Planetary Science (Certificate)
Program Description
The certificate program in planetary science prepares undergraduate students in topics related to the formation and evolution of planetary bodies and associated remote sensing technologies employed in these studies. The program includes specific training in the origins of planetary systems, tectonics, volcanism, geomorphology and remote mapping of surficial geology using spacecraft and land-based observational data. Additional skills may include understanding of planetary atmospheres, astrobiology, geodynamics and cosmochemistry.
This interdisciplinary program prepares students for technical career paths and helps prepare them to best engage with exciting opportunities at the frontier of planetary exploration.
Program Requirements
Students may also use other courses as electives, especially special topics courses (SES/AST/GLG 494 and/or GLG 490), chosen in consultation with an academic advisor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration.
Enrollment Requirements
Certificate courses may have prerequisites, and the most common are listed below. Additional enrollment requirements may include completion of these courses or their equivalents with a "C" or better:
- GLG 101/103 Introduction to Geology I (Physical), and Laboratory or SES 121/123 Earth, Solar System and Universe, and Laboratory
- a math course at the level of MAT 266 Calculus 2 or higher
- a chemistry course at the level of CHM 113 or higher
- a physics course at the level of PHY 121/122 or higher
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Career Outlook
The employment prospects of graduates who complete the planetary science certificate are enhanced by the potential for employment at the intersection of these fields. Opportunities include:
- community college and university educators teaching earth science or astronomy classes
- docents at science museums and planetariums
- faculty and researchers at universities working on federally funded planetary science research, instruments or missions
- K-12 educators for programs with Earth science or astronomy curriculum
- researchers in aerospace companies contracted to build subsystems, instruments or missions for federally funded planetary science research
In Arizona, such opportunities are offered at institutions that include the public universities, Mesa Community College, the United States Geological Survey, Lowell Observatory and the Planetary Science Institute. Arizona companies that employ people in these fields include World View, Paragon, FreeFall, General Dynamics, Qwaltec and KinetX. National companies include Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, Ball, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, Intuitive Machines, Firefly, Northrop Gumman, Axiom, Planet Labs, Blue Canyon Technologies, Astrobotic and ispace.
Graduates may also find employment in federal labs or as congressional staff.
Example Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Astronomers
- Growth: 4.6%
- Median Salary*: 128330
Data Scientists
- Growth: 35.2%
- Median Salary*: 103500
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
- Growth: 5.1%
- Median Salary*: 87480
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 3.6%
- Median Salary*: 97770
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Growth: 1%
- Median Salary*: 62360
Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Growth: 6.7%
- Median Salary*: 103810
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- sese-advising@asu.edu
- 480/965-5081