Exploration Systems Design (Sensor Networks), PhD
Fuse science and engineering together in this interdisciplinary program. Learn how to translate a science question into technical requirements, then design, build, and test the system that answers that question. In this hands-on, project-based training, you focus on sensor network software.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
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
Exploration Systems Design PhD degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in exploration systems design with a concentration in sensor networks offers you an advanced systems approach for developing scientific exploration technologies in a variety of demanding environments on Earth and in space. This transdisciplinary program provides a distinct platform to train you, as a systems engineer, to target technological development for exploration science. 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 Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. The sensor networks concentration prepares you in the development of networked software and hardware systems related to Earth and space exploration, including robotics, data science and high-performance computing.
Why specialize in sensor networks at ASU?
Study inside the School of Earth and Space Exploration, where scientists and engineers share a building and team up on real NASA- and NSF-funded missions through a formal partnership with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
This program is designed specifically to fuse science and engineering. You go beyond analyzing data and building hardware --- you learn to carry a scientific goal all the way to a working, tested system. The experience is hands-on and mission-realistic through a graduate exploration project that runs through requirements reviews, interface control documents, and test campaigns the way an actual flight project does.
Additional details
As part of the School of Earth and Space Exploration community, you're based largely in ISTB4 on the Tempe campus, home to instrumentation labs, the Marston Exploration Theater and collaborative project space.
Beyond the lab, you engage in the SESE colloquium, take on hands-on build-and-test projects, and build connections with industry partners.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (1 credit hour) Electives or Research (61 credit hours) Other Requirements (1 credit hour) Concentration (9 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, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree in a related field to be used for this degree. Related fields include engineering, computer science, geological sciences or physics.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Synthesize original knowledge in the field of engineering for Earth and space exploration by evaluating current research in the field in relation to their own original research.
- Conduct independent, original scientific research that advances knowledge in the field.
- Students will construct novel command and control, user interface and data handling and processing systems, integrate them with a unique experiment and validate their performance through testing.
Synthesize original knowledge in the field of engineering for Earth and space exploration by evaluating current research in the field in relation to their own original research.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. 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: Additional Application Information Students should see the program website for application deadlines. An undergraduate degree in electrical engineering or computer science is preferred.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
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* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
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 recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this sensor networks concentration prepares you for
Professionals with expertise in exploration systems design are in high demand across sectors and industries, including remote sensing, systems engineering, data science, environmental 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
- project manager
- research engineer
- sensor technologist
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-prospectivegrads@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.
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.
