Folsom Lake College
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Astronomy

Overview

The Folsom Lake College astronomy program offers an array of transferable courses that fulfill both major and general education requirements. The astronomy courses are offered as part of the general education program at FLC and consists of the ASTR 300 lecture class and the ASTR 400 lab class. These classes are meant to give the student a comprehensive breath of the field of astronomy and the laboratory class gives a hands-on learning experience. Both courses are an excellent way for liberal arts students to gain an appreciation of scientific knowledge and methods.

Astronomy (ASTR) Courses

ASTR C1001 Introduction to Astronomy

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Successful completion of Algebra I/Integrated Math 1 or Beginning Algebra
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L5 (effective Fall 2026); Cal-GETC Area 5A
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course was formerly known as ASTR 300 Introduction to Astronomy.

This course introduces fundamental concepts of astronomy, including the Solar System, stars,
supernovae, galaxies, black holes, and the expanding universe. Students learn how to study the
cosmos and what the latest discoveries reveal about the origins and fate of the universe. This course covers topics in modern planetary and stellar astronomy, such as dwarf, jovian, terrestrial, and extrasolar planets and the life cycle of stars, black holes, and supernovae. It also includes topics on cosmology and galactic astronomy, such as dark matter, dark energy, the Big Bang, and the expansion of the Universe. This course was formerly known as ASTR 300 and is not open to students who have successfully completed ASTR 300.

ASTR 310 The Solar System

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Successful completion of Algebra I/Integrated Math 1 or Beginning Algebra; AND eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU (effective Fall 2026); UC (effective Fall 2026)
  • General Education:Local GE L5 (effective Fall 2026); Cal-GETC Area 5A (effective Fall 2026)
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course explores the nature and evolution of the solar system. Topics include the night-time sky, the history of astronomy, the tools of astronomy, and the origins and characteristics of planets, their satellites, and other components of the solar system. It emphasizes how astronomers gain and refine their knowledge of the Universe and interpret the latest results of planetary exploration. Motions and charting of the night sky is examined using star charts and almanacs.

ASTR 320 Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Successful completion of Algebra I/Integrated Math 1 or Beginning Algebra; AND eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU (effective Fall 2026); UC (effective Fall 2026)
  • General Education:Local GE L5 (effective Fall 2026); Cal-GETC Area 5A (effective Fall 2026)
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course explores the nature and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the Universe. Topics include the history of astronomy, the tools of astronomy, star classification, stellar evolution, neutron stars, black holes, and the Big Bang. It emphasizes how astronomers gain and refine their knowledge of the Universe and interpret the latest results of space exploration.

ASTR C1001L Introduction to Astronomy Lab

  • Units:1
  • Hours:54 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Corequisite:Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ASTR C1001 or other locally approved astronomy lecture course
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Cal-GETC Area 5C
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course was formerly known as ASTR 400 Astronomy Laboratory.

This laboratory course reinforces fundamental principles and concepts of astronomy by applying
the scientific method through experiments, observations, and/or simulations. It provides access to telescopes, covering their practical use for visual observation of astronomical objects and the analysis of astronomical data. Topics may include constellation identification, stellar spectroscopy, solar and lunar observations, radio-physics and radio-
astronomy, image analysis, measuring the properties of stars, and determining the age of the Universe. Night-time on-campus field trips may be required. This course was formerly known as ASTR 400 and is not open to students who have successfully completed ASTR 400. Students may satisfy the corequisite for the course using ASTR C1001, ASTR 310 or ASTR 320.

ASTR 495 Independent Studies in Astronomy

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

ASTR 499 Experimental Offering in Astronomy

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

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