Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
The master of science degree can be earned in one of three major areas: aerodynamics and fluid dynamics, aerospace structures and materials, and combustion and propulsion. Because the purpose of each program is to prepare the student for either a challenging professional career in industry or for further graduate study, the programs do not permit narrow specialization. Emphasis is on required course work in several disciplines in which an advanced-degree engineer in a typical industrial position is expected to have knowledge and problem-solving expertise beyond that normally obtained during an undergraduate engineering education.
The master of science degree can be earned on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Full-time students can complete the program in a minimum of three semesters (four in the case of graduate student assistants). Students beginning their course work during the spring semester will be able to register for full course loads, although the commencement of thesis work will normally be delayed.
Graduate student assistants are required to take the one-week teaching seminar offered in mid-August each year.
Admission Requirements
An applicant should have an undergraduate major in a field related to aerospace engineering. Applicants whose bachelor’s degrees are in other fields are normally required to take some undergraduate course work in addition to the program described below, as determined by the department head. Applications are also invited from graduates with undergraduate majors in the physical sciences or mathematics. In these cases, at least one year of undergraduate course work in aerospace engineering is normally required before starting the master of science program. In evaluating an international application, due consideration is given to academic standards in the country where the undergraduate studies have been performed.
Master’s applicants should take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Applicants from foreign countries must meet the same requirements as applicants from the United States.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering is offered with both thesis and nonthesis options. Each option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work. Prior to the completion of nine credit hours, the student must submit for approval a master’s degree program plan to indicate the path chosen and the specific courses to be taken. For the thesis option, up to six credit hours of thesis work may be included in the 30 credit hours’ requirement. The thesis can be primarily analytical, computational or experimental; or it can be some combination of these. In each case, students must demonstrate the ability to read the appropriate engineering literature, to learn independently and to express themselves well technically, both orally and in writing. For the nonthesis option, a student may replace the thesis with additional elective courses and a final program examination, following approval of a written petition submitted to the department head. Generally, students wishing to pursue an academic career are encouraged to choose the thesis option.
Curriculum
The program of study leading to the master’s degree in aerospace engineering is offered in the three listed areas of specialization. The minimum program requirements consists of nine credit hours of core courses, six credit hours of mathematics and 15 credit hours (which may include six credit hours of thesis) of electives. Within the 15 credit hours of electives, six credit hours of course work are restricted electives. The department maintains a list of restricted electives for each specialization.
The nine credit hours of core courses must be chosen in consultation with the student’s adviser from one of the lists below.
Aerodynamics and Fluid Dynamics
| MAE 5110 | Continuum Mechanics |
| MAE 5120 | Aerodynamics of Wings and Bodies |
| MAE 5130 | Viscous Flows |
| MAE 5140 | Experimental Fluid Dynamics |
| MAE 5150 | Computational Fluid Dynamics |
| MAE 5180 | Turbulent Flows |
Aerospace Structures and Materials
| MAE 5050 | Finite Element Fundamentals |
| MAE 5410 | Elasticity |
| MAE 5430 | Design of Aerospace Structures |
| MAE 5460 | Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue of Materials |
| MAE 5470 | Principles of Composite Materials |
| MAE 5480 | Structural Dynamics |
Combustion and Propulsion
| MAE 5130 | Viscous Flows |
| MAE 5150 | Computational Fluid Dynamics |
| MAE 5310 | Combustion Fundamentals |
| MAE 5320 | Internal Combustion Engines |
| MAE 5350 | Gas Turbines |
| MAE 5360 | Hypersonic Air-breathing Engines |
Electives are selected from these course offerings and appropriate courses in mathematics, in consultation with the student’s adviser and committee. The topics of emphasis for aerospace engineering in the three areas of specialization include aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, experimental fluid dynamics, flow instability theory, combustion, aerospace propulsion and power, aerospace structures, composite materials, fracture mechanics and fatigue of materials.