This course offers a survey of astronomy designed primarily for non-science students, with a strong emphasis on active learning outside the classroom. It covers the development of astronomy, naked-eye observations of the night sky, modern observational equipment and techniques, the solar system, stellar evolution, galaxies, the Hubble expansion, the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, and startling new theories of the origin and destiny of the universe. Students will conduct lab activities involving night-sky observations, as well as introductory experiments in some of the basic physics that astronomers use to explore the cosmos.
Prerequisites
Precalculus 11 with a C or VCC MATH 0861/0871 with a C or 72% on the VCC Intermediate algebra assessment or equivalent.
Course type
This course is offered as part of a VCC program and cannot be taken individually.
International students: Eligibility is determined at the program level. Visit the program page for international student requirements and application information.
- – The view from Earth: Observational fundamentals of astronomy. – The ancient mystery of planetary motion and the birth of the scientific method. – More physics essentials for astronomers: The nature of light and matter. – Astronomical tools from basic to state-of-the-art. – Our solar system: Origins and properties of the planets, moons and the sun. – A survey of other stars and solar systems. – The lives of stars. – Galaxies and other large-scale structure in the universe. – The origin and destiny of the cosmos.
Course schedules
Select your program to see the available course schedules.
| CRN# | Duration | Delivery | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40940 |
January 6, 2027 to April 23, 2027 |
Online Lab Lecture |
Varies | See full schedule | Register |
Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule. All self-paced courses have on-campus tests. Off-site certified invigilation centres may be used at the student's expense.
How to take this course
This course is offered as part of a VCC program only.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email at [email protected].
† This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.