MACHIAS – Cryptography and astronomy are just two of the courses that are available this fall from a Washington County college for students who are 50 years of age or older.

Organized by a group of county residents and staffed by volunteer instructors, Sunrise Senior College is one of 14 senior colleges that have been organized throughout the state during the past five years.

More than 3,500 Mainers have participated in the noncredit courses, which are offered for a nominal fee and do not include tests, paper, grades or academic requirements.

All of the programs are affiliated with an institution of higher learning and, in Washington County, the classes will take place on the campus of the University of Maine at Machias beginning Nov. 11 and ending Dec. 17.

Barbara Plaskon of Jonesport, a member of the organizing committee, said UMM President John Joseph was immediately enthusiastic about the concept when the group approached him this summer.

Two former UMM faculty members are among the instructors for the fall courses.

Robert W. Sloan, professor emeritus of history, will teach The American Revolution: Inside and Out. Stick ‘Em Up, a four-session course on the pleasure and historical significance of stamps and the art of collecting them, will be taught by Jerome Storm, professor emeritus of education.

Gene Hart, a retired electrical engineer who led a U.S. Air Force team that developed the first encryption unit to use microprocessors, will teach Secret Codes: Past, Present, and Future. The course will examine the history of code making and code breaking and offer a brief look at the evolution of message secrecy and its influence on the course of human events.

Herb Greenberg, a professor emeritus of English who retired from Michigan State University and the author of a book on W.H. Auden, will teach Exploring Shakespeare’s Genius. The course will examine Shakespeare’s insights into human nature as portrayed in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Macbeth.”

A Close-Up Look at Our Solar System will be taught by Bill Plaskon, a retired computer programmer-analyst, who is a Qualified Observer at one of the largest amateur astronomy clubs in the eastern United States. Plaskon was an astronomer with Project Astro, a national organization that facilitates partnerships between teachers and astronomers to promote science education in the classroom.

Membership in Sunrise Senior College costs $25 per year and allows members to enroll in all courses offered during the year in Machias or other sites in the network. Fees for individual courses vary between $10 and $25, and course enrollment entitles students to UMM privileges such as library services, campus parking and cafeteria dining.

All courses meet once a week during daylight hours and are open to spouses or partners of senior learners regardless of age.

Enrollment begins Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 1. Questions on membership and enrollment should be directed to Sunrise Senior College Program at 9 O’Brien Ave., Machias 04654, or by phoning 255-1384. Questions about specific courses should be directed to Jane Spivack, the co-chair of the curriculum committee, at 497-3209.