We offer two astronomy courses here at Johnson County Community College, one on-line and one on campus. Both courses study the universe from the Earth, Moon, and planets to the stars and most distant galaxies. Topics include black holes, quasars, the origin of the universe, Hubble’s contributions, and the possibility of life on other planets. The on-campus course includes an integrated laboratory component where students gain hands-on experience with the concepts discussed in lectures. We also offer a Honors Contract for both courses. Honors students may choose between a seminar-style contract in which we explore select topics in astronomy and astrophysics in much greater depth, or an observation and research contract in which students learn to utilize a telescope and CCD camera for imaging and photometry.
ASTR 120: Fundamentals of Astronomy (Online)
This course is a study of our Universe! In this course, students learn about the night sky, study planets, moons and robotic explorers sent to study them. Students investigate our Earth as a planet, the life of our Sun as a star, and learn about our galaxy and the large-scale structure of the Universe. Current astronomical discoveries are discussed as they occur. This course is presented entirely on-line using the Angel system.
- Credit: 3 hours
- Lecture: On-line content.
- No laboratory or observing required
- Course Outline: ASTR 120
ASTR 122: Astronomy
The topics covered in this course are the same as those covered in ASTR 120. Astronomy (ASTR 122) has an additional laboratory component and scheduled night-time observing sessions and is taught on JCCC’s main campus.
- Credit: 4 hours.
- Lecture: 3 hours/week
- Observing: 5 45-minute sessions per semester
- Course Outline: ASTR 122
Honors Astronomy
Students have the opportunity to enroll for a one credit hour extension of the ASTR 122 course. In the Honors Astronomy 122 course, students may dive into the current literature and study, discuss, and debate current astronomical issues and problems, or be introduced to CCD Astrophometry. Students will observe the night sky using our observatory and use our CCD cameras and filters for both qualitative and quantitative imaging.