Degree Program

Earth System Science Engineering (ESSE) is a joint program between AOSS and the LSA Department of Geological Sciences. ESSE students begin to understand the interactions among all of the Earth system components while gaining in-depth knowledge in one of three concentrations: Meteorology, Climate Physics or Space Weather.

The B.S.E. degree in AOSS prepares graduates for employment in the National Weather Service, private weather forecasting companies, air- and water-quality management firms, and NASA. As importantly, ESSE students who complete Space Weather, Meteorology or Climate Physics concentrations will be exceptionally well prepared for graduate studies in atmospheric science, space science or space engineering.

In addition to the College of Engineering core courses, all AOSS undergraduate students take nine AOSS-ESSE core courses that introduce the various aspects of atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences, emphasizing the common elements of, and the interactions between, the various disciplines and the scientific basis of the phenomena that are observed. Additional courses are specific to the concentration. Students have a number of technical and general electives they may also take to complete 128 credit hours. The electives must be at the 300 level or above. Completion of a concentration will be noted on the student's transcript. For the most current information, visit http://aoss.engin.umich.edu/ESSE.

Sequential Graduate/Undergraduate Study (SGUS)

In our increasingly technical world, master's degrees are becoming the minimum accepted level of education in the industry. AOSS SGUS programs are designed to provide a comprehensive knowledge of atmospheric/space sciences or space engineering and to increase your depth of knowledge beyond the baccalaureate degree level. The SGUS program offers breadth, depth and hands-on experience in both areas of concentration. Students interested in completing their undergraduate and master's level education in five years may select either the SGUS in Atmospheric Science or in Space Engineering.

Each degree (BSE and MS or MEng) is awarded upon completion of the requirements. Students will typically enter the SGUS program by provisional enrollment in the junior year. Once SGUS students are within six credit hours of completing the required undergraduate degree, they must officially enroll in the AOSS MS program for a minimum of two full terms, normally the last two semesters, and pay full graduate tuition for these two terms. Students are allowed to "double count" a certain number of credit hours for the two degrees.

SGUS in Atmospheric/Space Science

Students interested in studying the phenomena that occur in the Earth's atmosphere or deeper into space may select either the Atmospheric Science concentration or the Space Science concentration. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive knowledge of atmospheric or space science and the various components of each system. Students enjoy extensive computational facilities as well as laboratories for measurement of the chemical and physical properties of the atmosphere and space weather.

SGUS in Space Engineering

For students interested in studying the scientific, engineering and management aspects of space engineering, this program, developed with Aerospace Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, allows them to structure the program to a specific area of interest. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive knowledge of space science and engineering and their interrelationship; to teach the systems approach to conceiving, designing, manufacturing, managing and operating complex space systems; and to provide practical experience in space system design, project development and management. Eight program concentrations are currently available: Space Science; Propulsion; Plasma Electrodynamics and Sensors; Instrumentation and Sensor Payloads; Launch Vehicles; Telemetry and Spacecraft Communication; Astrodynamics; and Computer Control and Data Handling.

The most up-to-date information on the AOSS SGUS programs, including example concentration course schedules is available at http://aoss.engin.umich.edu/SGUS. Or, for more information, contact either a SGUS Advisor at http://aoss.engin.umich.edu/sgus_advisors or Margaret Reid at aoss.um@umich.edu.

Sample Schedule