Master of Science (MS) in Space Studies

The MS in Space Studies program provides students with a strong foundation in science and engineering, complemented by coursework in economics, policy, management, and leadership. This interdisciplinary curriculum helps students understand how these fields work together to support the planning, development, and management of space-related technologies, engineering initiatives, and complex aerospace projects.

The program consists of 39 credit hours of coursework plus a required 3-credit-hour internship. The internship provides valuable hands-on experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge in a professional setting while developing research, analytical, and project management skills. Through this experience, students gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between scientific and engineering objectives and their successful implementation.

The program can be completed in approximately 16 months (three semesters), although the overall timeline may vary depending on the duration of the internship.

Cohort Courses

Students must complete the following 12 credit hours

Required Cohort Courses	Credits
NSCI 501 Professional Science Master's Seminar	1
NSCI 502 Space Studies Seminar	1
NSCI 511 Science Policy and Ethics	3
NSCI 512 Professional Master’s Project NSCI 514 Professional Master's Internship NSCI 515 Project and Product Management	1 3 3
NSCI 610 Management for Science and Engineering	3

Required Core Courses

Technical Core Courses

Students must complete the following 9 credit hours

Courses	Credits
ASTR 570 Solar System Physics	3
MECH 578 Orbital Mechanics and Mission Design	3

Science & Engineering Core Courses

Students must select 6 credit hours from the following:

Courses	Credits
ASTR 554 Astrophysics of the Sun	3
CHBE 640 Metabolic Engineering	3
BIOS 524 Microbiology and Biotechnology	3
EEPS 586 Introduction to Data Science & Methods	3
EEPS 635 Remote Sensing	3
MECH 554/BIOE/CEVE 554	3
MECH 592 Design for Aerospace Environments	3
PHYS 510 Magnetospheric Physics	3
PHYS 517 Computational Physics	3

Core Statistics & Computation Core Courses

Students must select 3 credit hours from the following:

Courses	Credits
CMOR 522 Numerical Analysis	3
DSCI 535 Data Science Projects	3
EEPS 586 Data Science Methods and Management	3
EEPS 635 Remote Sensing	3
EEPS 636 GIS for Scientists	3
MECH 554 Computational Fluid Mechanics	3
STAT 502 Neural Machine Learning I	3
PHYS 517 Computational Physics	3
RCEL 506 Applied Statistics & Data Science for Engineering Leaders	3
STAT 502/COMP 502/ELEC 502 Neural Machine Learning I	3

Focus Areas

Engineering

Students who select Engineering as their focus area must select a minimum of 9 credit hours from the following

Courses	Credits
CEVE 504 Atmospheric Particulate Matter	3
CEVE 511 Atmospheric Processes	3
MECH 576 Structural Dynamic Systems	3
MECH 550 Robotics Algorithm	3
COMP 598/ELEC 598/MECH 598 Introduction to Robotics	3
MECH 554/BIOE 544/CEVE 504 Computational Fluid Mechanics MECH 578 Orbital Mechanics & Mission Design	3 3
MECH 590 Aerospace Propulsion	3
MECH 591 Gas Dynamics	3
MECH 592 Design for Aerospace Environments	3
MECH 594 Introduction to Aeronautics	3

Sciences (AstroScience/Earth Science/Life Sciences)

Students who select Sciences as their focus area must select a minimum of 9 credit hours from the following

Courses	Credits
ASTR 542 Nebular Astrophysics	3
ASTR 554 Astrophysics of the Sun	3
ASTR 555 Protostars & Planets	3
BIOS 524 Microbiology & Biotechnology	3
BIOS 543 Developmental Neurobiology	3
BIOS 570 Computation with Biological Data	3
EEPS 540 Cryosphere	3
EEPS 581 Modern Exploration Technology	3
EEPS 617 Cosmochemistry & Meteoritics	3
EEPS 667 Geomechanics	3
EEPS 672 Earth Systems Modeling: Numerical Techniques and Applications	3
EEPS 674 Planetary Systems: Orbits, Atmospheres, Interiors, & Minor Bodies
MGMT 633 Life Science Entrepreneurship	3
PHYS 510 Magnetospheric Physics	3
PHYS 541 Radiative Processes	3
PHYS 580 Introduction to Plasma Physics	3

Management & Entrepreneurship

Students who select Management & Entrepreneurship as their focus area must select a minimum of 9 credit hours from the following

Courses	Credits
MGMT 601 Financial Statement Analysis	3
MGMT 618 Complexities of People and Organizations	1.5
MGMT 633/BIOE 633 Roles of Physicians, Scientists, Engineers and MBA's in High Tech Startups	1.5
MGMT 658 Applied Risk Management	1.5
MGMT 676 Leadership, Ethics, & Free Enterprise	1.5
MGMT 734 Technology Entrepreneurship	3
MGMT 813 Leading for Creativity & Innovation	1.5
MGMT 927 Entrepreneurial Pathways: An Introduction to Entrepreneurship	1.5
RCEL 504 Ethical-Technical Leadership	3
RCEL 505 Engineering Economics for Engineering Leaders	3

Interdisciplinary Interest Electives

Select 3 courses (9 credit hours) from any of the three focus area electives listed in the areas above (with faculty advisor approval)

Required Internship

Three to six-month internship: Practical experience is offered via a three to six month full-time work immersion. The internship will be under the guidance of a host company, government agency, or non-profit organization. With approval of the advising faculty, a capstone project, independent study, or a research project can be used to fulfill the internship requirement. At the conclusion of the internship (or the conclusion of the capstone project, independent study, or research project), students must present a summary of their project in both oral and written form for the cohort course Professional Master's Project (NSCI 512). Part-time students who already work in their area of study may fulfill the internship requirements by working on an approved project with their current employer.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 39 credit hours plus a required 3 credit hour internship

Visit the GA for the Space Studies most up-to-date curriculum here

NOTE: Not all listed courses are offered every year, but other courses can be used to fulfill requirements with permission of faculty advisor

Students enrolled in the Space Studies program can take advantage of the Inter-Institutional Graduate Program Agreement

NOTE: Rice University and NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) have strategic partnerships in many areas of mutual interest. Senior leadership from Rice and NASA JSC’s Mission Operations Directorate have developed a special curriculum enhancing the educational experience of NASA scientists and engineers. For more information, please contact Lindsey Hodge at Lh29@rice.edu