Program Information
Learn more about the Astronomy program.
General Help
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Astronomy focuses on the universe, galaxies, stars, planets, moons, and other celestial objects. In this program you’ll learn the laws that govern how our universe operates. Astronomy is about more than studying outer space. With this understanding you can work toward solving many of the problems that face our world, including those found in the areas of energy, climate, healthcare, exploration, and environmental sustainability.
In MCC’s courses on astronomy you will focus on astrophysics, planetary science, and astrobiology. You will learn to think and work critically and creatively, independently, and collaboratively. You will have access to our state-of-the-art planetarium, leading-edge telescopes, and challenging research opportunities.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying to MCC:
- Academic Career
- Credit
- Degree/Certificate Type
- Associate Degree / University Transfer
- Academic Plan
- Associate in Science (AS)
- Academic Plan Code
- 8600
- Total Credits Required
- 63–71
- Catalog Year
- 2018-2019
- Transfer Partner
- Northern Arizona University
- Transfer Program
- Astronomy (Bachelor of Science)
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Engage and develop your curiosity of the natural world. (CO, CE, CG, CT)
- Utilize laboratory equipment, telescopes, and software to gather data, observations, and measurements in order to find patterns, correlations, and relationships related to our origins and place in the universe and the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe. (CT)
- Clearly communicate scientific ideas to a diverse audience—qualitatively and quantitatively, in verbal, written, and visual formats, using an appropriate technical vocabulary. (CO, CT)
- Implement a macro perspective to interpret, analyze, and engage with universal concepts. (CT)
- Critically assess problems using the principles, methodologies, and perspectives of astronomy. (CT)
- Evaluate published materials for scientific validity. (CO, CT)
- Compare and contrast the perspectives of diverse societies and cultures. (CO, CG, CE, CT)
- Demonstrate ethical practices in individual and collaborative work settings. (CO, CE)
- Integrate and apply theory and observational data to develop solutions to societal problems. (CE, CG, CT)
Career Opportunities
Majoring in astronomy builds the skills, knowledge, and mental framework you will need to succeed in careers as diverse as healthcare, manufacturing and industry, education, engineering, media and journalism, resource management, and computing.
This pathway map can lead to a variety of different occupations and industries. Below is a sampling of some of the possible positions and Arizona-based salaries related to this pathway map. Some of the opportunities presented below may require either a bachelor degree or a post-graduate level education.
| Occupation / Title | Annual Median Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomers | $86,410 | |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $91,730 | |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $82,590 | |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $80,280 | |
| Computer Programmers | $80,500 | |
| Conservation Scientists | $68,230 | |
| Education, Training, and Library Workers, All Other | $36,910 | |
| Graphic Designers | $44,560 | |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $45,810 | |
| Multimedia Artists and Animators | $58,940 | |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $38,230 | |
| Photographers | $24,220 | |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $86,610 | |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $93,820 | |
| Writers and Authors | $53,790 | |
| Salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2017. | ||
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by placement tests and completion of 100-200 level course pre-/corequisites and program prerequisites.
- Students should meet with an academic advisor about any concerns that may affect course enrollment.
- This course sequence is still pending final approval
| Awareness Areas |
|---|
|
Term 1
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17-18 | ||||
| AST106 or AST111 or AST112 |
Life in the Universe or Introduction to Solar System Astronomy or Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | Critical course Gateway course | 4 | |
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | 3 | ||
| MAT220 or MAT221 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 4–5 | ||
| HU & C | Humanities, Arts, & Design (HU) and Cultural Diversity in the US (C) Course | 3 | ||
| SB | Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB) Course | 3 | ||
Term 2
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-20 | ||||
| AST106 or AST111 or AST112 |
Life in the Universe or Introduction to Solar System Astronomy or Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | 4 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | Course carries L Value | 0–3 | |
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | 3 | ||
| PHY121 or PHY115 |
University Physics I: Mechanics or University Physics I | 4–5 | ||
| MAT230 or MAT231 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4–5 | ||
Term 3
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-17 | ||||
| AST106 or AST111 or AST112 |
Life in the Universe or Introduction to Solar System Astronomy or Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | 4 | ||
| PHY131 or PHY116 |
University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism or University Physics II | 4–5 | ||
| mat240 or MAT241 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | 4–5 | ||
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | COM100, or COM110 or COM230 carry SB Value. COM225 fulfills both the L and COM requirements. | 3 | |
Term 4
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | ||||
| PHY241 | University Physics III: Thermodynamics, Optics, and Wave Phenomena | 4 | ||
| HU with H or G | Humanities, Arts, & Design Course and Historical (H) or Global (G) Awareness | 3 | ||
| SB or L | Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB) Course or Literacy and Critical Inquiry (L) course |
If two SB courses were not completed in previous terms, complete an SB course. If the L requirement was not completed in previous terms , select a course that carries the L value. |
3 | |
| Electives | Two Elective Courses | 6 | ||
| Awareness Areas |
|---|
|
Term 1
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | ||||
| AST106 or AST111 or AST112 |
Life in the Universe or Introduction to Solar System Astronomy or Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | Critical course Gateway course | 4 | |
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | 3 | ||
Term 2
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-11 | ||||
| MAT220 or MAT221 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 4–5 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | Course carries L Value | 0–3 | |
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | 3 | ||
Term 3
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-8 | ||||
| PHY121 or PHY115 |
University Physics I: Mechanics or University Physics I | 4–5 | ||
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | COM100, or COM110 or COM230 carry SB Value. COM225 fulfills both the L and COM requirements. | 3 | |
Term 4
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | ||||
| AST106 or AST111 or AST112 |
Life in the Universe or Introduction to Solar System Astronomy or Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | 4 | ||
| Elective | Elective Course | 3 | ||
Term 5
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-8 | ||||
| SB | Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB) Course | 3 | ||
| MAT230 or MAT231 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4–5 | ||
Term 6
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | ||||
| SB or L | Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB) Course or Literacy and Critical Inquiry (L) course |
If two SB courses were not completed in previous terms, complete an SB course. If the L requirement was not completed in previous terms , select a course that carries the L value. |
3 | |
| AST106 or AST111 or AST112 |
Life in the Universe or Introduction to Solar System Astronomy or Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | 4 | ||
Term 7
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-8 | ||||
| PHY131 or PHY116 |
University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism or University Physics II | 4–5 | ||
| HU with H or G | Humanities, Arts, & Design Course and Historical (H) or Global (G) Awareness | 3 | ||
Term 8
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-8 | ||||
| MAT240 or MAT241 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | 4–5 | ||
| HU & C | Humanities, Arts, & Design (HU) and Cultural Diversity in the US (C) Course | 3 | ||
Term 9
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | ||||
| PHY241 | University Physics III: Thermodynamics, Optics, and Wave Phenomena | 4 | ||
| Elective | Elective Course | 3 | ||
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Program Information
Learn more about and find contact information for the Astronomy program.
General Help
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Program Area Key
- Critical Rdg = Critical Reading
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Arts and Design
- Mathematics = Mathematics
- NS = Natural Science
- Oral Comm = Oral Communication
- PP = Program Prerequisite
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- RC = Required Courses
- RE = Restricted Electives
Disclaimer
This Course Sequence is a “shared” program or a program that is offered at multiple Maricopa colleges. The colleges offering the program collaborate on the sequencing of the courses. However, since each college may differ in course scheduling and faculty availability, Course Sequences may vary by college, but should not impact program applicability or transfer.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
All information is administered by the Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation at Maricopa County Community College District and published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.
View MCCCD’s program website for the Associate in Science in Associate in Science (https://curriculum.maricopa.edu/sites/default/files/as1819.pdf).
* Salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2017.