The Daytona Beach Department of Physical Sciences provides a rigorous, research-driven curriculum that equips students to address complex challenges in physics, astronomy and aerospace. The program emphasizes scientific inquiry, problem-solving and innovation, preparing graduates for high-demand careers and advanced study.
Hands-On Exploration
Students gain practical experience with cutting-edge tools and projects, from launching suborbital rockets to operating the largest research-grade telescope in the southeastern U.S., developing the skills needed to tackle real-world scientific and engineering challenges.
Preparing for High-Impact Careers
Students graduate equipped to tackle challenges in science and engineering, contributing to projects that shape our understanding of the universe and the technologies that explore it.
Degrees and Programs
Explore the universe through theoretical models and observational data. Study the behavior of stars, planets and galaxies along with the forces that shape them. Apply physics, computation and mathematical methods that support research in space science and cosmology.
Explore the physical laws that drive innovation in flight and space systems. Study optics, quantum mechanics and instrumentation, applying physics to research and development projects that advance aerospace and technology.
Explore how matter and energy behave beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Study plasma physics, space weather and cosmic radiation while learning how physical forces influence spacecraft design, planetary systems and the broader universe.
Students have access to state-of-the-art labs and observatories, including research-grade telescopes, satellite and rocket launch facilities and advanced computational tools, allowing hands-on experimentation and exploration of space and physics phenomena.
Students engage in cutting-edge research funded by NASA, the NSF and other agencies, providing the skills and knowledge to contribute to high-impact scientific and engineering projects.
When I was researching schools that matched my interests and long-term goals in the space field, Embry‑Riddle stood out because of its industry connections and its strong reputation in aerospace and space-focused research."
Graduates leave Embry-Riddle equipped with the skills and experience that employers and graduate programs seek. Alumni of our Astronomy and Astrophysics, Engineering Physics and Space Physics programs pursue careers as engineers, researchers, physicists and faculty across government, industry and academia.
Real-World Experience
Students gain hands-on experience through internships, cooperative education and research projects at leading institutions. These opportunities allow students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and build professional networks in their fields. Examples include placements at:
Arecibo Observatory
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
MIT-Haystack Observatory
NASA Johnson Space Flight Center
National Center for Atmospheric Research, High Altitude Observatory
Stony Brook University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Indiana, Department of Physics
University of Michigan, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences
Graduate and Professional Opportunities
Many graduates continue their education in highly competitive programs at:
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Alaska at Fairbanks
University of California Santa Barbara
University of Florida
University of Oklahoma
Western Ontario University
Others advance directly into impactful careers at organizations, including:
The Boeing Company
Lockheed Martin
NASA Centers
National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC)
Northrop Grumman
Rockwell Collins
Sandia National Laboratories
Swales Aerospace
Various military organizations
Jesse C. King Jr. Space Physics and Astronomy Endowment Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded annually to an Embry Riddle student majoring in Space Physics. Students can apply for the Jesse C. King Jr. Space Physics and Astronomy Endowment Scholarship and hundreds of other scholarships by filling out the general scholarship application on the donor scholarship website.
The scholarship honors Embry-Riddle alumnus Jesse C. King Jr. ('03, B.S. Aerospace Studies). Inspired by the Challenger launch in 1986, Jesse’s love of space and aviation grew through visits to places like Kennedy Space Center and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
At Embry‑Riddle, his physics studies further fueled his passion for aviation and space. After his untimely death in 2012, his parents, Craig and Tanya King, established this memorial scholarship to support Space Physics students at the Daytona Beach Campus.
The Physical Sciences Department provides students with a strong foundation in engineering, physics, mathematics and science. Undergraduate students can conduct hands-on research, complete design projects or a thesis and gain experience with state-of-the-art computer-design software and team-based projects. Courses are taught by faculty recognized for their research and teaching. Graduates successfully find employment or continue to graduate school.
The Astronomy and Astrophysics program is designed to meet high demand and gives students access to resources such as the SARA consortium including telescopes at Kitt Peak, AZ and Cerro Tololo, Chile. Students learn from astronomers and astrophysicists and use an instrumented one-meter telescope, the largest university research telescope in the southeastern United States.
The Engineering Physics program is one of the largest in the nation but maintains an intimate learning environment. It is accredited by and emphasizes space science, preparing graduates for careers in both research and industry.
The Space Physics program allows students to study under faculty who are atmospheric and space physicists. Students use advanced equipment such as telescopes, deep space probes and the Space Physics Research Laboratory while integrating science and engineering for careers in space-related fields.
Students explore the sciences of the cosmos with a strong foundation in mathematics and physics combined with experimental, computational and theoretical learning.
Astronomy and Astrophysics expands the study beyond the solar system to include exoplanets, stars, star clusters, galaxies, quasars and the fate of the universe.
Engineering Physics is space-centric and mathematics- and physics-intensive. Students take courses in Spaceflight Dynamics, Space Systems Engineering and Space Physics, gaining hands-on experience in space mission design and planning.
Yes. Students are active in study abroad programs, summer co-ops and internships with government laboratories, industry and university-based research projects.
They can also join clubs such as the Amateur Astronomy Club and the Society of Physics Students. Professional affiliations are available through groups like the Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) student chapter and the national physics honor society, Sigma Pi Sigma.
Course offerings vary each semester, so students should plan carefully to balance experiential learning opportunities with their academic schedule.
Faculty and students share a strong focus on research and intellectual curiosity. They collaborate across projects that often extend into real-world applications.
Our faculty includes physicists, astronomers, theorists and chemists who are passionate about their fields and dedicated to student success. Students are diverse, STEM-focused and actively engaged in challenging coursework and the Honors Program.
Students and faculty participate in research funded by industry, grants and collegiate design competitions. Research projects include:
Computational stellar atmospheric modeling of rapidly rotating and distorted hot stars
Determining ages of stars in wide binary systems using optical observations
Development and testing of autonomous vehicles
Observing and modeling Earth's upper atmosphere using optical instruments and radars
Optical observations of exospheres on the Earth and Moon
Embry-Riddle is committed to educating students who will impact the future of humanity. Research, innovation and student-centered teaching define the programs. Collaboration with industry, dedicated faculty and rigorous academics ensure graduates are prepared for meaningful and rewarding careers. Our alumni network provides real-world evidence of the success and reach of our programs.
