The Center for Space Science and Engineering has as its key mission to provide education in space science and engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students who choose to pursue studies in space science and engineering have a broad spectrum of course work opportunities at Virginia Tech.

The curriculum is interdisciplinary with coursework offerings in several departments including aerospace engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and physics. Students may take specialized technical electives at the advanced undergraduate level, as well as specialized coursework at the MS and PhD levels.

Senior and Introductory Graduate Courses

- Introduction to Space Engineering and Space Systems (AOE/ECE)
- Spacecraft Design* (AOE)
- Space Physics Fundamentals* (AOE/ECE)
- Spacecraft Dynamics and Control* (AOE)
- Spacecraft Propulsion* (AOE)
- Global Positioning System Theory and Design* (ECE)
- Satellite Communications* (ECE)

     (* means course is currently offered)

Graduate Courses

- Spacecraft Environmental Interactions* (AOE)
- Space Plasma Science
- Solar Wind and Magnetospheric Physics* (AOE/ECE)
- Orbital Mechanics* (AOE)
- Ionospheric Physics and Aeronomy* (AOE/ECE)
- Computational Methods in Space Science (AOE/ECE)
- Advanced GPS Design: GPS Software-Defined Radio* (ECE)
- Radar System Design* (ECE)

     (* means course is currently offered)

How to apply

Those interested in doing graduate or postdoctoral studies should contact individual Space@VT faculty members to discuss research opportunities. Prospective graduate students must apply to the appropriate academic department (e.g. the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering or the Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering) through the Virginia Tech Graduate School.