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The Graduate Certificate of Astronomy
What is the Graduate Certificate of Astronomy?
The Graduate Certificate of Astronomy is a fully Internet delivered Certificate program in astronomy, astrophysics and astronomy related areas.
This is a professional degree from an accredited university. See below.
Full Time or Part time Study
The Graduate Certificate of Astronomy is designed to be taken as a part-time program, however students can take the program on a full-time basis if they so wish. The part-time program is shown in the diagram below. Full-time students would do the two subjects in one semester. The fee would be double that for the part-time certificate.
Computer Requirements
To study in the Certificate of Astronomy students will need a computer and Internet connection. It the intention of the Centre for Astronomy at JCU to keep the computing requirements of the student to a basic level. If you can read this website, then you can start this certificate program.
Entry Standard Required
The entry requirement for the Certificate of Astronomy is nominally a Bachelor level degree. It is possible, however, for students to apply with alternative backgrounds, and we invite such applications.
More details of entry standards required for all JCU Centre for Astronomy Internet programs are available at the Entry Standard Requirements page.
Fees
In part-time mode a student enrols in one subject per semester, ie 2 subjects per year. The fees are $ 2,502 Australian Dollars (AUD) per subject. There are six semesters for the degree. Exchange rates change continually; so please check here for the current conversion site . The total cost of the Master of Astronomy is therefore AUD 5,004.
Once you are in the program, your fee may be subject to a small increases each semester, but these will be less than 10% (typically <5%) per year, and are set by the central administration of the University, and not by the Centre for Astronomy.
The NEST of Astronomy Programs
The JCU Internet degree offerings are a nested set that allows students to choose which level of training they will undertake. This nesting allows you to proceed beyond the Certificate to higher level degrees. This progression is subject to satisfactory progress being made in the Graduate Certificate of Astronomy.
The higher degree that you can progress to are:
- The Graduate Diploma in Astronomy,
- The Master of Astronomy,
- The Professional Doctor of Astronomy, and
- A PhD.
Transfer to the Higher Level Programs
Acceptance to the Graduate Diploma in Astronomy, and to higher level programs, will be considered by the Centre for Astronomy upon completion of the requirements for the Graduate Certificate of Astronomy.
Course Structure
The Graduate Certificate of Astronomy is two semesters of course work.
A part-time program is shown below. In this program one course-work subject is taken per semester. There are two semesters per year in the Australian academic calendar.
It is possible to do this program full-time if you wish. The full-time program for the Certificate is the two subjects taken in one semester.
Subject in the Graduate Certificate of Astronomy
The Graduate Certificate of Astronomy consists of two subjects. They are
- Modern Astrophysics
- Astronomy Instrumentation
Additional subjects are available to allow enrolment flexibility for students who require advanced standing.
Other Information about the Certificate and the James Cook University.
How Do I Apply for this Program:
