I would like to go to a community college to get my Associate's degree and then transfer to a 4-year university and get a Bachelor's in astronomy. My question is since community colleges usually offer only general degrees (or specific degrees in fields I am not interested in), would it be okay if I got an Associate's in General Science, which is not available at all community colleges, or would even a Liberal Arts degree be okay? What Associate's degree is best?
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What Associate's Degree should I get if I want an Bachelor's in Astronomy?
- Thread starter Rose
- Start date
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painkilla33
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Is there any reason you aren't seeking the Bachelor's degree straight away?
Is the Bachelor's you are looking for a Bachelor's of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics?
I would suggest, after doing some research, either an Associates in Science/General Science, or Applied Science. However, I would contact the guidance counsellor at your community college, and inquire as to how the degree with transfer to the four-year university. Some AAS (Associates in Applied Science) do not transfer well to universities or colleges offering Bachelor's.
I would furthermore suggest taking a science related degree over a Liberal Arts degree as some of your courses may transfer and therefore make your stay at university shorter. (For example, if I took an Associates Degree in Accounting I could transfer to a BBA with a Major in Accounting and it would only be three years, or two and a half, depending on the instituition - at least, in Canada, with a three-year advanced diploma, which is similar to an Associates Degree).
Is the Bachelor's you are looking for a Bachelor's of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics?
I would suggest, after doing some research, either an Associates in Science/General Science, or Applied Science. However, I would contact the guidance counsellor at your community college, and inquire as to how the degree with transfer to the four-year university. Some AAS (Associates in Applied Science) do not transfer well to universities or colleges offering Bachelor's.
I would furthermore suggest taking a science related degree over a Liberal Arts degree as some of your courses may transfer and therefore make your stay at university shorter. (For example, if I took an Associates Degree in Accounting I could transfer to a BBA with a Major in Accounting and it would only be three years, or two and a half, depending on the instituition - at least, in Canada, with a three-year advanced diploma, which is similar to an Associates Degree).
A physics degree would be better than general science (more classes will apply to the degree) or a math degree. Do you have plans for what you're going to do with an astronomy degree? You really can't work in the field without a PhD, and if you're planning to get a PhD in astronomy you should be getting a physics bachelors, not astronomy. So keep that mind when thinking about an astronomy degree. Do you really even need an associates if you're going to transfer anyway? Why not just take the math and physics courses that will apply to a degree?
A physics degree would be better than general science (more classes will apply to the degree) or a math degree. Do you have plans for what you're going to do with an astronomy degree? You really can't work in the field without a PhD, and if you're planning to get a PhD in astronomy you should be getting a physics bachelors, not astronomy. So keep that mind when thinking about an astronomy degree. Do you really even need an associates if you're going to transfer anyway? Why not just take the math and physics courses that will apply to a degree?