New space research, exploration certificate for undergraduates

Design and construction of launch vehicles, spacecrafts, space stations, rovers, landers and planning mission operations, are potential careers offered in Earth and space exploration fields. To equip undergraduate students in the basic principles of space research and exploration, faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa developed a new certificate in earth and planetary exploration technology (EPET).

Inspiration for the new certificate came from faculty at Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) and the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory teaching in other undergraduate departments at UH Mānoa. Faculty realized that HIGP’s strengths in areas of Earth and space exploration were not reflected in UH Mānoa’s undergraduate education and wanted to contribute using its area of expertise, which is important in developing a modern workforce.

The EPET certificate is 15 credits with a four course sequence to be completed over four semesters. The first cohort enrolled in the EPET certificate started in spring 2020 with eight undergraduate students. A new course sequence will begin in spring 2021, with EPET 201 cross-listed as ME 201.

While the program targets students majoring in the physical sciences (such as chemistry, Earth sciences and physics) and engineering disciplines, students enrolled in other areas such as business and social sciences can also obtain an understanding of the basic principles underlying space research and exploration endeavors.

Read the full story from University of Hawai’i here.