Space Weather

Determining the systemic relationships between the Earth, atmospheres and planets

The conditions and processes occurring in space have the potential to affect the near Earth environment. Space Weather processes can include changes in the interplanetary magnetic field, coronal mass ejections from the sun, and disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field. The effects can range from damage to satellites to disruption of power grids on Earth. Solar Energetic Particles, accelerated by coronal mass ejections or solar flares, are also an important driver of space weather as they can damage electronics onboard spacecraft through induced electric currents, and threaten the life of astronauts. The U-M Center for Space Environment Modeling (CSEM) is a major center for modeling the space environment.

Space Weather Concentration Advisor:

Professor Aaron Ridley
1535 SRB
ridley@umich.edu
(734)764-3338

Sample Space Weather Concentration Schedule

Sample schedule PDF file	Credit Hours	Semester
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Subjects required by all programs	55
Math 115, 116, 215, 216	16	4	4	4	4	-	-	-	-
ENG 100 Intro to Engr	4	4
ENG 101 Intro to Computers	4	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-
Chemistry 125/126 and 130 or Chemistry 210/211	5	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Physics 140/141, 240/241	10	-	5	5	-	-	-	-	-
Humanities and Social Sciences	16	3	3	3	4	3	-	-	-
Required Core Courses	28
AOSS 320 Earth System Evolution	4	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-
AOSS 321 Earth System Dynamics	4	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	-
AOSS 323 Earth System Analysis	4	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	-
AOSS 350 Atmospheric Thermodynamics (Note 1)	4	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-
AOSS 370 Solar-Terrestrial Relations	4	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	-
AOSS 380 Introduction to Radiative Transfer	4	-	-	-	-	4		-	-
AOSS 410 Earth System Modeling	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-
Space Weather Concentration Requirements	45
AOSS 450 Geophysical ElectroMagnetics	4	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-
AOSS 477 Space Weather Modeling	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4
Space Weather Experiential (1 course from approved list) (See below)	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4
Space Components (3 courses from approved list) (See below)	10	-	-	-	-	-	3	7	-
Technical Electives (Concentration Courses + Technical Electives ≥ 34 SCH)	12	-	-	-	-	4	-	4	4
Unrestricted Electives (at least 11 hours)	11	-	-	-	-	-	6	-	5
TOTAL	128	16	16	16	16	15	17	15	17

Note 1: Alternatives: MECHENG 235 Thermodynamics or CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics.

Approved Space Weather Experiential Courses
ENGR 450 Multidisciplinary Design (4)
AOSS 462 Instrumentation for Atmos. and Space Sci. (4)

Approved Space Weather Components Courses
AOSS 462 or ENGR 450 (4)
AOSS 401 Geophys. Fluid Dynamics (4)
AOSS 475 Earth System Interactions (4)
NERS 471 Intr. Plasmas-Fusion (3)
EECS 314 Elect. Circ., Sys., & Appl. (4)
AERO 305 Aerospace Engr Lab I (4)
Math 450 Adv. Math. for Engineers I (4)

Please Note: Courses are subject to change. Please consult with your advisor.