Courses

Our 100-level courses provide excellent introductions for students seeking to explore and understand our place in the physical universe. From learning how our solar system was formed and functions, to examining planets both within our solar system and in other star systems, to studying the birth-life-death cycle of stars and other celestial objects in our Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies, these courses explore historical developments of astronomy and how cosmological thought and understanding have evolved from prehistory to the present.

These courses are primarily intended for students not concentrating in one of the natural sciences.

• Check out the current course offerings in Spring 2025, or upcoming course offerings scheduled for Summer 2025.

Students interested in majoring in Astronomy or Astronomy and Physics should consult early and often with an Astronomy academic advisor on which astronomy (AS) 200-, 300-, and 400-level courses to take in which semester. Review the undergraduate advising guide for additional information.

AS 200-level courses are open to both students majoring in the astronomy-related fields and those just curious or interested in a deeper study than in the 100-level courses. AS 300- and 400- level courses are aimed at majoring students and ENG students seeking science electives.

• Check out the current course offerings as well as the full list of Astronomy courses for majors.

A full suite of courses at the graduate foundational and topical levels are offered by the Astronomy Department on a regular basis (some annually, some on alternate years, some on a longer cycle).

• Check out the current course offerings as well as the full list of Astronomy graduate courses.