Exploration Systems Design, PhD
Earth and Space Sciences, Exploration, Instrumentation, NASA, Networks, Robotics, Sensors, Space, Systems Engineering, approved for STEM-OPT extension, earth, engineering, systems
ASU is not currently accepting applications for this program.
Become a part of a new era of researchers who are capable of inventing and implementing the next generation of scientific experiments, instruments and missions for Earth, and planetary and space explorations.
The PhD program in exploration systems design offers students an advanced systems approach for developing scientific exploration technologies in a wide variety of demanding environments on the Earth, planets, moons and in space.
This transdisciplinary degree program provides a valuable platform for training systems engineers targeting technological development for exploration science. This collaborative program between the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering allows students to specialize in topics related to planetary exploration, astronomical instrumentation, robotics, sensors and sensor networks.
The curriculum integrates the School of Earth and Space Exploration's science, instrumentation and systems engineering core courses with related coursework from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Students must select a concentration as part of this degree program. Concentrations are available in instrumentation, systems engineering and sensor networks.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (1 credit hour) Electives or Research (70 credit hours) Other Requirements (1 credit hour) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information As part of the electives or research, students take two science courses selected from the SESE graduate catalog (GLG, SES, or AST prefixes). Substitutions may be made per academic unit approval. Substitutions for Other Requirements may be made per department approval.
SES 502 Exploring SESE Research (1)
SES 501 SESE Colloquium (1)
SES 799 Dissertation (12)
When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree in a related field to be used for this degree. Related fields include, but are not limited to, engineering, computer science, geological sciences or physics.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admissions application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Students should see the program website for application deadlines.
Instrumentation concentration
An undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering is preferred.
Systems engineering concentration
Successful completion of a senior capstone or design project is an admission requirement for this concentration. Students who have not had a design course are required to take SES 405 Exploration Systems Engineering as a deficiency course.
Sensor networks concentration
An undergraduate degree in electrical engineering or computer science is preferred.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 10/01 | Priority |
Professionals with expertise in exploration systems design are in high demand across sectors and industries, including remote sensing, systems engineering, data science, environmental consulting, Earth and planetary science, and engineering. Coding and numerical modeling skills translate across many domains, even beyond exploration systems design. Skills in the design, manufacture and deployment of engineered solutions to science problems are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on data-driven strategies to manage large teams and complex problems. The doctoral degree in exploration systems design is generally required for careers in post-secondary education and research.
Career examples include:
- data scientist
- engineering professor
- project manager
- research engineer
School of Earth and Space Exploration
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ISTB4 795
sese-prospectivegrads@asu.edu
480-965-5081
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
