Main navigation
- Programs
- Subjects
- Universities
- Destinations
- Advice
Aspiring Aerospace Engineering PhD candidates must first clear the doctoral qualifying examination. These qualifying exams (QE) are administered during both spring and fall semesters across all research focus areas outlined below, drawing content from the three mandatory courses in each specialization. Full-time doctoral students, with their advisor's approval, should attempt the QE after completing their three core classes and prior to beginning their fourth semester. The field of aerospace engineering has expanded significantly alongside computer advancements in experimentation, design, and computational analysis. The vast scientific knowledge accumulated through aerospace endeavors serves as the cornerstone for this engineering discipline.
Cutting-edge scientific discoveries continuously emerge, supporting initiatives like reusable spacecraft and interplanetary vehicles, the International Space Station (ISS), supersonic and hypersonic aircraft, both crewed and autonomous space exploration, along with micro-electro-mechanical sensor technology for next-generation flight systems. These innovations demand novel analytical and design approaches for structural, fluid, and thermodynamic applications. The aerospace engineering curriculum has been carefully crafted to prepare students for rewarding careers in this highly technical and rapidly evolving industry.