he is awesome! and is irish with accent and all!

He is a fantastic teacher. Takes a boring, obscure topic and makes it relatable, understandable, and dare I say fun! Attendance is not required by him, but I think it is mandatory since exams are based on what is covered in class. Very reasonable grading. I am actually learning quite a bit and I no longer despise Physics.

Take AST 2003! You learn a lot without even noticing. Only down side is the classes are long and get boring... take with a friend. Don't buy book. Test questions come from lectures and powerpoints.

down to earth guy with good humor and likable accent. You dont need the textbook, but you do need to pay attention in class and take lots of notes!! I write down pretty much everything he mentions and i have a 98 in the class. Good class if your not a big science person. I´m not but i find astronomy very interesting now!

Seriously awesome class. Dr. McKay is an incredibly intelligent man with a good teaching style and great sense of humor. AST2003 is an awesome class, although it's a lecture, it's very easy because he's interesting and isn't a tough grader.

I got a B in the class, rarely attended after the first test, and only did one hw (they're optional along with the quizes---but they can boost your grade just b/c you did them). I don't know that I necessarily deserve the B. Infer what you want from that.

he is great. has a genuine care for his students and always has time for questions. you will learn a lot because his makes topics interesting and fun, so lectures won't bore you. excellent professor.

By far the best professor I've ever had.

He is by far the coolest professor ever. He's willing to help you out whenever and is very easy to talk to. He keeps the class interesting. He loves to use the drawing tool on his powerpoints. Definitely take his class he is the BEST!!!

Dr. MacKay is awesome. You'll learn a lot and never be bored.

Awesome teacher, make sure you pay attention in class and you will do good

Dr. Mackay is the best! He is super fun and makes class interesting. Make sure you pay attention to the slides and lectures! He posts them all on blackboard which helps.

Dr. Mackay is a really great professor. He's super nice and if you pay attention, you'll learn a lot.

GREAT TEACHER!! He will help you through out the whole semester. He is HILARIOUS! His power points not only teach but entertain! I had no physics experience before this class and he really made it great!

One of the best professors I've ever had. Extremely personable, highly intelligent, very pleasant accent, and he makes the material fascinating. I now walk around staring at the sky. You will make friends in his class. Just go to the lectures, take some notes, and enjoy the stargazing.

Amazing teacher he is funny and offers a lot of extra credit. Loved listening to his hot Irish accent every class. Pretty easy class I did not have to try very hard to get a B.

By far the best professor I have had at USF. Extremely helpful and class is always interesting. Best decision in my life was taking this class. Also, killer irish accent.

Great Teacher if you go to class it makes the tests a cake walk. Offers extra credit for various things, and the only time you need the book is for the quizes, which are only graded in the cases where the student is borderline at a higher letter grade. Very down to earth guy.

Great professor. Extremely funny and makes everything interesting. Blows your mind at least once every class. Slide shows are great and he draws on them a lot, which in one instance accidentally led to a rather phallic shaped outline of several stars. The class never stopped laughing so he just called it a day. Great fun and I learned a lot!

Amazing teacher and hands down the hottest physics professor at USF! I could sit in his class and listen to him talk all day!

Class is very, very interesting! If you show even the slightest interest in astronomy he will make sure you get an A. He's also the hottest professor I've ever had!

There is barely any homework in this class and the homework he does give counts as extra credit toward the exams. Its a little hard to get an A but easy to get a B.

The only astronomy professor, but luckily he's really good. Funny and down to earth, he makes class semi-interesting. Do not take AST2004 without taking AST2003 though. Not easy to get an A, but you can definitely get a B no problem. A lot of extra credit opportunities too. I'll miss having him!

DO NOT BUY THE BOOK! His exams come mostly from his notes. Plus the homework/quizzes that he uses as extra credit also come from notes. I bought the book and now can't return it, even though I NEVER opened it and got a B in the class.

This was BY FAR my favourite class here at USF. MacKay does his best to make the subject interesting, and he is very much into helping you out when you need it. I took his class spring semester of my freshman year, and I'll be taking 2004 soon. I can't wait. He wants you to understand, so he limits the use of equations as much as possible. =]

favorite teacher, took him for astronomy 2004, he was so passionate about it, class isnt too hard if you put the work in, you must buy the book cuz his notes are in it

Great Teacher. Awesome accent. You gotta put some work in the class, you'll get a B most probably but work ad you'll get an A. If you got an easy schedule, take him.

Best Teacher At USF. Learn alot and he keeps it interesting. Def recommend taking any classes with him

Really intelligent professor, makes the class super interesting and fun. he has the best grading policy i've encountered in my 3 yrs at USF. Easy to do well and learn a lot if you decide to go to class.

Great teacher. gives great lectures and teaches really well. you must buy the book since alot of the notes and assignments come in it. strongly recommend.

He's a cool, down-to-earth professor. He understands the college lifestyle and cracks jokes that are amusing. Great grading scale and he's super passionate about what he teaches, which adds to the environment of the class. Take him!

Class was very interesting but somewhat hard. There is some math involved. He was a great professor and very helpful too. I'm not sure if I'd take the class again but I learned something in it at least. Very little homework and only 4 tests. He gives lots of extra credit ops.

Great class and teacher. Tests are not difficult for fast learners or regular studiers (he thoroughly explains every detail). Lot of extra credit anyway. His passion rubs off on you and makes the class astounding! You'll never look at stars the same!

This guy is an excellent teacher,he really knows a lot about astronomy and the there is basically no home work.I took both of his AST classes and learned a lot. minimal work other than tests and a project in the second class. pay attention in class and you should have no prob getting an A.minimal math,easy science recs,cool teacher,no attendance P

MacKay is the coolest. The class is interesting on it's own, and MacKay makes you like it that much more. He really obviously loves astronomy, which is infectious. Plus, he sounds just like Sean Connery, which makes the class that much better.

This guy is great! He knows a lot about astronomy, and is able to answer almost every question his students have. His grading policy is amazing! I received really high A's on all the tests. The only thing was that his final exam was very difficult. He offers extra credit to boost test scores, though. I would highly recommend his class.

Awesome professor! I never thought I'd like astronomy so much, but his enthusiasm about it will rub off on you in no time. He is an amazing lecturer and I was always interested during class. His grading policy is one of the best. He is a very nice guy, always wanting his class to do well, and is absolutely hilarious! Plus his accent is really cute.

Very easy and interesting class. Best class to take for a science credit.

Without a basic knowledge of astronomy, this class can be a bit confusing but overall very interesting. With a little bit of effort anyone can pull off a B or better.

McKay is a great professor! You have to bring your book to class everyday (and you use it), but the way he teaches is really interesting. I literally didn't know anything about Astronomy, but now I understand it (and I like it)!

I had taken his AST 2003, and this class is just as good! He is a very easy lecturer to follow, and is very understanding. You use your book every lecture to take notes, so you need to buy it. He makes sure that you can pass the tests without having to do the maths part, and he gives you ample chances for extra credit!

Mackay is awesome. He's extremely accommodating and witty, and he loves for his students to just enjoy what they're learning.

This professor cares about what he teaches and that itself makes him one of the best professors in USF. I had so much fun in this class and learned very interesting things. This hot chili is for you Mackay!

I have taken three courses with MacKay. He is by far my favorite teacher that I have had at USF. Has regular sky observing sessions and is absolutely hilarious.

Took all four of his classes. He makes the class very fun and very easy. Curves and extra credit makes tests a cinch (you could miss every math problem and still make a 100). You won't want to miss class. Homework/quizzes are extra credit and he often shows fun videos. Observing sessions are fun. Fun, young guy.

Professor MacKay is awesome. He tries hard to help all of his students understand the material, which make him one of the best professors I've ever had. He gives extra credit and curves when necessary, and the accent is a bonus. Like a boss!

Super easy

great professor and person in general. I've had him 3 times and always enjoy class. Tests are easy A

Absolutely awesome!! I loved his class so much! If I had the time I would take every one of his classes in a heartbeat! The Irish accent is a huge bonus as well! Everything he says is infintely more interesting with it! ;)

AWESOME! Super funny, easy and he makes it fun and interesting! Great accent too. I would take this class again and again if I could

Great professor,very helpful nice and funny! Great accent, and he makes the class more interesting that it already is! Loved it.

FAVORITE TEACHER!

Fun, nice guy. Hard, hard tests on only his lecture notes, nothing from the book - but he scales them. Also gives a lot of extra credit but only if you're in the lecture. Few reading quizzes. He doesn't care what your grade is, as long as you gain a new interest in astronomy. Cool, funny guy. Amazing accent!

Great teacher, great attitude. Ask questions and you will make him happy!

Great professor! Knowledgeable about the subject he is teaching and has a great sense of humor. Come to class and take notes about the powerpoints and do ALL extra credit makes this class a breeze. I recommend it to anyone, especially if u need credits or a good grade in a course. :)

This was the coolest professor that I had since I started as an undergraduate. Easy lass. I missed alot of days and still past class. His learning style was excellent.

Awesome!

You can tell he is very passionate about what he teaches. If you pay attention to his lectures, do the homework, do the extra credit, take notes, and review his powerpoint presentations, then you will get an A in the class.

TAKE THE CLASS FOR AN EASY A. SUPER EASY. CLASSES ARE BASED ON NOTES. NO NEED TO TAKE QUIZZES OR DO HOMEWORK UNLESS YOU HAVE A BAD GRADE BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLY GRADED ON BOARDER-LINE CASES. I DIDN'T DO HOMEWORK OR TAKE QUIZZES AND I GOT AN A IN THE CLASS.

You can tell that he loves what he teaches, so it makes class that much more interesting. Super easy tests, quizzes, and lectures are fun. Do the homework and you'll be fine. There is no reason you should fail this class.

MacKayâ??s AST 2003 has been the most enjoyable experience of my college career. He is clearly in love with Astronomy and extremely knowledgeable. Go to the observing sessions (they are worth every minute of your time); do the work; donâ??t leave until class is over, and take notes! Excellent professor. I plan to return for AST2004.

Definitely an easy A. I calculated my final grade to be a B+, but I ended up with an A+, probably because I came to class and he liked me. A chill guy with absolutely no pretention, and clearly loves astronomy. His main goal is to get you to love it too.

Great professor, everything that is on the test is gone over in class and is also in the book. He does observing sessions throughout the semester that aren't mandatory but are a lot of fun and very educational.

Amazing teacher, always willing to help. Keeps your interest in the subject, &is funny. His tests are hard so studying is a must! But if you go to class and pay attention it isn't bad. The book is a must buy &attendance is not mandatory. He challenges you in a good way. I am taking him for a 2nd time this semester for Archaeoastronomy. Recommended

Very good teacher! He always tries to help students do their best. He loves to crack jokes so things don't get too serious. We went star gazing once which was so cool. Tests are super hard and require a lot of studying but he gives lots of extra credit so you will definitely pass.

Excellent Professor. He loves what he teaches and it shows. The tests are pretty tough but if you take notes in class, study them AND TURN IN EXTRA CREDIT you'll do fine. Also, even though he doesn't grade homework TURN IT IN. Trust me it will help you in the end. Overall I really enjoyed his class.

Amazing man, even better accent! Dr. MacKay Truly loves Astronomy and it will rub off on you! Go to class and care and you will do fine!

His tests are hard, just study. He gave us one test to take home, but it was still moderately difficult considering that I couldn't just google and find the answers. He likes to keep the class fun and makes it very interesting. We did not use textbooks at all. He creates slides for each section. I would take him again.

If you weren't interested in astronomy before, you will be once you hear it spoken with a brogue. Tests are hard, but curves and extra credit are abundant. Learning about the enormity of space compared to your own infinitesimal smallness may trip you out a little though, so don't take this if you're prone to existential crises.

Pretty chill guy. His Irish accent makes you remember stuff more

awesome professor, knows a lot. super into what he teaches and gets you into it. attendance gets points and extra credit. projects are simple. tests are hard but other grades compensate. heavy accent. likes interaction. funny.

Awesome dude. Awesome class. Nuff said.

Awesome teacher. Study and you'll be fine. I thought I failed my first test and I ended up making an A. Would recommend him!

This professor is really funny and keeps the class interested but the course is VERY VERY difficult! Do NOT think it will be an easy A!

Interesting lectures and pretty easygoing and funny. He doesn't take attendance but if you don't attend class the tests will be a nightmare as there is a lot of information given in each lecture. Also gives many opportunities to earn extra credit that can bring up your test a letter grade.

very funny and nice, no textbook required, all the info is on the slides or mentioned in class. attendance isn't mandatory but gives lots of extra credit and hints to those who attend class. tests are difficult but he gives a curve and if you beat your previous score he'll add points to it. i would recommend this class but your attendance is key!

VERY funny, no textbook required, all the info is on the slides or mentioned in class. attendance isn't mandatory but he does give lots of extra credit and hints to those who attend class. tests are difficult but he gives a curve and if you beat your previous score he'll add points to it. i would recommend this class but your attendance is key!

Definitely my favorite professor. He's so passionate about astronomy and wants you to understand. Willing to spend an entire class answering questions. Plenty of opportunities for extra credit so show up for class. Irish accent is pretty awesome and he has some of the best analogies you'll ever hear. Very funny. Taking him next semester too

He's a nice guy, who is really passionate about what he teaches, he really loves astronomy. HOWEVER he is a hard teacher, NOT AN EASY CLASS. Expects you to know a lot after hearing it once. Also Added more to final exam than actually taught in class. *Hard teacher, NOT EASY* It's interesting, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it

Best professor ever! The first part of the class was pretty boring (European history) but after that it gets interesting! Attendance isn't mandatory but you better go to class cause he has blank powerpoints he writes on. Grades easy on exams but not so easy on papers/projects and the final is hard! If you go to class you'll get an A. And he's cute.

Outstanding instructor with great passion for the material. Exams are difficult but graded on a curve. Attendance not mandatory, but there were frequent in-class extra credit opportunities. Great course if you want to put in the effort. If you're looking for an easy A without working for it, look elsewhere.

He is a super cool guy. He is very interested in the material he teaches which makes it that much better! Tests are pretty easy. For AST 3044, know the monuments he goes over, etc and you will do just fine. Definitely recommend him!

Dr. Mackay is awesome. He's the best professor I've had in my entire time at USF. He actually teaches like all of the astronomy classes, and I'd recommend them all. Not only is he super cool and funny, but if you show up and pay attention you'll do good in the class. His class can be tough if you don't try, but if you do they're a piece of cake.

Class can be boring because he just reads off slideshows. Textbook is not necessary because he puts the slideshows (which are the textbook) online.

I have the astronomy minor and the classes Mackay taught were the best classes I have ever taken. Archeo-astronomy was a bit on the dull side for me but lessons were clear and as long as you attend and pay attention, you'll get a decent grade. If you're not interested in astronomy or not after the minor, there are other easier classes.

Dr. Mackay is an awesome teacher, probably the best I have in the semester. He is hilarious and at the same time serious about what he does. His course is one worth taking, he is inspirational, and have a way to get along with his students. You font go to class don't expect to pass, you attend, you are fine. His exams are hard but he is fair.

Doctor Mackay is far and away the best teacher i have ever had in my entire life. He is knowledgeable, understanding, funny, interesting, helpful, flexible and leaves no one in the class behind. I actually liked him so much that I went ahead and got my astro minor. For this particular class, there is a lot of scientific concepts involved.

If you have had a little background in chemical and physical sciences, his course will be really straightforward. Basic notes are online, but you need to attend for practice problems on the exams. Buying the book isn't really necessary. Excellent lecture, he makes it so interesting that you forget to take notes sometimes. Definitely take him once!

Awesome 2 semesters taking him for AST 2003 and 2004. Just go to lectures and do a bit of review before the test and you'll be fine.

Professor Mackay is the best teacher on campus. Always helps me out if I need it, very caring for students in class, and he gives a large chunk of extra credit in one assignment, he gives you a milestone above your final grade.

Super great teacher and all around great guy to have as a professor. Also s super cute irish accent.

Best teacher I've had in college. He's super passionate, his lectures are interesting and he's really funny. The tests are easy if you listen to his lectures, takes notes on everything he says. Show up to class. You don't need the book at all. The projects are intimidating at first but if you just show that you tried you will get a good grade.

Show up to class, take notes, and you'll pass. Simple as that, and you get a nice boost to your GPA. The tests are curved INSANELY and homework is a rarity. Just beware of some group projects, you might have to *gasp* interact with other people *faints*.

I love Professor Mackay

Best professor on the planet (no pun intended). One of the most helpful and kind individuals I have ever met. I took the whole Astronomy minor gauntlet just so I could take his classes again. The subject matter is definitely difficult and the tests are not easy (mult. choice with one essay usually), but he helps you through it. 10/10

A great guy, always telling jokes and anecdotes. He loves giving analogies to help explain stuff. But beware, some details that may seem like they are part of his stories may appear on the tests. Over all a fun and easy class.

Dr. MacKay is amazing!! Makes jokes, but he really knows what he's talking about. Brilliant professor and there isn't a day that I don't learn something cool about space. Even if it's not your major, take it to cover a science course. Might minor in Astronomy just to have classes with him as a professor.

I actually started his class with no prior knowledge of astronomy whatsoever, I thought I was only going to take the one class but ended up taking all four! My one complaint is, thanks to him I now have yet another expensive hobby!! In other words, I definitely recommend him.

Professor MacKay is awesome! AST 3033 is not an easy course, but his knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for the subject made the subject material easy to understand. You'll get to learn about stellar spectra of stars, black holes, and look back billions of years in the past at the early universe.

I took this class with no real prior knowledge (other than Stonehenge) about archaeoastronomy. There's a lot of material to commit to memory (the most challenging is trying to remember the different astronomers/philosophers d), but the professor makes the material fun and interesting to learn! Just show up, take good notes, study, and you'll be ok.

He's really hilarious and tells great stories! But do NOT skip class cause you'll struggle once you start to fall behind. There's no textbook for this class either! But write down little side notes like the names of stars and their meanings cause they'll pop up on the tests! Also, get your partner for the final project early on and DONT SKIP!

I didn't really get the hype for this professor. Granted, he was not boring and kept me awake during his lectures. I feel like he spent a lot of his time talking about things that weren't really related to his powerpoints... telling stories, trying to be funny, etc. Tests are very hard but he gives a REALLY big curve that makes it easy.

Super funny guy who really wants you to pass. This class will inspire you to look up at the stars.

Great professor. If you enjoy Astronomy, make sure you get him as a professor.

One of my favorite professors at USF. Makes astronomy, a pretty dense subject, really fun. I would look forward to this class every day, and got super nerdy about astronomy. He's truly passionate, cares about his students, and will teach you what you need to know without pushing you too hard. Would consider an astronomy minor!

Professor Mackay is awesome. He's really passionate about astronomy and he does a great job of explaining everything so that anyone, no matter your background or previous knowledge of astronomy, can understand.

NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN! I took Mackay's class to get credit towards the Astronomy Minor and it was awesome. There is some math, but he gives all the formulas you'll need on every exam. Also he's from Ireland and has some awesome stories, so if you get bored of astronomy ask him about some of his adventures.

I have taken every class that Dr. Mackay offers at USF. If you don't already love astronomy, this guy will make you obsessed with it. His passion for the subject is contagious. The exams are not easy, but nothing on the exams is not mentioned in class. Attendance is not mandatory, but you need to go to his classes if you want to do well on exams.

Best professor I've ever taken. Its damn near impossible for his overflowing passion of astronomy not to rub off on you. Its blatantly obvious that he loves what he teaches and loves it even more when students show an interest and asks questions. HILARIOUS and his irish accents make his interesting lectures even better. Know pictures for tests!

Honors Natural Science is already a fun class, but he makes it even better. He asks all the best questions and is always sure to set the class laughing! He's an easy grader, but doesn't give a whole lot of feedback. His syllabus is confusing, but he's always there to answer any questions. Did I mention his accent? Easily one of my top professors!

This class wasn't hard. You have to write some essays and do a presentation on a movie that you watch in class, but he's not that though of a grader. The only thing I didn't like was that participation was 20 percent of your grade and he took it so seriously. He's sat with his tablet and kept track of who participated.

I felt like I did terrible ! but I got a B ! so he rocks !!

He's awesome, seriously the best professor ever. NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN.

I never had the urge to seduce a professor, but I have the urge to seduce him. Such a hilarious guy. Makes me interested in a lecture I wouldn't normally care about.

He is so cool!!! Class could be boring but if you attend to class he will let you know what will be on the exam. Couple of homeworks and 2 projects, 1 of them is at the end of the semester and has to be in group. He is so hilarious!! and gives lots of extracredits. Never look at the sun!!

Now that I'm an astronomy minor I have to say that I am going to miss this professor a lot. He knows how to keep your interest and calls himself an "edutainer." He genuinely cares and if you just show up and listen you can easily pass his class.

I've taken all of Professor Mackay's astronomy classes, and I can honestly say he's the best professor I've ever taken in my life. I wish USF offered astronomy degrees at both the graduate and undergraduate level, because taking these classes have made me want to pursue a career in astronomy.

If you miss his class, you will not pass. He does provide notes via Canvas but he covers a lot of the material in class to supplement the notes. It can be quite difficult to prepare for his exams since there is no required textbook. Homework is not mandatory but highly recommended since he adds extra credit points to exam grades for it. V funny

You're graded on 3 midterms, final exam, and a group project. If you go to class which isn't mandatory he usually gives out loads of crossword puzzle which goes towards extra credit towards your tests. Each test is also curved and so is the whole class at the end. The group project is also really simple. Test are kind of hard if you don't study.

Mackay is a great professor, I've always heard nothing but good things about him. Attendance isn't mandatory but you will have to go to class in order to do well on the exams, lots of things he goes over in class aren't in the powerpoint but are on the exam. Lots of extra credit opportunities and the grade curves are awesome. 10/10.

Favorite teacher is USF by far. not an easy A but if u make decent effort you will get an A

Mackay was one of the best teachers I've had and made the lectures really interesting. Everything that's on the tests can be found on the slides he puts online or in the crossword puzzles he gives you in class. He's a really cool and funny guy and highly recommend him if you're thinking of taking astronomy.

Loved this teacher!! Really enjoyed the lectures and the humor he brought to them. You don't need to show up, but I recommend you do because 1. you will enjoy it, 2. he randomly gives chances for extra credit only in class. He wants to see everyone pass and is willing to help with anything if you talk to him after class or during his office hours.

Loves teaching Astronomy and he makes you interested in astronomy . His teaching also influenced me to try to get a minor in Astronomy along with my Comp Sci major. He has a great Irish accent, drives a Tesla S, and was a former NASA education advisor so you know he's a professor who is respected.

He is a really friendly guy and it is pretty fun to see him get excited for astronomy. Plus he has a really awesome Irish accent. Attend class because mostly everything he says in lecture will likely appear on his exam. Group project is really easy.

Really passionate guy. If you don't go to class, it's hard to make up because he posts slideshows but they're really all over the place. He's a great teacher but the information was really hard for me to understand, but he puts major curves on your grade so it's all good.

11/10 would take MacKay again. Dr. MacKay is hilarious, passionate about astronomy, and Irish. There are three exams(all called midterms), one group project, and the final. Gives extra credit added to exam grades but you have to be in class to receive it. He always says if you show interest in Astronomy you will receive an A.

Is known to give extra credit at the end of classes sometimes so I would recommend attending all the time however it's not the end of the world if you miss. He is super funny which makes the lectures really engaging. Tests aren't too hard. As long as you pay attention in class and take good notes you should be fine.

Only graded on three exams and a project, so if you're a bad test taker, BEWARE. Curves every exam and even the final grade, so it makes it very easy to pass. I got a B and I only went to the class 3 times throughout the whole semester... Very easy FKL. He's also a very very funny Irish man.

Hes an awesome and his accent makes him interesting to listen to in my opinion. However go to class if not you will fail the 3 tests he gives

Had him for AST 2002 and 2004. I really liked him as a professor, his exams are pretty easy. Even though attendance is not mandatory, you should go to class. He talks about things and writes on the slides that are not on the slides posted online. Take good notes and study the powerpoints and you'll do well. He gives extra credit and curves.

A little nuts but one of the best teachers I've ever had. Go to class and take notes and you'll be fine.

He is one of the best professors, if not the best I have ever had at USF. He makes every class enjoyable. He makes his class's engaging and fun at the same time. Show up and you'll do fine since everything he goes over is on his exams.

He is hilarious. Great professor and a pretty easy class. It isn't required to show up, but if you want to do really well you should show up. Study his PowerPoints and your notes from class and you should easily pass. He curves exams and gives extra credit. If you go to class he gives you huge clues to what will be on the exam.

I took this course after thoroughly enjoying AST 2002 but 2004 was definitely much harder and less interesting. You are graded by three midterms, group project, and the final. You need to memorize the slides word for word which can be hard sometimes because some of the slides aren't in enough detail to comprehend. Would recommend AST 2002 only.

Incredibly funny and incredibly knowledgeable. Absolutely worth going to every class, and you should go if you intend on passing since his powerpoints are mainly pictures that he explains in class so don't miss out. Curves exams + final grade extremely generously.

I am finishing up the final class in the Astronomy minor at USF. Dr. MacKay is an outstanding professor who brings a unique feeling to an otherwise stressful time here at college. The best part about his classes is that all you have to do for an A is pay attention, literally just listen to him talk for a while and you will pass easy. He's awesome

Dr Mackay is an incredible professor at USF. Today I completed the final lecture of the last course in the astronomy minor, all courses of which are taught by Mackay. I cannot emphasize enough how incredible these courses are. His lectures are deeply captivating, the material is super interesting, the class is pure enjoyment. I wish there were more

Best class I've ever taken. You don't have to go to class, but you'll want to. He's funny and really cares about you getting good grades, and even offers some extra credit. Only grades with exams and a final project, but its a fun project and the exams aren't that bad if you pay attention in class and spend a couple hours studying. Awesome teacher!

I love Kevin so much and he is so beyond funny. Attendance is not mandatory but you need to go if you want to do well on tests. Not much to be graded by except for 4 tests and a group project. You DO have to study and work for good grades on tests but he gives a lot of extra credit. If you want to laugh, take his class.

Astronomy was fun and exciting with Professor Mackay. Graded by only test buy pay attention during class and you should do fine.

Not a tough grader at all. His lectures are amazing, everything is clear, he always ready to answer all your questions and ready to help. There is an opportunity to improve your grade by extra credits, which is awesome.

Was an amazing professor, he really cares about the material and the students. Just 1 hour of studying per week is more than enough to get an A.

Just pay attention and you will do fine. This is a very easy class.

Dr. Mackay teaches the scifi movie class and boy is he the cherry on top. A college movie class with a super fun professor? It sounds too good to be true, but this guy is great. He makes you do a movie presentation which is super chill and laid back, so complete that along with the 2 essay-exams and you're in the clear (it's all sooo easy)

even though the lectures are not mandatory, if you want to learn enough for the exams i highly suggest you attend or watch the recorded lectures. This was my third class with him and he is super entertaining and an amazing professor

Second class with Professor Mackay and I'm now pursuing an astronomy minor. His classes are straightforward and I would definitely attend his lectures. Lots of information plus he's funny. His exams have lots of detailed information but as long as you're paying attention and study you'll be fine. He rounded my grade up to an A- in the end.

The assignments are 60%, 2 midterms are 20%, and 1 final that is 20%. I just took this class to satisfy my gen ed science requirement. The assignments were not too difficult. The exams are all a bit tough though. However, he curves your grade at the end, which REALLY helps. Just go through the lectures/module he says to before your exam. He's ok.

Astronomy is really interesting I would recommend you take this class if you're interested in it. It's fairly simple if you go to lectures and read the notes.

What a great guy. You can tell he's knowledgable and loves the subject, and that makes you appreciate the class. For an online class, he curates it quite well. Some of the assignments can be vague, but it's not too much to become overwhelming. No textbook use, but you need to do some of your own research. I would take this professor again!

Love the material and the delivery- makes you work for your grade

Professor Mackay is pretty cool and you can tell he is passionate about astronomy. However, an a non-astronomy major, this class was hard. He has TAs grade all the assignments and you don't really get to question your grades. Also, you don't get to see what you get wrong on exams/quizzes, nor did we get study guides. He does curve exams though.

Love the course would absolutely take his courses again, course has test, quizzes, mid term and a cumulative final. Fantastic recommend!

Honestly he is such a great guy and really is personable with the students, you can tell he really loves his job and tries to make things funny and involving. I really respect professors like this as it shows a level of quality that shines out of all your professors. I love listening to him speak and the subject at hand. Def would take again.

Assignments can be a little ridiculous. There are a few per week, but most are super easy. 3 exams. Super nice professor and wants everybody to pass (he honestly makes sure you will) !!

Dr. Mackay is the best teacher at USF. Hands down. Inspired me to get a minor in Astronomy because I loved the classes so much. Just study and do the work - what a crazy concept! He has a real passion for what he teaches. Absolute top lad.

Great professor with a passion for astronomy. If you love astronomy this is the best professor to take it with. You should go to every lecture and take notes. Exams are quite tough and you need to pay attention in class. Didn't give us any homework and used curve which brought up my grade from A- to A+

This professor only has lectures so it is recommended to go to class as the powerpoint slides on canvas are mostly pictures. Your grade consists of a syllabus quiz, 3 test, a project, and the final. Test are hard but he always curves them and then curves the class at the end of the year. If you need an easier science credit I recommend.

Best professor I had at USF, inspired me to minor in astronomy and I was able to take all 4 courses with him. The lectures are great, and as long as you go to class and take detailed notes, you should get an A on everything. Most people who got low grades just didn't take notes, anything you write down from class will be on tests.Just pay attention

Professor MacKay is absolutely hilarious and his class overall is so entertaining. If you attend classes and participate in the extra credit assignments you will succeed on the exams with no problem. He always finds a way to make class fun and exciting. I would definitely recommend taking this class if you have an interest in astronomy.

Awesome professor. He's funny, love his accent, will hand out free extra credit to those who show up to class. Not much of one to talk outside of class but all classes are lecture based. He has 3 midterms and 1 final, 2 projects and that's it; no homework. All the exams are easy if you pay attention to the lectures and I got a 101 on one them.

Best professor at this university imho. His stories and jokes are the best. Easy A+ if you attend lectures

I've taken 2 of his classes and I wish that I could take more. He goes so in depth on what he is talking about and answers any questions that you may have. He curves exams steeply, which is always nice. It's very fun to learn in his class and I never dreaded going.

Prof Mackay was great, lectures were informational but not boring. He seems laid back, not a super strict grader. Two exams plus final, curved. Questions come from lectures, quizzes & assignments. Strict about not reopening or make up assignments however he gives plenty of chances to make up points and course grade is curved at the end. Great Prof!

I took the astronomy course over the summer online and I think it was one of the most interesting courses I've taken. Mr.Mackay's lectures are short and straight to the point. As long as you review the lectures there's no reason you won't ace the class. He seems chill and is an easy grader. There's a midterm and final and they're both curved.

The assignments are all fun and fairly simple. The lectures are extremely enjoyable and you can tell he's passionate about the subject. The exams aren't difficult and are curved. If you're looking for a fun course this is a must take!

Going to lectures is not mandatory but necessary

He was an amazing teacher, he's funny and keeps everyone engaged in the class lectures. Exams are hard as they are 60+ questions on a variety of topics without a study guide or notes, you're a bit on your own when it comes to studying.

Professor MacKay is engaging during lectures and keeps us laughing. Personally I am no good at math and this course involves physics but that does not affect my enjoyment of it. He has very few assignments, but the tests are pretty difficult so make sure to take notes and study. You can still pass without getting any of the math questions correct.

He is so funny, and because of hurricane, he made all of the exams online. It's such a fun and immersive class, and the professor is just hilarious which is definitely the cherry on top. You can just go to class, relax, and learn about the universe.

Really nice and interesting lectures, Dr MacKay makes astronomy inspiring and easier.

Loved this class, it's clear that he's passionate about astronomy and is willing to answer any questions. Lectures are fun and engaging. This class is easy to pass (big curve) BUT it's not an easy A since his exams can be hyper specific and there's no review so if you miss a day or zone out you could miss something important and not know

He's just a legend. Irish accent makes him fun to listen to. You don't have to attend class but you will fail if you don't. Slides he posts don't have all the information. All information is given during lectures.

Take his classes if you have an independent interest in astronomy, he loves student engagement and will give extra credit to active classes. The exams have annoying, trivia-style questions that require you to pay attention in class (and have an above-average memory), but he values interacting with students over tests, so they're heavily curved.

His class was the highlight of my semester. Lectures are super engaging. His tests are very specific and can be difficult, but he curves them super heavily. If you show up to class and take good notes you'll do well.

Probably the best and most memorable professor I had at USF both online and in person. He's very passionate about astronomy and cares a lot about his students. Come to class as much as you can and take as many notes as possible. The test questions are largely based on his lectures, which are amazing.

Very easy class. make sure to attend lectures for specific detailed information. Before the second exam he gives a confusing crossword puzzle for extra credit and there is a quizlet online. However, two of the answers are wrong on purpose to catch cheaters. 3 down is Eridanus Supervoid. 17 across is Equuleus.

I love this professor and the class. He makes the content engaging and interesting to learn and really makes me want to go to class. There are only 4 grades for the class so while attendance is not mandatory, he uses original content from his lectures so it is important that you go to class.

Professor MacKay is such a hilarious teacher, his class was a whole lot of fun and such an informative class. If you need a filler class I absolutely recommend taking intro to astronomy. All his slides are online but you should attend all of the lectures to see his edits to the slides, he also gives hints to exam answers in class.

Dr. Mackay is one of the coolest teachers I've had. I took his class as a filler so that I could get a certain amount of credits, and am happy to say it was the best filler class I have ever taken. As soon as I finished the final exam, I felt a little bit of sadness that the semester was over, partly because he Rickrolled me.

Graded only by a few exams but for they were all online and with a curve. MacKay is a fantastic professor, very cool guy. The course was very easy and I would take it again. No textbook needed.

THE GOAT!!!!

One of the coolest classes I've ever taken. Dr Mackay is hilarious and always makes sure to keep his students entertained. Attendance is not mandatory but if you miss a class you could potentially miss him saying what will be on the exam. No homework but that means that your grade is based mostly on exams. If you like astronomy go for it!

This class was amazing. Dr MacKay's lectures are hilarious and genuinely entertaining. Attendance isn't mandatory but I found myself actually wanting to go to every class. The tests are kind of difficult and I would recommend taking your own notes as he doesn't post much review material. I might minor in astronomy just to have this prof again

Tests are all online, open note. He also curves everything, even the final grade. If you show up, he'll probably give you an A regardless, not that it's hard to earn it. Great stories, too. Will definitely be taking more from him

This is one of the best professors I've taken in USF so far. He's hilarious, passionate about his subject matter, and very easy. I would definitely take him again in a heartbeat. I highly recommend him.

Awesome prof, he's been to a lot of the sites he talks about and is extremely knowledgeable. Very nice guy. Tests are online, open for an entire 24 hour period, so it's very manageable. One group project at the end of the class, but it isn't difficult. Make sure you take detailed notes in class to get easy As on the tests.

I can sum up Dr.Mackay by saying that his class was the only course I have taken at USF that I enjoyed, which is honestly an understatement. All of his lectures were extremely interactive & funny, with him taking all our questions & even expanding on topics. Even the more complex stuff was broken down into much easier concepts. Highly recommend!!

Dr. Mackay is one of my favorite professors. He is hilarious, exciting, and brings alot of energy to class.

He is great

He is very passionate in his teaching and make the material very engaging. He sometimes gives out worksheet and later collects them for extra credit. The exams are challenging but are curved very generously.

Dr. Mackay is very funny and always makes class enjoyable. However, he often skims over important topics very fast or goes on tangents that make it hard to recognize what information we need to write down and what we will be tested on. The class is very test heavy, but they aren't honorlocked.

Amazing professor. He makes the class entertaining and enjoyable. If u take the class and don't do well and don't have fun the problem is you not professor MacKay.

He's great the lectures are entertaining and he is really invested in what he is teaching. The final is pretty difficult but that is really the only thing to look out for :)

Mackay is the funniest guy at USF. He doesn't have an attendance grade, but you *really* should attend his lectures, pay attention, and take notes as he mentions lots of stuff on the exam, and gives out worksheets as EC and review material for the exams. All the exams are online, and he also heavily curves grades (went from A- to A+)

He is hilarious and makes going to the class worth it. Gotta attend class cuz the slides don't have all the info needed for the exams. I'm rating him 4, instead of a 5, cuz the tests and the grading are very weird. Tests sometimes have the most random & esoteric questions. And grading always felt weird, never knew how much he would curve the exams.

Really funny guy, lectures were pretty engaging. VERY fun elective to take- grades a little bit hard but otherwise the class was a blast. Breath of fresh air compared to some of my other classes.