Space exploration is an inter- and multidisciplinary subject that covers science, engineering, politics, policy, ethics, law, business and the economy. The goal of the Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) Minor is to better prepare Notre Dame students for employment in the burgeoning space sector. It is open to all undergraduate students eligible to take a selection of relevant courses from Arts & Letters, Science, and Engineering. All students who complete this minor will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least 3 of the 8 core competencies:
- Ethical issues of space exploration
- Space policy
- The space environment and the human response to it
- Issues involved with finding, extracting, and using space resources
- Enabling humans to live and work away from Earth
- The economic opportunities enabled by and benefits to society on Earth derived from space exploration
- Origin and evolution of life and planetary systems
- Learning from history in order to map a sustainable future
Requirements
- A minimum of 15 credit hours (5 courses) consisting of approved courses
- Only two of the five courses required for the minor can be at the 20000 level.
- THEO 30659
- Two approved elective courses
- Capstone CE-40555 (section CE-30555 is for students not taking the minor)
Other foundational courses:
- AME 30282 Introduction to Space Exploration
- PHYS 20140 Descriptive Astronomy (non-STEM students: 3 credits) or PHYS 20481 Introduction to Astronomy & Astrophysics (STEM students: 3 credits)
- CE 20110 Planet Earth (3 credits, 4 credits with optional lab) or PHYS 20333 Earth Focus (3 credits)
Total: 15 credits
Courses taken as part of the EPS Minor might also be eligible to satisfy degree program requirements. So that all students in the Minor are held accountable to the same multi-counting rules, the rules for the academic unit (i.e., CoE: CEEES) responsible for the minor will apply regardless of the student’s degree program.
Elective course list for the Earth and Planetary Sciences Minor:
- AME 30341: Aerospace Structures
- AME 30381: Orbital & Space Dynamics
- AME 40551: Introduction to Robotics
- AME 40573: Physiology for Engineers: On Earth & in Space
- PHYS 20481: Introduction to Astronomy & Astrophysics**
- PHYS 30240: Introduction to Cosmology (if continued)**
- PHYS 50201: Physics of Astrophysics
- PHYS 50481: Modern Observational Techniques
- BIOS 30344: Vertebrate (Human) Physiology
- ANTH 20556: Science, Technology, & Society*
- ANTH 30121: Exercise Physiology: Celebrating What Your Body Can Do
- ANTH 30125: Humans at the Extremes
- THEO 20888: Science, Theology, & Creation*
- HIST 30949: History of Exploration
- HIST 30986: Blueprint for Modernity: A Global History
- CSC 33311: Human Development, Human Flourishing
- BES 40470: Corporate Governance & Catholic Social Teaching
* Students can take ANTH 20556 Science, Technology, & Society, or THEO 20888 Science, Technology, & Creation
** for STEM students
Contact
Please contact Professor Clive R. Neal (cneal@nd.edu) in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences (CEEES) for more details.