Earth and Space Exploration (Exploration Systems Design), BS


At a Glance: program details

  • Location: Tempe campus
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No
  • Math Intensity: Substantial program math intensity substantial
  • Initial Math Course: MAT 265 - Calculus for Engineers I

Required Courses (Major Map)

Major Map

Major Map on-campus archive

eAdvisor Tracking Tool


As an earth and space exploration major, you will be crossing the boundaries of science and engineering while preparing for a new era of exploration. In the exploration systems design concentration you can build space-flight hardware, engineer solutions to explore extreme environments and take a systems-based approach to scientific discovery.

Program Description

The BS program in earth and space exploration with a concentration in exploration systems design offers students a fundamental curriculum in geology, physics and astrophysics while providing tools that enable them to design and build hardware and software to explore Earth and the universe beyond.

The program has a rigorous and quantitative grounding in the fundamentals of physics, mathematics and chemistry. Upon that foundation, students learn how to design hardware and software for scientific exploration. Coursework focuses on conceiving the requirements needed for a mission or project destined for space or extreme environments on Earth.

Each student in this program has the opportunity to learn how projects and missions are designed and planned, starting with the scientific drivers and then defining engineering specifications. All students are expected to complete a senior project that takes a desired scientific measurement and realizes the technological solution to achieve the observation.

In addition to the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.




Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Freshman Transfer International Readmission


Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.


Change of Major Requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.


Flexible Degree Options

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:

Exploration Systems Design (Instrumentation)

Prepare for your professional or academic career with a program that combines the strengths of science and engineering. You can work with faculty in the natural sciences and engineering to design instrumentation for exploration, including digital systems and circuits, computer-controlled systems, analog-to-digital converters and solid-state electronics.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

Exploration Systems Design

Become a part of the next generation of researchers, those who are capable of inventing and implementing the next generation of scientific experiments, instruments and missions for Earth, planetary and space explorations.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

Exploration Systems Design (Sensor Networks)

Combine your interests in exploration systems design and sensor networks with the strengths of science and engineering to prepare for a professional or academic career. Study computer networks, Earth systems engineering, multidimensional signal processing, and information and random signal theory with faculty who specialize in the natural sciences and instrumentation design.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

Astrophysics and Astronomy

Prepare yourself to discover new planets, explore cosmology, and build space-flight hardware and instruments for telescopes and satellites. You can work with world-class faculty on NASA- and NSF-funded space missions, seeking answers to questions about how our universe began and how it continues to evolve.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

Exploration Systems Design (Systems Engineering)

Prepare for a professional or academic career through this program that combines the creative strengths of science and engineering. You can study artificial intelligence, human factors engineering, smart materials and structures, and robot modeling with faculty specializing in the natural sciences, instrumentation design and systems engineering.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

Electrical Engineering

Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE


Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs

Apply to a program

Visit our campus

Affording College

Tuition calculator

Scholarships

Financial aid


Career Outlook

Career opportunities include:

  • astronomer
  • geoscientist
  • planetary scientist
  • science policy intern
  • science writer
  • scientific instrumentation specialist
  • space systems engineer
  • systems engineer

Sample career settings include:

  • aerospace industry
  • federal government
  • manufacturing
  • NASA centers
  • national laboratories
  • observatories
  • publishers
  • space industries
  • universities and colleges

This program also provides suitable preparation for graduate study.

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. Career examples include but are not limited to:

Aerospace Engineers


  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 126880
  Bright Outlook

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 5.3%
  • Median Salary*: 84760
  Bright Outlook

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers


  • Growth: 20.3%
  • Median Salary*: 99620
  Bright Outlook

Computer Systems Engineers/Architects


  • Growth: 9.7%
  • Median Salary*: 98740
  Bright Outlook

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 9.3%
  • Median Salary*: 103550
  Bright Outlook

Architectural and Engineering Managers


  • Growth: 4.1%
  • Median Salary*: 159920

Manufacturing Engineers


  • Growth: 11.7%
  • Median Salary*: 96350
  Bright Outlook

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).



Global Opportunities

Global Experience

Space exploration is an international endeavor, and an international experience provides students opportunities for cross-cultural engagement and improving language and communication skills. Global Education allows students to take relevant classes while living in another country. Each of the more than 300 Global Education program options provide an opportunity for you to develop a valuable skill set that can give you an advantage in your career and personal enrichment. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, Global Education programs encourage you to build communication skills, challenge you to adapt and persevere, expose you to differences across the world and increase your ability to work with diverse groups of people.



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.