Earth and Space Exploration, BS
You could be involved in building spaceflight hardware; making astronomical observations; discovering new microbes; exploring volcanoes, oceans and glaciers; investigating Earth-climate interactions; and setting the stage for a new era of exploration. Learn about our planet, solar system and universe by combining your studies in science, engineering and education.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Earth and Space Exploration degree description
The Bachelor of Science program in Earth and space exploration offers you an integrated education across Earth sciences, planetary sciences, astrophysics and engineering. The degree program incorporates a learning community that includes science and engineering students, a year long collaborative capstone senior exploration project, and strong quantitative preparation.
This foundation in geosciences, astrophysics and exploration engineering prepares you for key roles in Earth resources and exploration, environmental and geologic engineering, space research and industry, and water and environmental use policy.
In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, if you are interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you can visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
Why study earth and space exploration at ASU?
Housed within the School of Earth and Space Exploration, this degree puts you alongside faculty who lead NASA and NSF missions at the most innovative university in the U.S., while helping close looming national and regional gaps in training the next generation of geoscientists and aerospace engineers.
Beyond the classroom, you can join clubs and student chapters, work in faculty research labs, attend the SESE colloquium and public astronomy nights, and take part in field trips across the Southwest.
Additional details
SESE undergraduates are based largely in the ISTB4 building on ASU's Tempe campus where you can find research labs, a meteorite collection, and the Marston Exploration Theater --- a state-of-the-art 3D theater and planetarium.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| SES 121 Earth, Solar System and Universe |
| SES 123 Earth, Solar System and Universe Laboratory |
| SES 122 History of the Earth and Solar System |
| SES 230 Coding for Exploration |
| SES 401 Earth and Space Exploration Colloquium |
| SES 410 Senior Exploration Project I |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Space exploration is an international endeavor, and an international experience provides students with opportunities for cross-cultural engagement and improvement of language and communication skills. Global Education allows students to take relevant classes while they live in another country. Each of the more than 300 Global Education program options enables students to develop a valuable skill set that can give them an advantage in their career as well as personal enrichment. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, Global Education programs encourage students to build communication skills, challenge them to adapt and persevere, expose them to differences across the world, and increase their ability to work with diverse groups of people.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | 8.3% | $134,960 | Learn more |
| Aerospace Engineer Technician | 11.9% | $82,890 | Learn more |
| Astronomer | 7.8% | $128,820 | Learn more |
| Data Scientist | 34.6% | $120,230 | Learn more |
| Geologist | 5.1% | $101,920 | Learn more |
| Health Sciences Manager | 8.2% | $167,220 | Learn more |
| High School Teacher | -0.2% | $72,040 | Learn more |
| Middle School Teacher | -0.4% | $64,370 | Learn more |
| Technical Writer | 0.8% | $90,390 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this earth and space exploration degree prepares you for
The Earth and space exploration major addresses critical future shortfalls in the national and regional training of the next generation of geoscientists and aerospace engineers.
Arizona has an expanding space industry with major new investments and is prepared to engage new technologies to monitor and understand environmental issues in the state, the Southwest and throughout the world.
Graduates with a BS in Earth and space exploration have the tools, knowledge and understanding to address key problems of a global nature, whether they are working in the private or the public sector.
Career opportunities include:
- analytical lab technician
- astronomer
- data analyst
- geoscientist
- instrumentation specialist
- museum director
- planetary scientist
- research scientist
- science teacher
- science writer
Career settings include:
- aerospace industry organizations
- educational institutions
- federal, state and local government agencies
- manufacturing centers
- museums or planetariums
- NASA facilities
- national laboratories
- National Science Foundation facilities
- observatories
- space industry organizations
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Earth and Space Exploration
|
ISTB4 795
sese-advising@asu.edu
480-965-5081
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
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.
