BS in Planetary Science

What is a Planetary Science Degree?

One of Florida Tech’s most prestigious space science degree programs, the planetary science degree option is designed to meet the needs of students intending to pursue graduate studies in space physics, geophysical sciences, and planetary sciences.

The program also provides professional preparation to students who intend to pursue a career in aerospace and related industries. Established alongside the US space program, Florida Tech has one of the oldest and most well-known collections of space science degree programs in the country, including the planetary science degree.

Gain Practical Experience

Whether you want to study the effects of solar activity, examine the properties of planetary bodies in our solar system, or unlock the mysteries of planets around other stars, a planetary science degree from Florida Tech gives you a strong background in physics and hands-on experience with space science technologies.

Home to all physics and space sciences programs, the Olin Physical Sciences Center includes two large multi-use lecture/demonstration classrooms and the Olin Observatory, which houses our 0.8-m Ortega Telescope. Faculty are involved in NASA’s Kepler exoplanet mission, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the Cassini mission to Saturn and Titan, and study solar system objects from Mercury to the Kuiper Belt and beyond.

Through study, independent research, and internship opportunities, students gain practical experience, an enhanced job search portfolio, and the perfect preparation for graduate school or employment.

Why Pursue a Planetary Science Degree at Florida Tech?

Florida Tech students benefit from a close-knit academic community and small student-to-faculty ratio, something not usually found at the average planetary science college.

This is unique when you consider that we are one of the largest earth and space science programs in the US in terms of the number of undergraduate degrees awarded annually. This is high praise from the American Institute of Physics for Florida Tech and an important reason to consider enrolling in our planetary science program. In fact, Florida Tech is one of only a few universities in the world to offer a BS in Planetary Science. The unique program and innovative curriculum make Florida Tech an exciting option for students interested in studying planetary science.

Internationally Recognized Faculty — Personalized Attention

Another reason Florida Tech is a great college is its faculty. Florida Tech faculty members are top research scientists who truly care about student success. Our professors give their highest priorities to both teaching and research, which involve real-world applications. There are many opportunities for research, which give students a chance to develop a strong working relationship with their professors in a hands-on learning environment.

Professors actively encourage students to join one of the various research groups in the department as early as their first year. Students who work closely with professors doing research work with data from spacecraft such as the Hubble Space Telescope, the Cassini mission, or the Kepler Space Telescope. In the planetary science program, professors at Florida Tech work on space weather, solar physics, planetary geology, exoplanets, astrobiology, and the science of human space flight.

Located in the Heart of Florida’s High-Tech Corridor

Florida Tech is the perfect place for a BS in Planetary Science. The 130-acre campus is located on the Space Coast (so named because of the presence of NASA and the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral just north of us), minutes away from the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary in North America.

The area has the fifth-largest high-tech workforce in the country, with more than 5,000 high-tech corporations and government and military organizations located nearby. This workforce also provides an abundance of internship and employment opportunities.

Florida Tech is just over the causeway from the Atlantic Ocean with its 72 miles of beautiful beaches, and a short trip to the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks. We also have a rich campus life that includes a wide range of intramural and collegiate sports, clubs, and social activities.

Build Lasting Professional Relationships Through Campus Organizations

Beyond the classroom, planetary science degree majors build leadership and professional experience through participation in academic organizations like Sigma Pi Sigma (the national physics honor society), student government, and over 100 other campus-wide student organizations. Campus life offers a wide range of activities for students from intramural and intercollegiate sports, to area events and activities.

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space is a student-run organization that allows members to meet regularly to discuss space news and activism. They also take part in networking to allow them to make the connections to secure planetary science internships and careers after college.

The Student Astronomical Society is another organization that focuses on space; these students peer through high-tech telescopes from around the world and beyond. Utilizing telescopes from Florida Tech and across the globe, they can observe fascinating cosmic events and phenomena.