Exploration Systems Design (Instrumentation), PhD
Computer Science, Electronics, Engineering, Instrument, NASA, Planetary, Sensors, approved for STEM-OPT extension, circuits, digital, physics
Prepare for a professional or academic career by combining the strengths of science and engineering. You'll work with faculty in the natural sciences and engineering to design instrumentation for exploration, including digital systems and circuits, computer-controlled systems, analog-to-digital converters and solid state electronics.
The Doctor of Philosophy program in exploration systems design with a concentration in instrumentation offers you an advanced systems approach for developing scientific exploration technologies in a variety of demanding environments on Earth and in space.
This transdisciplinary degree program targets technological development for exploration science, providing a distinct platform to train you as a systems engineer. This collaborative program between the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering enables you 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 Fulton Schools. The instrumentation concentration prepares you in the development of state-of-the-art sensors and systems for remote and in situ sensing related to planetary science, Earth science and astronomy.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period 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 a degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
This video provides an overview of the Exploration Systems Design (Instrumentation), PhD degree program at ASU.
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (1 credit hour) Concentration (9 credit hours) Other Requirements (1 credit hour) Electives or Research (61 credit hours) 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 with academic unit approval. Substitutions for Other Requirements may be made with 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, 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree in a related field can be used for this degree. Related fields include engineering, computer science, geological sciences and physics.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
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. An undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering is preferred.
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 a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission 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.
Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines.
| 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, technical 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 that rely on data-driven strategies to manage large teams and complex problems. The doctoral degree in exploration systems design is generally required for careers in postsecondary education and research.
Career examples include:
- data scientist
- engineering professor
- instrument builder
- machining specialist
- project manager
- research engineer
School of Earth and Space Exploration
|
ISTB4 795
sese-prospectivegrads@asu.edu
480-965-5081
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
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. 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.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
