MCCCD Program Description

Associate in Science, Emphasis in Astronomy

Major: 8605 Catalog Year: 2025-2026 Effective Term: 2024 Fall Last Admit Term: 2025 Summer Award Type: AS CIP Code: 40.0201	Program Availability: CG EM GC MC PC PV SC SM Field of Interest: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Instructional Council: Astronomy Total Credits: 60-64 GPA: 2.00
SOC Code: Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a career as: 19-2011.00 Astronomers 19-2021.00 Atmospheric and Space Scientists 19-2012.00 Physicists 25-1054.00 Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Description: 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.

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Utilize appropriate technologies to gather and analyze a variety of astronomical data. (AST111, AST112, PHY115, PHY116, PHY121, PHY131, [MA]) 2. Identify patterns in the properties of astronomical objects and collections of those objects. (AST111, AST112) 3. Compare relative scales of time and space for astronomical objects and the Universe. (AST111, AST112, PHY115, PHY116, PHY121, PHY131) 4. Apply knowledge of physical processes to astronomical objects and events. (AST111, AST112, PHY115, PHY116, PHY121, PHY131) 5. Evaluate historical and current explanations of astronomical phenomena. (AST111, AST112, [FYC], [L], [SB]) 6. Compare the perspectives of diverse societies and cultures. (AST111, AST112, [FYC], [L], [HU], [SB]) 7. Apply theory and observational data to develop solutions to societal problems. (AST111, AST112, [FYC], [HU], [L], [SB]) 8. Clearly communicate astronomical concepts through visual or written means to a diverse audience. (AST111, AST112, (COM), [FYC], [L], [MA]) 9. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)

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

Program Prerequisites
None

Program Prerequisites
	Credits:

Required Courses
+ AST111 Introduction to Solar System Astronomy 4 + AST112 Introduction to Stars, Galaxies & Cosmology 4 FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) 1-3 + MAT230 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (5) OR + MAT231 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (4) 4-5 + MAT240 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III (5) OR + MAT241 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III (4) 4-5 + MAT261 Differential Equations (4) OR + MAT276 Modern Differential Equations (4) OR + MAT277 Modern Differential Equations (3) 3-4 + PHY115 University Physics I (5) OR + PHY121 University Physics I: Mechanics (4) 4-5 + PHY116 University Physics II (5) OR + PHY131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism (4) 4-5			Credits: 28-35

Restricted Electives
The requirements for the transfer plan below are fulfilled upon completion of Required Courses, AGEC Curriculum, and MCCCD Additional Requirements. If this is not your intended transfer institution, please consult with Maricopa and transfer university advisor(s) to identify coursework that is applicable to your intended transfer program. Transfer Plan 1: Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Science, Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics) Credits: 0 No additional coursework needed.	Credits: 0

Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)
AGEC-S			Credits: 22-32
A single course with an [HU], [SB], or [L] designation may also be used to satisfy the Oral Communication, Critical Reading, or Awareness Area ([C], [G] and/or [H]) requirement(s). A single course with both the [HU] and [L] designations may be used to satisfy both of these areas. A single course with both the [SB] and [L] designations may be used to satisfy both of these areas. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.


First-Year Composition [FYC]			Credits: 6
+ ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND + ENG102 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG108 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) 6

Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L]			Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education course in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area. 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 CRE101 requirements simultaneously.

Mathematics [MA]			Credits: 4-5
+ MAT220 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (5) OR + MAT221 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4) OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite. (4-5) 4-5

Humanities, Arts and Design [HU]			Credits: 6
Any approved general education courses in the Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] area. 6

Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]			Credits: 6
Any approved general education courses in the Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB] area. 6

Natural Sciences [SG]/[SQ]			Credits: 0
Met by (PHY115 OR PHY121) AND (PHY116 OR PHY131) in Required Courses.

Awareness Areas			Credits: 0-6
These requirements may be shared with other AGEC requirements. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.

MCCCD Additional Requirements

Oral Communication (COM)			Credits: 0-3
COM100 Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR COM110 Interpersonal Communication (3) OR + COM225 Public Speaking (3) OR COM230 Small Group Communication (3) 0-3

General Electives
	Credits:
Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 25, 2024

All information 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.

Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS]			Credits:

Subject Options			Credits: 0
Met by (MAT230 OR MAT231) AND (MAT240 OR MAT241) in Required Courses.

Cultural Diversity in the US [C]			Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education course with the Cultural Diversity in the U.S. [C] designation. 0-3

Historical/Global Awareness [H]/[G]			Credits: 0-3
Any approved general education course with the Historical [H] or Global [G] awareness area designation. 0-3

MCCCD Additional Requirements			Credits: 0-6
Some courses in this area have [SB] and [L] designations and may also be applied to the corresponding AGEC requirements. See the AGEC matrix on aztransfer.com for course designations.

Critical Reading (CRE)			Credits: 0-3
+ CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0) 0-3