phd in aerospace engineering

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Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

Candidates in this program do classwork and research in aerospace structures, propulsion and aerodynamic systems, and have access to state-of-the-art labs and facilities.

Aerospace Engineering deals with the scientific principles that govern the design of airplanes, spacecraft, and jet engines. The Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering degree program allows highly motivated students with a strong science and engineering background to conduct research and coursework in the areas of aerospace structures, propulsion, and aerodynamic systems, while earning their doctoral degree.

Admission to the program is reserved for candidates at the bachelor and masters levels, with high academic achievement and a desire to advance their career through scientific inquiry and knowledge discovery in areas related to aerospace engineering.

Program coursework focuses on cutting-edge research and development. Students have access to state-of-the-art labs designed specifically for instruction and research in aerodynamics, propulsion, dynamics, control, structures, and materials. 

About Aerospace Engineering at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus

The Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering program at ERAU’s Daytona Beach Campus targets domestic and international students, as well as working professionals with bachelor’s or master's degrees in aerospace engineering (or closely related engineering disciplines), who have exemplary track records of academic achievement in their course work, and demonstrated keen interest and ability for engaging in research and independent inquiry.

Housed in the  Aerospace Engineering Department  of the  College of Engineering , the program features three areas of concentration: Aerodynamics and Propulsion, Structures and Materials, and Dynamics and Control.

Candidates for this degree program can expect areas of research to include:

• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
• Aeroacoustics
• Air-breathing propulsion
• Rocket propulsion
• Experimental thermo-fluid sciences
• Simulation of aerodynamics and propulsion systems
• Health monitoring of aerospace structures
• Smart materials and structures
• Adaptive structures
• Composite materials
• Functionally graded materials
• Dynamics and control of manned and unmanned aircraft
• Parameter identification of aircraft
• Space mission design
• Design and control of spacecraft
• Orbital debris remediation
• Spacecraft rendezvous and proximity operations
• Control of chaotic systems

Being adjacent to Daytona Beach International Airport and the NextGen Test Bed , and just 50 miles north of Kennedy Space Center, ERAU’s Daytona Beach Campus puts students in the middle of the aerospace industry.

Learn More about the Daytona Beach, FL Campus

View the Daytona Beach Catalog Listing

Financial aid is available in the form of teaching and research assistantships. Please contact the program coordinator for more information.

Transfer credit: Up to 2 relevant courses can be transferred from another institution upon approval of the program coordinator.

Ph.D. Program

Learn more about the Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at the Daytona Beach College of Engineering website.

The Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering is conferred in recognition of creative work and the ability to investigate scientific and engineering problems independently, as well as completion of the coursework necessary to build a solid foundation for research. In addition to its academic rigor, the degree emphasizes discovery of new knowledge and performance of research of importance to industry and to the aerospace engineering community. Admission to the program is reserved for candidates at the bachelors and masters levels, with high academic achievement  and a desire to advance their career through scientific inquiry and knowledge discovery in areas related to aerospace engineering.

The objective of the Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering is to provide an opportunity for highly motivated students with a strong science and engineering background to participate in a program of research and course work in the areas of Aerodynamics & Propulsion, Dynamics & Control, and Structures & Materials while earning their doctoral degree.

The degree is conferred primarily in recognition of original research and completion of a dissertation resulting in journal publications. In addition, a minimum number of advanced courses that help students build a solid foundation for Ph.D. level research is required.

Although the program is designed for delivery through traditional residential format, provisions are in place to allow highly qualified working individuals in industry or government to participate, when appropriate arrangements can be made.

Areas of Concentration

There are three areas of concentration in the Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering:

Aerodynamics & Propulsion focuses on aerodynamics, viscous flows, hypersonic flows, and jet engine and rocket aero-thermodynamics. Courses are offered in these subjects, as well as in specialized topics such as combustion, heat transfer, aeroacoustics, and rotorcraft aerodynamics. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is offered at an introductory level. Advanced level topics include CFD as well as turbine engine systems. Research topics within the Aero-Propulsion group include: Aeroacoustic modeling and noise mitigation; micro air vehicles and synthetic jets for mitigating icing and flow separation; heat transfer in turbine blades; rocket propulsion simulation; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; hypersonic vehicles and hypersonic combustion; pulsed detonation engines; extending stall margins in fans and compressors; rotorcraft aerodynamics; turbulent boundary layer/shear layers and their control; two-phase boundary layers; fluid structure interaction; numerical simulation of plasma for flow control and plasma assisted combustion; and LES of compressible turbulence and high speed combustion.

• Dynamics & Control focuses on the modeling of complex dynamical systems and the design, implementation and testing of guidance, navigation and active feedback control of these systems to meet rigorous requirements and high levels of performance. Particular research topics include autonomous unpiloted air and ground vehicles; evolving aerospace structures and formations; control of flexible aerospace structures; networked systems; aircraft guidance control and handling qualities; spacecraft guidance, navigation and control, with emphasis on rendezvous and proximity operations; aviation safety; artificial intelligence; wind energy systems; and control of quantum information systems.

• Structures & Materials focuses on the study of aeroelasticity, vibration, fracture mechanics, thermoelasticity, composite materials, nanomaterials, smart materials, structural health monitoring, reliability analysis, computational structural mechanics, and design optimization. Particular research topics include aircraft structural design; aeroelastic tailoring; design for additive manufacturing; optimization of composite structures; smart actuators and systems; guided-wave structural health monitoring; static and impact performance of lightweight materials; use of carbon nanotubes and graphene for strengthening and repair of composites; and molecular dynamic simulation.

The Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering program targets domestic and international students, as well as working professionals with a Masters degree in aerospace engineering (or closely related engineering disciplines), who have exemplary track records of academic achievement in their course work, and demonstrated keen interest and ability for engaging in research and independent inquiry.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering will be conferred primarily in recognition of creative accomplishment and the ability to investigate scientific or engineering problems independently. The doctoral program also requires completion of advanced coursework that helps students build a solid foundation for Ph.D.-level research.

A student in the Ph.D. program is expected to

• complete an approved plan of study during the first semester as a Ph.D. student
• pass the qualifying examinations to achieve advancement to candidacy
• pass the preliminary examination (present a dissertation proposal acceptable to the dissertation committee)
• complete a program of significant original research
• prepare and defend a dissertation concerning the research work
• complete the credit hours requirement listed below

Candidates will have an Aerospace Engineering faculty member assigned as their research advisor and chair of their dissertation committee. The candidate and advisor will work collaboratively to define the research topic, to determine the courses of study and to select appropriate members of the dissertation committee. Working under the auspices and direction of the advisor, the candidate will be responsible for developing a research plan and the dissertation proposal.

While the typical time for completing the Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering will be three (3) years for students with a Master's degree, it will be the policy of the College of Engineering that the total duration of the doctoral study should not exceed five (5) years beyond the Master's degree. Exceptions will be allowed when justified.

Credit Hours Requirement

For students with a Master's degree, the curriculum requires a minimum of 42 credit hours, including a minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework (including one advanced math course) and a minimum of 24 credit hours of dissertation research.

For students with a BS degree, the student needs to complete the requirements for a Master's degree first in addition to the 42 credit hours mentioned above.

At least six hours of coursework must be at 600 level. At most six hours of non-AE courses in EP, other Engineering, or MA, with Advisor and Program Coordinator approval.

Qualifying Examinations

A Ph.D. student must take the qualifying examination in both mathematics and their area of concentration (i.e. Aerodynamics & Propulsion, Structures & Materials or Dynamics & Control).

The qualifying examinations are given once a year in early May. A student must pass the qualifying examination prior to presenting a dissertation proposal.

• See Ph.D. AE Qualifying Examination Procedure for details.

Preliminary Examinations

The purpose of the preliminary examination is to evaluate students’ readiness for conducting their proposed research, assess their ability to use their knowledge to carry out independent and creative research and confirm their potential for successful completion of the Ph.D. dissertation. A Ph.D. student must take the preliminary examination within one year after completing the qualifying examinations.

The preliminary examination consists of a written research proposal and an oral presentation, which is made to the examining committee. The preliminary examination is to evaluate student’s readiness for completing the proposed research.

Dissertation Defense

The dissertation defense is the candidate’s presentation of the work accomplished since the passing of the preliminary examination, and has been deemed sufficient and complete by the candidate’s advisor. The defense is administered by the student’s dissertation committee, in accordance with Department of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering and University guidelines. The purpose of the examination is to evaluate the student's research efforts and written dissertation, to determine if the candidate is qualified to receive a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. The major areas of emphasis of this examination are the quality and originality of the candidate’s research, and his/her knowledge and understanding of the general areas of study related thereto.

Advisor and Dissertation Committee

Students must have an advisor from the faculty of the Aerospace Engineering department when he/she is admitted to the doctoral program in aerospace engineering.

A student must work with his/her major advisor to form a plan of study, a proposed calendar of events and a dissertation committee. The dissertation committee is composed of four faculty members of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus, including at least three faculty members from the Aerospace Engineering Department. The fourth member should be a faculty from outside the Aerospace Engineering Department, i.e. faculty in another Engineering Department, or Physics, Mathematics. etc. In the event that a student is involved in collaborative research with an outside institution and/or company, one or more qualified members from these entities may serve on the dissertation committee, in addition to the four faculty members from the Daytona Beach Campus. The student’s advisor serves as the chair of the dissertation committee. The dissertation committee must be formed within two semesters of the student’s admission to the Ph.D. program.

Annual Progress Review

The dissertation committee will review the progress of the Ph.D. student/candidate once a year. The purpose of the review is to ensure that students continue to make satisfactory progress toward their degree objective. All major recommendations from this annual review will be forwarded to the student, with an assessment of achievements and of areas where improvements are expected.

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Doctor of Philosophy

Our PhD program requires a commitment of typically five years and consists of coursework, a preliminary coursework examination, a preliminary research examination, and original research guided by one or more faculty advisors that culminates with an oral defense and published dissertation.

Fully Funded

The program is fully-funded, which means that subject to satisfactory progress, the student receives full coverage of tuition and mandatory student fees, as well as a yearlong monthly stipend. These funds come from a combination of faculty research funds, departmental fellowships, and instructional funds if the student assists in teaching during certain terms. Students are encouraged to apply for outside funding, particularly merit-based fellowships, as having external support will typically provide the student with more flexibility in projects.

PhD Advisor

Regardless of the ultimate source of funding, the student is advised by a faculty member who supervises and guides the research. These faculty advisors participate in the admissions process by selecting students that are appropriate for available projects. Therefore, every student admitted into the PhD program has already been selected for a project by one or more faculty members at the time they are admitted.

Prospective Students

Prospective PhD students seeking admission are encouraged to review the  research of the faculty  and initiate contact with them directly, via email, to assess the availability of potential research projects.

The following information pertains to students admitted into the PhD program.

Required Background

A master’s degree is not required to be admitted to the PhD program. However, our graduate program is very selective, with approximately 10% of the PhD applicants to our program finally admitted.

Learn about the  academic background of students admitted to consider whether our program is a good fit.

Degree Requirements

The PhD degree requires a sound background in fundamental aerospace engineering courses which is assessed by the preliminary examinations. These examinations are typically completed after the second or third semester in the program. The PhD dissertation requires a student to demonstrate their ability to pursue and solve an original research problem, which implies the ability to carry out independent research.

• Preliminary Examination coursework:  To qualify for the preliminary examination, a student must achieve a GPA of at least 3.5/4.0 in five core doctoral courses selected by the student and approved by the student’s research advisor. The five courses consist of three courses from  Category 1 doctoral courses  and two courses from either  Category 1 or Category 2 doctoral courses .

related links

Aerospace Engineering Courses Approved by Rackham

Aerospace Engineering Doctoral Graduate Student Handbook

• Additional coursework:  Courses selected to prepare for the preliminary examination do not alone constitute sufficient preparation for doctoral research. Each doctoral student is urged to select additional courses, beyond what is required for the preliminary examination that provides suitable background for the doctoral research specialization that the student intends to pursue. The selection of suitable courses should be made in consultation with the doctoral advisor.

Cognate Requirement

Rackham recognizes the value of intellectual breadth in graduate education and the importance of formal graduate study in areas beyond the student’s field of specialization. Cognate courses are those that are in a discipline or area different from a student’s field of study but are related or connected with some aspect of this field. All cognate coursework must be approved by the graduate program.

The cognate requirement may be satisfied in two ways:

• By completing three credit hours of cognate coursework in approved  graduate-level courses  with a grade of B or better. Cognate courses may be AEROSP courses as long as they are cross-listed as a course in another program.
• By completing  graduate coursework at another institution  that meets the expectation of the cognate requirement. These courses do not apply toward the minimum credit hours required for the degree, do not appear on the U-M transcript and must be completed no more than five years before admission to the current Rackham graduate program. The student must provide Rackham Academic Records and Dissertations (OARD) with an official transcript from this other institution, and the graduate program should notify OARD that the coursework fulfills the cognate requirement.

Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship Requirement

The College of Engineering’s  Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship program   is designed to engage students to be able to recognize, address, and resolve ethical issues in classroom, professional and research settings. The program consists of four mandatory two-hour workshops. Workshops are offered once in the fall and once in the winter. The student must complete all four workshops before advancing to candidacy.

Preliminary Examinations

The preliminary examinations (prelims) consist of two tests, both oral, and both administered by faculty committees: the oral coursework examination, typically taken at the end of the second or third semester; and the oral research examination, typically taken in the second or third year.

A full description of both exams is given in the  Doctoral Graduate Student Handbook.

Oral Coursework Examination

This is an oral examination that covers material taught in the five courses (noted above in “preliminary examination coursework”). It is administered by a three-member committee over 90 minutes.

The preliminary examination is scheduled twice each academic year, once in early December and once in early May. To sign up please complete the  Coursework Examination Sign-up form (PDF) and share it with the department’s graduate office.

Oral Research Examination

This is an oral examination that consists of a research presentation followed by questions from a committee, which is typically the student’s thesis committee. It is administered over one hour, at a time mutually agreeable to the student and committee. 

Scheduling the exam is the responsibility of the student and can be done at any time in the year. The student must also provide a research document to the committee at least one week in advance of the exam, in the form of a conference paper approximately 10 pages in length.

Pass, fail or retake decisions for the coursework examination are made in a faculty meeting at the conclusion of the examination period. 

Each coursework examination committee (CEC) presents a summary of the test performance and states the decision. All department faculty are invited to discuss and vote on the outcome. Students will receive written feedback about their coursework examination performance on a standardized form completed by their CEC. Students who do not pass the coursework examination may be permitted to take the exam one additional time.

For the research exam, the research examination committee makes a pass, fail or retake decision and communicates the outcome to the student with feedback on performance. If deficiencies are found, students will be encouraged to retake the exam when appropriate. There is no limit to the number of retakes of the research exam, but failing the research exam is grounds for dismissal from the PhD program.

Advancing to Candidacy

A student becomes a PhD candidate once they:

• pass the oral coursework examination;
• complete the Rackham cognate requirement;
• attend all four Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship (RCRS) workshops;
• and accumulate at least 18 credit hours of coursework at the University of Michigan.

Students should contact the graduate office once they have completed the candidacy requirements to ensure forms for advancing to candidacy are completed properly.

Dissertation

Dissertation committee.

Doctoral research is carried out under the supervision of a faculty advisor and a dissertation committee; the dissertation committee should normally be formed within one year after the student has achieved doctoral candidacy status. The student should expect to meet with their dissertation committee immediately after it is formed and at least on an annual basis up to the PhD defense.

Dissertation Defense

Each student must initiate research activity with their advisor in the first year of graduate study at U-M. In order to complete the PhD degree, the student must carry out original and publishable research, present the results in a written dissertation, defend the dissertation at a final oral defense, and complete the final post-defense (see  Rackham’s Dissertation Handbook   for additional details) tasks.

The oral defense presentation represents the culmination of the student’s research and is given to the committee and other faculty and students. The student must be able to clearly and concisely present their research and must be able to answer questions from the committee and others in attendance.

Guidelines for Dissertation Committee Formation

Rackham Committee Selection Form

Travel Grant

Rackham’s Dissertation Resources

Research Publicity Request Form

AERO PhD Defense Announcement Template

PhD candidates should download the AERO defense flyer template  and update it with their own photo, dissertation abstract and event details to spread the word to their research group and other colleagues who would like to attend.

Please save the flyer as a PDF and send it to  Ruthie Freeman  at least two weeks before your event to have it shared it with the department through standard department channels.

HELPUL RESOURCE

Familiarize yourself with the department PhD handbook to understand the policies and procedures that will impact your doctoral education.

Aerospace Engineering (Ph.D.)

Focus: advancing knowledge and research in areas such as aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, aeroelasticity and structural dynamics, flight mechanics and control, propulsion and combustion, structural mechanics and materials behavior, and system design and optimization. Blank Space (small) (text and background only visible when logged in) Aerospace Engineering (Ph.D.) Course Description and Catalog

PhD Admissions

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The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is intended primarily for students who desire a career in research, advanced development, or teaching. Students in the PhD program obtain a broad education in the core areas of Aeronautics and Astronautics through coursework, while also engaging in intensive research in a specialized area, culminating in a doctoral thesis.

As of the 2021-2022 application term, an MS degree will no longer be required to apply to the PhD program in Aeronautics and Astronautics. Students with a Bachelor’s degree who ultimately intend to complete a PhD degree are strongly encouraged to apply directly to the PhD program, rather than the MS program.

Current Stanford MS students interested in adding a PhD program to their academic career should speak with the staff at the Aero/Astro Student Services Office about the necessary paperwork and relevant policies. If you are a current master's student in the Stanford Aeronautics and Astronautics Department, to apply for the PhD, you must complete paperwork prior to conferring the MS degree.

Application Deadlines

We have one PhD admission cycle. Application deadlines are final. A completed application (including letters of recommendation, transcripts and TOEFL scores) must be uploaded by the deadline. Applications will NOT be accepted after the deadline. A completed application (including letters of recommendation, transcripts and TOEFL scores) must be received by the following date:

Autumn 2024-25: December 5, 2023

Application Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the PhD program, applicants must either:

• hold, or expect to hold before enrollment at Stanford, a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university.
• Applicants from institutions outside the U.S. must hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing. See minimum level of study required of international applicants .

Students who meet the above degree requirement with a strong technical background in engineering, physics, or a comparable science program are welcome to apply; a bachelor's degree in aeronautics and astronautics or mechanical engineering is not strictly required.

All students interested in pursuing a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics should use the Stanford Graduate Admissions Application . Your application must include all of the materials listed below and be received by Stanford by the application deadline. The fee for online graduate applications is $125.

Required Application Documents

• Online Application
• Application Fee

Statement of Purpose

• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Official TOEFL* Scores, if applicable

Application Fee Waiver

If you are considering Stanford graduate programs and need assistance with the application fees, consider applying for a fee waiver .

Your statement of purpose should identify personal and professional goals. It should also discuss your development to date and your intentions relative to graduate study and life beyond Stanford. The Aero/Astro Graduate Admissions Committee reads your statement of purpose with interest because, along with the letters of recommendation, it offers insight into who you are as an individual. Your statement of purpose should not exceed two pages (single-spaced).

Transcripts

Submitting transcripts when you are applying, and after you have been offered admission are two separate steps. When applying: You must upload one scanned version of your transcript(s) in the online application. Please read the Applying section of this website for important information about submitting transcripts. If offered admission: Please see this page for information on submitting final official transcripts.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required; one letter must come from an academic source, although at least two are preferred. Recommendations must be submitted online. Please see the "Recommendations" section of the online application for information. Please  do not  submit letters of recommendation through Interfolio.

TOEFL Scores

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) . Stanford accepts only ETS (Educational Testing Service) scores. TOEFL results must be from an examination taken within the past two years. The Stanford institution code for ETS reporting is 4704. You do not need a department code. For more information on TOEFL requirements, please see the Required Exams and Frequently Asked Questions sections on the Graduate Admissions website .

*Stanford will temporarily accept the TOEFL ITP Plus test with the Vericant interview for applicants from Mainland China who are unable to sit for the TOEFL iBT. This exception is requested only for the 2020-2021 application cycle. Applicants may be asked to re-test at a later time once the Stanford TOEFL iBT becomes available, or applicants may be asked to re-test through the Stanford Language Center. Per current University policy, all international students including those from Mainland China must receive English language clearance from the English for Foreign Students program prior to becoming a teaching assistant.

Exemptions are granted to applicants who have earned (or will earn, before enrolling at Stanford) a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States, or the international equivalent degree from a university of recognized standing in a country in which all instruction is provided in English. U.S. citizenship does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking the TOEFL if the applicant’s first language is not English.

Reapplicants must submit new supporting documents and complete the online application as outlined above, in the graduate application checklist. Only prior official test scores can be reactivated.

Application Status

You may view your application status and decision by logging into your status page . Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to confirm with individual applicants when documents have been received. All applicants should monitor the online checklist to track individual documents. It is the applicant's responsibility to monitor the checklist and ensure that all documents are received by the deadline.

Admission Decisions

Completed applications are reviewed by the faculty Admissions Committee throughout the winter. A select group of applicants will be interviewed during the evaluation process. Letters are sent as decisions are made, beginning in March. The selection of graduate students admitted to the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the applicant’s academic record, the letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, personal qualities and characteristics, and past accomplishments.

PhD Funding

All SoE PhD students who are in good standing relative to their PhD program requirements will be funded to the department’s PhD standard. In all departments, this is at least equivalent to Stanford’s 20-hour-RA salary plus tuition to cover the department’s required enrollment (summer enrollment requirements vary by department).  Funding can include fellowships, research assistantships, training grants and teaching assistantships. PhD students are encouraged to pursue outside fellowships. Besides the prestige, fellowships give the recipient greater flexibility in determining their own research direction.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of Stanford Engineering students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS).

KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a multidisciplinary and multicultural cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your graduate studies at Stanford.

Candidates from any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years (or nine years, if you have served in your country's military). Applicants must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS.

If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about KHS admission .

Application Questions

email: [email protected]

PhD in Aerospace Engineering

The PhD in Aerospace Engineering at WPI gives you the tools, facilities, and support to lead independent research and advance your professional capabilities into the technology and the science of aircraft and spacecraft. The degree program is flexible and offers both full-time and part-time options so you can earn your degree while keeping up with your current responsibilities.

Value Proposition Description

Our innovative and involved faculty contribute to aerospace research and currently have research under way in fluids and propulsion, dynamics and control, and materials and structure. You’ll work closely with faculty to find your best path and contribute to high-level research projects as well as developing your own body of work.

You can apply for the PhD in aerospace engineering with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree, with the bachelor’s degree requiring a longer course of study to completion of the PhD degree. The course work requires several aerospace engineering courses; graduate seminars; and proposal, completion, and defense of a dissertation. Our faculty will help you match your research interests to your professional goals so you can launch right into a career upon graduation.

Students may use these academic planners to help determine their credits:

• PhD Academic Plan for Students Entering with BS Degrees
• PhD Academic Plan for Students Entering with MS Degrees
• PhD Degree Requirements and Policies

Research for Aerospace Engineering PhD

The Aerospace Engineering PhD program allows candidates the opportunity to delve deep into original research they are particularly passionate about. Our expert faculty invite collaboration and innovation in our classrooms and state-of-the-art labs to advance aerospace engineering research.

Recent research projects:

• Intelligent algorithms placed on board UAVs to assist remote military and civilian pilots and lead to improved operational safety
• Investigation of ignition and flame propagation enhancement by plasma assisted technologies to contribute to developing modern combustion-based energy conversion devices with higher efficiency and lower emissions

Aerospace engineering students work closely with faculty to gain mastery in the fundamentals of aerospace engineering and a strong technical competency in modern aerospace components and systems.

The world is our lab. Through coursework and research, students develop technical and scientific skills to solve real-world problems.

Collaborative, hands-on project work means many great minds use their knowledge to achieve better solutions.

A degree in aerospace engineering can lead to careers in academia, industry, and business.

WPI’s aerospace engineering facilities are extensive and well funded by government partners. Researchers have access to the latest equipment and enjoy an open and encouraging atmosphere.

• Aerodynamics Test Facility
• Computational Fluid and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory
• CubeSat Ground Operations Room
• Fluid Dynamics Laboratory
• Fluid and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory
• Micro Fluid and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory
• Systems and Robot Control Laboratory
• Vacuum Test Facility

Faculty Profiles

In my teaching I bring fluid and aerodynamics experiments, including wind tunnels, into the classroom each day. Fundamental concepts are demonstrated in these experiments, and collected data is immediately compared to the theory and equations learned during lecture. Students see that they can use what they are learning in class to predict the behavior of aerospace systems. They then go on to design improved systems in MQP projects and during their careers.

Professor Demetriou is very active with the Controls and Systems research community. He served as an Associate Editor in the IEEE Tr. on Automatic Control (2004-2007), in the ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control (2009-2011), and in SIAM J. Control and Optimization (2009-present). He is also serving in the IEEE-Control Systems Society Conference Editorial Board as an Associate Editor (1997-present). In 2003 he established the IEEE-CSS Technical Committee on Distributed Parameter Systems and served as his first chair (2003-2012).

Nikolaos A. Gatsonis received an undergraduate degree in Physics at the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece (1983), an M.S. in Atmospheric Science at the University of Michigan (1996), an M.S. (1987) and a Ph.D. (1991) in the Aeronautics and Astronautics department of MIT. From 1991 to 1993 he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Space Department of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. In 1994 he joined the Mechanical Engineering faculty at WPI, promoted to Associate Professor in 2000 and to Professor in 2005. He is the Founding Director of the B.S. (2005), M.S.

Autonomous vehicles – aircraft, cars, rovers, over- and underwater vehicles that can move in the real world by themselves without human pilotage – have gained immense importance not only due to the broad spectrum of their potential military and civilian applications, but also due to the concurrent development of sensor technology and embedded systems that enable the realization of true autonomy.

Prior to joining the faculty at WPI in 2001, I was a Senior Staff Engineer in the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). My research at JPL included application of plasma sources for materials processing and the development of pulsed plasma and small-scale hydrazine thrusters. In the mission support area, I worked as the propulsion engineer for the Deep Space 3 Interferometer and Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) missions.

My research is aimed towards understanding fundamental aspects of reacting flows at thermodynamic conditions of relevance to aircraft, rocket, and automobile propulsion. Reacting flow phenomena occurring in engines are complicated as a result of turbulent flow, interaction with solid boundaries, and extreme thermodynamic conditions. In order to understand and simulate combustion phenomena under such conditions, there is a necessity to develop accurate chemical kinetic and molecular transport models in addition to fluid mechanics models.

Prior to joining the faculty at WPI in August 2015, I worked as a post-doctoral research associate at Graduate Aerospace Laboratories at California Institute of Technology. My research at Caltech focused on the development of a Granular Element Method (GEM) based force visualization technique for the study of 2D granular systems under impact loading. I examined of the role of granular fabric on the wave motion and formation of force chains in granular media.

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Experiential PhD: Working Full-Time While Pursuing Your PhD Degree

WPI supports individuals working full-time in industry to pursue PhD degrees either part-time or full-time on topics related to their employment. Want to learn more about this opportunity and how to obtain this industry-based PhD degree, visit the WPI Experiential PhD program page.

Explore Alternative PhD Paths

Are you intrigued by evaluating design and engineering principles, but prefer to be on land? With a PhD in mechanical engineering you can use your creative talents to produce devices closer to home, for businesses, houses, and more. As a student in our PhD program, you’ll have the opportunity to lead breakthrough research alongside world-renowned WPI faculty and work to solve problems that support real industry partners.

Pursue a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering First

Do you first need to earn your master’s degree? Here at WPI, we offer a flexible part or full time master’s in aerospace engineering perfect for students who have other obligations. Our MS covers topics like turbomachinery, spacecraft propulsion, and more to encourage students to simulate their creativity into practice. Our one-on-one faculty mentorship empowers students to gain technical expertise in modern aerospace from industry experts.

Just Starting Your Career? Reach Sky High Limits with a Bachelor's.

If you have aspirations to become an aerospace engineer, flight technician, or even a design engineer, be sure to set yourself up for success with a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering . As an undergraduate student you’ll have exposure to the technical tools to learn about aircraft design, astronautics, and more. Maybe you’re intrigued by airplanes and rockets, but aren’t sure you want to major in aerospace engineering? Consider gaining a fundamental understanding of aircraft with our minor in aerospace engineering .

University of Notre Dame

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Ph.D. in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

Our Ph.D. in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering is one of the largest and most successful at the University of Notre Dame, with more than 150 graduate students, 40 faculty, and a thriving research program.

Top-flight research opportunities and flexible advanced-level coursework allow you to pursue interests closely aligned with your career aspirations. With a 4:1 graduate-student-to-faculty ratio, the program offers individual attention and support to prepare you for careers in academia, government, and industry.

Our program is designed for Ph.D. students, typically takes five years, and includes full financial support, including a stipend and tuition scholarship.

Please note: Our program is not focused on the M.S. degree, and financial support is not available for master’s degrees.

Research areas

• Bioengineering
• Computation
• Fluid Mechanics
• Materials & Thermal Science and Manufacturing
• Robotics and Controls

Degree requirements

• A minimum of 60 credit hours, with at least 30 hours of coursework (10 classes) and at least 30 credits of thesis research or dissertation research.
• Qualifying exam, which must be accomplished prior to the fourth semester and includes a written document on your research area, a presentation, and an examination by a committee of faculty.
• Oral candidacy exam, which must be accomplished prior to the conclusion of the 8th semester (4 th year), and includes a written proposal for a dissertation topic, a presentation, and an examination by a committee of faculty.
• Written dissertation, outlining an original research contribution and showing technical mastery of the field and the contributions to the advancement of knowledge.
• An oral presentation and dissertation defense to a committee of faculty.

All AME Ph.D. students must contribute to the educational mission of the Department as an essential part of their education, mastery of topical material, and professional development. Students serve as a teaching assistant (TA) for the first 8 semesters.

A detailed description of the requirements for a Ph.D. degree, including a list of courses offered, can be found in the AME Graduate Studies Handbook.

Admission requirements

• Undergraduate degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or a similar field.
• Three letters of recommendation

Please note: A master’s degree is not required for direct admission into the Ph.D. program, and students with B.S., B.A., or M.S. degrees are all encouraged to apply directly to the Ph.D. program.

Financial support

• Generous 12-month stipends for Ph.D. students
• Substantially increased stipends for doctoral students with fellowships
• 100% health insurance premiums paid
• Full-tuition scholarships
• Conference/workshop travel funding opportunities

We also offer dedicated graduate student career coaching.

The application deadline for Fall admission is December 31.

Questions about the program

Prof. Ryan McClarren Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

Questions about the application process

Carly Reynolds Program Administrator [email protected]

FAQs about applying to the Ph.D. program

How do i apply.

Apply online to the Ph.D. program. Start your application by setting up an account and you can work on it periodically, saving it as needed. Just be sure to submit by December 31!

What do I need to provide with the application?

• Unofficial transcripts
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Statement of intent

Is there a minimum required GPA?

There is no minimum required GPA. However, generally a GPA of at least 3.3 on a scale of 4.0 or equivalent is recommended to be a competitive applicant.

Do I need to take the GRE?

GRE test is optional for all applicants.

Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS if I’m an international student?

If you are an international student who obtained your degree outside of the U.S., then either the TOEFL or IELTS is required. The minimum TOEFL IBT score is 80 with a 23 on the speaking section. If your speaking score is below 23, we still encourage you to apply, but we may request a phone or video interview to confirm speaking ability. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0.

If you are a non-native English speaker who spent a minimum of two academic years at an academic institution whose primary language of instruction was English, then you do not have to take the TOEFL or the IELTS. If it is not obvious that the institution’s primary language of instruction was English, a letter from the Registrar’s Office (or the office responsible for academic records) confirming English as the language of instruction is required.

Do TOEFL/IELTS scores expire?

Yes. TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for 2 years.

Do I need letters of recommendation?

Yes, we require 3 letters of recommendation. Enter the recommender’s name and address into a form in the online application. You may add as many as five recommenders; three are required. The recommender will receive an email providing secure access to the recommendation form and instructions to complete the recommendation electronically. Please note that as soon as a recommender is added to an application, they will receive this email. Applicants should only add recommenders when they are prepared for this email to be sent and for a recommendation to be submitted for that application.

Letters of recommendation are very helpful to us in evaluating an application. Letters that discuss your potential as a graduate student are particularly helpful, especially if those that can cover your readiness and acumen for graduate level research.

We recommend that you line up your letter writers early in the application process so that they have enough time to write a strong letter and also have enough time to submit it by the application deadline.

What should go in the statement of intent?

The statement of intent is a very important part of the application. We are looking for approximately two pages that describe:

• Your passion for research, why you want to go to graduate school, and how it fits into your career goals.
• Your preparation for graduate school and, especially, graduate research, including past research experiences, your accomplishments, and the research skills you have developed (developing and testing a hypothesis, experimental skills).

Whom can I contact if I have questions about my application?

Our Graduate Program Coordinator Carly Reynolds ( [email protected] ) is happy to help with any application questions.

Departments

• Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Electrical Engineering

Interdisciplinary programs

• Materials Science and Engineering

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PhD Program

This information is for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering

The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers a traditional doctoral program and a  direct doctoral program . Students in either programs are required to have a research advisor and applicants are encouraged to contact  department faculty  in their areas of interest to inquire about possible research and funding opportunities.

Opportunity exists for specializing in computational science and engineering via the  Computational Science & Engineering  optional graduate concentration.

Graduate Teaching Experience PhD students are required to hold a 25% or higher teaching assistantship for at least one semester in order to meet the requirements for the Department of Aerospace Engineering doctoral program. Information about teaching assistantships can be found on the department's  teaching assistantships Web site .

Department Research Research activities in the Department of Aerospace Engineering encompass a wide range of problem areas in aerospace engineering and related engineering disciplines as described on the department's  research area Web site .

There are several nationally-renowned interdisciplinary centers in The Grainger College of Engineering where Aerospace Engineering faculty members engage in research along with many other campus faculty members. A list of these, along with links to full descriptions, appears at the department's  interdisciplinary centers Web site . 

Members of the Aerospace Engineering Department have access to a wide range of excellent research facilities. These laboratories support a wide range of activity and are described at the department's  research facilities Web site .

• Course Requirements
• AE 590 Seminars
• Teaching Assistantships
• Doctoral Committee
• Qualifying Examination
• Preliminary Examination
• Final Examination
• Time Limitations and Milestones
• Degree Conferral and Checklist

Graduate Options and Joint Programs

Aerospace graduate students have the option of combining their Aerospace degrees with joint programs offered through Computational Science and Engineering , the MBA Program , and the Medical Scholars Program .

Graduate Contacts

Ioannis Chasiotis     Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

Jenna Russell Graduate Programs Coordinator [email protected]

Dung Quach Wisdom Graduate Programs Advisor [email protected]

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Doctor of Philosophy

With this degree option, students complete a minimum of 64 or 96 hours on their degree plans. The total number of hours on the degree plan, as well as the required number of hours of formal coursework, is dependent upon the student’s previous degree(s). As part of this research-intensive degree, students will pass the doctoral qualifying exam known as the Aerospace Engineering Fundamentals Exam ( AFQE ) qualifying exam in their second semester.  Following completion of the AFQE , the preliminary exam and a research proposal, the student will write and defend a dissertation.  A PhD requires a committee of four or more graduate level faculty members, including one faculty to act as the primary adviser for each candidate. Students may enter this program with the master’s or bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or an equivalent field. (If the previous degree is not in engineering, leveling courses may be required—perhaps even an undergraduate degree.) For more information about applicant qualifications and application deadlines, see the  Consideration for Admission  page. Students entering with a bachelor’s degree will be required to complete a 96-hour Doctor of Philosophy degree plan, and students who have earned at least a master’s degree, will complete a 64-hour Doctor of Philosophy degree plan.

Doctoral Program in Aerospace Engineering

• exploration technologies
• the art, science, and technology of design and manufacturing
• aerospace / mechanical technologies for improving urban life quality

• Bio-Inspired Engineering
• Combustion and Heat Transfer
• Computational Engineering
• Design and Manufacturing
• Dynamical Systems and Controls
• Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics
• Solid and Applied Mechanics

How to Apply

Usc graduate application, dissertation topics, phd alumni snapshot, funding & resources, research topics database.

Kyle Russell 

View more Doctoral Student & Alumni Profiles

Tour one of our research labs

Recent department videos.

Published on June 8th, 2021

Last updated on August 18th, 2023

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Kyle Russell PhD in Aerospace Engineering

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

The best advice I've ever been given is to think of research as a lifestyle rather than "work". To gain mastery over a topic, I have to spend many hours toiling over challenging concepts and problems, constantly looking for ways to better my own understanding. I do not get to mentally clock out in the afternoon and feel good about my productivity if I haven't made any progress towards internalizing a paper's findings or a textbook chapter. On the other hand, I definitely take time away from my studies and research to reset and rest. 

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

Throughout high school and college, I struggled in math. I got fine grades, but math took a majority of my study time and it never felt intuitive to me. In my freshman year of college, I got a B- in multivariable calculus which really made me question whether I was cut out to pursue a STEM degree. Regardless, I pressed on and chipped away at areas that didn't come easy to me. Even in advanced classes, I would regularly go back to review early calculus and linear algebra concepts on YouTube and in old textbooks. By the end of my undergraduate, I was getting A's in graduate level math courses and the material felt natural to me. I began to not only grasp every concept I encountered, but appreciate some of the beauty in it. Although not an individual event or project, my journey through math courses and personal growth is one my proudest achievements. 

What's your favorite impulse purchase from the past 12 months?

I had been in the process of building my own computer for months. I spent months coming up with a build, selecting parts, and assembling the hardware. However, COVID in conjunction with a surge in crypto currency mining led to a global shortage of graphics cards. Although not technically an impulse buy, I finally gave in and bought a GPU at a marked up price, but I could not be happier with my decision. 

Please describe a little about your research and what excites you about it.

I synthesize nanofilms and find connections between microstructural changes and material properties. The synthesis process involves confining an argon plasma against a metal target which is in turn ablated forming a vapor; the metal vapor condenses onto substrates thus allowing for the precise design of nanofilms. I am particularly excited about this research because designing and manufacturing materials on the nanoscale stands to revolutionize entire industries including aerospace, energy, computer science, and space exploration. Furthermore, material science is an interdisciplinary field. I love connecting topics such as diffusion, plasma characteristics, and grain/phase boundary energy back towards my background in physics.

If you could choose any other profession outside of engineering or computer science, what would it be? 

In high school, I truly fell in love with ecology. I don't have a particular occupation in mind, but work related to maintaining national parks, coral reefs, or revitalizing land would be a dream come true.

What are some factors that helped you decide to pursue your PhD at USC?

I would love to pursue a career in spaceflight technology development. Although not necessary, a PhD certainly helps in pursuing that passion. 

If you were to recommend to an incoming student 3 places to go in California/Los Angeles, what would they be?

1. The beach. Any beach. 2. Try to find some hikes off the beaten path that might not be super popular. There are some great ones north of Malibu. 3. K-town bbq 

What is a memory you'll cherish about your time at USC?

I will forever cherish the time I get to spend with the rocket propulsion lab out in the desert assembling and testing our rocket systems. Getting the opportunity to work with fantastic people on rocket engineering is something I will cherish long after I graduate.

What's one thing about you that might surprise me?

I sang at Barack Obama's first inauguration as a member of the San Francisco Boy's Choir.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to pursue a career in spaceflight research and development. 

Hometown (city, country):

Alameda, US

Faculty Advisor:

Andrea Hodge

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Graduate Programs

PhD in Aerospace Engineering

The quantitative requirement for the PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering is 72 credit hours. Of these, 36 to 48 units must be course credit, and 24 to 36 units must be research credit, MEMS 600. Units earned toward a previous MS in Engineering may be counted towards these totals.

Full Support & Funding

Our PhD students are fully funded , including full tuition support and health insurance. As a doctoral candidate, you will also receive a generous stipend to cover living expenses. This support is guaranteed as you continue to make satisfactory progress towards your degree.

Degree Highlights:

• The overall grade-point average must be 3.00 or better.
• Full-time doctoral students in any area are required to take MEMS 501 Seminar every semester. This is a zero-unit, pass-fail course.
• A maximum of 3 units of Independent Study, MEMS 500, are allowed.
• A maximum of 6 units of 400-level courses are allowed, and these must be from courses not required for the BSAE degree (if counted for the MSAE degree).
• Each course must be approved by the candidate's thesis advisor.
• The student must pass the qualifying examination, successfully present a thesis proposal, write a satisfactory thesis and successfully defend it in an oral examination before a faculty committee. The committee should consist of at least five members, at least three of which are from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. At least one member must be from outside of the department.
• A residency requirement of two consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment in doctoral studies is also required. To receive a PhD, the candidate must satisfy the applicable teaching requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Most students typically have a BS or an MS in either Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.

With a degree in aerospace you can work in the aerospace industry, wind turbine companies, the automotive industry, the railroad industry, or any industry that involves vehicles.  Many Wash U students have gone to Caterpillar Tractor for example.  You can also teach with this degree.  In those companies or in government you could work on research and on new, innovative designs.  Every company in the world hires those with an ME degree, but those with a Ph.D. specialize in the latest products that involve new technology.

Washington University is a prestigious, well-endowed private university, which creates stability (we don't rely on direct government funding for our operations), flexibility, and opportunity. Saint Louis is a city with a low cost of living and a high quality of life (many students and faculty have a short, pleasant walk to school). However, it is big enough to be cosmopolitan and to offer many cultural, dining, and entertainment opportunities.

While there is no fixed time to complete a PhD, most students finish in approximately five years.

There are a number of resources offered by the Graduate School in regard to housing, transportation and support for both domestic and international students. All students have access to a free UPass which covers universal rail and bus transportation. The University assists graduate students with finding suitable off-campus housing through  quadrangle.wustl.edu .

Overall, St. Louis is a safe and healthy city, with crime rates that are typical of medium-sized US metropolitan regions. St. Louis, like other major cities, faces social disparities and inequities, and some neighborhoods are safer than others. WashU is committed to promoting systemic change and keeping students safe. The EECE program is centrally located on WashU’s Danforth Campus. Adjacent to campus you will discover a rich cultural life that supports your time outside of the classroom: the coffee shops and music venues of the Delmar Loop, as well as the museums and trails of nearby Forest Park, voted “Best City Park” by USA Today. The campus is served by several MetroLink light rail stations and bus lines, making the area easy to navigate. Go to police.wustl.edu for statistics and information recommended for safety precautions.  Learn more about St. Louis .

Students are expected to commit 40 hours/week towards the program. This includes time for both academic coursework as well as research.

You will have as much time for a social life as you would in any other full-time job.

We provide monetary support for living expenses, tuition and a portion which you will apply to health insurance and fees. This stipend is adjusted each year for living expenses.

Yes. Information on the various outside scholarships and how to apply for them is available at  provost.wustl.edu/vpge/fellowships-funding-and-support

Yes, Habif Health and Wellness offers medical and mental health services for graduate students. The Graduate center offers a variety of clubs, seminars and workshops specifically geared toward graduate students. AGES is the Association of Graduate Engineering students and all PhD students are members. The Association offers networking events and social events. In addition, McKelvey Graduate Student Services office offers support for PhD students for a variety of issues. [email protected]

Yes, our Graduate Student Ambassadors are happy to answer your questions.

Start your PhD application

Application Process

Graduate Student Services

Engineering PhD forms

Director of PhD Studies Amit Pathak 314-935-7585 Jubel Hall, Room 303D [email protected]

Administrative Assistant Linda Buckingham 314-935-8072 [email protected]

Learn about the department's policies and procedures:

Doctoral Student Handbook 2022-2023  (.pdf)

All full-time graduate students are required to register and pass MEMS 501 - Graduate Seminar.

Seminar Attendance Policy - Spring 2023 (.pdf)

The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin – Chancellor’s Fellowship The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin – Chancellor’s Fellowship (OCF) is an elite cohort of outstanding graduate students with diverse backgrounds and from varied disciplines. The OCF is committed to promoting diversity in all dimensions including cultural, socioeconomic, gender, racial, ethnic, geographical, philosophical/religious, and other distinctive backgrounds and perspectives.

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy provides the network with which Washington University in St. Louis incubates new ideas and mentors future leaders. Through partnerships, they lead groundbreaking research projects and prepare Scholars to be effective leaders in a global community. 

Dean's International Award The Dean’s International Award is designed for PhD applicants who are currently undergraduate or master’s degree students from any of the select universities outside of the U.S.

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="phd in aerospace engineering"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Aerospace engineering ph.d. (ithaca), field of study.

Aerospace Engineering

Program Description

The program emphasizes balance in aerospace science and technology, both basic and applied, to prepare students for the diverse opportunities at the frontiers of research, in contemporary industrial development, and in government agencies. The faculty is particularly strong and active in aerospace vehicle dynamics and feedback control, wind energy, celestial mechanics, the Global Positioning System, and spacecraft systems engineering, as well as in basic aerosciences including transonic flows, turbulence, nonequilibrium gas dynamics, unsteady and vortical flows, combustion processes, transport processes in microgravity and chemical kinetics. (see field description for more detail).

The Ph.D. program provide advanced levels of training suitable for students pursuing careers in research and development, education, or government service. The field does not admit students into an M.S.-only degree program; applicants may apply for the Ph.D. program with a bachelor's degree. Ph.D. students must take a qualifying examination in addition to the examinations required by the Graduate School. Typically the qualifying exam is taken at the end of the first semester for students entering with a Master's degree and at the end of the first two semesters for those entering with a Bachelor's degree. Teaching experience for two semesters is required of Ph.D. students.

Contact Information

107 Upson Hall Cornell University Ithaca,New York 14853

Concentrations by Subject

• aerodynamics (PhD only)
• aerospace systems (PhD only)
• biomedical mechanics (PhD only)
• dynamics and control (PhD only)
• materials and structures (PhD only)
• propulsion (PhD only)
• thermal sciences (PhD only)

Visit the Graduate School's Tuition Rates page.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Fall, Dec. 1; no spring admissions.

Requirements Summary:

• all Graduate School Requirements , including the  English Language Proficiency Requirement
• three recommendations
• Ph.D. --email questions regarding the Ph.D. application to [email protected] or see the  MAE Ph.D. home page

Learning Outcomes

Make an original and substantial contribution to the discipline

• Think originally and independently to develop concepts and methodologies
• Identify new research opportunities within one’s field

Demonstrate advanced research skills

• Synthesize existing knowledge, identifying and accessing appropriate resources and other sources of relevant information and critically analyzing and evaluating one’s own findings and those of others
• Master application of existing research methodologies, techniques, and technical skills

Demonstrate commitment to advancing the values of scholarship

• Keep abreast of current advances within one’s field and related areas
• Commit to professional development through engagement in professional societies, publication, and other knowledge transfer modes
• Create an environment that supports learning—through teaching, collaborative inquiry, mentoring, or demonstration

Demonstrate professional skills

• Advance ethical standards in the discipline
• Communicate in a style appropriate to the discipline
• Listen, give, and receive feedback effectively 

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Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering

Why this degree.

Graduate study in aerospace engineering features a meaningful research project in areas such as aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, control theory, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, propulsion, structures or structural dynamics under the guidance and supervision of a senior faculty member.

You are eligible to apply if...

• You hold a bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or equivalent from an institute of recognized standing (transcripts required) are eligible.
• Applicants with degrees in other science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines are encouraged to apply and may be required to complete undergraduate aerospace engineering courses before official admission into the graduate program.
• You have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0/4.0, and 3.4-plus is considered more competitive.
• In general, GRE scores of 160-plus for quantitative reasoning and 150-plus for verbal reasoning are considered competitive.
• Three letters of recommendation are also required.

To complete the program you must...

• Take a minimum of 60 credit hours of graduate coursework, which includes any hours earned in a master’s program at Auburn. Course requirements can be found in the Bulletin.
• 15 of the 30 credit hours must be taken at Auburn University (if transferring)
• 6 of the 30 credit hours must be taken in MATH
• Take 10 of 60 credit hours in AERO 8990 Research and Dissertation
• Take the remaining 20 credit hours in graded courses or AERO 8990

*View a complete  AERO course list  and course descriptions. Graduate courses are those listed as level ”6000” and up; those that are also offered online have a corresponding listing ending in “6.” (e.g., 6050/6506).

What can you expect?

• Vrishank Raghav  —  [email protected]

Applying for the Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering

• Fill out the online graduate application at  https://graduate.auburn.edu/prospective-students/application-instructions/ (you will be required to create an account).
• Upload your official transcripts, resume, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.
• For more information, visit  auburn.edu .

Best Undergraduate Aerospace / Aeronautical / Astronautical Engineering Programs

These programs train students in the science of flight, both for aircraft and spacecraft. These are the top undergraduate schools where the highest engineering degree offered is a doctorate. Read the methodology »

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA

• #1 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #1 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)

Though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.

(fall 2022)

SAT, GPA and More

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA

• #2 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #3 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)  (tie)

Georgia Tech, located in the heart of Atlanta, offers a wide range of student activities. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, an NCAA Division I team, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have a fierce rivalry with the University of Georgia. Since 1961, the football team has been led onto the field at home games by the Ramblin' Wreck, a restored 1930 Model A Ford Sport Coupe. Georgia Tech has a small but vibrant Greek community. Freshmen are offered housing, but aren't required to live on campus. In addition to its campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia Tech has campuses in France, Ireland, Costa Rica, Singapore and China.

(out-of-state)

Purdue University--Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

• #3 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #8 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)  (tie)

Purdue University's West Lafayette, Indiana, campus is the main campus in the Purdue University system, which encompasses four other campuses throughout the state. About 20% of students are affiliated with Greek life, and Purdue offers a wide range of activities and organizations. Performance groups include the "All American" Marching Band, six jazz bands and two symphony orchestras. The Boilermakers, Purdue’s athletic teams, compete in the Division I Big Ten Conference and are well known for their dominant men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Boilermaker Special, Purdue’s official mascot, is a railroad locomotive cared for and maintained by the student-run Purdue Reamer Club. Although no students are required to live in university housing, about one-third of undergraduates live on campus.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University -- Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, FL

• #4 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #82 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)  (tie)

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University -- Daytona Beach is a private school designed for students interested in the world of aviation and aerospace. Embry-Riddle has graduated numerous airmen, astronauts and engineers, including the first African-American female pilot to be promoted to captain by an airline.

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

• #5 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #2 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)

The sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL

• #6 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #5 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)  (tie)

The University of Illinois is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in east-central Illinois, only a few hours from Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. The school's Fighting Illini participate in more than 20 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. The university boasts one of the largest Greek systems in the country, and almost a quarter of the student body is involved. It’s not hard to find something to do on campus with more than 1,600 student organizations, including professional, political and philanthropic clubs. All freshmen are required to live on campus.

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA

• #7 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical

The California Institute of Technology focuses on science and engineering education and has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1. This private institution in Pasadena, California, is actively involved in research projects with grants from NASA, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

• #8 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical

The university boasts of Ann Arbor, only 45 minutes from Detroit, as one of the best college towns in the U.S. Freshmen are guaranteed housing but not required to live on campus. Students can join one of the school’s more than 1,500 student organizations or 62 Greek chapters. Athletics play a central role at Michigan, including the football team’s fierce rivalry with Ohio State. Michigan also offers highly ranked graduate programs, including the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, College of Engineering, Law School and Medical School, in addition to the well-regarded School of Dentistry and Taubman College for Architecture and Urban Planning. The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers is ranked among the top hospitals in the country.

University of Texas at Austin

• #9 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #11 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest schools in the nation. It’s divided into 13 schools and colleges, the biggest of which is the College of Liberal Arts. It also has highly ranked graduate programs, including the McCombs School of Business, Cockrell School of Engineering and School of Nursing. Students can participate in more than 1,000 clubs and organizations or in the sizable UT Greek system. The university has several student media outlets, and its sports teams are notorious competitors in the Division I Big 12 Conference. UT also offers hundreds of study abroad programs, with the most popular destinations being Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, France and China. Freshmen do not have to live on campus.

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX

• #10 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #13 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)  (tie)

Ready to be an Aggie? All students assume the nickname at Texas A&M, an academic and athletic powerhouse in central Texas. Once an all men’s school called the Agricultural and Mechanical College – now shortened to A&M – the university today is coed and offers a wide variety of majors and activities. Students can choose from more than 1,000 clubs and organizations, including nearly 60 fraternities and sororities. About 10% of students go Greek. More students, about 25%, play in Texas A&M intramural sports leagues, one of the largest programs in the country. The school’s varsity sports compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference, cheered on by mascot Reveille IX, a collie. Miss Rev, as the collie is known, is also the highest-ranking member in the school’s Cadet Corps, the largest ROTC program in the nation (not including programs at service academies). First-year students interested in community service can get involved right away through the Freshmen in Service and Hosting program (FISH). All students can give back during The Big Event, the largest single-day, student-run volunteer effort in the country in which more than 22,000 Aggies work to improve the nearby cities of College Station and Bryan. For many students, these communities are also home; freshmen are not required to live on campus and many choose to live in College Station or Bryan.

University of Maryland, College Park

College Park, MD

• #11 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #19 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)  (tie)

Located between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, the University of Maryland offers students a suburban lifestyle within easy reach of big-city experiences. The flagship campus in College Park, which has its own subway stop on the D.C.-area Metro transit system, is close to the nation's capital. There are more than 800 clubs and organizations on campus, including nearly 60 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen and all other students are not required to live on campus. Students looking for additional activities can visit the university's "SEE UMD" website, which stands for "Student Entertainment Events" and offers movie screenings, comedy shows, lectures and more. Sports also offer yearlong distractions. The Maryland Terrapins compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The mascot, Testudo, is a Diamondback terrapin — a species of turtle that is the official state reptile. One of several Testudo sculptures on campus sits in front of McKeldin Library, and rubbing its nose is thought to bring good luck, particularly before exams.

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO

• #12 in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• #30 in Engineering Programs (doctorate)  (tie)

The University of Colorado Boulder, called CU Boulder for short, lays against the majestic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Boulder is a lively college town with more than 80 miles of biking and walking trails. In the evenings, students can travel anywhere within the city limits for free in CU NightRide shuttles, which run until 1:15 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 12:15 a.m. all other nights. On campus, there are more than 450 student clubs and organizations and about 20 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen must live on campus. The Colorado Buffaloes compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. The student athletes, called Buffs for short, are supported by two buffalo mascots: a costumed student called Chip and a live animal named Ralphie V. The university stresses its commitment to volunteer efforts like Better Boulder Day of Service, a day of community service in the surrounding neighborhoods. For trips off campus, there are 11 ski slopes within 3 hours of campus, and Rocky Mountain National Park is 45 miles away. A bit closer is Denver, the state capital, where students can catch professional sports matches or concerts in the unique outdoor concert hall, Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

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More Schools in this List (Alphabetical)

Cornell University

• in Aerospace /Aeronautical / Astronautical
• in Engineering Programs (doctorate)

Cornell University, a private school in Ithaca, New York, has 14 colleges and schools. Each admits its own students, though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. The university has more than 1,000 student organizations on campus.

Reputation Score

The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

OSU offers more than 200 undergraduate majors, as well as a Personalized Study Program where students can design a nontraditional education. The university also offers a variety of graduate programs through such highly ranked schools as the College of Education and Human Ecology, Max M. Fisher College of Business and College of Medicine. Students can participate in more than 1,000 on-campus clubs and organizations, including more than 60 fraternities and sororities, or volunteer through the Pay It Forward program. Sports are a big part of campus life, with The Ohio State University Buckeyes competing in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. All freshmen must live on campus, unless they are from Central Ohio and can commute. Students can also study abroad in more than 75 countries through OSU.

The Pennsylvania State University--University Park

University Park, PA

There is rarely a dull moment on The Pennsylvania State University campus, also known as Happy Valley. With around more than 1,000 clubs and organizations, there are broad opportunities to get involved in campus life. The school mascot is the Nittany Lion, and teams compete in the Division I Big Ten Conference. The football team plays in Beaver Stadium, which is one of the largest arenas in North America, which seats nearly 107,000 fans. Penn State is home to a thriving Greek system with more than 70 sororities and fraternities. More than 16,000 students volunteer in THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Students raise money for pediatric cancer research and awareness throughout the year and participate in a 46-hour dance marathon - no sitting or sleeping allowed. Freshmen must live in one of five housing areas on campus. Across the street from campus is State College, a bustling small town with an array of coffee shops, restaurants, shops and bars populated mostly by students. Surrounded by mountains, the school is also close to skiing, snowboarding and hiking opportunities.

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was founded on the principles of bringing science to everyday life, and that ethos is still prevalent today. About a quarter of students are involved in Greek L.I.F.E., as the fraternity and sorority scene is known at the school, which stresses Leadership, Innovation, Fortitude and Evolution. More students – more than 80 percent – play sports at the varsity, club or intramural level. True to the school’s mission, the varsity athletes are known as the Engineers, and compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference and the Liberty League. There are also more than 200 student organizations. Freshmen must live on campus, usually in dormitories that only house first-year students. RPI’s campus, in Troy, N.Y., is nestled in an ideal location for nature lovers. The school overlooks the Hudson River, where waterfront activities abound, and is close to Grafton Lakes State Park, Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains. For an urban experience, Albany is 9 miles away.

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

The University of California, Berkeley overlooks the San Francisco Bay in Berkeley, Calif. Students at this public school have more than 1,000 groups to get involved in, including more than 60 fraternity and sorority chapters.

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

The University of California, Los Angeles is just five miles away from the Pacific Ocean. The public institution offers 5,000 courses, 140 bachelor's degree programs and 97 minors.

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech, a former military technical institute in Blacksburg, encourages students to “invent the future.” It is a research powerhouse, with seven research institutes and two university research centers that offer undergraduate and graduate students research opportunities. Graduate offerings include programs in the highly ranked College of Engineering. The university sports teams, known as the Hokies, compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference. Students account for more than half the total residents in Blacksburg. They can participate in more than 600 clubs and organizations, including a large Greek system of more than 50 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen must live on campus, and the school has renowned dining facilities. Notable Hokie alumni include football player Michael Vick and talk show host Hoda Kotb.

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Aerospace Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC and Swansea University PhD Scholarship: Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Nonlinear Thermal Mechanical Joints (RS603)

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Closing date: 1 May 2024

Key Information

Funding providers:  EPSRC and Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering

Subject areas:  Structural dynamics, Nonlinear dynamics, Multi-physics, Experimental testing

Project start date:  

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

• Dr Matthew Bonney ( [email protected] )
• Professor Hamed Hadded Khodaparast  

Aligned programme of study:  PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Mode of study:  Full-time 

Project description:  

One of the major knowledge gaps in the study of complex aerospace systems is the frictional interface of jointed components. In the current state-of-the-art, only the nonlinear friction is considered. For the underlying physics, frictional energy dissipates energy via deformations (using current methods), heat (not considered and is the focus of this project), and sound (considered ignorable for most sliding situations). This project will focus on the understanding of the heat-based energy dissipation and the environmental effects on these frictional joints.

Swansea University is a member of the International Committee on Joint Mechanics. This is a multi-disciplinary committee focused on understanding and predicting jointed interfaces in assembled structures. The ICJM is a collection of academics, industrial researchers, and governmental bodies from across the world. This allows for knowledge transfer between industrial needs, current state-of-the-art, and relevant regulations. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to attend joint community meetings, where they can discuss and present their work, as well as attending and presenting at international conferences.  

This project will investigate the recently identified need (discovered by the ICJM) for multi-physics understanding and modelling. Specifically, this project will investigate the thermal-mechanical relationship in assembled structures. The student will utilise a newly acquired environmental chamber to understand these previously not investigated aspects of these nonlinear joints. In addition to the testing, the student will also work towards developing a novel temperature-dependent nonlinear joint model. 

Eligibility

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements (see  country specific qualifications ). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only , as defined by  UKCISA regulations .  

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email  [email protected]  with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend of £19,237.

Additional research expenses will also be available.

How to Apply

To apply, please  complete your application online   with the following information:

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email [email protected] where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

• Start year  – please select  2024
• Funding (page 8)  –
• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select  No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter  ‘RS603 - Mechanical Joints’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award ; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

We encourage you to complete the following to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University: 

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form  (online form)  

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:

• Degree certificates and transcripts  (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter  including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references  (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the  Swansea University reference form . Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting  English Language requirement  (if applicable).
• Copy of  UK resident visa  (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission (optional)  

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Dr Matthew Bonney ( [email protected] ).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing  – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.

Best Universities for Aerospace Engineering in Europe

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Europe ranked based on their research performance in Aerospace Engineering. A graph of 32.8M citations received by 1.44M academic papers made by 1,090 universities in Europe was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Cambridge

For Aerospace Engineering

2. Imperial College London

3. Delft University of Technology

4. University of Oxford

5. University College London

6. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

7. Pierre and Marie Curie University

8. Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

9. University of Manchester

10. Technical University of Munich

11. Sapienza University of Rome

12. University of Southampton

13. Polytechnic University of Milan

14. Technical University of Denmark

15. RWTH Aachen University

16. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

17. Catholic University of Leuven

18. University of Bristol

19. University of Leeds

20. University of Stuttgart

21. University of Nottingham

22. Lund University

23. University of Birmingham

24. KTH Royal Institute of Technology

25. University of Edinburgh

26. University of Sheffield

27. Chalmers University of Technology

28. Norwegian University of Science and Technology

29. University of Glasgow

30. Heidelberg University - Germany

31. University of Hamburg

32. Moscow State University

33. Eindhoven University of Technology

34. Polytechnic University of Turin

35. Cranfield University

36. Technical University of Catalonia

37. University of Bologna

38. Uppsala University

39. University of Liverpool

40. University of Padua

41. Federico II University of Naples

42. National Technical University of Athens

43. University of Pisa

44. University of Erlangen Nuremberg

45. Ruhr University Bochum

46. Technical University of Berlin

47. Technical University of Madrid

48. Utrecht University

49. University of Twente

50. University of Florence

51. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

52. Paris-Sud University

53. University of Strathclyde

54. University of Munster

55. University of Groningen

56. Darmstadt University of Technology

57. University of Warwick

58. Vienna University of Technology

59. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

60. University of Amsterdam

61. Ghent University

62. Aalborg University

63. Grenoble Alpes University

64. Polytechnic School

65. Loughborough University

66. King's College London

67. Queen Mary University of London

68. Newcastle University

69. Polytechnic University of Bari

70. Polytechnic University of Valencia

71. Braunschweig University of Technology

72. Dresden University of Technology

73. University of Lisbon

74. University of Barcelona

75. University of Munich

76. University of Bern

77. University of Helsinki

78. University of Copenhagen

79. University of Surrey

80. University of Liege

81. Durham University

82. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

83. Aarhus University

84. University of Bath

85. University of Genoa

86. Queen's University Belfast

87. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main

88. University of Basel

89. Linkoping University

90. Warsaw University of Technology

91. University of Zurich

92. University of Bordeaux

93. University of Leicester

94. University of Bonn

95. University of Freiburg

96. Karolinska Institute

97. University of Oslo

98. Leibniz University of Hanover

99. Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

100. University of Vienna

Engineering subfields in Europe

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VIE and PhDs

Shape a unique and ambitious career path with airbus.

We support talents pursuing excellence

Shaping brilliant futures

Airbus encourages talents starting their career to explore opportunities outside their comfort zone and to grow both personally and professionally. 

Pursue your dream to jumpstart your career with an international professional experience or your dream to earn a PHD in engineering with Airbus VIE & PHDs opportunities. 

Airbus VIE Programme

Working worldwide

What’s in it for you?

The Volunteer for International Experience (VIE) scheme allows young Europeans under 28 years old to gain valuable, paid work experience internationally, by working abroad for up to two years.

How does the VIE scheme work?

The VIE scheme is run by Business France, the French Trade Commission. It provides worldwide opportunities in technical, support or business functions.

Pursue your dream job abroad!

Who is eligible?

VIE is open to anyone who : - is between 18 and 28 years old, - is native from the European Economic Area (EEA), - is a student, a graduate or a job seeker.

Pursuing excellence with Airbus PhDs programme

Earning a PhD in aerospace engineering at Airbus puts you in an elite category of qualified candidates, and gives you the tools, facilities and support to lead independent research and advance your professional capabilities into the technology and the science of aircraft and spacecraft.

Good to Know You can apply for the PhD in aerospace engineering with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, with the bachelor’s degree requiring a longer course of study to completion of the PhD degree.

Reasons to apply

Jumpstarting your career

Be your own boss

You get to choose your own topic of research and decide the direction you take with it, bringing all your skills and knowledge to the business world.

Pioneer innovation with us

Explore a field of study you find fascinating and become an expert in your particular niche by leading your PhD project within Airbus. 

Paid & international opportunities

Most of our PhD students are considered as employees for the duration of the research. We also offer many PhD opportunities abroad, for you to pursue excellence without limitations

Discover other student opportunities

Apprentices

Study whilst getting real-world experience

Start your career at Airbus

Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering

College of engineering, ph.d. defense: seulki kim.

Location URL

Ph.D. Defense

(Advisor: Prof. Dimitri Mavris)

"From Strategic Planning to Tactical Adjustments: An eVTOL Trajectory Management Framework for Urban Air Mobility"

Wednesday, April 24

Collaborative Visualization Environment (CoVE) Weber Space Science and Technology Building (SST II)

Microsoft Teams

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) represents a transformative approach to urban transportation, aiming to alleviate ground congestion and reduce urban pollution through the use of Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. As cities continue to grow, the demand for efficient, sustainable, and rapid transit solutions escalates, positioning UAM as a promising alternative mode to conventional ground transportation modalities.

·         Prof. Dimitri Mavris – School of Aerospace Engineering (Advisor)

·         Prof. Daniel P. Schrage – School of Aerospace Engineering

·         Prof. Brian German – School of Aerospace Engineering

·         Dr. Cedric Y. Justin – School of Aerospace Engineering

·         David Sizoo – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Study Destination

Masters in Aero...

Masters in Aerospace Engineering in Germany: Know Everything About Aeronautical Engineering in Germany

Aerospace engineering is witnessing a higher enrolment than other Engineering programs in many German Universities. Those opting for a higher education in Aeronautical Engineering in Germany are drawn to this course for its uniqueness, innovativeness and sometimes, out of sheer curiosity. Therefore, considering the rapid influx of international students pursuing this course, along with the country’s booming economy, a masters in Aerospace Engineering in Germany would prove an incredibly lucrative option! 

If you are planning to pursue an MS in Aerospace Engineering, we have curated a list of top-notch Aerospace Engineering universities in Germany along with essential details related to applying for an Aerospace Engineering masters in Germany.

Suggested : Know about Masters in Germany

Overview of Aeronautical Engineering in Germany 

Before moving on to know about the universities in Germany for Aerospace engineering, let us help you with a brief overview of the Master in Finance in Germany: 

Suggested : Best MS Universities in Germany

Why Study MS in Aerospace Engineering in Germany?  

Let us first begin by understanding what makes Germany a preferred choice for masters in Aerospace Engineering -

• Scope for Research & Development: Recent reports suggest that Germany invests extensively in major research and development in the field of Aerospace Engineering. Almost 15% of the total investment for development of aerospace technologies stems from Germany’s contributions. Therefore, the scope for research in this field is vast, and well-supported by the government.
• Affordability: If you are thinking about MS in Aerospace and Aeronautical engineering in Germany fees, you would be delighted to know that it's quite affordable. Pursuing this course is relatively more affordable since most public Universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees.
• Career Opportunities: Partnership between various industries and engineering universities in the form of mandated internships provide a very holistic learning experience for students. It also sets the foundation for their careers moving forward.  

Therefore, if you are contemplating an MS in Aerospace Engineering, be rest assured that Germany is the best option for you. 

Suggested : A Guide to Engineering in Germany

Top Aerospace Engineering Universities in Germany 

Now that we now about the admission process and requirements for masters in Aerospace Engineering in Germany, let us find out which are the top Aerospace Engineering universities in Germany:

• Technical University of Braunschweig 
• RWTH Aachen University 
• University of Bremen 
• University of Stuttgart 

Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg

Fh aachen university of applied sciences.

Let us know about each of these best universities in Germany for aerospace engineering, in detail: 

Technical University of Braunschweig  

TU Braunschweig is considered one of the best universities in Germany for Aerospace Engineering courses. It has one of the most unique masters curriculum in Germany - considering its courses are taught at the Research Airport located at Braunschweig. The University works closely in collaboration with research centres such as the German Aerospace Centre, National Metrology Institute of Germany, etc.

Suggested : Study in Germany After 12th!

RWTH Aachen University

RWTH Aachen University is one of the best universities to study aerospace and aeronautical engineering in Germany. At the MS level, students learn the intricacies of Aerodynamics, Drive systems, Structural Design and Lightweight Construction, Flight System Dynamics, etc. With more than 20% of the student population composite of International students, it has a vibrant and diverse crowd on campus.

University of Bremen

The Bremen University is one of the most popular choices for Aerospace Engineering MS in Germany given its campus location at Bremen - renowned as the city of aviation. The Masters program here promises to be distinguished from those offered in other universities given its interdisciplinary approach and a host of electives for the students to choose from.

Suggested : GMAT Accepting Colleges in Germany   

University of Stuttgart

University of Stuttgart is one of the leading public universities in Germany for research work. It  is renowned for its Masters in aerospace engineering program along with other engineering streams. This University promises to equip its students with all the scientific and mathematical tools required for a successful career going forward. It also has an incredibly diverse International student crowd.

Suggested: Masters in Electrical Engineering in Germany

The Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg is among the best universities in Germany for MS in Aerospace engineering. It offers a masters programme that ‘combines studies and research’ in the relevant field and prepares students for a career in this ever-growing field. It produces top-quality aerospace engineers who go on to pursue careers in research and academia.

Suggested : Top MIM Colleges in Germany 

Founded in 1971, FH Aachen is one of the most prominent universities in Germany offering masters courses in engineering.  MS in Aerospace Engineering from this university enables students to acquire deep knowledge of the engineering fundamentals through scientific research tasks. Graduates from the university find jobs in leading positions in the industry.

Suggested : Best Public Universities in Germany

Eligibility Criteria & Admission Requirements for Aeronautical Engineering in Germany

Although every university has their own eligibility and admission requirements, the best universities for aerospace engineering in Germany generally have a few similarities. These are:

A Valid Bachelor’s Degree

The first eligibility requirement for masters in aerospace engineering is that you must have a Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering or any other equivalent relevant field including Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation Studies, Physics, etc.

Consistent Grades

Aerospace engineering universities in Germany are highly competitive. Therefore, to stand out of the crowd you will require consistently high grades for the duration of your Bachelor’s degree. Generally, top German universities prefer candidates with a GPA above 3.0.

Aptitude Test

Some Aerospace Engineering Universities in Germany may ask students to produce an aptitude test score, such as GRE . Therefore, it is important to check with the university for the exact requirement.

Language Proficiency Requirements

Despite an increase in courses taught in English, the main mode of instruction in many universities is still German. Therefore, most universities require German proficiency at a B2 level in accordance with the Common European Reference for Languages. However, some Universities may require a certificate of a higher C1 level as well. Other than German, students are also required to produce the English proficiency scores in IELTS or TOEFL by most Universities.

Suggested: Masters in Automotive Engineering in Germany

Document Requirements

A student may be asked to produce the following documents for admission -

• Educational Transcripts
• Letter of Motivation (similar to Statement of Purpose )
• Updated Resume (CV)
• Proof of Language Proficiency (for example, IELTS or TOEFL for English; DSH for German)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Germany Blocked Account
• Current Photos and Copy of Passport
• Evaluation of Bachelor’s certificates by uni-assist for a degree obtained in a country outside of the EU/EEA

Visa Requirements

Other than  the documents stated above, students are also required to procure a German student Visa. The application fee for this visa is 75 EUR which is approximately 6,000 INR for Indian students. The German National Visa Application also requires several documents including Health & Travel insurance, passport, Letter of Admission, etc.  

Admission Process for Aerospace Engineering Masters in Germany

The admission process for MS in Aerospace Engineering for most universities begins with respect to the application deadline. German Universities generally open their applications in two batches, depending on the University:

Once you are aware of the deadlines, fill in the application form of the desired university and attach the required documents mentioned above.

Now, every university may have slight variations in terms of the admission process, but more or less, it remains the same. However, it is best to check with the university.

Suggested : Application Process for MS in Germany

Cost to Study Aerospace Engineering Masters in Germany

The tuition fees for studying at top universities in Germany for aerospace engineering ranges from 0-3,000 EUR per annum, as compared to an annual tuition fee of 10,000 EUR to 40,000 EUR at other colleges. 

The total cost of studying in Germany also includes the living expenses for Germany, that approximate to around 5,000 EUR to 10,000 EUR per annum depending on your lifestyle. 

Suggested : Total Expense to Study in Germany

Scholarships Available for Masters in Aerospace in Germany 

Given below are some popular scholarships in Germany available for best universities for aerospace engineering Germany: 

Suggested : MBA Scholarships in Germany

Career Opportunities After MS in Aeronautical Engineering in Germany

Germany promises exciting career opportunities for graduates finishing their Masters in Aerospace engineering.

The average expected starting salary for those completing their Masters in this field is around 40,000 EUR to 80,000 EUR per annum. Here are some of the prospective job profiles for graduates in Aerospace Engineering in Germany:

Suggested : Jobs in Germany for International Students 

For students willing to pursue higher education in a field like engineering, Germany is a top-choice. As a nascent sub-field of engineering, Aerospace engineering is quickly gaining prominence in the country, through the best Aeronautical engineering colleges in Germany. Therefore, avail the best of its resources and quality education to further your career. Start applying!

Moreover, if you need any assistance that can ease your preparation journey, we recommend you to connect with our Yocket Professionals .

Frequently Asked Questions About Aeronautical Engineering Masters in Germany

Is Germany good for masters in Aerospace Engineering?

Yes! Considering its booming economy, extensive investment in research and development for the field of Aerospace technologies, and a bustling job market - Germany is a stellar choice for students in pursuit of a Masters in Aerospace Engineering.

Which country is best for Aerospace Engineering?

Besides Germany, countries like the United States of America and Canada are popular for their Masters program in Aerospace Engineering.

Is Masters in Engineering free in Germany?

Masters in Engineering in Germany is partly free since most of the public universities do not charge tuition fees.

Are Aerospace Engineering and aeronautical engineering in Germany the same?

Aerospace Engineering can have several specialisations and subfields. One such specialisation  is masters in Aeronautical engineering in Germany.

Which are the best aerospace engineering colleges in Germany?

Other than the ones stated above some of the best aerospace engineering colleges in Germany are - 1) Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau 2) Munich University of Applied Sciences 3) Technical University of Munich 4) Technische Universität Berlin 5) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) 6) FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences

Kashyap Matani

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New Aerospace Engineering Major Links UC Merced to Skyrocketing Industry

The newest major in UC Merced's School of Engineering is one of the most exciting subjects in - and out of - this world.

Aerospace engineering , one of the fastest-growing industries in the state, will be available as a major area of study at the university in fall 2025.

The adoption of an aerospace engineering major at UC Merced is exciting for all the romantic reasons you might expect - visions of alumni working on satellites and spacecraft and taking part in missions to explore the vast frontier.

"As the quest for expanding our footprint to other habitable worlds in the solar system continues, aerospace engineering knowledge will be the important link that contributes to faster, cleaner, efficient vehicles to achieve our goals," according to the proposal for the major.

"The same aerospace engineer will also be able to improve our air transportation between different parts of the world. Reduced emissions, noise, and fuel consumption are some of the important near-future objectives that will revolutionize air transport and a degree in aerospace engineering is crucial to achieving all of these."

It also makes great sense from a financial perspective.

The global space economy is growing at a furious pace. It hit $469 billion in 2021, according to the nonprofit Space Foundation . In the first six months of 2022 alone, a record-setting 1,022 spacecraft were placed in orbit - more than in the first 52 years of the Space Age, the foundation said. Investment bank Morgan Stanley estimates the economic potential of space commerce business at $1 trillion by 2040.

This rapid expansion of the space industry has been driven by increased private sector investment, rising demand for space data and, especially, advances in technology such as reusable launch vehicles and miniature satellites.

"Technology for space missions is evolving rapidly and we will prepare the next generation of engineers to be part of this evolution," said Professor Ashlie Martini, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, which developed the aerospace engineering major.

"The incredible growth of the global space economy is a testament to the talented professionals who innovate new ideas for space every day to help humanity and the ever-growing reliance on those benefits from space for all the people of Earth," Space Foundation CEO Tom Zelibor said in a news release. "The booming space industry will need to expand its workforce to sustain this kind of growth. That means delivering the message to everyone, from kindergarten on up, that they have a place in space at one of the most exciting times since we first reached for the stars."

California is among the leaders in the sector, with the number of jobs projected to grow 8.5 percent in the next decade.

There is quite a bit of enthusiasm on campus for the new major.

"We are incredibly excited about the new aerospace engineering major. We already have an optional emphasis in aerospace engineering as part of the mechanical engineering major and many UC Merced alumni are working in the space and aerospace industries," Martini said. "The new dedicated major will be of interest to students who want to focus on these industries in their careers."

The aerospace engineering major will prepare engineers to design, construct and test aircraft, missiles and spacecraft. Already, UC Merced students and alumni have successfully obtained full-time employment and internship experiences with aerospace employers including Collins Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Boeing, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), NASA and Raytheon, said Manny Machado, career specialist for the School of Engineering.

The major includes a variety of skills outside of engineering, including physical sciences, mathematics, computing, technology, critical reasoning, technological expertise and communication skills.

And the opportunities are nearly as endless as space itself.

The United States Chamber of Commerce  points out that "private sector business leaders and government agencies have transformed what was once merely a dream of travel among the stars into a fully functioning global market - forming private aerospace companies, launching rockets and satellites, and even creating opportunities for space travel."

Duval Johnson, UC Merced alumnus and mechanical engineering department external advisory board member, works at JPL and has firsthand experience with the rapid growth of the aerospace industry.

"It is a thrilling time to be an engineer working in aerospace and I am pleased that more UC Merced students will be able to shape the future of the field," Johnson said.

Patty Guerra

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2024 Honors & Awards Ceremony

Welcome to the 2024 Honors & Awards Ceremony page. Awardees will be listed under their award category. Congrats to all of our winners!

Here are pictures from the event.