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Is General Astronomy harder than Introductory Physics?

I have to have a science lab class for college, and I don't know which to choose, science isn't my strong suit, but these are the only 2 options I have.

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Timothy’s Answer

Hi Halle,

Having just been a teaching assistant for Introductory Physics courses, if Physics/Mathematics isn't your strong suit or necessary for your path forward I recommend taking General Astronomy. Whether the Intro Physics is calculus or algebra based it is math intensive and can be burdensome for students just trying to complete gen ed requirements. Many of my students who had to take both due to their major requirements, almost all of them enjoyed intro astronomy much more. Having taken Intro Astronomy at my undergrad and then seeing the course during graduate school, that course is typically less math based and usually focused on conceptual understanding of the solar system and simple astronomy concepts. Best of luck!
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bill’s Answer

Sure, both courses are pretty fascinating but can be quite challenging too. If you find science a bit tough, I'd suggest going for the general astronomy course. It's not only more captivating but also a tad easier to grasp. Both subjects do involve some math, and I've had the experience of taking both. The equations in physics tend to be more complex, but being good at math is beneficial for both. However, astronomy tends to be more straightforward and simpler to understand.
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Andrew’s Answer

My best guess is that both classes are for non-STEM students to fulfil their Science GER General Education Requirement) for the bachelor’s degree program.

These courses are designed as survey classes for non-STEM students. Hence, they should not be “difficult” academically. The “Introductory Physics” course is, probably, a general survey of physical principles and an introduction to scientific methods. The “General Astronomy” course is designed in the same spirit of the “Introductory Physics” but using astronomy as the vehicle to convey physical principles as well as the tenets of scientific methods.

If you find astronomy interesting, you may want to take the General Astronomy class.
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A’s Answer

I enrolled in an Introductory Physics course, leveraging my solid foundation in Physics from high school.

Consider the curriculum topics and identify which ones spark your interest. Introductory Physics often incorporates calculus-based principles, particularly for students majoring in science or engineering. On the other hand, Introductory Astronomy is typically more concentrated on specific topics, emphasizing the understanding of the universe's vast structure. In contrast, Introductory Physics adopts a more step-by-step approach, gradually introducing various physical concepts.

To gain more insight, you can visit the ratemyprofessor website. Here, you can read reviews from fellow university students and determine which class is generally perceived as less challenging. I hope this information is beneficial to you.
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Gil’s Answer

Is General Astronomy harder than Introductory Physics?

I took both of those courses in college many years ago. From my personal experience, Introductory Physics was harder than Intro to Astronomy. My degree was in Mathematics, and I still found Astronomy easier.

Good luck on whichever you choose. And if you need help, reach out to a tutor or classmate. That's what I did when I was struggling in Physics.
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