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Intro to Astronomy

  • • Earn 3 transferable credits
  • • 100% online and Zoom-free
  • • Includes everything you need

Available through dual enrollment at partner high schools

Benefits

  • College Credits

    Earn 3 credits to save time + money on your degree

  • ENGAGING EXPERIENCE

    Top-rated instructors, interactive textbooks + cinematic lectures

  • IN YOUR HIGH SCHOOL

    The support + structure to thrive in your first college experience

  • Course
    overview

    We 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.

  • Brilliant
    instructors

    Learn 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.

  • How it
    works

    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.

  • Dedicated
    support

    Hit 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.

Transferable credits from a top 50 school

Most schools accept credits transferred from University of Pittsburgh

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Traditional course Outlier Intro to Astronomy

Credits

Usually 3-4 credits from your school

Credits

Earn 3 credits from the University of Pittsburgh

Format

In-person or Zoom

Format

Interactive and 100% online (Zoom-free)

Instructors

1 per class

Instructors

4 galaxy-class instructors

Lectures

Specific time and place

Lectures

On-demand, anywhere

Exams

Specific hour

Exams

Flexible window

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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:

  • The real reason the sky is blue

  • How humans traveled in a pre-GPS and Google Maps world

  • Einstein’s *real* formula (Hint: It wasn’t E = mc^2)

  • How the (non-edible) leftovers in the Cosmic Microwave Background explain the Big Bang.

  • How stars are born, and why that made you the unique human you are

Hear from our alumni

  • Taija L.

    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.”

  • Connor H.

    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.”

  • Katie A.

    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

  • Outlier by Savvas courses are offered through US highschools

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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