Field of Interest
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
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- 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.
- Transfer Partner
-
Arizona State University
- Transfer Program
-
Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics) (Bachelor of Science)
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges to earn a degree with this emphasis.
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- 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.
Career Opportunities
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 Maricopa County-based annual median 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.
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Typical Education Level
a Doctoral degree or more
Hourly Median Wage
$55.61
Annual Median Wage
$115,677
Number of People Employed
7
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 14.3 %
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$36.01
Annual Median Wage
$74,917
Number of People Employed
114
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 2.6 %
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Typical Education Level
a Doctoral degree or more
Hourly Median Wage
$97.56
Annual Median Wage
$202,942
Number of People Employed
162
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 14.2 %
Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical Education Level
a Doctoral degree or more
Hourly Median Wage
$35.06
Annual Median Wage
$72,944
Annual Job Openings
2,879
Number of People Employed
26,552
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 13.3 %
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data,
reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s
proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’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:
- 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 Student Center 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 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.
|
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
AST111 or AST112 |
Introduction to Solar System Astronomy or Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT092 or higher, or satisfactory district placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT092 or higher, or satisfactory district placement.View requisites |
Critical course
Gateway course
|
SQ or SQ |
4 |
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL |
Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).View requisites |
|
FYC or FYC |
3 |
MAT220 or MAT221 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or MAT188, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or an appropriate District placement.View requisites |
|
MA or MA |
4–5 |
HU |
Humanities, Fine Arts & Design |
|
|
HU |
3 |
FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success |
|
|
|
1–3 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
MAT261 or MAT276 or MAT277 |
Differential Equations or Modern Differential Equations or Modern Differential Equations |
Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MAT230, or MAT231, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT230 or MAT231 or permission of Department/Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT230 or MAT231 or permission of Department/Division Chair.View requisites |
|
MA or MA or MA |
3–4 |
HU |
Humanities, Fine Arts & Design |
|
|
HU |
3 |
L |
Literacy & Critical Inquiry |
|
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 CRE101 requirements simultaneously.
|
L |
0–3 |
SB |
Social-Behavioral Sciences |
|
|
SB |
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 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.
|
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
MAT240 or MAT241 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III |
Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MAT230 or MAT231. or Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MAT230 or MAT231.View requisites |
|
MA or MA |
4–5 |
L |
Literacy & Critical Inquiry |
|
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 CRE101 requirements simultaneously.
|
L |
0–3 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
MAT261 or MAT276 or MAT277 |
Differential Equations or Modern Differential Equations or Modern Differential Equations |
Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MAT230, or MAT231, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT230 or MAT231 or permission of Department/Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT230 or MAT231 or permission of Department/Division Chair.View requisites |
|
MA or MA or MA |
3–4 |
HU |
Humanities, Fine Arts & Design |
|
|
HU |
3 |
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Learn more about and find contact information for the Astronomy program.
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
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.
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, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=190047).
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.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Science (AS) in Associate in Science, Emphasis in Astronomy