Master of Science in Engineering Physics
Embry-Riddle rocket payload is launching into space.
The Master of Science in Engineering Physics (Space Science) degree program provides graduate-level education and training in space science and space systems engineering. The goal is to provide graduates with the skills that will allow them to make an immediate contribution to space-related industries or to proceed to doctoral studies in a wide variety of disciplines.
The program's objectives are to foster fundamental understanding of scientific and engineering approaches to conceiving and designing complex spacecraft systems, as well as the development of the diverse set of research skills required to evolve the state of the art in the areas of space science and engineering.
The program specifically emphasizes scientific instrumentation, applied optics, remote sensing, spacecraft subsystems (such as power, attitude and thermal control), and a wide variety of topics in space science and engineering.
The curriculum consists of 15 credits of required course work, with an additional 15 credits of electives and/or thesis research. The core courses emphasize the heavily technical nature of the space sciences, and require an undergraduate degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related field (such as Math or Chemistry) for preparation.
Core Courses
| Option |
Core Courses |
Electives |
Thesis |
Total |
| Thesis |
15 |
6 |
9 |
30 |
| Non-Thesis |
15 |
15 |
0 |
30 |
Core Courses
| Course |
Title |
Credit |
| EP 501 |
Numerical Methods for Engineers and Scientists |
3 |
| EP 505 |
Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control |
3 |
| EP 509 |
Advanced Space Physics |
3 |
| EP 600 |
Experimental Methods in Space Science |
3 |
| EP 605 |
Spacecraft Power and Thermal Design |
3 |
CORE COURSES
- EP 501 Numerical Methods for Engineers and Scientists:
- Numerical methods for the solution of engineering physics problems; systems of linear equations, ordinary differential equations including one-dimensional initial value problems and boundary value problems; partial differential equations (PDEs) including elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic PDEs; finite difference method. Application to problems such as diffusion, transport, remote sensing, inversion, and plasma waves. Emphasis will be on computer implementation of numerical solutions.
- EP 505 Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control:
- Review of dynamic systems modeling, analysis and control; orbital dynamics, orbital maneuvers and control. Attitude sensors and sensing techniques. Passive attitude control techniques including spin, dual-spin, gravity-gradient and magnetic stabilization. Active control using gas jet thrusters, momentum wheels, reaction wheels and control moment gyros. Application of optimal control techniques to spacecraft maneuver problems; design of open loop and feedback controls for linear and nonlinear spacecraft dynamical systems; case studies.
- EP 509 Advanced Space Physics:
- Plasma physics applied to the interplanetary medium and planetary magnetospheres: solar wind. magnetohydrodynamics. Interaction between planetary magnetospheres and the solar wind. Auroral dynamics. Planetary atmospheres and ionospheres. Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. Energetic particle dynamics. Ring currents. The space radiation environment. Space weather. Satellite missions to Earth and other planets.
- EP 600 Experimental Methods in Space Science:
- Measurement techniques for ground-based, rocket and satellite-borne experiments are explored. Advantages, disadvantages, and limitations are quantitatively developed. In situ atmospheric composition measurements, charged particle detection for plasma characterization, optical remote sensing and imaging techniques are included.
- EP 605 Spacecraft Power and Thermal Design:
- Spacecraft power and thermal energy management. Spacecraft power systems; sources of power; power subsystem function and design; energy storage devices; future concepts in spacecraft power systems. Review of the modes of heat transfer: conduction, radiation, and convection. Space environment, heating fluxes. Spacecraft thermal analysis. Thermal control hardware and design; active and passive thermal control. Emphasis on the design needs of instruments and their detector systems power and thermal requirements.
- ELECTIVE COURSES
- Electives will be taken from the following existing course offerings with advisor approval, consistent with the students' area of emphasis. The electives represent course offerings from several different departments and will give the student an opportunity to pursue their individual interests.
Elective Courses
| Course |
Title |
Credit |
| AE 508 |
Heat Transfer |
3 |
| AE 514 |
Introduction to the Finite Element Method |
3 |
| AE 520 |
Perturbation Methods in Engineering |
3 |
| AE 524 |
Rocket Engine Propulsion Systems |
3 |
| BA 511 |
Operations Research |
3 |
| EP 696 |
Graduate Internship in Engineering Physics |
1-3 |
| EP 699 |
Special Topics in Engineering Physics |
1-3 |
| EP 700 |
MSSPS Thesis |
1-9 |
| MA 502 |
Boundary Value Problems |
3 |
| MA 504 |
Potential Theory |
3 |
| MA 506 |
Probability for Engineers |
3 |
| MA 510 |
Fundamentals of Optimization |
3 |
| MSE 500 |
Software Engineering Concepts |
3 |
| MSE 545 |
Specification and Design of Real-Time Systems |
3 |
| MSE 585 |
Metrics and Statistical Methods for Software Engineering |
3 |
| MSE 610 |
Software Architecture and Design |
3 |
| MSE 655 |
Performance Analysis of Real-Time Systems |
3 |
Additional graduate elective courses in EP are offered on a rotational basis in the following areas:
- Spectroscopy
- Remote Sensing
- Planetary Science
- Observational Astronomy
- Astrophysics
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