Associate in Science, Astronomy Astronomy Emphasis

Astronomy
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Program Information

Learn more about the Astronomy program.

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Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

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

Details icon Important information you’ll need when applying to MCC:

Academic Career
Credit
Degree/Certificate Type
Associate Degree / University Transfer
Academic Plan
Associate in Science, Astronomy (AS)
Academic Plan Code
8605
Total Credits Required
60-68
Catalog Year
2019-2020
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:

  1. Engage and develop your curiosity of the natural world. (CO, CE, CG, CT)
  2. 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)
  3. Clearly communicate scientific ideas to a diverse audience—qualitatively and quantitatively, in verbal, written, and visual formats, using an appropriate technical vocabulary. (CO, CT)
  4. Implement a macro perspective to interpret, analyze, and engage with universal concepts. (CT)
  5. Critically assess problems using the principles, methodologies, and perspectives of astronomy. (CT)
  6. Evaluate published materials for scientific validity. (CO, CT)
  7. Compare and contrast the perspectives of diverse societies and cultures. (CO, CG, CE, CT)
  8. Demonstrate ethical practices in individual and collaborative work settings. (CO, CE)
  9. 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.

Successful completion of this program may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this program. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Astronomers

$78,570

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

$96,841

Postsecondary Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Science Teachers

$66,473

Computer Programmers

$80,931

Graphic Designers

$44,411

Multimedia Artists and Animators

$40,110

Museum Technicians and Conservators

$35,729

Park Naturalists

$69,748

Photographers

$31,565

Physicists

$131,023

Postsecondary Physics Teachers

$66,473

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

$77,899

Reporters and Correspondents

$52,489

Video Game Designers

$80,716

* Career and wage information provided by Emsi using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Emsi’s proprietary analytical processes. Emsi’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

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 may be required to successfully complete a College Success Course (CPD150 or CPD/AAA115) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Students should meet with an academic advisor about any concerns that may affect course enrollment.
  • This course sequence is still pending final approval

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness area requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
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 SQ 4
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MA 4–5
HU Humanities, Arts, & Design (HU) course 3
SB Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB) Course 3
AAA115 or
CPD150		 Creating College Success or Strategies for College Success 0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
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 SQ 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
PHY121 or
PHY115		 University Physics I: Mechanics or University Physics I SQ 4–5
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MA 4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
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 SQ 4
PHY131 or
PHY116		 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism or University Physics II SQ 4–5
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III MA 4–5
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication COM Requirement, Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously. SB or L or SB 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT276 or
MAT277		 Modern Differential Equations or Modern Differential Equations MA 3–4
PHY241 University Physics III: Thermodynamics, Optics, and Wave Phenomena 4
HU Humanities, Arts, & Design 3
L Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. 0–3

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness area requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
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 SQ 4
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
CPD150 or
AAA115		 Strategies for College Success or Creating College Success 0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MA 4–5
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PHY121 or
PHY115		 University Physics I: Mechanics or University Physics I SQ 4–5
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L or SB 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AST106 or
AST111 or
AST112		 Life in the Universe or Introduction to Solar System Astronomy or Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology SQ 4
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MA 4–5

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB) Course 3
PHY131 or
PHY116		 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism or University Physics II SQ 4

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AST106 or
AST111 or
AST112		 Life in the Universe or Introduction to Solar System Astronomy or Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology SQ 4
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III 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. 		MA 4–5

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT276 or
MAT277		 Modern Differential Equations or Modern Differential Equations MA 3–4
HU Humanities, Arts, & Design Course 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry course 0–3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PHY241 University Physics III: Thermodynamics, Optics, and Wave Phenomena 4
HU Humanities, Arts, & Design 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

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • COM = Oral Communication
  • CR = Critical Reading
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FE = Free Elective
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • H = Historical Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • NS = Natural Science
  • PP = Program Prerequisite
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
  • RC = Required Courses
  • RE = Restricted Electives

Disclaimer

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, Astronomy (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/acres.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=137169).

Other Versions

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. Other versions of this pathway map from different catalog years are available below:

Catalog Year Effective Dates
2019-2020 Current
2018-2019 5/29/2018 – 5/27/2019