Doctorate In Aerospace Engineering

Overview

Few professions unleash the spirit of innovation like mechanical and aerospace engineering. From flight to alternative energy, we constantly discover how to improve lives by creating bold new solutions that connect science to life in unexpected, forward-thinking ways. Emboldened by the direct and positive effect we have on people's everyday lives we look forward to channeling our imagination and creativity to meet the needs and challenges of the 21st century. Join us in an exciting journey of learning, innovation, and leadership, and look ahead where your horizons become absolutely unlimited!

About The Program

The overall objective of the graduate program in aerospace engineering is to develop in a student the ability to define a technical problem, establish an appropriate mathematical or experimental model based on a firm understanding of the physical nature of the problem, analyze the problem by theoretical, numerical, or experimental techniques, and evaluate the results. Although this ability is developed in the context of aerospace problems, it is applicable to the engineering of any physical system.

The program is designed for a student with any of the following specific objectives:

1. A sound foundation in advanced mathematics, science, and engineering that will equip the student well for research and development work or for further advanced study toward a doctoral degree in engineering.

2. A program of advanced study that allows specialization in one of the following areas:

• Fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and propulsion (theoretical and applied aerodynamics, gas dynamics, viscous fluid mechanics, turbulence, computational and experimental fluid dynamics, bio-fluidics, hypersonic flow theory, high-temperature gas dynamics, V/STOL and rotorcraft aerodynamics, air-breathing, and rocket propulsion);
• Structural mechanics and structures (solid mechanics, aerospace structures, structural dynamics, composite structures, and material characterization, damage tolerance and durability, smart structures, structure optimization, sensor technology, high-temperature structures and materials, aeroelasticity);
• Flight mechanics and controls (atmospheric and space flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, guidance, navigation, and control);
• Vehicle design (conceptual aircraft design, atmospheric flight vehicle design, spacecraft design, computer-aided engineering).

3. A balanced but non-specialized program of advanced study in aerodynamics, astronautics, flight dynamics, structural analysis, propulsion, and fluid mechanics, with emphasis on experimental techniques and modern mathematical analysis.

SpaceX / unsplash

Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy

• The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 24 hours of graduate-level course work beyond the Master’s degree and will include a scholarly dissertation that provides a significant original contribution to Aerospace Engineering.
• The Ph.D. degree course requirement can be tailored to satisfy the individual student’s aspirations in choice of the area of specialization. However, to meet the educational goals of a broad-based technical background in Aerospace Engineering, it is expected that each student will take sufficient course work to obtain in-depth knowledge in at least two core areas of Aerospace Engineering.
• Students whose background is in a field other than Aerospace Engineering must satisfy the Master’s degree core requirements.
• There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D.
• Qualifying Exam: All students entering the Ph.D. program are required to take the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam. Students admitted into the AE Ph.D. program with an MS degree in Aerospace Engineering or equivalent must take the Qualifying Exam at the end of the 1st semester. This exam is offered twice per year, during the week preceding the start of classes for the fall and spring semesters. Possible outcomes of this evaluation are:

1. continuation in the doctoral program,
2. approval to continue with certain specified remedial work,
3. failure with approval to retake,
4. termination in the program.

• Comprehensive Exam: Students are eligible to take the comprehensive examination after satisfying all requirements stipulated by the Qualifying Exam Committee and giving evidence to their doctoral committee of adequate academic achievement by having completed all or most coursework requirements. The comprehensive examination is used to determine if the student has the necessary background and specialization required for the dissertation research and if the student can organize and conduct the research. An applicant must pass this examination to be admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

B.S. to Ph.D. Track

• The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 42 credit hours of graduate-level course work beyond the bachelor’s degree and will include a scholarly dissertation that provides a significant original contribution to Aerospace Engineering
• A B.S.-Ph.D. Track students will be required to enroll in at least three hours of research each semester during the student’s first two years, receiving a pass/fail grade (no R grade) in these hours.
• A student may be exempted from enrolling in research hours in the student’s initial semester.
• A B.S.-Ph.D. Track student must have a faculty research (dissertation) advisor prior to the start of the student’s second full semester.
• Students in the BS-Ph.D. program must take the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam within the first year from the start of their Ph.D.

Admission Requirements

Unconditional Admission for Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

Unconditional admission into the Aerospace Engineering Program requires the submission of items 1 through 5 below for each degree program. To be unconditionally admitted, an applicant must at least meet conditions 1, 2, 3, and 4.

1. Minimum GPA of 3.3 in the last 60 hours taken in the major field of study in an appropriate engineering or science discipline. (For some international applicants where GPA calculations based on a 4.0 system are not performed, a minimum performance level of 70 percentile is expected. This minimum expectation may be higher for some countries, where less stringent grading criteria are used.) Performance in core Aerospace Engineering courses is of particular importance.
2. A GRE score of at least 150 (verbal) and 159 (quantitative). For those applicants whose GRE verbal score falls below 150, high TOEFL/IELTS scores may be considered to offset the GRE verbal score.
3. Three favorable recommendations via the university’s recommendation form or via recommendation letter.
4. A Statement of Purpose detailing the applicant’s background, education, professional goals, technical interests, and research interests.
5. For applicants whose native language is not English: All students admitted to the program must meet the minimum university English language requirements as detailed in the general admission requirements section of the catalog. However, meeting the minimum requirement does not guarantee admission. The program will give preference to students with an IELTS score of 6.5, or a TOEFL-iBT total score of 84.

Probationary Admission for Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

Probationary admission into the Aerospace Engineering Program may be permitted under the following conditions for each degree program:

1. If an applicant meets any three of the items 1, 2, 3, and 4 above for the doctoral program.
2. For applicants whose native language is not English: All students admitted to the program must meet the minimum university English language requirements as detailed in the general admission requirements section of the catalog. However, meeting the minimum requirement does not guarantee admission. The program will give preference to students with an IELTS score of 6.5, or a TOEFL-iBT total score of 84.