Bachelor of Science in Space Studies

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The Space Studies program is a unique blend of the study of space science, management, operations, economy, and national security. Students in this program will take a general program. After completing the core courses, Students will take four courses that cover space station, satellite, space craft or transportation systems, as well as courses in planetary and space explorations, space weapons, space weather and astronomy. 

Degree Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and general education level learning objectives, the Bachelor of Science in Space Studies also seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates.  With reference to each of the respective areas of space studies, graduates in this degree program will be able to:

Research and Analysis

  • Conduct fundamental quantitative and qualitative research related to space systems and theory.
  • Analyze the principles of manned and unmanned flight outside of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Scientific Investigation

  • Calculate and apply basic laws of planetary motion and gravitation, including two-body mechanics.
  • Describe rocket fundamentals including propellants, combustion principles and general components.

National and International Security

  • Assess the institutions of space law and determine how these institutions affect applications such as commercial and private satellite sales and arms control.
  • Describe the role(s) of key space organizations in the United States.
  • Evaluate the political and commercial significance of major national and international space endeavors, including past, current and planned.
  • Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of space systems in modern warfare, including manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as space-based platforms.

Degree Program Requirements

RQ295 / COL 100 Foundations of Online Learning (fomerly Academic and Career Planning) (3 semester hours) - Required as the first course in all undergraduate programs.

General Education Requirements (27 semester hours)
English Composition - 6 semester hours
EN101 / ENG 101 - Proficiency in Writing (Required)
EN102 / ENG 102 - Effectiveness in Writing or
EN202 / ENG 200 - English Composition and Literature

Social Sciences - 6 semester hours
SS101 / ECO 101 - Microeconomics
SS102 / ECO 102 - Macroeconomics
SS111 / GEO 101 - Introduction to Geography
SS133 / SOC 111 - Introduction to Sociology
SS134 / PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 
SS190 / ANT 100 - Introduction to Anthropology
SS210 / CFD 220 - Human Sexuality  
SO220 / SOC 220 - American Popular Culture

History - 6 semester hours
HS101 / HIS101 - American History to 1877
HS102 / HIS 102 - American History since 1877
HS111 / HIS 111 - World Civilization I
HS112 / HIS 112 - World Civilization II
HS121 / HIS 121 - Western Civilization Before The Thirty Years War
HS122 / HIS 122 - Western Civilization Since Thirty Years War
HS215 / HIS 223 - History of the American Indian
HS217 / HIS 221 - African-American History before 1877
HS218 / HIS 222 - African-American History since 1877

Humanities - 3 semester hours
HM101 / SPA 100 - Spanish I 
HM102 / SPA 101 - Spanish II (Prerequisite: HM101) - or other foreign language
HM200 / MUS 200 - Music Appreciation
HM230 / REL 201 - Introduction to World Religions  
HM240 / ART 200 - Art Appreciation  
HM277 / PHI 200 - Introduction to Ethics
PH101 / PHI 101 - Introduction to Philosophy

Literature - 3 semester hours
HM201 / LIT 220 - American Literature before the Civil War
HM202 / LIT 221 - American Literature from Civil War to Present
HM221 / LIT 210 - English Literature: Beowulf to 18th Century
HM222 / LIT 211 - English Literature: 18th Century to Present
HM211 / LIT 201 - World Lit through the Renaissance
HM212 / LIT 202 - World Lit since the Renaissance

Political Science - 3 semester hours
SS121 / POL 210 - American Government I
SS131 / INR 210 - International Relations

Core Courses (38 semester hours)
MA110 / MA112 / MAT 110 - Introduction to Algebra and Trigonometry / College Algebra
MA111 / MA113 / MAT 111 - College Algebra and Trigonometry / Trigonometry
SC103 / SCI 103 - Introduction to Physics
SC123 / SCI 103 L - Physics Lab
SC104 / SCI 104 - Introduction to Astronomy
SC124 / SCI 104 L - Astronomy Lab
IR377 / SPS 312 - Introduction to Space Flight
IR393 / SPS 319 - Human Space Flight
IR394 / SPS 320 - Space Policy
IR475 / SPS 315 - National Space Organization
IR476 / SPS 314 - History of Space
IR477 / SPS 310 - Introduction to Space Studies
SC396 / SPS 313 - Comets, Asteroids, and Meteorites
SC478 / SPS 317 - Introduction to Orbital Mechanics

Major Courses (12 semester hours)
Select four (4) courses from the list below.
IR483 / SPS 411 - Space Station Systems and Operations
IR484 / SPS 412 - Satellite and Spacecraft Systems
IR485 / SPS 413 - Planetary and Space Exploration
IR486 / SPS 414 - Space Transportation Systems   
IR495 / SPS 415 - Space Weapons and Missile Defense
IR496 / SPS 416 - Space Weather
IR497 / SPS 417 - History of Astronomy
IR400 / SPS 490 - Independent Study: Aerospace Studies

Electives (42 semester hours)
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill core or major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Total = 122 Semester Hours


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