B.S. in Space Operations
The Bachelor of Science in Space Operations integrates principles from the space industry and regulatory agencies, with coursework in mission operations, mission training and launch licensing. The interdisciplinary program prepares students to address operational challenges across multiple areas of the space industry. Students develop knowledge in space mission operations, management, policy and planning, including public, private and cooperative spaceflight.
At the Daytona Beach Campus, the Bachelor of Science in Space Operations is housed in the Department of Applied Aviation Sciences in the College of Aviation. This interdisciplinary, non-engineering program includes coursework in operations, safety, training, human factors, policy and planning within space research and exploration. The program is developed in collaboration with the commercial space industry and affiliated agencies, including NASA and the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA-AST).
Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Create space mission design, planning, and execution relevant to current industry practices.
- Evaluate spacecraft systems, applications, sustainability, and safety practices within the space operations industry.
- Analyze human spaceflight history, life support implications, and training regimens from historical and contemporary programs.
- Analyze space policy development and application to space activity.
- Identify space mission history, program development, and evolution to current trends.
Daytona Beach Program Requirements
| General Education Requirements | 38 | |
| Core Requirements | 31 | |
| Program Support Courses | 24 | |
| Minor | 15-20 | |
| Electives | 7-12 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
General Education Requirements
| Communication | 9 | |
| English Composition | ||
| Speech | ||
| Technical Communication | ||
| Humanities - Lower Level | 3 | |
| Social Sciences - Lower Level | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Humanities/Social Sciences - Lower or Upper Level | 3 | |
| Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level | 3 | |
| Computer Science/Information Technology | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| Pre-calculus for Aviation | ||
| Applied Calculus for Aviation | ||
| Physical/Life Sciences | 8 | |
| Introductory Physics I | ||
| Introductory Physics I Laboratory | ||
PHYS/BIOL/CHEM 100-400 Level Lecture | ||
PHYS/BIOL/CHEM 100-400 Level Laboratory | ||
| Total Credits | 38 | |
Core Requirements
| SPAC 110 | Introduction to Space Flight | 3 |
| SPAC 230 | Space Policy and Law - History | 3 |
| SPAC 300 | Satellite and Spacecraft Systems | 3 |
| SPAC 400 | Introduction to Space Navigation | 3 |
| SPAC 410 | Space Operations Planning and Analysis | 3 |
| SPAC 490 | Senior Space Operations Project | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
| Choose Two of the Following: | 6 | |
| Planetary and Space Exploration | ||
| Space Transportation System | ||
| Space Station Systems and Operations | ||
| Life Support Systems | ||
| Choose Two of the Following: | 6 | |
| Spaceflight and Operations Training | ||
| Russian Space Operations and Technology | ||
| Payloads and Integration | ||
CESC/CPSC/MATH/SFTW/SYSE 300-400 Level Course | ||
| Total Credits | 31 | |
Program Support Courses
| AVMG 424 | Project Management in Aviation Operations | 3 |
| AVSF 210 | Introduction to Aerospace Safety | 3 |
| CPSC 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| ENGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| HFCT 300 | Human Factors Principles and Fundamentals | 3 |
| MGMT 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| SCLM 452 | Lean Six-Sigma in Aviation and Aerospace | 3 |
| STAT 222 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| or MATH 412 | Probability and Statistics | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Minors
| Choose One Approved Minor * | 15-20 | |
| Total Credits | 15-20 | |
- *
Approved Minors:
Minor in Applied Mathematics (20 credits)
Minor in Aviation Law (15 credits)
Minor in Computer Science (16 credits)
Minor in Human Factors (15 credits)
Minor in Project Management (15 credits)
Minor in Systems Engineering (15 credits)
Electives
| Open Electives ** | 4-9 | |
| Open Elective - Upper Level | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 7-12 | |
- **
Credit quantity depends on the minor chosen. In cases where individual minor courses are also required by the major, additional open elective credits will become available.
Suggested Plan of Study
Year One
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM 122 - English Composition | 3 |
| BUAN 125 - Foundations in Business Data Analytics | 3 |
| MATH 111 - Pre-calculus for Aviation | 3 |
| AVSF 210 - Introduction to Aerospace Safety | 3 |
| SPAC 110 - Introduction to Space Flight | 3 |
| UNIV 101 - College Success | 1 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| MATH 112 - Applied Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
| PHYS 113 - Introductory Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 113L - Introductory Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| HUMN 14X Elective | 3 |
| SPAC 2XX Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 32
Year Two
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM 221 - Technical Communication | 3 |
| HFCT 300 - Principles and Fundamentals | 3 |
| PHYS/BIOL/CHEM 100-400 Level Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS/BIOL/CHEM 100-400 Level Laboratory | 1 |
| SPAC 2XX Elective | 3 |
| Minor/Open Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPAC 230 - Space Policy and Law - History | 3 |
| COMM 219 - Speech | 3 |
| ENGR 115 - Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| STAT 222 - Business Statistics or MATH 412 - Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Minor/Open Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 31
Year Three
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| MGMT 201 - Principles of Management | 3 |
| SPAC 300 - Satellite and Spacecraft Systems | 3 |
| HUMN/GOVT/HIST/SOSC - Lower or Upper Level | 3 |
| SPAC 3XX Elective (or CESC/CPSC/MATH/SFTW/SYSE 300-400 Level Course) | 3 |
| Minor/Open Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPAC 400 - Introduction to Space Navigation | 3 |
| CPSC 118 - Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| SCLM 452 - Lean Six-Sigma in Aviation and Aerospace | 3 |
| Minor/Open Elective | 3 |
| SPAC 3XX Elective (or CESC/CPSC/MATH/SFTW/SYSE 300-400 Level Course) | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 30
Year Four
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPAC 410 - Space Operations Planning and Analysis | 3 |
| AVMG 424 - Project Management in Aviation Operations | 3 |
| Minor/Open Elective | 3 |
| Minor/Open Elective | 3 |
| Minor/Open Elective - Upper Level | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPAC 490 - Senior Space Operations Project | 3 |
| HUMN/GOVT/HIST/SOSC - Upper Level | 3 |
| Minor/Open Elective | 3 |
| Minor/Open Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 12 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 27