Space Sciences, M.S.

The space sciences program at Florida Tech combines the benefits of small class sizes with exceptional opportunities typically found at larger universities.

Close mentorship from professors fosters a personalized academic experience, while internships and research projects align with students’ career goals. Advanced topics include cosmology, high-energy astrophysics, solar energetic particles, thunderstorm and lightning physics, black holes and exoplanets.

Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and connections to numerous high-tech and space-related companies make research at Florida Tech truly unique.

At Florida Tech, you’ll have access to excellent facilities and resources to support your 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

Florida Tech is a founding and lead institution for the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy (SARA), providing our students access to one-meter-class telescopes at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile and Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias in the Canary Islands.

In the space sciences program, you’ll have the option to complete a master’s thesis, offering an immersive research experience that allows you to dive deep into a specific topic and contribute new insights to the field.

This rigorous process not only sharpens your expertise in a specialized area—an asset for roles requiring deep knowledge—but also prepares you for potential doctoral studies. Collaborating closely with faculty mentors provides personalized guidance, fosters professional connections and enhances your academic journey.

Regardless of whether you choose the thesis or nonthesis track, all students conclude the program with a final oral examination. Thesis-track students focus on their research topic, while nonthesis students demonstrate mastery across the broader scope of their graduate studies.

Florida Tech has deep-rooted connections to the global space community and is located in the heart of the Space Coast, a hub for high-tech innovation and space-related industries.

This prime location creates an exceptional research environment, offering opportunities to work with cutting-edge instrumentation that drives advancements in space exploration and technology.

Our space sciences research includes:

• 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.

Organizations that provide internships and space sciences research opportunities include NASA, Lockheed-Martin, L3Harris Technologies, Northrop Grumman and more.

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.

Undergraduate degree programs vary, so newly enrolled students take a general written examination covering mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics and modern physics (quantum physics) during their first semester to confirm they have the background knowledge necessary to succeed in the program. If needed, the department may stipulate prerequisite courses or independent study to address any gaps.

For full admission information, please see our graduate admission requirements, or start your application now!