The objectives of the M.S.A.E. degree are to provide a quality graduate educational program that will complement

the existing undergraduate and graduate curricula in mechanical engineering. The aerospace graduate program

will improve and enhance the capabilities of those students seeking careers in the aerospace field and supporting

engineering work for the aerospace and aviation technology community. The majority of students seeking the M.S.A.E.

degree will have undergraduate degrees in the fields of mechanical or aerospace engineering, or closely related fields

of engineering, applied physics, or applied mathematics; some will already have graduate degrees in the more

conventional areas of engineering or the sciences. Those individuals with engineering (as well as physical science)

interests will use the M.S.A.E. to develop careers as well as improve their skills in the aerospace and aviation industry.

Students enrolling in the program on a full-time basis will likely assist engineering faculty in obtaining sponsored

project funding and performing innovative aerospace and aviation engineering research.

Admission Requirements – M.S.A.E. Degree Program

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, an applicant for the M.S.A.E. program

must complete the requirements of the M.S.E. degree as listed in the previous section.

Degree Requirements - M.S.A.E. Degree Program

Procedures and requirements for the M.S.A.E. will be prescribed by the Graduate College under Academic Policies, with additional provisions as follows:

1. At least 15 credits must be from 700-level courses, and at least 15 credits must be from engineering courses.

Students must choose three courses from the following list of courses:

ME 700, ME 701, ME 702, ME 705, ME 706, ME 740, ME 741.

In addition students must select at least two courses selected from the following list:

ME 704, ME 711, ME 717, ME 720, ME 721, ME 725, ME 726, ME 729, ME 774, ME 777

2. Students may choose, subject to approval by the student’s graduate committee, one of the two options listed below.

Thesis Option: Requires 24 credits of approved graduate courses plus six credits of work associated with

the master’s level thesis, for a total of 30 credits. The final examination will include a defense of thesis.

Non-Thesis Option: Requires 33 credits of approved graduate courses. At least 18 credits must be earned from 700-level courses, of which 15 must be in engineering. To complete the Non-Thesis option, students must also successfully complete the Design Project course (ME 796) or pass a comprehensive written and oral exit exam before receiving their degree.

3. Satisfactory progress is defined as filing an approved program before the completion of nine credits of course work, completion of at least six credits of the approved program per calendar year, maintenance of a GPA of 3.00 (4.00 scale), no grades below C, (C- is not acceptable) and compliance with the letter and spirit of the Graduate Catalog and published policies of the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering. If progress is not satisfactory, probation and separation may result, in accordance with the rules of the Graduate College. Any student whose GPA falls below 3.00 will be placed on probation and will have one semester to raise it to 3.00 or above.

4. Only those courses in which a student received a grade of C or better may be used for graduate credit. Students

must comply with Graduate College policy.

5. Each student’s program should show suitable breadth and coherence. As specified in the Graduate Catalog, the program of study will be developed by the student and advisor and filed with the Graduate College. Prior to filing, the program must receive approval by the student’s committee. An approved program must be filed before the completion of nine credits of course work after admission (regular or provisional). The responsibility rests with the student. Students will be dropped from the graduate engineering program if they neglect this requirement.