Space Sciences, M.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Major Code: 8132	Degree Awarded: Master of Science
Delivery Mode(s): Classroom	Admission Status: Graduate
Admission Materials: letters of recommendation, résumé/CV, objectives, transcripts	Location(s): Main Campus - Melbourne

The space sciences graduate program stresses many subfields of space studies, such as stellar and extragalactic astrophysics, solar-terrestrial interrelation (space weather, solar energetic particles), cosmic ray physics, energetic radiation from thunderstorms and lightning on Earth and other planets, planetary science, human space exploration research and related instrumentation. Graduate study in space sciences at the master’s level prepares graduates for continued and specialized study toward the doctoral degree in space-related fields as well as a wide range of scientific and technical responsibilities in industry and government.

Admission Requirements

An applicant for admission should have an undergraduate degree in any subﬁeld of space sciences (astrobiology, astronomy/astrophysics, geosciences, planetary sciences), physics or a related engineering ﬁeld. All entering space sciences graduate students are required to be prepared in mathematics at least through vector analysis. The GRE scores from both the general and subject test in physics are recommended but not required.

Degree Requirements

The master’s degree is conferred on students who have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of graduate study. A master’s thesis is optional. Master’s degree students must complete all courses with a grade of C or better.

Curriculum

Core Courses (15 credit hours)

Mathematics Core (3 credit hours)

Any 5000-level MTH course in consultation with academic advisor.

A minimum of nine credit hours from the following:

PHY 5015 Analytical Mechanics 1
PHY 5017 Electromagnetic Theory 1
PHY 5030 Quantum Mechanics 1
PHY 5082 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
In addition, students must take three subject courses from the list below and six semester credit hours of SPS 5999 Thesis . Students choosing to complete a nonthesis program must take two additional subject courses in place of the six semester credit hours of thesis. The subject courses must be PHY or SPS 5000-level or higher and must include at least three courses from the list below.

Subject Courses (minimum of 9 credit hours)

PHY 5018 Electromagnetic Theory 2
PHY 5031 Quantum Mechanics 2
SPS 5010 Astrophysics 1: Stellar Structure and Evolution
SPS 5011 Astrophysics 2: Galactic Structure and Cosmology
SPS 5020 Space Physics 1: The Low-Energy Universe
SPS 5021 Space Physics 2: The High-Energy Universe
SPS 5030 Planetary Science 1: Interiors
SPS 5031 Planetary Science 2: Atmospheres
A general written examination is required in the ﬁrst semester of residence for diagnosing any deﬁciencies in undergraduate preparation. Any deﬁciencies must be removed before a degree will be granted, as evidenced by this examination.

Before the master’s degree is granted, the student must pass a ﬁnal oral examination administered by a committee of three or more members of the graduate faculty selected by the student and the departmental advisor and including at least one member from outside the physics department. The oral examination emphasizes but is not necessarily restricted to, the subject matter related to the ﬁeld of the thesis. For students not electing to do a thesis, the oral examination covers the general areas of the student’s graduate studies.