This course will consist of an in-depth study of the solar system, i.e., the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, meteors, comets, etc. In the process of this study, we will venture into the fields of the history of science, physics, celestial mechanics, geology, meteorology, and even touch upon astrology. No lab. Satisfies Natural Science Core requirement.

This course will consist of a survey of the universe beyond the solar system, except when we study the sun as a typical star. We will concentrate on stars; what they are, the many different types, their birth, evolution, and death. No lab. Satisfies Natural Science Core requirement.

A survey of the solar system, concentrating on the earth and other planets, comets and meteors and origins of the solar system itself. Lab includes several nights of observing and CCD photography in the computerized observatory as well as work in the planetarium.

The universe beyond the solar system: stars and galaxies, binary stars, stellar evolution, pulsars, black holes, cosmology. Lab includes several nights of observing and CCD photography in the computerized observatory as well as work in the planetarium.