Academics
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Planetary Sciences students earn degrees in Physics, with a separate Planetary Sciences Track in the PhD program and an Astronomy Specialization in the Bachelor's program. This new PhD track is now discussed in the UCF catalog and in the online admissions system. Apply to the PhD in Physics and select the Planetary track on the application.
Our PhD program is research-based. Students interested in the PhD should apply directly to the PhD program and not to the MS program. Applicants should (1) identify one or more projects they would be interested in pursuing as a potential thesis topic, (2) contact faculty or sponsored researchers who might advise them, and (3) discuss their specific project interests in their applications. Students can always change projects once in the program, provided that another project is available.
A draft of the Physics PhD, Planetary Sciences Track proposal is available that gives more information than the Graduate Catalog entry does on candidacy exams procedures and various other topics. The Catalog is, of course, official in the event of any conflicts. (The deleted material will go into a policy document someday.)
Information about Physics degrees (graduate and undergraduate)
Example Planetary PhD Track course schedule:
If entering in Fall of an odd year:
Fall of first year -- PHY 6246, AST 5765, AST 5xxx
Spring of first year -- PHY 5524, AST 5165, AST 5263
Fall of second year -- AST 5154, PHY 6918 and/or electives
Spring of second year -- AST 6112, PHY 6918 and/or electives
If entering in Fall of an even year:
Fall of first year -- PHY 6246, AST 5765, AST 5154
Spring of first year -- PHY 5524, AST 5165, AST 6112
Fall of second year -- AST 5xxx, PHY 6918 and/or electives
Spring of second year -- AST 5263, PHY 6918 and/or electives
GRADUATE COURSES
AST 5154 Advanced Planetary Geophysics
This course covers the physics of planetary evolution, of planetary interiors, and of planetary surface processes. Offered approximately every even fall. Taught by Prof. Britt.
AST 5165 Planetary Atmospheres
This course covers the basics of atmospheric physics and chemistry, and applies it to planets (including Earth) and satellites in our solar system as well as those orbiting other stars. Offered approximately every spring. Taught by Prof. Harrington.
AST 5263 Advanced Observational Astronomy
This course covers experimental designs and experimental techniques in astrophysics, spherical astronomy, the physics of telescopes and of common astronomical detectors, and error analysis. Offered approximately every even spring. Taught by Prof. Fernandez.
AST 5334 Extrasolar Planets and Brown Dwarfs
This course covers the physics of substellar-mass objects, their formation, evolution, dynamics, detection, and environments. Offered approximately every odd spring. Taught by Prof. Martin.
AST 5765 Advanced Astronomical Data Analysis
This course covers concepts on advanced astronomical data formation and acquisition, detector physics, measurement extraction, error analysis, modeling, computer programming, statistics, interpretation, and written and oral presentation of results. Offered approximately every fall. Taught by Prof. Harrington.
AST 6112 Origin and Evolution of Planetary Systems
This course covers the observations and properties of extrasolar planets and circumstellar disks through physics of disk evolution and planet formation. It also covers the dynamical evolution of planetary systems. Offered approximately every odd spring. Taught by Prof. Colwell.
AST 5XXX Asteroids Comets Meteors
This course covers the physical, compositional, and structural properties of solar system small bodies, and their interrelationships. Offered approximately odd fall. Permanent course number forthcoming. Taught by Prof. Campins.
AST 6XXX Astrobiology
This course covers the physics, chemistry, and biology of life on Earth as they relate to astrophysical concepts. Offered approximately every even spring. Permanent course number forthcoming. Taught by Prof. Martin.
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
AST 2002 Astronomy
General education, covers all of astronomy and planetary sciences at the introductory level. Taught by many faculty.
AST 4700 Experimental Methods in Astronomy
This course covers important concepts regarding the actual planning of telescopic experiments in astronomy. Students gain a more detailed and more elaborate understanding of how our rotating platform of Earth constrains what we can see in the Universe at any given time. Students also learn the physics behind telescopes, detectors, and other astronomical equipment. Taught by Prof. Fernández.
AST 4762 Astronomical Data Analysis
This course covers astronomical data formation and
acquisition, detector physics, measurement extraction, error analysis,
modeling, computer programming, statistics, interpretation, and written
and oral presentation of results. Offered approximately every fall. It meets with AST 5765 but has a project and homework appropriate for the undergraduate level. Taught by Prof. Harrington.
MET 2104 The Earth's Climate
An introduction to the history, physics, and dynamics of the Earth's climate. There are no prerequisites for this course. Offered approximately every Spring. Taught by Prof. Britt.