The goal of the Planetary Sciences Track in the Physics MS program is to foster a vibrant planetary science research environment that can attract top students, researchers, and faculty and contribute significantly to the exploration of space. The Planetary Sciences track is designed to prepare students to be competitive in the global planetary sciences research community.
The Planetary Sciences track in the Physics MS program requires a minimum of 33 hours of graduate course work as directed by the student's Supervisory Committee. This must include at least 15 credit hours of required courses, 6 hours of thesis preparation, with the remainder being elective courses and directed research chosen in consultation with the Supervisory Committee. At least half of the total credits must be at the 6000 level. No more than 6 hours of independent study may be credited toward the master's degree. The master's degree in Planetary Sciences includes a thesis and its defense. There is no nonthesis master's degree in the Planetary Sciences track.
Total Credit Hours Required: 33 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Track Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree in a closely related science field such as physics, chemistry, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, atmospheric sciences biology, mathematics or planetary sciences.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
15 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- The core is designed to give students a broad foundation in the planetary sciences and rapid training in the data analysis techniques that will be necessary for successful research and publications. Students choose 5 out of the 6 core courses listed below:
- Complete at least 5 of the following:
- AST5151 - Physics of Planetary Processes (3)
- PHY6246 - Classical Mechanics (3)
- AST5765C - Advanced Astronomical Data Analysis (3)
- AST5263 - Advanced Observational Astronomy (3)
- AST5154 - Advanced Planetary Geophysics (3)
- AST6165 - Planetary Atmospheres (3)
Elective Courses
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Students may enroll in elective formal courses relevant to their program, as approved by their Supervisory Committees. Suggestions include:
- Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
- AST5145 - Advanced Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorites (3)
- AST5334 - Extrasolar Planets and Brown Dwarfs (3)
- PHY5937 - Special Topics (3)
- AST6112 - Origin and Evolution of Planetary Systems (3)
- AST6156 - Current Topics in Planetary Sciences (3)
Thesis
6 Total Credits
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: AST or PHY 6971 - Thesis
Supervisory Committee
0 Total Credits
- Within the first half-semester of admission to the Planetary Sciences Track, each student must select, by mutual agreement, a faculty adviser and at least two other faculty members to serve on his or her Supervisory Committee. UCF graduate faculty and self-funded research scientists who are Graduate Faculty Scholars are eligible to serve on Supervisory Committees. Creation of and changes in the membership of a Supervisory Committee must be approved by the Planetary Sciences Graduate Committee. The adviser is expected to meet regularly with the student. The full committee shall meet with the student at least once per year to review and make recommendations regarding the student's academic progress.
Master's Defense
0 Total Credits
- The written thesis and oral defense is the final requirement for the master's degree. The thesis is a journal-level research paper. The oral defense is in two parts: (1) A public presentation of the research contained in the paper; and (2) private questioning on the detail of the presented research as well as the topics covered in the student's preparation and coursework. The written and oral components will be administrated by the student's Supervisory Committee.
Independent Learning
0 Total Credits
- A thesis is required in this program.
Grand Total Credits: 33
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- A bachelor's degree in a closely related science field such as physics, chemistry, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, atmospheric sciences biology, mathematics or planetary sciences.
- The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Statement of goals.
- CV or Résumé.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Applicants interested in being considered for assistantship and fellowship opportunities should apply directly to the Physics PhD program.
Additional courses may also be required to correct any course deficiencies for those applicants without full preparation in physics and astronomy. Students should contact the graduate program director for further information.
Current students in the existing Physics graduate program wishing to switch to the Planetary Sciences track must submit a letter to the Planetary Science Graduate Committee addressed to Dr. Dan Britt. The letter should include the request to join the planetary sciences track, the student's degree goal (Masters), the name of the student's planetary sciences adviser, and a brief description of their expected area of research. Upon departmental approval, a Graduate Status Change Form will be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on the evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant's career/academic goals, and the applicant's potential for completing the degree. For information on the Planetary Sciences track contact the Planetary Sciences Graduate Advisor Dr. Dan Britt at 407-823-2600 or [email protected]
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
