Includes short courses and experimental classes covering a variety of subjects. May be repeated for up to six credits.

• Upon completion of the course, the successful student will have:
• 1) A skill set from a variety of astronomical projects depending on the area of concentration for the course being offered. As an example, learning to operate the observatories large telescopes or using to spectrograph to spectrally classify stars.
• 2) Gain knowledge of how to conduct an investigation in astronomy from codifying variable stars to searching for Near Earth Objects.
• 3) Learned new knowledge in a specialty class covering areas from spectroscopy to astrobiology.

College Mission: Western Nevada College inspires success in our community through opportunities that cultivate creativity, intellectual growth and technological excellence, in an environment that nurtures individual potential and respects differences. More specifically, AST 198 B addresses the third goal of the college's mission:
• Embrace our college's many communities and respond to their diverse needs.

Division Mission: The mission of the Science, Math and Engineering Division is to prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and/or to provide them with the knowledge they need for their careers. AST 198 B addresses the division mission as follows:
• provide students with the knowledge they need for their careers.