Rice: Wiess School of Natural Sciences

Professional Master's Program: An Unconventional Career Track

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RICE University
Prof. Master's Program
6100 Main Street, MS-103
Houston, TX 77005
713.348.3188 (phone)
713.348.3121 (fax)
profms@rice.edu

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www.npsma.org

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www.sciencemasters.com

Initial Funding by the
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Coursework


This program will give students a deep background in science and engineering complemented by courses in economics, policy, and management to foster their understanding of how each of these areas contribute to the design and organization of space and related technology and engineering projects. Their coursework will provide them with research and study skills to enable them to develop strategies for managing complex engineering projects and to understand the connections between programmatic/scientific objectives and their implementation.

Recommended Background

Applicants for the Professional Master’s in Space Studies must have: 

  • B.A. or B.S. degree in a related science or engineering program that included course work in general physics, chemistry, calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations
  • Scores from the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Strong quantitative abilities
  • Statistics, introductory economics and computer skills are preferred

Three Cohort Courses

NSCI 511  Science Policy and Ethics (S)

NSCI 610  Management for Science and Engineering (F,S)

NSCI 501  Master Seminar (F,S)

Five Science courses:

NSCI = ASTR 470

Space Science and Space Weather Overview Course/ Solar System Physics (F)

STAT 410

Intro to Regression and Statistical Computing (F)

NSCI 5XX

Space Studies Seminar Course (S)

MECH 572

Aerospace Systems Engineering (S)

With fifth course to be chosen from the list below:

ASTR 554

ASTR 451

BIOC 415

BIO 540

Astrophysics of the Sun  (S)

Astrophysics I: Sun and Stars (F)

Experimental Physiology (S)

Metabolic Engineering (F)

ESCI 414

Physics and Chemistry for the Atmosphere (F)

ESCI 460

Geological and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (F)

MECH 454

Computational Fluid Mechanics (F)

Two Statistics/Computation Courses: : The analytical competency requirement provides career-enhancing, marketable skills in in finance, economics and computation. Students can choose courses as follows:

Choose two courses from:

CAAM 453

CEVE 528

Numerical Analysis I (F)

Engineering Economics (S)

ESCI 450

Remote Sensing (not available every year)

MECH 454

Computational Fluid Mechanics (F)

PHYS 416

Computational Physics (S)

STAT 310

STAT 405

STAT 502/541/640

Probability and Statistics (F)

Statistical Computing and Graphics (F)

 

Neural Networks and Information Theory, Multivariate Analysis, Data Mining and Statistical Learning – available with pre-requisites for specific focus areas

 

 

4-5 Electives according to student’s interest: These course electives reflect individual academic interests and career goals.

Focus: Engineering

CEVE 504  Atmospheric Particular Matter (S)

CEVE 505

CEVE 511

CEVE 576

Eng. Project Development& Management (F)

Atmospheric Processes (F)

Structural Dynamics and Control (S)

COMP/ELEC/MECH 498

COMP 551

Intro to Robotics (S)

Advanced Mobile Robotics/Lab

MECH 474

MECH 583

MECH 591

MECH 599

MECH 599/Sect 2

MECH 691

Advanced Computational Mechanics (S)

Convective Heat Transfer (F)

Gas Dynamics (S)

Human Factors in Space (S)

Spacecraft Navigation (S)

Hypersonic Aerodynamics (F)

 

and others …

 

 

 

 

 




Focus: Sciences (Astro Science/Earth Science/Life Sciences)

ASTR 542 

Nebular Astrophysics

ASTR 551 

Astrophysics I: Sun and Stars (F)

ASTR 552

Astrophysics II Galaxy and Cosmology (S)

ASTR 554

Astrophysics of the Sun (S)

ASTR 555

Protostars and Planets   (S)

ASTR 565

Compact Objects (S)

ASTR 700

Independent Study Course

 

NOTE:

 

FOCUS AREAS IN EARTH SCIENCE, PHYSICS AND LIFE SCIENCES

can be chosen - depending on student’s background.

Students will consult with academic advisor about appropriate selection of their

elective science courses.

 

 

Focus: Management

MGMT 734

Technology Entrepreneurship

MGMT 629

Business Plan Development (F)

MGMT 601

Financial Statement Analysis (F)

MGMT 618

Complexities of People and Organizations (F)

MGMT 658

Applied Risk Management  (S)

MGMT 619

Corporate Governance (S)

MGMT 719

Thinking Strategically (S)

and others …

NOTE: This listing doesn’t reflect all courses available every year. Also note, not all courses are offered every year. Students are requested to consult with their academic advisors before enrolling.

A 3 – 6 months internship: Practical experience is offered via a 3 – 6 month work immersion. The internship will be under the guidance of a host company, government agency, or non-profit organization. A summary of the internship project is required in both oral and written form as part of the Professional Master’s Seminar.