I thought Oceanography would be pretty interesting but man this class was boring. It's easy to do well (just read the textbook) but I was so bored that I only read about 1/3 of it and still ended up with a B. Lectures aren't really relevant, and are a poor substitute to just reading the book. If you find the book interesting, take this class. If you can't tolerate that, then avoid.

if you want an easy A and are just trying to knock off a natural science/method requirement with UVa, then this class is great to take. to be honest, i don't think you even have to show up to class--half the time Macko is talking about stuff that you're not even sure is relevant to the tests. if you do go to class, he does emphasize some things that you should pay attention to for the tests (as well as the labs--he often gives away answers or explains them during class), but, again, i don't think it's necessary to go. i recommend signing up for this class with some buddies so you can work on the labs together--to study, just skim the book.
overall, not a bad class--they just get really boring from time to time.

This class is awesome. I stopped going to lecture because it wasnt necessary but started again because i realized how much fun and how interesting the class was. Macko has some real incredible experiences to talk about. I never read and just crushed the reading the day before the tests and did great in the class. he also lets you drop one of four exams which includes the final. definitely take it.

Very boring lectures that have nothing to do with the tests. You should read the chapters, going to lecture is not necessary. Lab reports are hard unless you go to a discussion and they give you all the answers. I got mostly C's and D's on all of the midterms, and 95's and 100's on the lab reports and got a B in the class. He curves as well

Don't waste your time going to lectures. He'll send a sheet of "key terms" for tests. Go through the book and make sure you can define all of them. You'll do very well.

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME
Labs are optional; they just give you the answers. Macko is a riot. You learn a ton.
Study hard, but tests are pretty straightforward

Since I was already interested in the topic, this made the class a lot better, and I think I enjoyed it more than most people in my class. The reading wasn't great, but the class wasn't too demanding, and it's good for anyone trying to fulfill a science requirement or who wants to learn more about the subject. And Macko's endearingly crazy.

Macko is a horrible lecturer and I wish I hadn't taken this class

Macko is a terribly boring lecturer and going to class every Tuesday and Thursday was the thing I dreaded most about 2nd year.

This class is NOT the type of class that you're going to want to take if you're just looking for an easy science credit. I am writing this as a bitter student nonetheless, but the labs are just stupid...way too much work and the TAs take unfair fractions of points off for minimal error. Macko's lectures are hard to follow and he ends up rambling. The tests ask for the most minute and unimportant facts. STEER CLEAR!