Course Schedule
These courses are tentatively scheduled to be offered, and are subject to low-enrollment cancellation. To see the course descriptions, refer to the course listing. Note that SPST 504, 591, 593, 996, 997, and 998 are available every semester and require the instructor's approval prior to registration.
Selecting Campus or Online section of a course:
- In Campus Connection, find the desired course
- By clicking on either section that is highlighted in blue, the class details will provide the information indicating an online course
- The location code lists either "GrandForks" for campus sections or "University of North Dakota" for online sections
Last Updated 5.20.2025
Summer 2025
SPST 552. History of Astronomy and Cosmology. 3 Credits.
This course investigates the history of human endeavors to understand the stars, planets, and cosmos as a whole from a scientific perspective. It covers the early observations and theories of the Babylonians and Greeks through the European Scientific Revolution, and finally to the development of astrophysics and modern cosmology using space vehicles. On demand.
Offered: Online
Area (Sub-Discipline): Social (History)
Instructor: Michael Dodge
Required Textbook:
- Cosmos: An Illustrated History of Astronomy and Cosmology by John North, University of Chicago Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0226594415 (paperback).
SPST 556. Geopolitics of Outer Space. 3 Credits.
This course provides an overview of the increasing relevance of the geopolitics of outer space in the international system of the 21st century. Although space has always been a critical factor in national security and defense because of its relevant geopolitical value, today all modern military forces rely on space, making it a key domain for any international actor with global aspirations. In recent decades, geopolitical tensions have arisen between the United States and new contenders, particularly China and Russia. Recent events in the international scenario have confirmed space as a strategic operational domain for hybrid warfare tactics, pushing governments to maintain their investments in traditional space applications (such as telecommunications, navigation, and Earth observation), but more importantly in space security and defense systems to further protect their space assets. SS, odd years.
Offered: Online
Area (Sub-Discipline): Social (International Relations)
Instructor: Francisco Del Canto Viterale
Fall 2025
Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
---|---|---|---|
450 | International Space Programs | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (History OR Policy) |
501 | Survey of Space Studies I | Pablo de León | |
506 | Advanced Orbital Mechanics | Ron Fevig | Technical (Space Engineering) |
510 | Hypersonic Aerodynamics | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
515 | Human Factors in Space | Pablo de León | Technical (Human Factors OR Applications) |
526 | Advanced Observational Astronomy | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Applications OR Planetary Science) |
527 | Extraterrestrial Resources | Sherry Fieber-Beyer / Michael Dodge | Technical (Planetary Science) |
532 | Disasters in Human Spaceflight | Keith Crisman | Technical (Space Engineering OR Human Factors) |
541 | Management of Space Enterprises | David Kugler | Social (Management) |
563 | China's Space Program | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
575 | Remote Sensing Law and Policy | Michael Dodge | Social (Policy OR Law) |
Spring 2026
Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
---|---|---|---|
405 | Space Mission Design | Ron Fevig | Technical (Space Engineering) |
425 | Observational Astronomy | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Applications) |
460 | Life in the Universe | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Planetary Science) |
502 | Survey of Space Studies II | Pablo de León | |
512 | Human Performance in Extreme Environments | Pablo de León | Technical (Human Factors) |
531 | Applied Human Centered Design | Keith Crisman | Technical (Human Factors) |
545 | Space & the Environment | Michael Dodge | Social (Policy OR Law) |
553 | Space Diplomacy & Cooperation | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
557 | Space Propulsion Systems | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
561 | Public Administration of Space Technology | David Kugler | Social (Management) |
565 | Space Law | Michael Dodge | Social (Law OR International Relations) |
590 | Space Studies Colloquium | Keith Crisman | |
595 | Space Studies Capstone | Ron Fevig |
Summer 2026
Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
---|---|---|---|
521 | The Planet Mars | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Planetary Science) |
542 | Risk Management of Space Organizations | David Kugler | Social (Management) |
551 | History of the Space Age | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (History) |
Fall 2026
Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
---|---|---|---|
501 | Survey of Space Studies I | Pablo de León | |
513 | Nuclear Space Propulsion | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
515 | Human Factors in Space | Pablo de León | Technical (Human Factors OR Applications) |
526 | Advanced Observational Astronomy | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Applications OR Planetary Science) |
533 (570) | Space Architecture: Sci-Fi to Reality | Keith Crisman | Technical (Human Factors) |
547 | Popular Culture and the Space Age | Michael Dodge | Social (History) |
555 | Military Space Programs | David Kugler | Social (International Relations) |
560 | Space Politics and Policy | Michael Dodge | Social (History OR Policy) |
562 | Soviet/Russian Space Program | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
Spring 2027
Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
---|---|---|---|
425 | Observational Astronomy | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Applications) |
450 | International Space Programs | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
502 | Survey of Space Studies II | Pablo de León | |
511 | Electric Space Propulsion | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
512 | Human Performance in Extreme Environments | Pablo de León | Technical (Human Factors) |
520 | Asteroids, Meteorites and Comets | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Planetary Science) |
530 | Human Centered Design | Keith Crisman | Technical (Space Engineering OR Human Factors) |
557 | Spacepower Theory | David Kugler | Social (Policy) |
565 | Space Law | Michael Dodge | Social (Law OR International Relations) |
570 | China's Space Program | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
590 | Space Studies Colloquium | Keith Crisman | |
595 | Space Studies Capstone | Ron Fevig |