Are you curious about our place in the universe? Do you want to learn about constellations or why stars shine with different brightness and color?
You will learn all this and more in DVC's astronomy program. Astronomy is considered a branch of physics. Students learn from hands-on experience in our classrooms, planetarium and lab courses using high-tech telescopes.
Career Opportunities
The astronomy program will prepare you for work in a variety of occupations and career paths, including:
With additional education:
- Computer programmer
- Science teacher
- College professor
- Research scientist
- Data scientist
Degrees and Certificates
Diablo Valley College does not offer a degree in astronomy, but astronomy courses can prepare you for transfer and fulfill general education requirements in related programs.
Related degree:
I was able to go to Stanford University where I worked in data analysis for the LSST camera (Legacy Survey of Space and Time) which is the camera being used to map out the southern hemisphere, and the visible night sky over a period of 10 years. Dr. Chiar at DVC was incredibly supportive during this time, especially when I had questions about my research.
Karla Morales De Leon, Graduate
About degrees and certificates
Certificates:
A certificate readily prepares you to enter a particular field or career. It can also give you new skills for advancement in the workplace.
Associate Degrees:
An associate degree requires a broader education for career options in a range of industries. It's a great step towards earning a bachelor degree at a four-year school or entering the workforce sooner.
Associate Degrees for Transfer:
A transfer degree is equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program. Earning one can guarantee admission to California State Universities, some private and online universities, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). ADTs, along with a transfer agreement guarantee (TAG) with the University of California system can help you achieve your goals for less. Learn about transfer services.