物理学MS计划中的行星科学轨道的目标是创建一个充满活力的行星科学研究环境，以吸引顶尖的学生，研究人员和教职员工，并为太空探索做出重大贡献。行星科学课程旨在帮助学生做好在全球行星科学研究领域的竞争力的准备。
The goal of the Planetary Sciences Track of the Physics MS program is to foster a vibrant Planetary Science research environment that can attract top students, researchers, and faculty and contribute significantly to the exploration of space. The Planetary Sciences track is designed to prepare students to be competitive in the global planetary sciences research community.<br><br>The Planetary Sciences track of the Physics MS program requires a minimum of 33 hours of graduate course work as directed by the student's Supervisory Committee. This must include at least 15 credit hours of required courses, 6 hours of thesis preparation, with the remainder being elective courses and directed research chosen in consultation with the Supervisory Committee. At least half of the total credits must be at the 6000 level. No more than 6 hours of independent study may be credited toward the master's degree. The master's degree in Planetary Sciences includes a thesis and its defense. There is no nonthesis master's degree in the Planetary Sciences track.