Astronomy By Distance Learning

We run a selection of life-long learning courses that can be taken by students who do not have any specialist scientific or mathematical background. These are multimedia courses taught using a variety of media such as interactive CD-ROM material, videos, DVDs, websites, online astronomy newsgroups. These courses are taken as part time distance learning courses, you do not need to attend any on-site classes.

We currently have 7 courses available this year:

• The Universe Through a Small Telescope

(starts June 2013) 12 Credit Course

• Planetary Atmospheres

(starts July 2013) 12 Credit Course

• The Universe Through A Large Telescope

(starts July 2013) 24 Credit Course

For reference this is our previous course listing (not currently available);

• Astronomy for Teaching
• Exploring the Universe - an Introduction to Astronomy
• Exoplanets
• Galaxies
• Gamma Ray Bursts
• Modern Cosmology and the Distant Universe
• Planetary Geology
• The Science of Science Fiction
• Stars

Qualification

Certificate of Professional Development - which can be used for credit towards courses at this and other universities.

Cost for courses (valid for courses starting before August 2013):

Single module (12 credit) courses cost £175 (EU resident) or £350 (non EU resident) and double module (24 credit) courses cost £350 (EU resident) or £700 (non EU resident). These fees are inclusive of a bursary from Liverpool John Moores University. The fees include all course materials, computer software, and tutor support.

The fees must be paid before the start of the course. Fee remission may be available for UK resident students who are in receipt of benefits and do not have a first degree.

If the course is not appropriate please return the course materials within 14 days and you will be entitled to a full refund.

Courses after September 2013

We are continuing to improve and revise our distance learning courses each year, and next academic year (2013-2014) we will be revamping our Astronomy by Distance Learning programme. We will be starting up some new courses, and retiring some of our older accredited ones, which will mean that this year will be the last year that some of them are running.

If there is a particular accredited course that you wish to take, then you should sign up for it this year, as we cannot guarantee that you will be able to take it after September 2013.

We will keep you updated over the coming months with information regarding our new certified courses (subject to change);

An Introduction to Astronomy
This course provides an excellent entry to the subject of astronomy, and covers all aspects of the subject, from the Sun and our Solar System to the galaxies and the Universe beyond.

Supernova
Supernova are extremely powerful explosions that can outshine a galaxy. This course covers the various types of supernovae, their progenitors, and their role in star formation.

Comparative Planetology
Study the worlds in our Solar System - the inner rocky worlds, the gas giants and their moons. How are these worlds different to each other, what processes have shaped them, and where are the likeliest places to find life elsewhere in our Solar System.

You can read some of the comments from students who have completed our courses here.

Map showing where a previous intake of distance learning students live