Astronomy Course Descriptions

We offer multiple sections of the very popular Astronomy 10 and 20 lecture courses every semester, in the mornings, afternoons, and at least one section in the evening. Most lecture courses are offered in a two-day per week format (Mon-Wed or Tue-Thu). We try to offer at least one online section as well, and one section in the summer term, if the budget allows.

We offer our Astronomy 30 lab class in the evenings, usually on Monday or Tuesday nights, in both Fall and Spring terms; this class runs for 3 hours once per week. This class can be taken with the lecture course, or later. (Many students find taking the lab class along with the lecture helps them to do even better in the lecture course, as the lab provided an opportunity to learn about some concepts even more deeply.) 

All on-campus lecture classes are held in the Chabot College Planetarium, which seats 45 students comfortably with wonderful sound and state-of-the-art video, offering a full 3-D dome experience to assist in learning Astronomy as well as learning about the constellations and stars!

Astronomy 10 - Introduction to Astronomy: The Solar System - 3 units

  • Meets AA/AS Area B requirements
  • Satisfies GE Area B1 (CSU Transfer)
  • Satisfies IGETC Area 5a (UC Transfer)

Introduction to the study of stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Includes the nature of light and matter, telescopes, spectroscopy, stellar formation and evolution, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology. Designed for non-majors in mathematics or a physical science. May be offered in Distance Education delivery format. 3 hours.

Astronomy 20 - Introduction to Astronomy: Stars and The Universe - 3 units

  • Meets AA/AS Area B requirements
  • Satisfies GE Area B1 (CSU Transfer)
  • Satisfies IGETC Area 5a (UC Transfer)

Introduction to the study of stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Includes the nature of light and matter, telescopes, spectroscopy, stellar formation and evolution, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology. Designed for non-majors in mathematics or a physical science. May be offered in Distance Education delivery format. 3 hours.

Astronomy 30 - Introduction to Astronomy Lab - 1 unit

  • Satisfies GE Area B3 (CSU Transfer)
  • Satisfies IGETC Area 5c (UC Transfer)

Introduction to laboratory principles and techniques in astronomy. Includes telescope operation and measuring stellar magnitudes, spectral lines, motions of the sun, moon and planets. Prerequisite/Corequisite: Astronomy 10 or 20. 3 hours laboratory.