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 this catalog to ensure that all prerequisites and/or corequisites are met. It is recommended that students earn a C grade or better in the prerequisite courses. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in core PS courses.
Students may not pursue both a Space Physics B.S. degree and an Astronomy B.S. degree. However, also note that the degree requirements for the first three semesters of both degree programs can be satisfied with the same courses. Thus, a student who is making appropriate progress in either the Space Physics or Astronomy degree programs can switch to the other program after the third semester with a complete transfer of credit from one program to the other.
Program Requirements
General Education
Embry-Riddle degree programs require students to complete a minimum of 36 hours of General Education coursework. For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog.
Students may choose other classes outside of their requirements, but doing so can result in the student having to complete more than the degree's 120 credit hours. This will result in additional time and cost to the student.
| 9 |
| 3 |
| 6 |
| 6 |
| 12 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Total Credits | 36 |
Space Physics Core (100 Credits)
The following course of study outlines the quickest and most cost-efficient route for students to earn their B.S. in Space Physics. Students are encouraged to follow the course of study to ensure they complete all program required courses and their prerequisites within four years.
Courses in the core with a # will satisfy your general education requirements.
CHM 110
& 110L | General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory # | 4 |
| CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming # | 3 |
| or EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers |
| # | 9 |
| # | 3 |
| # | 3 |
| # | 3 |
| # | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I # | 4 |
| MA 242 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry II # | 4 |
| 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 |
| 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 204 | General Astronomy ** | 3 |
| PS 215 | Physics I *# | 3 |
| PS 216 | Physics I Laboratory * | 1 |
| PS 208 | Physics II ** | 3 |
| PS 221 | Intermediate Physics Laboratory ** | 2 |
| 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 |
| PS 321 | Classical Mechanics I * | 3 |
| PS 330 | Electricity and Magnetism I * | 3 |
| PS 350 | Quantum Mechanics I ** | 3 |
| PS 380 | Optics Laboratory ** | 3 |
| PS 405 | Atomic Nuclear Physics * | 3 |
| PS 430 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics ** | 3 |
Research Thesis (6 Credits)
| PS 490 | Senior Research Thesis, Part I | 3 |
| PS 491 | Senior Research Thesis, Part II | 3 |
Technical Electives (9 Credits)
| 9 |
| |
| MA 412 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| MA 443 | Complex Variables | 3 |
| PS 322 | Classical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PS 331 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| PS 340 | Astrophysics I | 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 |
Other courses may be approved by the Department Chair - Example: MA or PS Directed Study
Open Electives(5 Credits)
All Army ROTC students are required to complete SS 321 - U.S. Military History 1900-Present (3 credits) in order to commission.
Space Physics - General
| Freshman Year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits |
|---|
CHM 110
& 110L |
General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Communication Elective Lower-Level |
3 |
| MA 241 |
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| PS 215 |
Physics I | 3 |
| PS 216 |
Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| UNIV 101 |
College Success | (1) |
| | Credits Subtotal | 15.0 |
| Spring | |
|---|
| CS 118 |
Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
or EGR 115
|
Introduction to Computing for Engineers | |
| MA 242 |
Calculus and Analytical Geometry II | 4 |
| PS 204 |
General Astronomy | 3 |
| PS 208 |
Physics II | 3 |
| PS 221 |
Intermediate Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| | Credits Subtotal | 15.0 |
| Sophomore Year |
|---|
| Fall | |
|---|
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective |
3 |
| MA 243 |
Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| PS 219 |
Physics III | 3 |
| PS 222 |
Intermediate Astronomy | 3 |
| PS 232 |
Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences | 3 |
| | Credits Subtotal | 16.0 |
| Spring | |
|---|
| Communication Elective Lower-Level |
3 |
| MA 335 |
Introduction to Linear and Abstract Algebra ** | 3 |
| MA 345 |
Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| PS 303 |
Modern Physics | 3 |
| PS 315 |
Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| | Credits Subtotal | 15.0 |
| Junior Year |
|---|
| Fall | |
|---|
| MA 435 |
Linear and Abstract Algebra II | 3 |
| MA 441 |
Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I | 3 |
| PS 321 |
Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PS 330 |
Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| Social Science Lower-Level Elective |
3 |
| | Credits Subtotal | 15.0 |
| Spring | |
|---|
| Communication Elective Lower-Level |
3 |
| MA 442 |
Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics II | 3 |
| PS 350 |
Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PS 380 |
Optics Laboratory | 3 |
| Technical Elective |
3 |
| | Credits Subtotal | 15.0 |
| Senior Year |
|---|
| Fall | |
|---|
| Humanities Upper-Level Elective |
3 |
| PS 405 |
Atomic Nuclear Physics | 3 |
| PS 490 |
Senior Research Thesis, Part I | 3 |
| Social Science Upper-Level Elective |
3 |
| Technical Elective |
3 |
| | Credits Subtotal | 15.0 |
| Spring | |
|---|
| Open Elective |
5 |
| PS 430 |
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| PS 491 |
Senior Research Thesis, Part II | 3 |
| Technical Elective |
3 |
| | Credits Subtotal | 14.0 |
| | Credits Total: | 120.0 |
