Introductory Astronomy
Explore solar systems, galaxies, black holes and stars in this online course.
- Credits:
- 3
- Format:
- Online - Self-Paced Enroll Anytime
- EST. time to complete:
- 3 to 9 months
- Cost:
- $384.88 per credit Note: on July 19, 2025, the undergraduate tuition rate will increase to $407.97 per credit following a university-wide tuition rate change
Why Take the Astronomy Online Course?
In this online astronomy course, you will explore the universe around you from the smallest to the largest scale. You will learn about the:
- Solar system
- Stars
- Stellar evolution
- Galaxies
- Black holes
- Big bang cosmology
- Accelerating universe
This course does not include the lab component.
Astronomy Online Course Requirements
You have 3 to 9 months from your enrollment date to complete 14 online astronomy lessons and four proctored exams.
The lessons in this online astronomy class involve reading the assigned chapter(s) and instructor’s notes, and then completing an assignment. You will need a calculator for some of the problems assigned.
Required materials include:
- Textbook: Learning Astronomy by Barkhouse and Young. Available as e-book from www.vitalsource.com.
- Software: Stellarium can be downloaded free from www.stellarium.org. This or similar planetarium software is required for some assignments.
- Calculator: A scientific calculator will be needed for some assignments. No calculator is needed for the tests.
How will the course appear on my transcript?
You may enroll at any time and have up to 9 months to complete this online course.
The credits earned will be recorded on your UND transcript based on the date you registered
for the course. It will appear on your transcript in the same way as a course taken
during a regular semester. There is no indication that the course was taken online
or that you completed it at your own pace.
Consult the table on our How Enroll Anytime Courses Work page for a current listing of Enroll Anytime Registration Dates and the semester
information that will appear on a UND transcript.
Why Take Online Classes at UND?
Here are a few reasons why you should take an online enroll anytime course at UND:
- Great customer service – Our registration team is ready to answer questions quickly so you can focus on your coursework.
- Affordable – UND's enroll anytime courses are priced at North Dakota's affordable, in-state tuition rate.
- Accredited – UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- Easily transfer credits – Transferring credits is always at the discretion of the institution to which the credits are being transferred. In general, credits from schools/universities that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission transfer to other regionally accredited institutions. UND's online courses appear on your UND transcript in the same way as other courses.
Flexible 100% Online Course
You'll take this online course at your own pace. Some students thrive in this environment, while other students may struggle with setting their own deadlines. If you have successfully taken an independent study or correspondence course previously, UND’s enroll anytime courses may be right for you. Still not sure? Take our online quiz to help determine if online enroll anytime courses are right for you.
Course information including tuition, technology requirements, textbooks, lessons and exams is subject to change without notice.
