Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study, as outlined in the Admission Requirements section.
The applicant’s prior education must include an undergraduate or graduate degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g., engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or equivalent) from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants must show competency in (1) calculus, (2) physics, and (3) computer programming, which must be demonstrated through undergraduate or graduate coursework or equivalent work experience.
Applicants whose prior education does not include the coursework listed above may still enroll under provisional status, followed by full admission status once they have completed the missing courses. Admitted students typically have earned a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B or above) in the latter half of their undergraduate studies. When reviewing an application, the candidate’s academic and professional background will be considered. As part of the admission process, the chair or the program coordinator may interview candidates to better evaluate their application.
Program Requirements
A total of ten courses (at least three at the 700-level) must be completed within five years. The curriculum consists of five core courses and five electives. A maximum of two courses from other programs may be used to satisfy the program elective requirement. Elective selections outside of those listed below are subject to advisor approval. The curriculum is designed to provide maximum flexibility to students, enabling them to customize their five electives based on their educational needs and career goals. Only one C-range grade (C+, C, or C–) can count toward the master’s degree. All core courses in the Space Systems Engineering program may be completed remotely, except for the program capstone EN.675.710 Small Satellite Development and Experimentation, which includes a requirement that students attend a specified residency weekend in the Baltimore area to complete the laboratory component. Electives are offered online in either asynchronous or synchronous (virtual live) format. Some electives offer an in-person option at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (Laurel, MD) or Bloomberg Center (Washington, D.C.). Several electives may be offered as in-person only; consult the website each semester for specifics.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | Credits | |
| EN.675.600 | Systems Engineering for Space | 3 |
| EN.675.601 | Fundamentals of Engineering Space Systems I | 3 |
| EN.675.602 | Fundamentals of Engineering Space Systems II | 3 |
| EN.675.701 | Applications of Space Systems Engineering | 3 |
| EN.675.710 | Small Satellite Development and Experimentation | 3 |
ELECTIVES
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | Credits | |
| EN.675.613 | The Bold Science Motivating and Enabled by our Engineering | 3 |
| EN.675.617 | The Intersection of Space Systems Engineering and International Public Policy | 3 |
| EN.675.621 | Space Environment and Effects | 3 |
| EN.675.622 | Spacecraft Hardware Design Considerations | 3 |
| EN.675.641 | Space Systems Cybersecurity | 3 |
| EN.675.650 | Mathematics for Space Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.691 | Electro-Optical Space Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.702 | Materials for Space Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.711 | Ground System Engineering and Mission Operations | 3 |
| EN.675.712 | Space Mission Formulation | 3 |
| EN.675.713 | Fault Management and Autonomy: Improving Spacecraft Survivability | 3 |
| EN.675.722 | Space Mechanical Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| EN.675.724 | Principles of Space Internetworking | 3 |
| EN.675.731 | Spacecraft Propulsion Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.732 | Advanced Topics in Aerospace Hardware | 3 |
| EN.675.733 | Spacecraft Rendezvous and Proximity Operations | 3 |
| EN.675.734 | Fundamentals of Celestial and Orbital Mechanics | 3 |
| EN.675.740 | Assuring Success of Aerospace Programs | 3 |
| EN.675.751 | Space Weather and Space Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.752 | Attitude Determination and Control of Space Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.753 | Spacecraft Avionics Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.754 | Flight Software for Space Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.756 | Antenna Design for Space Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.761 | Reliability Engineering and Analysis for Space Missions | 3 |
| EN.675.768 | Spacecraft Integration and Test | 3 |
| EN.675.771 | Space Mission Design and Navigation | 3 |
| EN.675.772 | Verification and Validation of Space Systems | 3 |
| EN.675.781 | Physics of Space Security | 3 |
| EN.675.792 | Scientific Instruments for Space | 3 |
| EN.675.800 | Directed Studies in Space Systems Engineering | 3 |
| EN.525.640 | Satellite Communications Systems | 3 |
| EN.525.744 | Passive Emitter Geo-Location | 3 |
Please refer to the course schedule published each term for exact dates, times, locations, fees, and instructors.