Associate of Science Degree in Astronomy
San Mateo, USA
Associate of Science
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 4,512 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for a 12-unit semester | 376 USD per unit | non-inclusive of miscellaneous fees
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
About: The Associate of Science in Astronomy at College of San Mateo (CSM) gives STEM students a foundation for astronomy and astrophysics. Most courses match baccalaureate transfer requirements and count toward higher degrees. You can study in person or fully online via Global Online Learning (GOL). CSM is near San Francisco and Silicon Valley, with 74% of students transferring to UC San Diego and other top US universities.
Career Outcomes: Graduates often pursue further study. You might become a telescope operator, pursue internships at NASA, JPL or the SETI Institute, or work as research assistants, lab technicians, or data analysts.
The Astronomy Associates of Science Degree program is intended to provide a solid background for STEM students to pursue further studies in astronomy and astrophysics. Most of the courses in this program are aligned with the requirements for transfer to baccalaureate institutions and are designed to apply towards higher degrees in the astronomical sciences.
In addition to in-person studies, most programs are available through the Global Online Learning (GOL) Program, which allows students to take classes fully online from their home countries.
Major Requirements
Students planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics are strongly encouraged to take MATH 270 (Linear Algebra) and MATH 275 (Ordinary Differential Equations). Students planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 210, CIS 117, and CIS 254.
Total Required Major Units: 35
And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.
Students completing this program will be able to:
- Use various imaging and photometric techniques to gather and analyze astronomical data.
The San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley (SMCSV) offer more than 50 institutional scholarships each year, and all enrolled students are eligible to apply. Award amounts range from $300 to $7,000, helping make college more affordable. Students can also apply for external scholarships, such as the $1,000 Study in California Scholarship, to further support their educational journey.
Students with an Associates of Science degree in Astronomy can find opportunities as varied as telescope operators at major observatories and interning at various NASA facilities, JPL, and the SETI Institute. Many students will use this degree as a stepping stone to earn a more advanced degree in astronomy and astrophysics at any degree granting university.
Build your English skills while earning credits toward your degree through the IESL Pathway Program at Cañada College. No English proficiency test score is required to apply to IESL.