Associate in Science, Emphasis in Astronomy

The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Astronomy provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution to specialize in Astronomy or a related field. Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a number of careers including astronomers, atmospheric and space scientists, physicists, and astronomy professors.

Details

Field of Interest

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Degree Type

Associate in Science (AS)

Academic Plan

Associate in Science, Emphasis in Astronomy (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8605

Total credits required

60-64

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn

Utilize appropriate technologies to gather and analyze a variety of astronomical data.
Identify patterns in the properties of astronomical objects and collections of those objects.
Compare relative scales of time and space for astronomical objects and the Universe.
Apply knowledge of physical processes to astronomical objects and events.
Evaluate historical and current explanations of astronomical phenomena.
Compare the perspectives of diverse societies and cultures.
Apply theory and observational data to develop solutions to societal problems.
Clearly communicate astronomical concepts through visual or written means to a diverse audience.
Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Astronomers

$115,680

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

$93,710

Physicists

$175,510

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

$93,960

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your to manage your plan.
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 current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

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 areas if not otherwise met by other program 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 Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher, or satisfactory district placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher, or satisfactory district placement.	Critical course Gateway course	SQ or SQ	4
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).		FYC or FYC	3
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or an appropriate District placement.		MA or MA	4–5
				HU	3
or	or				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher, or satisfactory district placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher, or satisfactory district placement.	Critical course Gateway course	SQ or SQ	4
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or ) and ( or or or or or )] or a grade of B or better in or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: or . One year High School physics or and is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department or Division. One year of High School physics or and suggested but not required.		SQ or SQ	4–5
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent.		MA or MA	4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: ( or ) and . Prerequisite or Corequisites: or or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department or Division and . Corequisites: or permission of Department or Division.		SQ or SQ	4–5
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in or . or Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in or .		MA or MA	4–5
or or or	or or or	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent. or No requisites	Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously.	SB or SB or L or SB	0–3
				SB	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or or	or or	Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in , or , or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department/Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department/Division Chair.		MA or MA or MA	3–4
				HU	3
			Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and [SB] Social-Behavioral Sciences or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and [HU] Humanities, Arts & Design or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and (COM) Oral Communications or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and requirements simultaneously.	L	0–3
				SB	3

Part-time Sequence

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 areas if not otherwise met by other program 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 Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher, or satisfactory district placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher, or satisfactory district placement.	Critical course Gateway course	SQ or SQ	4
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).		FYC or FYC	3
or	or				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or an appropriate District placement.		MA or MA	4–5
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or ) and ( or or or or or )] or a grade of B or better in or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: or . One year High School physics or and is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department or Division. One year of High School physics or and suggested but not required.		SQ or SQ	4–5
or or or	or or or	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent. or No requisites	Recommend selecting a course that satisfies COM and SB or COM and L requirements simultaneously.	SB or SB or L or SB	0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher, or satisfactory district placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher, or satisfactory district placement.	Critical course Gateway course	SQ or SQ	4
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent.		MA or MA	4–5

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
				SB	3
or	or	Prerequisites: ( or ) and . Prerequisite or Corequisites: or or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department or Division and . Corequisites: or permission of Department or Division.		SQ or SQ	4–5

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in or . or Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in or .		MA or MA	4–5
			Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and [SB] Social-Behavioral Sciences or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and [HU] Humanities, Arts & Design or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and (COM) Oral Communications or [L] Literacy and Critical Inquiry and requirements simultaneously.	L	0–3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or or	or or	Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in , or , or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department/Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or permission of Department/Division Chair.		MA or MA or MA	3–4
				HU	3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
				HU	3
				SB	3

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
H = Historical Awareness
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design

L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

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