| |  | | Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics | Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information—Chair, Graduate Admissions Committee,
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, University of Minnesota,
107 Akerman Hall, 110 Union Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-8000;
fax 612-626-1558; aem-dgs@aem.umn.edu;
www.aem.umn.edu).
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this catalog for Graduate School requirements that apply to all major fields.
Curriculum—The department offers an M.S. and a Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering and mechanics, as well as a professionally-oriented master of aerospace engineering. The graduate programs emphasize engineering sciences that are basic to fluid mechanics, aerospace systems, and solid mechanics. Theoretical, analytical, experimental, and computational aspects of these fields are covered by the courses and research opportunities offered by the department.
Prerequisites for Admission—A four-year B.S. degree in an engineering, basic science, or mathematics program is required. Admission depends primarily on the applicant's undergraduate record and letters of recommendation.
GRE scores are not required but are strongly recommended for students applying for graduate fellowships. In all cases, these test scores are taken into account if provided. Students are admitted fall semester only. Only under unusual circumstances are students allowed to begin their studies at another time during the academic year.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, MELAB).
 For an online application or for more information about Graduate School admissions, see the General Information section in this catalog, or visit the Graduate School Web site.
Courses—Refer to Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics (AEM)
in the course section of this catalog for courses pertaining
to the program.
Use of 4xxx Courses—Programs can contain no more than two courses at 4xxx. |
M.Aero.E. Coursework Only and Design Project Degree Requirements | | The M.Aero.E. program emphasizes the application of fluid mechanics, aerospace systems, and solid mechanics in aerospace engineering. The program must include at least 12 credits of 5xxx or 8xxx courses. In addition to the minimum credit requirement, the student must demonstrate an understanding of aerodynamics and aerospace vehicle mechanics, either from previous study or from additional coursework in the graduate program.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—The final exam is oral. | M.S. Degree Requirements | This program emphasizes coursework in engineering sciences that are basic to this field: fluid mechanics, aerospace systems, and solid mechanics. Options include coursework in aerodynamics and aerospace systems, dynamical systems, material properties, and fluid and solid behavior. Plan A requires 30 graduate credits, a minimum of 20 course credits and 10 thesis credits. No seminar credits can be used to satisfy the 20-course credit requirement. Plan B requires 30 credits including the 3-credit Plan B project course. Of the remaining 27 credits, a minimum of 24 credits of coursework is required and no seminar credits can be used to satisfy this requirement. If seminar credits are used to meet the 30 credit requirement, they must be in one-credit modules.
For both Plan A and Plan B, the program must include at least one sequence of 8xxx courses in aerospace engineering and no more than 8 credits of 4xxx courses. Also, the student must demonstrate an understanding of aerodynamics and aerospace vehicle mechanics, either from prior study or from additional coursework beyond the 30-credit minimum.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—The final exam is oral.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—At least one sequence of two 8xxx courses in aerospace engineering is required. | Ph.D. Degree Requirements | The Ph.D. program emphasizes coursework and research in engineering sciences that are basic to this field. Options include coursework and research in aerodynamics and aerospace systems, dynamical systems, material properties, and fluid and solid behavior.
The Ph.D. requires about two years of coursework, but the heart of the program is the thesis research. The program must contain a minimum of 42 credits of approved courses and four semesters of colloquium attendance. Of the 42 credits, a minimum of 36 credits must be in approved coursework, not including seminar credits. If seminar credits are used to meet the 42 minimum credit requirement they must be in one-credit modules. The program also must include at least four 8xxx courses in aerospace engineering (at least four 8xxx courses in mechanics for the Ph.D. in mechanics) and can contain no more than two 4xxx courses. The first year of the Ph.D. program is similar to the master's program and most Ph.D. students receive the master's degree. The second year is devoted to more advanced courses and beginning research. Subsequent years include some coursework with increased focus on research. The time required to complete a research project varies, but most students finish the Ph.D. within five years after the bachelor's degree.
Language Requirements—None.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—At least 12 credits in aerospace engineering are required, including at least one sequence of two 8xxx courses. | Faculty | | For latest graduate faculty listings, see <www.grad.umn.edu/faculty_rosters/faculty.html>. Key to membership categories (abbreviations after faculty names).
Professor
Roger E. A. Arndt, Civil Engineering, SM
Gary J. Balas, SM
Graham V. Candler, SM
Roger L. Fosdick, SM
William L. Garrard, SM
Richard D. James, SM
Daniel D. Joseph, SM
Perry H. Leo, SM
Ellen K. Longmire, SM
Mitchell B. Luskin, Mathematics, SM
Ivan Marusic, AMS
Thomas W. Shield, SM
Ellad Tadmor, SM
Yiyuan J. Zhao, SM
Associate Professor
Yohannes Ketema, AM
Krishnan Mahesh, SM
Adjunct Associate Professor
Dale F. Enns, AMS
Assistant Professor
Ryan S. Elliott, SM
Demoz Gebre-Egziabher, SM
Bernard Mettler, SM | | | | | |
