The Joint Graduate Program in Space and Planetary Physics

This graduate program is a joint program with the Physics Department, and requires taking additional classes in Physics. Its emphasis  is on the physics of the heliosphere, planetary magnetospheres, ionospheres and upper atmospheres (including those of the Earth). Enrollment in the program must be by approval of the AOSS graduate advisor.

The core of course requirements for the degree comprises a series of graduate level courses in fundamental physics as well as space and planetary physics. In addition to the core requirements, students must complete their academic plan with specialty courses.

Program Advisor

Professor Michael Liemohn

Expectations

• AOSS doctoral students are expected to have a high level of ability and scholarship in atmospheric science, oceanography, space and planetary sciences, or geoscience and remote sensing.
• Students are expected to carry a course load of 9 — 12 credit hours (3-4 courses excluding seminar courses) each semester until the dissertation work is begun (68 Rackham Fee Totals).
• During the first year the student must select courses from among the core courses for their particular program.
• During their first two years, students are expected to complete a total of two terms in seminar course AOSS 747 and a total of two terms in seminar course AOSS 749.

• Each student is required to complete the nine core courses plus three of the four specialty courses of one of the specialty areas (Aeronomy, Space Plasma Physics, or Planetary Physics).

• There are no foreign language requirements.
• Students are not expected to take courses during the summer term, as these months are primarily used to gain research experience.
• Typically after three semesters of classes, each student will take and must pass a qualifying examination before being advanced to candidacy. A PDF file describing the procedure and exam is available here: AOSS Qualifying Exam Description.
• Most students begin research soon after beginning their program. No later than upon achieving candidacy, they focus on dissertation research under the guidance of an advisor.
• The minimum GPA required to advance to candidacy is 6.0 on Rackham's 9.0 point scale.

Core Courses

Physics

Physics 505 Electricity and Magnetism-I
Physics 507 Classical Mechanics
Physics 510 Statistical Physics
Physics 511 Quantum Theory-I

AOSS

AOSS 464 Introduction to the Space Environment
AOSS 565 Planetary Atmospheres
AOSS 495 Thermosphere and Ionosphere
AOSS 597 Space Plasma Physics
AOSS 595 Space Weather

Specialty Courses

Aeronomy

Physics 460 Atomic Physics
Physics 512 Quantum Theory-II
AOSS 532 Radiative Transfer
AOSS 564 Stratosphere and Mesosphere

Space Plasma Physics

Physics 507 Theoretical Mechanics
Physics 506 Electricity and Magnetism-II
AOSS 596 Gaskinetic Theory
Aero 523 Computational Fluid Dynamics

Planetary Physics

AOSS 480 The Planets: Composition, Structure and Evolution
Physics 460 Atomic Physics
Physics 506 Electricity and Magnetism-II
AOSS 532 Radiative Transfer

A variety of elective courses is utilized to provide flexibility to build a complete program which fits the interests and needs of the individual student.  Students are expected to divide their course work between their home department and the second department such that at least 40% of their credit hours come from the second department.

Admission

Admission to the program is open to any student admitted to the graduate programs of either department with the consent of either of the AOSS Program Advisor. Admitted students must meet the admission standards of both departments. The usual course of action for students is to enter the program from the beginning of their graduate career. However, students may enter the program at any time in their graduate studies, with the consent of either of the AOSS Program Advisor, provided they have fulfilled the requirements for satisfactory progress in their home department.

Program Requirements

Each student is required to pass the qualifying examination is in AOSS.  This involves a written examination which covers the materials in the AOSS core courses described above and an oral exam. This portion of the qualifying examination will be given during May of the second year.

Following the successful completion of the qualifying examination, the student forms a dissertation committee composed of five faculty members.  The committee must be chaired by a qualified faculty member from one of the departments and have at least two members from the other department.