Program Overview

---

Introduction to the Space Sciences, M.S. Program

The Space Sciences, M.S. program at Florida Tech is designed for aspiring researchers, innovators, and explorers. This program combines academic rigor with the flexibility to align studies with professional goals, allowing students to gain expertise and real-world experience in space sciences.

Program Overview

The M.S. in Space Sciences offers a flexible curriculum with thesis and non-thesis options. Through coursework and research involvement, students can delve into a range of topics in space studies, such as stellar and extragalactic astrophysics, solar-terrestrial interrelation, cosmic ray physics, planetary science, human space exploration research, and more.

Locations Offered

• Melbourne Campus

Why Choose Florida Tech for Space Sciences?

Located just south of NASA-Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Space Coast, Florida Tech puts students at the center of the global space community. This unique location allows students to build expertise, expand their network, engage in cutting-edge research, and help shape the future of space exploration.

Access to Excellent Facilities and Resources

At Florida Tech, students have access to excellent facilities and resources to support their research and study. The Olin Physical Sciences Center, featuring the Ortega Observatory, also houses the Geospace Physics Laboratory and additional advanced facilities for astronomy and astrophysics research.

Careers in Space Sciences

The master’s in space sciences prepares graduates for a wide range of scientific and technical responsibilities in industry and government and research in academic institutions and laboratories. Careers in space sciences can include roles such as:

• Aerospace scientist
• Astrobiologist
• Astronomer
• Astrophysicist
• Atmospheric scientist
• Climatologist
• Physical meteorologist
• Physicist
• Remote sensing scientist
• Space health researcher

Admission Information

Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in a space sciences subfield (such as astrobiology, astronomy/astrophysics, geosciences, or planetary sciences), physics, or a related engineering field, with mathematics preparation up through vector analysis.

Research Areas

Space sciences research at Florida Tech fuels discovery and inspires the next generation of exploration. Research areas include:

• Physics of supermassive black holes and galaxy evolution
• Massive stars
• Astrophysical jets and accretion phenomena
• Exoplanets
• Planetary science
• Observational cosmology
• Cosmic ray modulation/propagation and its interactions with the interstellar medium
• Energetic radiation from terrestrial and planetary lightning discharges
• Solar wind-magnetosphere interactions and energetic particle observations
• Human space exploration research

Curriculum

The M.S. in Space Sciences offers a flexible curriculum with thesis and non-thesis options. The core curriculum ensures breadth of knowledge and a strong foundation for subject area specialization. Courses include study of analytic mechanics, electromagnetic theory, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and statistical physics.

Advanced Degree Options

Master’s-level study in space sciences equips graduates with the foundation and expertise needed to pursue advanced, specialized research in space-related fields at the doctoral level. A doctorate in space sciences can lead to opportunities for advanced research, a career in academia, and increased earning potential over the course of one’s career.

Related Programs

• Physics, M.S.
• Space Systems, M.S.

These programs offer a customizable curriculum with both thesis and non-thesis options, preparing students for doctoral study or for work in industry. They provide a balanced blend of fundamental physics and applied physics, preparing students for a wide range of careers in space sciences and related fields.