# Astronomy (A) courses

College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog · 4 courses

Source: https://catalog.collegeofthedesert.edu/courses/a/

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026.

### A 001 — Descriptive Astronomy

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 54
- **Advisory:** ENG 061 & MATH 049.
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 5 sections (/c/college-of-the-desert/schedule/fall-2026/a.md)
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS
- COD GE: A5
- CalGETC: 5A

This course is an introductory survey of planetary, stellar and galactic astronomy designed for students not majoring in science. This course reviews research techniques, current knowledge and theory about the planets, stars, galaxies and the age and origin of the universe.

### A 002 — Descriptive Astronomy

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 54, Lab Hours: 54
- **Advisory:** ENG 061 & MATH 049.
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/college-of-the-desert/schedule/fall-2026/a.md)
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS
- COD GE: A5
- CalGETC: 5A, 5C

This course is an introductory survey of planetary, stellar and galactic astronomy designed for students not majoring in science. This course reviews research techniques, current knowledge and theory about the planets, stars, galaxies and the age and origin of the universe.

### A 003 — Planetary Astronomy

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 54, Lab Hours: 54
- **Advisory:** ENG 061 & MATH 049.
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/college-of-the-desert/schedule/fall-2026/a.md)
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS
- COD GE: A5
- CalGETC: 5A, 5C

This course is an introduction to the current solar system. A comparative study will be made of the planets and their satellites, dwarf planets, asteroids and comets. An overview of the formation, evolution and structure of the solar nebula will be presented. Highlights from previous, current and future interplanetary missions will be incorporated and interpretation of mission results and analysis will be discussed.

### A 031 — Undergraduate Research Experience

- **Units:** 2
- **Hours:** Lecture Hours: 18, Lab Hours: 54
- **Advisory:** ENG 061 & MATH 049.
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Repeatable: No
- Grading: Letter
- Degree Applicable: AA/AS

Under the supervision of STEM faculty, students will select a project to be completed during the semester. Topics will include information retrieval, computer skills applied to laboratory research, time management, and organizational skills, application of modern research methods, experimental design, data collection and analysis, presentation skills (written and oral), and applying for summer internship opportunities.