Intro to Astronomy
- • Earn 3 transferable credits
- • 100% online and Zoom-free
- • Includes everything you need
Course cost $597
Original price: $1332
Monthly payment option available
Benefits
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College Credits
Earn 3 credits transferable to your school of choice
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Fun + Flexible
Interactive experience, starting every 2 weeks
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Affordable
50% less expensive than traditional college
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Course
overviewWe are all made of star stuff, and in this college-level Introduction to Astronomy course, we’ll discover just how that stuff wound up creating the universe around us.
The curriculum, filled with jaw-dropping views of the cosmos, explores everything from the Big Bang to the fate of the universe, and will touch on every microcosm of space in between.
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Brilliant
instructorsLearn from a constellation of world-class instructors that includes NASA communicators, astrobiologists, astrophysicists, and the chief science officer from the American Museum of Natural History.
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How it
worksFirst, choose between a 14-week term or 7-week intensive.
Enjoy cinematic video lessons (our CEO co-founded MasterClass).
Enhance your learning with gorgeous interactive textbooks based on evidence-based active learning principles.
When it is time for exams, open windows are designed to fit around your schedule.
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Dedicated
supportHit a snag on the site? Have a burning question? We’ve got you covered.
Our dedicated Student Success team is available to assist you—and push you—to help you pass with flying colors.
And, if you do all the work but do not pass, we will offer a full refund*.
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...a way to get college credit when life circumstances make it difficult for students.
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...accessible college classes at a fraction of the cost.
Transferable credits from a top 50 school
Most schools accept credits transferred from University of Pittsburgh
Learn moreGive $75, Get $75.
School is better with friends. You get $75 off. They get $75 off. (Study buddies for the win.)
Learn MoreGive $75, Get $75.
School is better with friends. You get $75 off. They get $75 off. (Study buddies for the win.)
Learn MoreMeet your instructors
Full refund if you do the work and don't pass
If you’ve put in the time and effort to do all the work for a course but do not receive a passing grade, that’s on us and you will receive a full refund. You may also exit the course before the drop deadline to receive a full refund (14 days from start for 14-week courses).
Compare courses
| Traditional course | Intro to Astronomy |
|---|---|
Cost per course$1332 on average |
Cost per course$597 with monthly payment option |
CreditsUsually 3-4 credits from your school |
CreditsEarn 3 credits from the University of Pittsburgh |
RiskPay full price after the drop deadline |
RiskFull refund if you do the work but don't pass |
FormatIn-person or Zoom |
FormatInteractive and 100% online (Zoom-free) |
Instructors1 per class |
Instructors4 galaxy-class instructors |
LecturesSpecific time and place |
LecturesOn-demand, anywhere |
ExamsSpecific hour |
ExamsFlexible window |
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Quality education. Now more affordable than ever.
Outliers can now make low monthly payments with 0% interest.
What you’ll learn
This course covers all the basic principles and latest Astronomy topics you’ll need for college credit (and then some), plus:
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The real reason the sky is blue
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How humans traveled in a pre-GPS and Google Maps world
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Einstein’s *real* formula (Hint: It wasn’t E = mc^2)
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How the (non-edible) leftovers in the Cosmic Microwave Background explain the Big Bang.
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How stars are born, and why that made you the unique human you are
Hear from our alumni
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Taija L.
“My biggest takeaway from Outlier is that online classes can be fun, they can be engaging, and they can be everything that you get in an in-person class, as long as you have the right instructors.”
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Connor H.
“I was living abroad and Outlier.org allowed me to continue my studies without worries of having to interrupt my life or spend longer.”
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Katie A.
“I had a wonderful experience with the community, the subject and with my peers. Outlier has an incredible support staff willing to help us with everything from answering queries to clearing subject doubts.”
Frequently asked questions
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We recommend students have earned at least a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. You must be 13 or older and willing to commit yourself academically to enroll in our courses. Students attempting Outlier courses should be ready for the academic rigor of college-level coursework. Be sure to pick the right Outlier courses for both your ability and your long-term goals.
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When you Audit an Outlier course, it simply means you’re taking the course without the expectation of earning credits or impacting your college transcript. You will not receive a grade, a transcript, nor credits, and will not be participating in exams.
Audit Path is ideal for:
-High school students who are looking to add sparkle to their college applications, or learn more about a subject, but wish to avoid the burden of impacting their permanent records.
-Lifelong learners who want to take a serious course but aren’t interested in receiving grades or college credits.
Audit Path includes:
-Lifetime access. Your course will never expire.
-Access to all course materials (except midterms and final exams).
-Access to our Student Success team to ensure you’re still reaching your learning goals.
Audit Path makes you exempt from the following:
-Quizzes (though Auditing students can still participate)
-Midterm finals/grade
-Final exams/grade
If Auditing sounds right for you, after registering for your course, simply email us at success@outlier.org and let us know you’d like to go the Audit path. Note: You must contact us with this request before the drop deadline for your course.
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Tutoring sessions will be scheduled to maximize compatibility with students’ schedules and availability. Exams and writing assignments (when applicable) are each open to take for a set window of time (usually several days); however, all other course materials are available to you from the time the course opens through the end of the final exam window.
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If you have a request for reasonable disability accommodations, contact support@outlier.org. Please include specifics regarding the accommodation you are seeking. Additionally, if you have a disability accommodations letter from a school you are currently attending, you may send that to us as well.
Outlier is committed to ensuring that learners with accessibility needs have equal opportunity to succeed in our courses.
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Yes, and it was hard. Our instructors did extraordinary things like set up their own cinematography equipment and converted garages into sets, all while staying safe and careful.
A huge thanks to the team and our instructors for this massive effort. It shows how much we all care about making these courses.
See for yourself!
Hey, Outlier! We’re so glad that you’re interested in our Intro to Astronomy course and we want you to be 100% confident in your selection so we’ve unlocked the entire first lesson for you, free of charge!
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