Mar Ivanios College Cert Astronomy FAQs
Ques. Do I need a science background to enrol in the Certificate Programme in Astronomy and Astrophysics?
Ans. No. The course is designed to provide only a qualitative understanding of astronomy and astrophysics. No prerequisites are required, and students from arts, commerce, and science streams are all equally eligible. The course is introductory in nature and does not involve complex mathematics or physics derivations.
Ques. Is there any fee for this certificate course?
Ans. No, the course is completely free of charge. There are no tuition fees, examination fees, or any other charges. It is offered as a free add-on benefit to all enrolled UG students at Mar Ivanios College.
Ques. How is the course assessed?
Ans. The course is assessed through a 2-hour written examination conducted at the end of the 20-hour programme. The examination tests the student's qualitative understanding of the topics covered across the 10 lessons.
Ques. What topics are covered in the course?
Ans. The course covers 10 lessons: Introduction to Astronomy, the Solar System (Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Newton), Planets and Satellites, Asteroids and Comets, Age and Origin of the Solar System, Methods of Observational Astronomy (telescopes, spectroscopy), Stars (energy production, black holes), Large-scale structures (star clusters, galaxies), the Universe (Big Bang, Steady State Theory, CMB radiation), and Extra-Solar Planets and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.
Ques. Who teaches this course?
Ans. The course is offered by the Department of Physics at Mar Ivanios College, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious departments of the college, established in 1949. The department has multiple active research laboratories including the Centre for Molecular and Biophysics Research, Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, and Nanophotonics Research Laboratory.
Ques. Can a B.Com or BA student take this course, or is it only for B.Sc students?
Ans. The course is open to all UG students regardless of their stream. B.Com, BA, and B.Sc students can all enrol in this course. Since no prior scientific knowledge is required, it is particularly popular among non-science students who are curious about space and the universe.
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