Daytona Beach Campus - College of Arts & Sciences

Department of Physical Sciences

Degrees

Detailed program information can be found at the following links:

   Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics

   New - Accelerated 5-Year Program in Engineering Physics:
   Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Engineering Physics

   Bachelor of Science in Space Physics

   Master of Science in Engineering Physics

   Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Physics

Detailed application information can be found at the admissions Web site.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics is designed to produce graduates with the knowledge and skills of both scientists and engineers. Combining the fields of spacecraft engineering and space physics, this program focuses on the scientific challenges and planning associated with mission design and research related to the exploration of the space environment. Because of the strong emphasis on fundamentals, the EP program provides an excellent stepping stone into the space program. Most of the graduates pursue careers in space-related professions as space systems engineers or space scientists.

Offered only on the Daytona Beach campus, this program combines intensive course work in engineering with computer science and applied physics. Students pursuing the Engineering Physics degree acquire the ability to solve conventional and original astronautics and aerospace problems. They also develop the flexibility to extend that aptitude to any division of engineering and science.

Completion of the Bachelor of Science in the Engineering Physics degree program requires 130 credit hours of study, and the program is designed to be completed in eight semesters.

Bachelor of Science in Space Physics

The Space Physics (SP) program serves the interests of students who want to contribute to the Space Program in a meaningful way as well as students who want to pursue careers in applied physics.

As defined by NASA, "Space Physics is the scientific study of magnetic and electric phenomena that occur in outer space, in the upper atmosphere of planets, and on the Sun. Space physicists use ground-based instruments, balloons, rockets, satellites, and deep space probes to study these phenomena where they occur."

Examples of such studies include space shuttle aurora observation, ground-based solar studies, ground-based ionospheric studies, balloon flights to the edge of atmosphere, and sounding rocket flights into near space.

The Space Physics program focuses on Space Science with emphasis on solar system physics, planetary science, and astrophysics. The program shares its facilities and coursework with the highly successful Engineering Physics program, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Embry-Riddle offers small classes and excellent student-faculty interaction both in class and outside of class.

Master of Science in Engineering Physics

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. This program is heavily research-oriented, with a majority of the faculty in the Department of Physical Sciences actively involved in scholarly activities in the space sciences and engineering. The research areas include experimental programs with satellite systems, sounding rockets, ground-based remote-sensing experiments, and a parallel program of theoretical studies in the areas of space systems engineering, upper atmospheric physics, space physics, plasma and magnetospheric physics.

The master's curriculum consists of 15 credits of required core coursework, with an additional 18 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.