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Bachelor of Science in
Space Physics
The Bachelor of Science in Space Physics degree program lets students explore the fundamental forces in nature through investigating atomic, nuclear and elementary particle systems.
This applied physics program is designed to produce graduates prepared for space and aerospace-related careers. Students can choose from three areas of specialization: Astroparticle Physics; Exotic Propulsion; or Gravitational Physics and Cosmology. Working with a dedicated faculty with state-of-the art labs and equipment, students graduate prepared to promote the exploration of space and add to the body of knowledge in science.
Because of the strong emphasis on experimental physics, graduates are well-suited to enter a variety of fields in industry and graduate programs. In addition to employment in research and the space program, graduates with physics degrees will pursue diverse space physics careers in fields such as medical physics, biophysics, plasma physics and other areas that utilize physicists, such as the military and security sector.
The Bachelor of Science in Space Physics degree is housed in the Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences.
- View Degree Requirements
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Excerpt taken from the Online Course Catalog
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Space Physics is a 120-credit hour program that can be completed in eight semesters. The list of courses below comprises the complete requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Space Physics. The list is organized as a “vertical outline” according to the year in which the courses would normally be taken. While it is not a requirement that the courses be taken during the year shown, students should be aware that several courses in each academic year may have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Therefore, it is recommended that students keep their schedule as close as possible to the one shown below. Before registering for a course, check the course description section of the catalog to ensure that all prerequisites and/or corequisites are met. Note that prerequisites for a course are only considered met if the student obtained a grade of “C” or better in the prerequisite courses. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in core PS courses.
Suggested Program of Study
Freshman Year Credits COM Elective * 3 CHM 105 General Chemistry I 4 MA 241 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I 4 MA 242 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II 4 PS 204 General Astronomy 3 PS 208 Physics II 3 PS 215 Physics I 3 PS 216 Physics I Laboratory 1 PS 221 Intermediate Physics Laboratory 2 SS lower-level elective * 3 UNIV 101 College Success ** 1 Credits Subtotal 31 Sophomore Year COM Elective * 3 HU lower-level elective * 3 MA 243 Calculus and Analytical Geometry III 4 MA 335 Introduction to Linear and Abstract Algebra 3 MA 345 Differential Equations and Matrix Methods 4 PS 219 Physics III 3 PS 222 Intermediate Astronomy 3 PS 232 Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences 3 PS 303 Modern Physics 3 PS 315 Modern Physics Laboratory 2 Credits Subtotal 31 Junior Year COM Elective * 3 MA 435 Linear and Abstract Algebra II 3 MA 441 Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I 3 MA 442 Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics II 3 PS 321 Classical Mechanics I 3 PS 330 Electricity and Magnetism I 3 PS 350 Quantum Mechanics I 3 PS 380 Optics Laboratory 3 Open Electives 3 Technical Elective 3 Credits Subtotal 30 Senior Year PS 405 Atomic Nuclear Physics 3 PS 430 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3 PS 490 Senior Research Thesis, Part I *** 3 PS 491 Senior Research Thesis, Part II *** 3 Technical Electives 6 HU upper-level elective 3 SS upper-level elective 3 Open Electives 4 Credits Subtotal 28 Credits Total 120 * Embry-Riddle courses in the general education categories of Communication, Humanities, and Social Sciences may be chosen from those listed below, assuming prerequisites are met. Courses from other institutions are acceptable if they fall into these broad categories and are at the appropriate level.
** Open elective or in excess of degree requirement.
*** In their senior year, eligible students will choose a thesis project in association with a supervising faculty member. Students who are not eligible to take PS 490 and PS 491 will instead take 6 credits of technical electives selected from the list below. Eligibility for taking PS 490 is described in the prerequisites for the course in the course description section of the catalog.
TopCommunications Electives COM 122 English Composition 3 COM 219 Speech 3 COM 221 Technical Report Writing 3 COM 222 Business Communication 3 COM 225 Science and Technology Communication 3 or any COM 3XX or COM 4XX course Lower-level Social Sciences electives EC 210 Microeconomics 3 EC 211 Macroeconomics 3 Any lower-level SS, RS, or SIS course Lower-level Humanities electives Any HU 140 series Upper-level Humanities electives Any upper-level HU course Upper-level Social Sciences electives Any upper-level SS course Technical Electives PS 322 Classical Mechanics II 3 PS 331 Electricity and Magnetism II 3 PS 375 Planetary Science 3 PS 408 Astrophysics II 3 PS 412 Particle Physics and Cosmology 3 PS 413 Particle Physics and Cosmology II 3 PS 420 Remote Sensing 3 PS 422 Space Propulsion 3 PS 451 Quantum Mechanics II 3 PS 299 Special Topics in Physical Science 1-4 or PS 399 Special Topic in Physical Science or PS 499 Special Topic in Physical Science MA 412 Probability and Statistics 3 MA 443 Complex Variables 3 MA 299 Special Topics in Mathematics 1-4 or MA 399 Special Topics in Mathematics or MA 499 Special Topics in Mathematics Any other upper-division technical course with approval of the Physics Department Chair.
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