<p>I'm 29 and I'm currently a freshman in a community college. Over the last few years I have gained a love for astronomy after receiving a telescope, and I spend pretty much all my free time reading, and doing astronomy. I also listen to astronomy related podcasts pretty much all day while at work, and have been reading books by Mike Brown (the man responsible for demoting Pluto), Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Carl Sagan. I know that being an astronomer is more than standing at a telescope and observing; but more research, number crunching, computers/coding, and things along that line.</p>
<p>My grades in high school weren't what they could have been, I was a horrible student in high school which I really regret now. I can't even describe how many times I've told my parents that I wish I had listened to them when I was in school, and how right they were in everything they have ever said to me relating to school.</p>
<p>So far, in my first semester, I'm doing pretty good in the two classes I'm taking (English Composition, and Math Algebra) with a B in both the classes, and the Math grade still rising, and English maintaining a high B.</p>
<p>My community college seems a bit unsure as to what someone looking into the field of astronomy needs to take for classes, and I'm in here to make sure I'm on the right track. I'm working on Math/Science from here and then a transfer to a school with an astronomy program. Over the summer I'm taking one class, English Literature, then in the fall I'm taking 12 credits with this lineup for classes: Technical Math, Public Speaking, General Chemistry, and a Library Research Skills.</p>
<p>I am also working a full-time job while going to college, and I have a family, so I'll be quite busy over the next few years.</p>
<p>Does it sound like I'm on the right path so far?</p>
<p>Astronomy is often taken as an elective concentration in physics, or as a second major or minor with a physics major.</p>
<p>At your community college, take the courses you need to transfer as a physics major to your target four year universities. These will typically be:</p>
<ul>
<li>Math: frosh calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations</li>
<li>Physics: calculus-based physics for physics and engineering majors (usually three or four courses)</li>
<li>Chemistry: some four year universities require one or more chemistry courses for the physics major; check your target four year universities</li>
<li>Computer science: introductory computer science courses are often recommended or required; check your target four year universities</li>
<li>Breadth or general education courses for your target four year universities (e.g. English composition, humanities, social studies)</li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks for the help. Seems like I’m on the right path as far as my current classes are setup. SUNY New Paltz (the school I’m considering transferring to) has Astronomy listed as a Major, but you are saying I should Major in Physics and Astronomy, or Major in Physics with a minor in Astronomy?</p>
<p>Whether you major in Physics or Astronomy you will be taking pretty much the same courses either way.</p>
<p>For Physics or Astronomy you have a lot of catching up to do in Math if you are only taking Algebra now. I am unsure what "Technical Math"is but it sounds like a vocational course in Math. You need to take Pre-Calculus so you can started as soon as possible on a three semester series in Calculus that includes Multi-variable Calculus. These courses are the fundamental background you will need to succeed in your Physics and Astronomy courses.</p>
<p>Your situation sounds remarkably similar to mine. I’m finishing up my second semester in a CC right now, and I’m planning on transferring to a Uni as a double major in math and physics with an astrophysics concentration. To reiterate what has already been said…you basically just need to follow the physics curriculum, using astronomy courses as electives concentrations.</p>
<p>As the others have said…“technical math” sounds like more of a general lower level applied math course…and probably isn’t really the best route for you. When you say “algebra,” what level algebra do you mean? Are you in a remedial algebra course, or in college algebra? Do whatever you can to get into calculus as soon as possible…because calculus is going to be the prerequisite for the more advanced physics courses that you’ll need.</p>
<p>You’re going to want to be very particular about what courses you take as electives. I’d suggest avoiding any classes that you want to take just because they “sound cool” or anything to that effect. A typical CC transfer curriculum in physics is going to consist of three semesters of calculus, plus differential equations, plus whatever prior math classes you have to take first. Plus three or four semesters of calculus based physics, along with the algebra based general physics courses you’ll likely have to take. College algebra is usually the prerequisite for the algebra based physics courses…but it is very beneficial to have trig out of the way already too before you start them. Most schools want to see at least a year of general chemistry too. I’d also point out that the astronomy courses at many CC’s are really low level courses, and are meant more as a gened course for non-science majors. There is an astronomy course at my CC, but it’s a very basic course…so I’m not even going to waste my time with it. I’ll be better off focusing on the physics, chemistry, biology, computer science etc that I need. Don’t forget about the gened core that you’ll have to take! So, it’s a busy schedule. </p>
<p>It’s not impossible though. I’m finishing up College Algebra right now, taking trig over the summer…and starting calculus and physics in the fall. </p>
<p>Also, make sure you’re aware of the fact that physics and astronomy are fields that basically require a doctorate to get any kind of a real career out of it, typically speaking. Good luck!!</p>
<p>If you want to do more serious work in astronomy and astrophysics (e.g. graduate school), then it is better to major in physics and take astronomy as a second major, minor, or elective courses. The astronomy major at SUNY New Paltz may not have enough math and physics to be good preparation for graduate school in astronomy and astrophysics.</p>
<p>Astronomer : teacher or writer on the general subject, planetarium lecturer, etc.,
Astrophysicist : physicist who studies stars or stellar evolution
Cosmologist : physicist or mathematician who studies the origin/evolution of the Universe
Planetary Geologist : scientist who studies geology of planets and moons</p>
<p>Start with the math (calculus) and physics, then specialize.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the information everyone, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>The syllabus for the Technical Math course: “This is the first course in a two-semester sequence of intermediate algebra and trigonometry with technical applications. Course topics include operations in the real number system, units of measurement and approximate numbers, functions and graphs, first-degree equations, lines and linear functions, systems of linear equations, right triangle trigonometry, geometry (perimeters, areas, volumes of common figures), rules of exponents, polynomial operations, factoring, operations on rational expressions, quadratic equation, and binary and hexadecimal notation. The use of graphing calculator is required for this course to further the exploration of these topics and their applications. Near the end of the course, students will complete a comprehensive, departmental final exam to assess their preparedness to move on to MAT205 Technical Mathematics II.”</p>
<p>Now I do have the option to take College Algebra with Trigonometry I instead of the Tech Math class. Not sure which one would best fit my needs for my course of study. Since this is not set in stone yet I still have the option to switch over to Algebra with Trig if that is better for the direction I’m trying to head in.</p>
<p>Looking over when classes are I see why I picked the Tech Math over the Algebra with Trig. I need night classes so I can continue working full time, but Algebra with Trig doesn’t offer a night class. This is going to be a lot harder to achieve than I had expected; just as far as scheduling goes.</p>
<p>It’s going to be hard. You have to be very comfortable with higher level math. Honestly, you won’t know your aptitude with math until you take higher level math, BEGINNING with a year of college calculus. </p>
<p>The other drawback is that to be an astronomer you pretty much need to get a Ph.D. The thing is…in the physical sciences, scientists do their best work early in their careers (20s and 30s). In biology and the humanities, it’s much later because of the enormous amounts of information you need to master first.</p>
<p>So you will be 37-40 by the time you are ready to begin your astronomy career, competing for jobs with those getting their Ph.Ds in their 20s and early 30s. And “that” first job you’ll compete for will most likely be a postdoc job.</p>
<p>I know many scientists personally because I worked for a tech company that employed many of them. Also, my brother is a biotech scientist and my cousin is a scientist with Ph.D in electrical engineering. My other cousin got a masters in engineering from MIT but had to drop out of the Ph.D program because she has a family.</p>
<p>My point is you must be absolutely sure you have the desire, motivation, AND aptitude to pursue your dream because you now have other responsibilities to consider. Getting a Ph.D in a scientific field is a looooong, drawn out process. </p>
<p>I just wanted you to see the other side of the coin.</p>
<p>It doesn’t seem to be too hard to figure out which community college you are at (with the same name as a former president).</p>
<p>The listed prerequisite for “Calculus and Analytic Geometry I” there is “College Algebra with Trigonometry II” or a sufficiently high score on the placement test.</p>
<p>You may want to ask the math department how much overlap there is between “Technical Mathematics” and “College Algebra with Trigonometry”.</p>
<p>From the sounds of it, you’re going to want to take the college algebra with trig. As I suspected, the technical math class sounds like more of a general applied mathematics class for people in technical/career fields. Some intermediate level algebra, with some very basic level trig. To go on to calculus, you are definitely going to need college algebra and some more advanced trig. As UCB pointed out, the prereq is college algebra and trig, so that’s probably what you should gear towards. I’d recommend talking to an adviser, or someone in the math department about what the best plan would be.</p>
<p>From what I’m gathering, I’m taking it that you’re in more of an elementary or intermediate algebra class? You’re going to have a lot of catching up to do with math…but if you have any kind of natural aptitude for it, you can always do some self studying and try to retake the placement tests and place higher. </p>
<p>Do you have the necessary prereqs for college algebra/trig already?</p>
<p>@nwcrazy I’m well aware of that side of the coin, but I feel this is the direction I need to head in. I’d love to jump ahead and go right into calculus, but with my high school past I really needed to do the algebra course which is almost over, and I really should go into algebra with trig since I’ve never done any trig before.</p>
<p>@usbalumnus I wasn’t necessarily trying to hide the name of the CC I’m going to. How did you figure it out? As I told, nwcrazy, I’d love to try to test higher, but I know that with my past history in math that’s not going to happen, so I need to just follow the flowchart for the courses of maths.</p>
<p>@comfortablycurt It’s definitely an early algebra I’m currently taking, Introductory Algebra. I feel I’m starting to get the hang of math a bit better than I ever did before, things are actually starting to make sense to me,b ut I wouldn’t say it’s a natural aptitude for it. </p>
<p>Now I’m in a bit of a dilemma, as I’d love to take the Algebra with Trig, but since my school doesn’t offer it for night classes I’m a bit out of luck in that department.</p>
<p>My situation is quite similar to yours, as I noted above. I’m 26, and I’m a high school dropout just returning to college. I’m finishing up my second semester right now. I placed into elementary algebra, and that was what I was in last semester. However, over winter break between semesters…I did some serious self study, and I was able to place out of geometry, intermediate algebra, and college algebra all in one fell swoop. I retook the placement test, and placed into trig. I still decided to just register for college algebra though, because it wouldn’t have really saved me any time to skip it. If I’d taken trig this semester, I’d be starting calc in the fall…but I had the option of taking college algebra now, trig over the summer, and still starting calc in the fall. So, I figured it would be in my best interests to not skip college algebra. Managing to bypass some of the remedial classes though is going to save me an entire year at my community college…which means I’ll be able to transfer a year sooner than I’d be able to otherwise. Everyones situation is different, but I would strongly encourage you to try and do something similar. Khan Academy was a lifesaver for me. I can give you some links to some great free online math texts too if you’re interested. </p>
<p>That does create a dilemma with the course not being offered at night…but from the sounds of it you’re going to have to make it work somehow. The concepts from college algebra and trig are very central to calculus. Prerequisites, especially in math classes, can rarely be bypassed, aside from placement scores…but that assumes a working knowledge of the courses. </p>
<p>I’m going to go out on a limb here though an assume that if college algebra/trig isn’t offered at night…it’s quite likely that calculus won’t be either. Your goals for college are really going to require full time attendance…because a physics curriculum is a very demanding path. Is there any possibility of changing shifts at work or anything like that?</p>
<p>Unfortunately my job only has the one shift (4 10 hour days Mon-Thu from 6am to 4:30pm) so taking another shift doesn’t seem like it’ll be possible. The most I could do is switch to 5 8 hours days instead. I’ve looked for other jobs that are night jobs so that I could take classes during the day, but I haven’t had any luck finding another job that is going to pay me a minimum of what I make now which I need every penny of and can’t take the pay cut. You’re right about Calculus also not being offered at night. Maybe I’ll have to look into seeing if the courses I need that are only during the day are available online.</p>
<p>I do use Khan Academy to study for my current math tests, maybe I’ll see if they can teach me well enough to replace into a calculus class, although I feel that being part of the class and doing it through college would be my best bet. </p>
<p>I think I need to make another appointment with my advisor to change my math class and see if it’s offered online.</p>
<p>Yep…do whatever you can to get it done. Whatever you do though, don’t give up hope. I’ve found that students closer to our age tend to be even more determined to do well and move forward…despite the extra obstacles that we have. If you haven’t already, sit down with an adviser and construct a course plan so that you know what courses you have to take…and when you’ll have to take them.</p>
<p>I did just recently sit down with my adviser and she didn’t seem to know what I needed as far as courses go. I’ve taken to the internet (and this forum) to hopefully get that figured out, so that when I schedule another appointment with her I can go in with options and get this figured out a bit better than letting her take complete control of it all. I was just told by another friend that I might possibly be able to take the specific math course in a SUNY college nearby and have the credits transferred. If this is an option, I’m not completely sure why the adviser never brought it up to me.</p>
<p>Well, you quoted a course title and course number. A web search engine located that on a community college’s web site.</p>
<p>You may also want to check other community colleges in your area to see if their course offerings are better (e.g. night classes, and math beyond first year calculus that you will eventually need).</p>
<p>Do you have any idea what university you’d like to transfer to? If so…look them up and see what their requirements are for transfer matriculation. To transfer as a junior, you’ll most likely need math up to Calc III…calc based physics, which is either a 3 or 4 semester sequence, depending on the school…many schools either require or recommend a year of general chemistry, though that depends on the school. Some schools want you to take a computer programming for science and engineering course. Intro Differential Equations is usually a good idea if it’s offered, but usually isn’t necessary. </p>
<p>transfer.org is a great resource to see how classed from your community college would transfer to universities. </p>
<p>You’ll also need to complete your schools gened curriculum, which usually consists of English Comp I and II, a speech/public speaking course, a semester of a life science(biology), a couple semesters of physical sciences(which you won’t have to worry about), 6-9 hours of social sciences and 6-9 hours of humanities/fine arts. The good thing about getting your gened core done at a CC though is that they will usually transfer to Uni…and once you transfer there you’ll be able to devote most of your time to your major.</p>
<p>Looks like the OP is in New York, so obvious target schools would include SUNYs like Stony Brook. Stony Brook does have a transfer course equivalency section on its web site, but it is limited only to a few nearby colleges, not including the one the OP is apparently at.</p>