a boring day. lol Huge nerd which is awesome.

Class isn't that simple, takes a lot of outside time. Cooney himself is really helpful, he's always at his office hours and willing to explain things and even went through my flashcards to see if they were done right. He offers extra credit and the class itself is pretty interesting. If you're looking for an easy A.. look elsewhere.

test are extremely hard,not a fun class at all if you need a science dont take him. exams are not like his notes he is a nerd and the questions are terrible. its astronomy it shouldnt be hard if its a regular genereal education class but its harder then any class iv had.

Cooney is so cute in the dorkiest way! Ways to get on his good side? Talk to him about Scrabble or his stamp collection. This class isn't one to take lightly. It's better than taking any other gen ed science course but in order to do well you gotta devote some time to the material. Go to all the lectures& read the book as you go and you'll be fine!

Its an easy A if you like Astronomy but its definatly an easy B. His tests are hard but he curves them and drops the lowest test grade. Don't really need the book because he puts all his notes online and its pretty much the same stuff. I ended up with a B and got C's on all my tests.

Super hard class. Cooney loves astronomy and is good at being enthusiastic but I had no interest in this class whatsoever and everyone I talked to agreed that it was way too hard. I would've taken a different science class if I could have.

Definitely not an easy A. He's really enthusiastic about Astronomy. Online quizzes are tricky. Make sure to take advantage of extra credit opportunities. Tests are kinda hard- if you study a lot I'm super they'd be a lot easier. He keeps class lively and tries to make sure everyone understands.

VERY HARD CLASS!! Cooney is a nice guy, but his tests are impossible!! I studied for a week straight for each one and the highest grade i got was a B-... GO TO CLASS!!! attendance gives you extra credit! :)

He is brilliant (and also incredibly adorable). His passion for astronomy and science is evident in every lecture. However if math/science/physics do not come easily to you, you might have some difficulty following his passionate, fast-paced lectures. I find astronomy very interesting and beautiful, but this class was challenging for me.

If you love astronomy you should take this professor. Hes very passionate about his work. He drops the lowest test grade, need a clicker, extra credit, very fun class

Just a great professor. Loves the material, an engaging and geniunely fun teacher. He also grades fairly and rather leniently, but make sure to pay attention and study. He also uses clickers to incentivize attendance and engage the class. Prof Cooney is overall one of the best professors I've ever had and a really cool guy.

Dr. Cooney is a brilliant professor. If you have the opportunity to take his class, you definitely should.

Dr. Cooney is a great professor! He really demonstrates a love for astronomy and is very educated in the subject. Make sure to do the practice quizzes in mastering astronomy! Prior to a test, do ALL of the practice in mastering astronomy and skim the textbook! DO ALL OF THE MASTERING ASTRONOMY PRACTICE!! The test should be a no-brainer after that.

Great teacher. Really passionate about Astronomy and overall i found this class very interesting even though im not a science major at all. As long as you pay attention in class, do the hw, and study for an hour or two the night before the exams you will get an A. I barely had to read the book except for when i was studying for the exams.

Professor Cooney was a very fun, witty, and interesting. He loves the subject he teaches and is willing to present it to you in the most fun and interesting manner. If you don't get it, let him know and he'll re-explain in an easier way. Work was good, online, straight forward and all from the book. I still remember a lot of what he taught. AWESOME

By far my favorite class this semester. Cooney is such a great teacher, always entertaining, and he's so adorable when he's telling us a story. He really enjoys teaching and makes it fun to learn. I recommend this teacher

This class is an easy A if you go, take notes and read the book. The online quizzes will boost your grade. He drops the lowest test score and offers curves. He's a great teacher and SO FUNNY. He definitely keeps your interest despite the harder material!

Great teacher, knows his stuff and loves it too! He is so nerdy it's adorable haha. It's a hard class, tho, the first exam is the hardest. Drops lowest test, and curves so I got an A. Didn't take notes and studied the morning of exams. (Don't recommend this, that was just me lol) Loved this class though! Just loved to listen to him talk!

I love Astronomy. Cooney is a great teacher and keeps students interested. If you are new to the concepts you may struggle. If you have a background in it before you will do great. I took notes and studied that for tests. He drops lowest test. Go to class it is easier then reading the text book. Online hw can be googled.I got an A in the class

Best professor for astronomy! Class is fascinating for those who enjoy science. The class can still be difficult because concepts may be heavy. Recommended to those who want to learn. Turn away if you think this class is an "easy A." This is a college course so it does require studying the book and paying attention to lecture.

I took this class as the SCALE-UP method. Dr. Cooney is a great professor as long as you put in the effort that physics requires. Don't skip class and ignore the reading assignments (only 4-5 pages). He is easy to understand and very enthusiastic and funny! If you're willing to work then this class can be very rewarding. Otherwise you'll fail.

Took his class in SCALE-UP and was actually a very interesting class, he was very funny didnt make class boring. The homework and labs help a lot towards the grade, tests were difficult if your not good at physics but were do-able if you studied. Definitely recommend though. :)

Very very hard tests but you get to use a notecard which barely helps. Four major tests, only three count. Easy online homework that boosts your grade. Very hard class but he curves all tests at the end, reading the book really helps

Good professor. Do online HW and go to class and you'll get at least a B. He curves tests at the end of the semester but doesnt tell students

Took the SCALEUP class for Dr. Cooney. He is by far the best physics professor I've ever had. Learned more about the fundamental concepts than the nitty gritty ridiculous problem solving. The nicest guy ever, always willing to help. Funny and it's easy to pay attention in his lectures. I don't recommend SCALEUP but I DO RECOMMEND HIM

Enjoyed this class. Not an easy A but if you put the work in you'll be fine. I recommend buying the book to ensure getting the best grade possible and to study well.

The tests are pretty hard, but his class is based off a bell curve and he drops the lowest test grade at the end... It doesn't get any more helpful than that. Majority of the tests are based on the concepts, not facts about space

This is a difficult class but do-able if you put in the effort to learn. He curves tests supposedly at end of semester which will boost your grade. Take only if you are ready for a hard class!

Jim is hilarious and really enthusiastic. I took this class simply to avoid biology and chemistry, but ended up really enjoying it. The exams are very difficult, but he does drop your lowest score. Homework is online and straight from the text. As long as you do what he assigns, and STUDY, you'll do fine.

Dr. Cooney is an awesome professor. He really loves what he teaches, and you can get an A in this course by putting in some effort and actually going to class. The tests can be tricky, but if you study you'll be fine. Don't take this if you're looking to be given an easy A.

Cooney's a fantastic educator. He's hilarious and super understanding. You can tell he loves what he does. I went into the course to take astronomy as a default to every other course offered and ended up looking forward to every lecture. The material itself gets pretty difficult but he makes it worthwhile. Loved the course and how he taught it.

I was very nervous about this course in the beginning. I, like most other people, took it simply to avoid chemistry. This ended up being my favorite class of the semester. Jim's passion made the class so interesting and I looked forward to every lecture. It's not difficult if you pay attention. Happy to give him the great rating he's looking for!

I loved this class so much, it was my favorite. I really learned the material and I would've changed my major to astronomy if I had the math skills! The lectures are really funny, he does demonstrations and it's just overall a fun class.

As most have said, tests are really hard. You have online hw every week is easy and counts for like 25% of your grade I think. You have to go class to get clicker points (only counts for 5% of grade). He doesn't ever let you out early. He tries to make it entertaining. I like the subject, so class was pretty interesting.. Getting an A will be hard.

I would thoroughly recommend Cooney for Astronomy! He is so quirky and you can tell that he has a passion for the subject. If you attend lectures, read the textbook, do the online homework, and study for the tests, you should get a lot out of this class. Loved it!

Great professor. Entertaining in class, extremely clear on concepts and reinforces them in many ways. Pretty much no homework, but tests are pretty challenging. The first test is literally impossible and everyone fails, but he drops 1 exam and curves all the others, so hang in there and take him. Plenty of EC as well.

He is funny and does things to make class interesting so I loved his class! Pretty easy because he gives an index card to be used on the tests! BUT you still need to study and understand the material to get higher than a C. He does have a good curve at the end though and tries his best to make everyone love astronomy. Overall, great class & teacher

This course wasn't as tough as I was expecting. I also don't know how people are complaining about the first test as I found it to be the easiest of all of them. The second was the toughest, but still not very hard. Since I had an A without applying a curve before the final I didn't have to take the final. The homework is also really easy as well.

Awesome professor! People complain about his tests but if you read the textbook and attend class, you should do fine.

This class is super easy. The only reason you even need to show up is for iClicker points, but if you just read through the textbook you are guaranteed an A.

Cooney was a fantastic teacher! You can really see his passion for the subject in his lectures and presence. Class is not an easy A, but if you read the chapters and do the online quizzes, it definitely helps. Go to his office hours too, very helpful! LOVED THIS CLASS

Professor Cooney is one of those professors who really enjoys what they're teaching. He's super nerdy and brings in visual aides to better explain a point so, he wants you to understand. His class isn't hard if you show up and listen.

I had him for scale-up physics, not astronomy. He's nice, funny, and enthusiastic. I didn't like the class structure; the textbook, homework, and class lectures/activities were disconnected and made the material more confusing than it should have been. I wish he'd explained the concepts in class, as our book was crappy.

This was a great class and I really enjoyed it. It's a GEP class so people were obnoxious, but Cooney is hilarious and a great teacher. As long as you put in a decent amount of effort, you'll do well.

For Physics 1 he's a great choice. Very funny and clear. He cares about teaching and his students. Makes a hard subject like physics manageable. The book really helped me learn. Tests were pretty tough but the grading scale of the class was pretty fair. I did scale-up which i think was a good type of class.

Having to rely on randomly assigned groupmates was the worst part of this class. I did much better on the tests when I went to Jim's review sessions. You have to read the book before coming to class or risk spending the entire class unnecessarily confused. The TAs were slow to grade and not very helpful but Cooney is great!

This class is not an easy A, but if you work hard its possible! Cooney is very passionate about AST and very sweet/helpful. iclickers are used for attendance, textbook is helpful for homework. I mostly got B's and a C on his tests and did well on hw, ended up with an A since he curves your grade at the end. he makes astronomy interesting!

Really cool and funny professor. Go to class and ask questions if you don't understand

If you do not like astronomy take another class. This is not an easy class at all. I took this class in summer: 3 tests, online homework, clicker questions in class, extra credit book to read. If you take the class make sure to read the extra credit book as it can boost your grade. He teaches well and he knows his stuff, the tests are just hard.

I love Dr. Cooney! Hilarious guy, lectures kept my attention the whole time. His tests are mostly trick questions so you really have to know the concepts to do well. 4 tests, lowest score is dropped, extra credit is offered. Would definitely take his class again!

THIS TEACHER He's funny and makes hard subject simple, 2 extra credit opp, use them! weekly homework easy A DO IT! Go to class! I used the book a handful of times but is a savior, His exams are KILLERS, print the power points take notes on the extra he says and study like crazy!! first grade average is a 60 and under! drops lowest exam, helpful

STUDY! AND GO TO CLASS! But he makes it fun!

His exams (& online quizzes) were tough, but it's all multiple choice. I loved his passion and great sense of humor. You need an iClicker for his class for participation, but it's only 5% of your grade. You also need a passcode for Mastering Astronomy, he posts all of his grades there. You can use an old ed of the book though, mine was a free pdf.

He's really interesting and kept the class enjoyable.

This class caused me a lot of stress at the beginning because of what I thought was harsh grading, but in the end, he curves and makes everything come out fair in the end. Don't worry so much. Just focus on doing your best, and enjoy Cooney's quirkiness. Awesome, well-informed guy. Do the homework and do well in the lab, and you'll be fine!

Explains concepts very well; you don't need to be a science person to learn in his class. He has an almost childlike enthusiasm for astronomy (for science in general, really) and it'll rub off on you. The tests can be a little difficult, but if you go to class you can manage. Offers extra credit, don't need the book.

I took Cooney's Astronomy class & I 100% LOVED it! Class never felt like a lecture to me. I looked FORWARD to it. He instilled in me a real love for Ast. that I still have even now. This isn't an easy course, per se. But if you put in the study time, you will do well. Only 3 tests & periodical quizzes online. Do the quizzes! Book is essential. :)

He is always enthusiastic and easy to listen to. He is super cool.

I am an A student, and i have yet to get above a D on his exams. They are not clear cut questions, and it doesn't matter how much you study. He is entertaining and deff not a boring professor but his exam's are ridiculous. Luckily he grades on a curve at the end of the semester, so at this point I'm just hoping i can pass with a 70.

James Cooney is a fantastic professor. He is so passionate about Astronomy and makes it fun and interesting. His tests can be tough, but reading the book is all I did for tests and ended up with an A in the class. Make sure to go to class because he does give out a few clicker questions each class.

I absolutely loved professor Cooney! His lectures are pretty interesting for the most part and he makes some jokes. Hes very good at making sure you understand things and uses models to explain difficult concepts. His tests can be hard if you don't pay attention or don't do the online assignments. He does clicker questions in class so be sure to go

He's tough. I'm not gonna lie. If you don't listen to his lectures or take notes, you probably won't do well. His tests have extremely specific material on them. But they're not impossible. Dr. Cooney is one of the most inspiring teachers I've had. I'm a film major and I love it, but he made me seriously consider switching to astronomy.

Dr. Cooney is fantastic! He is by far the funniest prof. I've had in the physics department. He explains numerous complex concepts like solar system formation in ways that are easy to understand. Be prepared for some tough tests, though if you do the hw, go to lectures, and read the materials you'll be set.

Cooney is an amazing professor and is always there to help if you're struggling in his class. He's passionate about astronomy and makes his lectures funny and easy to understand. The tests are tough but if you read and go to the lectures you will pass easily. Definitely recommend this class!

Great teacher, very hands on and clear with lectures. Really down to earth guy and gives extra credit. Not a hard class but be sure to read for the few tests there are

Received a B in the class. Pretty good teacher. Uses clickers so you shouldn't miss class. Tests are tough but if you pay attention in class and study powerpoints you'll do fine. Also, I find him pretty cute ngl.

AST 2002 with Cooney was probably my favorite class this semester. He makes everything sound really interesting, and his jokes are pretty great. He'll do demonstrations in class sometimes too which are awesome. His tests are tough, yes, but you'll be fine as long as you pay attention in class and study! He does clicker questions so show up to class

I've always had a small interest in Astronomy, even before I took his class. His lectures are great, he's very passionate about the material and he's not afraid to crack a few jokes. Read the chapter, take notes in class, do the assigned homework and you'll be fine. You don't need to be a science major to pass.

He's a nerdy, quirky, hot dude who likes astronomy. He makes some nerdy jokes and makes the lectures fun and engaging. Take down everything from the powerpoint, you don't need the textbook. All online quizzes are on quizlet. Show up, take notes, pass class. Drops lowest exam grade.

This class was my favorite. Professor Cooney made every lecture as interesting as possible. He would often bring visual examples or demonstrations that would help the class understand the material. Tests were definitely challenging, homework was of great help when preparing for exams and overall for my grade. Pearson study area was of great help.

Ah, Cooney. If you have only the bare minimum requirements to take the class, prepare for a wild and destructive ride. Honestly, the only way to pass the exams is to be about 6 or 7 physics classes into your physics major- but have no fear. Everyone fails. Don't quit trying. He throws a mad curve at the end and if you keep interest&motive, you pass

He's passionate about the subject which makes him a good teacher. I hate science and it was my favorite class of the semester.

If you're looking to learn astronomy with a great teacher, then take this class. Don't skip lectures, there's too much material to miss. He does iclicker questions each class for participation points. There are 4 non-cumulative exams, he drops the lowest one. No final. And he adds a curve at the end of the semester. My 75% got curved to a B.

Physics is extremely hard. Professor Cooney does the best he can to get the material across to students. But truly the grade you get depends on how much work you are willing to put into it. 3 exams plus a final. Exams are very, very hard but he curves everything. Average is around an F on the first exam and a D on the second exam. Lots of homework

Although this class was very difficult, he explained the concept as clearly as possible. He is hilarious and tries to make everything as interesting as possible.

Just take this class with this guy. Do it. He's so funny and super engaging!

I like everything but the tests. They're really hard and very specific. You honestly probably won't do great on a lot of them but you should be at a decent grade if you study and do the quizzes and the clicker questions. He's very smart in his subject and pretty cute. Sit near the front.

Took Cooney for AST2002. Was a really easy course no real attendance though he does clicker quizzes which a worth 5% of your grade. Weekly online quizzes and 4 tests including the final.

His tests are really hard, but the website has tons of study tips/flashcards and you can easily pass if you really study and use the resources the textbook's website has to offer. He is a great guy and makes class really fun. He uses iclicker questions throughout the lecture to take attendance and a small part of your grade.

His tests are very hard but he drops your worst test grade. The website also helps a lot with studying so use that to your advantage. You have to study everything since you don't really know what type of questions to expect. Despite his tests, he's a really fun guy and he does many cool experiments which help with your concept of the topic.

10/10 would take again

Excellent professor!! Yes his exams are challenging, but they are completely doable! Physics is a tough course in general so it won't be easy but his class is very fair and you will learn a lot!! His lectures are funny and always interesting! I would definitely take him again!

I got a D the first time I took this class with a different teacher. I got an A with Cooney not because he is easier, but because he is a very good teacher, and a great guy. Neil deGrasse Tyson calls Cooney for advice.

Attendance isn't mandatory but he does do clicker questions. He's a great prof who's funny, but if you don't read or do the homework you wont pass. Also there's extra credit if you go to the observatory and if you read a book by Carl Sagan

He's pretty funny and makes physics fun but he really wants you to understand physics. aka his test are really hard mainly because the homework and book doesn't resemble the test too much. But since I took him for scale up the test weren't worth too much of the total grade and his class is passable, but expect to read and work for it

Dr. Cooney made astronomy an enjoyable class for someone not interested in science with his interesting lectures and fun demonstrations. He really worked to make the material easy to understand. Go to class (only 50 minutes, you can do it), take notes, read the textbook, and do the online quizzes on time. Four exams, curves and drops your lowest.

AMAZING lectures, I only missed one, If you like astronomy you will WANT to go to class. You will need to as well, he does clicker questions every class for an attendance of sorts. Two extra credit opportunities, a massive curve, and often allowed index cards on tests (usually because someone in class asked) I'm going to miss Cooney next semester

Favorite professor! Super funny, makes lectures enjoyable. You will need an iClicker for class participation and I found online access to the textbook helpful for studying. The curve he gives and the lowest grade being dropped is super helpful. Overall a great guy and I would love to take another class from him

He is great I really respect Cooney. But, this class is no cake walk. I got by without a textbook, but that's because I borrowed other people's. If you're one of those people you can get by with doing all the studying the night before (like I did) it's possible to pass the exams. If you do well on the hw and ok on tests you'll be fine.

Take him! He is one of my favorite professors I've had so far. He does a great job of explaining difficult concepts in simple, easy to understand ways. Love his demonstrations. Tests are super easy if you study his previous clicker questions and use Mastering Astronomy's study section - often questions are pulled directly from there. Awesome class!

Did well integrating the labs and lectures. Kept a lively atmosphere in the classroom. Taught concepts at a higher level at first, and then answered questions for anyone who didn't understand, so nobody felt left behind, neither the smarter students or less smart students.

Dr. Cooney is great, his lectures are funny, and if you actually go and pay attention you'll do just fine. I only studied the night before exams, and he allowed a note card for exams. Astronomy was a genuinely interesting subject and I feel like I actually learned with Dr. Cooney

He took difficult scientific concepts and made them extremely easy to understand. He made lectures enjoyable, he was always hyped up, brought things in class to demonstrate various concepts, and actually made astronomy interesting. If you attend class and do the homework (without cheating), you'll be fine. There's also a curve and extra credit.

I really loved Cooney's class. If you are a person who crams the night before (like me) you will be ok. There's a lot to learn- but if you understand the concepts you'll be fine. I went to his office a few times and he was helpful each time. There are some easy extra credit opportunities. Make sure you do the homework and clicker qs they help.

Do two things to get an A in this Class: 1) Go to lectures, their amazing, funny, and informative. 2) Just do the concept and reading quizzes in the mastering astronomy study section, his questions are just reworded versions of those. 4 tests, takes 3 highest, 75 % of grade 14 quizzes online that are 25% Clicker attendance questions too

All you really need to do to pass this class is grab some coffee, show up, and really concentrate on understanding lecture material for 50 minutes. Supplement with the book and the online material and you will be fine. Cooney's lectures are incredible and bring back the love of science we lose as we grow older; I highly recommend him as a professor

test 1 I studied hard and got an 85 next test i think i got a 72 3rd test I got an 80. basically my average before the last test was a low B. I did all the extra credit and went to every class. i dipped out on the last test because i was going to accept B (lowest dropped), final grade was a fabulous A. DO THE EXTRA CREDIT AND DO WELL ON FIRST TEST

Read these reviews before taking this class. The tests ARE hard, but if you do the online concept/read/visual quizzes and take good notes in class along with doing the reviews he provides (I spent four hours studying before each test, total). Great professor, made me want to get up at 8 A.M. for his class.

This was a great course! i loved it so much, space is rad. I'm sad it was only 6 weeks, it was 8 am but he made it worth it to come to class. Great guy, nerd, liked to do fun experiments in class, that definitely woke me up. Astronomy was my 2nd choice for my major and he made it really tempting to switch, Tests suck but you just have to study.

Dr. Cooney is a great person, and really tries to makes physics seem more appealing. However, I never felt very prepared from lectures. Tests are much harder than they should be, but he does curve quite generously. My semester had 2 tests instead of 3, which made things a bit harder, but you're gonna need to put in lots of effort to succeed.

I mean he's not the best professor but he gets a bad rap on here. I did not take physics before and it wasnt as bad as people make it out to be. Definitely more self-taught than I would prefer but if you read the textbook and dont look up the hw answers you'll pass fine. As a person he's really nice and funny! Just study hard and you'll be fine!

Professor Cooney is very funny and personable. I enjoyed going to class and listening to the lectures. Tests are hard if you don't study. Fill out the study guide and read over the textbook to get good grades. He's very helpful because he curves grades and drops one test. He has clicker questions in class for credit, so keep that in mind as well!

He sounds just like Weird Al.

I'm really bad at STEM classes, so subject wise I kind of struggled. But Dr. Cooney is genuinely hilarious, and makes his powerpoint slides very easy to follow and take notes on. When I take the tests all of the questions are clearly from things we talked about / learned in class (don't skip class). As long as you study you should be fine.

A lot of people here give him less credit than he deserves. The tests are indeed difficult and are more conceptual than just fact-based. However, paying close attention in class is necessary to succeed. He is very passionate in his profession, and from what I've heard I believe he is the best astronomy professor you can take.

James Cooney is the best professor Ive ever had. He is fun, adores astronomy, makes jokes, and gets really excited about things such as a cool new photo of a nebula. Bonus: his voice cracks will break tension if nothing else will.

The class is extremely difficult, and i cant say i did well either. BUT the bad reviews on here are quite ridiculous and unfair. He is a great professor and teaches to the best of his ability. The subject is just extremely hard. Thats just how it is. It had nothing to do with him as a professor.

This is an amazing professor, the way he sees the universe and was able to explain it to us was just incredible. He is really open to humor and has a lot of patience for dumb questions, and also is very passionate even though the content of this class is soooo basic for him. He is very willing to help you in anything regarding the class. Very funny

Is the subject genuinely very difficult? Yes. Is Dr. Cooney the best possible professor one could ask for this subject? Yes.

Don't understand all the bad views on here. It's a hard subject, but he makes the class as painless as possible. Some studying is required but that comes with the subject. You can tell he's really passionate about what he teaches, and he gives a very generous curve at the end of the semester, along with dropping the lowest test. Pretty cool guy.

He is a great professor that is very passionate about what he teaches. He uses clickers to take attendance during class, but it only counts for a small percentage of your grade. A lot of the material covered for the exams can be found in the textbook.

James Cooney gives amazing lectures and really helps you understand the material. I had to go to office hours to get a better grip on one subject, and he helped me understand in a different light what I was learning. He has a good sense of humor and overall wants to see you succeed. If you do the hw/study guides the 3 exams and final are a breeze.

Literally AMAZING. Loved his class. He is super passionate about what he teaches, and it really rubs off on you. The only people that did not enjoy the class were the ones that are not into astronomy. As long as you keep up with the homework and classwork then you're guaranteed a good grade, especially since he adds a huge curve at the end :)

If you genuinely want to learn physics and comprehend the concepts, take Cooney. Understand the topics first and your grade will follow with it. He explains everything in multiple ways to make sure everybody can get a sense of understanding. He does iClicker questions, group assignments (groups are no bigger than 3 people), and standard homework.

I took this class thinking it would be easier than some of the other options I had. It was not. If you are into astronomy, this class is perfect for you. If you are just trying to get credit, take something else. Cooney is a great professor, it is just a very hard class.

Take physics 1 with Dr. Cooney if you can!!!! As a person who generally has trouble understanding physics, he made it much easier. The textbook isn't mandatory but is very helpful. Careful with the lab though; my TA was incompetent, incoherent, and didn't communicate with the professor at all. Tests are easy if you go to class and do the homework

Dr. Cooney was an amazing and hilarious lecturer. Good amounts of HW, this was a mini-term so we only had the HW, a midterm, and final. All the information came straight from lectures. He didn't take attendance, but if you don't go to class you'll have a hard time with the exams. He's really cool, 10/10 would recommend.

Awesome dude. Definitely have to attend the lectures AND read the online TB if you want an A, but it's not very difficult if you keep up with them. Passionate about his field and is very good at expressing and explaining that passion. Some EC but you can certainly get an A without it.

Great professor. Really cares about the material and is passionate. He makes it interesting to learn about (as much as he can). Tests can be difficult if you dont study and take notes. Assignments are once a week and fairly straightforward and not very difficult. Overall good class and excellent professor.

As this course was moved online due to COVID, expect very long video lectures. Theres is a lot of material in this course so the lectures are very important to watch, though I suggest watching them in parts as they can be as long as 2hrs. He is available for online office hours often which is great. Overall, a great course if you like astronomy.

This was my only professor using non-synchronous meetings; meaning I could watch the recordings on my own time, at my own pace. He did a wonderful job making the lectures fun and easy to understand. Just a bit of studying and a solid understanding of the material make this class an "easy A" with this professor. Wonderful prof choice.

Professor was super fun and seemed extremely excited to be teaching the content. Be warned, this class is not for slackers. You actually have to work and make sure to take notes. As long as you do this, you will be fine. The content is super interesting and I loved learning about the crazy stuff out in space! Be prepared to work but also have fun.

Cooney is a great teacher and has really enjoyable lectures however, he treats the gen ed astronomy class like it is an upper-level science course. He says that he does this at the beginning of the class and is going to treat the semester like everyone is an astronomy major. This resulted in the class having way too much work for a gen ed class.

Passionate and genuine professor! The textbook is your best friend. I am not an astronomy major and I took this course for Summer B, and the professor specifies he treats everyone like an astronomy major. Great class and really got me into astronomy despite the fact I didn't really know much, if anything, about it.

You don't have to show up as he records every lecture over Zoom and you can go back to watch or just join during class time. Only 3 exams so be careful. Tests are online but proctored. Tests contain information he says during lecture and the book. Final exam is cumulative. Cool subject but sometimes boring. Homework easy but takes time.

Tbh its easy to cheat *cough cough*. I didnt cheat though! Super respectful and funny :) Allowed notecards on the exams and a 3 point curve at the end.

The best professor I have had. He made the class super interesting, and his lectures were super engaging. You can really tell how much he knows about the topics and how interested in it he is. Great learning experience. The homework assignments were not too difficult, although most people will need to study for the quizzes and exams.

Dr. Cooney was very passionate during lectures, but rarely did any practice problems. He has HW problems each chapter, and gives 3 attempts and unlimited time. His tests were very difficult, but he toned them down as the class progressed. Lecture is mandatory and his class is very time consuming.

Hilarious and really, really good at explaining concepts! As long as you show up and pay attention, the class will be not only easy but enjoyable. Especially for other astronomy lovers, his explanations helped me solidify my understanding of concepts so much! Awesome guy, really cool outfits too.

Dr. Cooney was a great, very engaging professor. He knew most of us did not want to become physicists so he was very lenient. The homeworks were hard but you had 3 attempts and the tests were easier than the homeworks. You did have to study for the tests. He also curves and gives points back if he or a TA makes a mistake.

Cooney was very forgiving and wanted everyone to get a good grade in his class. He curved a few of the exams and curved our final grades. The exams can sometimes be difficult, but if you pay attention in class then you should be fine. Only thing to be wary about are the in class iClicker sessions.

pretty good professor however class lectures don't give much needed for tests or exams. attendance isn't necessary (expect for iClicker question grade) but reading the textbook is, large portion of the content is there. overall okay class but poorly structured and outside work is needed for exams.

Honestly, I did really well in his class in Spring 2023. Read the textbook that's all I have to say. Other than that, if you go to office hours, he is very helpful. Also actually pay attention it can sometimes be boring, but you get what you give.

I hated PHY 2053, but man I wish I could have Dr. Cooney for PHY 2054. He's a really nice, funny guy and tries to explain concepts thoroughly. His lectures, albeit sometimes a little disorganized, are really good. His exams were definitely difficult and I wish they were closer to the homework, but he curved a lot at the end. Highly recommend!

Took this course F23, Cooney was amazing and the course was super interesting. Content is difficult, but the book helps - use it to make equation sheets. Exams usually cover main, built-upon ideas from lectures, calculations, and the occasional graph of space stuff. Homework is challenging, but doable and sparse.