Astronomy

Associate of Science - Specialization in Astronomy

The Associate of Science Degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to specific science majors at four-year colleges or universities. Students pursuing this degree are required to select a field of specialization from an approved list and will be assigned a TCC advisor to understand specialization requirements.

Astronomy is a field of specialization at TCC. You can prepare for a future career in astronomy or physics. TCC offers courses that cover the first two years of a typical four-year college astronomy or physics program. Students will earn an Associate of Science Track 2 (AS-T Track 2) degree to enter into a four-year college or university.

Associate of Science - Specialization in Astronomy

Your guided path toward earning your degree

Requirements

Degree Program

Career Options

While in high school, students should pursue all of the available courses in mathematics, chemistry, biology, computer programming and physics. Post-high school, students may need to take additional math and science courses to meet requirements.

Degree Worksheet (PDF) Associate of Science Degree Astronomy Specialization
2022-2023 Distribution Course List (PDF)

Students must complete at least 90 credits for this degree. Because many of these classes require pre-requisites, the total number of credits may exceed 90.

Other requirements are:

At least 30 applicable credits must be earned at TCC.
A cumulative GPA of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the degree, and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in all TCC college-level courses is required.

At least five credits applied to the degree must be an approved multicultural course.
No more than three PE credits will apply toward the degree.

Basic Requirements (15 credits)

ENGL& 101
MATH&151, 152

Humanities and Social Sciences (15 credits)

Humanities course from Approved Distribution Course list

Social science course from Approved Distribution Course list

Humanities or Social Science credits from Approved Distribution Course list.

For students who wish to earn a four-year degree in astronomy or physics, here are courses to fulfill specialization requirements.

Specialization Courses (48 credits)

PHYS& 221, 222, 223

MATH& 153, 254

MATH 220, 238

CHEM& 161, 162

Elective Courses (12 credits)

TCC students are required to take a number of elective courses to reach a total of 90 credits. Elective courses should be selected based on major and transfer institution. The following are highly recommended for the astronomy/physics specialization.

CHEM& 163

CS 142 OR ENGR 240

ASTR& 110, 115

Astronomers

Physics – Teacher

Physicist