PREVIOUS | TABLE
OF CONTENTS | NEXT 
Programs of Study, 1997-1999
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
AERONAUTICAL AND ASTRONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
Head of the Department: W. C. Solomon
Correspondence and Information: Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 306 Talbot Laboratory, 104 South Wright Street, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-2651. E-Mail: Stedwell@uiuc.edu.
URL: http://www.aae.uiuc.edu/
GRADUATE FACULTY
Professors: L. A. Bergman, C. E. Bond, M. B. Bragg, J. D. Buckmaster, B. A. Conway, J. C. Dutton, K. D. Lee, N. S. Namachchivaya, J. I. Palmore, J. E. Prussing, L. H. Sentman, W. C. Solomon
Associate Professors: R. A. Beddini, R. L. Burton, E. Loth, S. R. White
Assistant Professors: V. L. Coverstone-Carroll, P. H. Geubelle, M. S. Selig, P. G. Voulgaris
Emeritus Professors: H. H. Hilton, A. I. Ormsbee, K. R. Sivier, S. M. Yen, A. R. Zak
GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM
The Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of master of science and doctor of philosophy. Study and research are planned to prepare graduates for fundamental and applied work in airplane, missile, and space flight engineering. Typical areas of concentration are aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, composite materials, structures, structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, stochastic dynamics, combustion and propulsion, chemical lasers, optimal orbit analysis, guidance and control, space mechanics, and solar and wind energy.
ADMISSION
Typically, the prerequisite for graduate study is the equivalent of the undergraduate curriculum required at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering; however, graduates of curricula leading to degrees in other fields of engineering, the physical sciences, or mathematics may also be admitted to advanced study. Admission requirements of the Graduate College apply.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Candidates for the degree of master of science are required to complete a minimum of eight units of credit: seven units of course work and one unit of thesis credit. At least three units must be in 400-level courses, and two of these three units must be in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Only one of the seven units can be a special project class. For students terminating their studies with the M.S. degree, a nonthesis option is available by departmental petition. Those not writing a thesis are required to complete a minimum of nine units of credit. At least four units must be in 400-level courses, and three of those four units must be in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
All students desiring to enter the doctoral program are eligible to take the aeronautical and astronautical engineering qualifying examination during the term they earn their seventh unit of graduate credit, excluding Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering 499 (Thesis Research). An exam is given at least once a year, and successful passage is required. Students who enter with the master's degree typically take the qualifying exam during the first semester following their admission to the program. Admission to the doctoral program is based upon the course work, the qualifying examination, and an assessment of the candidate's ability to do independent research. Although there is no specific GPA requirement to continue from M.S. to Ph.D., as a guide, the candidate will be expected to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA (A = 4.0) in courses taken in the M.S. program.
Because of the wide range of interests in the field of aeronautical and astronautical engineering, there are no specific course requirements for the program of study leading to the degree of doctor of philosophy. Each student plans a program in consultation with a departmental adviser. Courses offered by departments other than the Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering may be included in the area of study when these courses are of particular value to the work that students desire to emphasize. The program of study must meet with the approval of the departmental adviser. Minimum requirements for the degree consist of eight units of course credit beyond the master's degree, successful completion of the preliminary examination, and a satisfactory thesis developed from eight units of thesis research. Of the total course units, beyond the master of science course requirement, only two units maximum can be special project classes. Of the total Ph.D. course work requirements, at least six units must be at the 400 level, and four of these six units must be in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid for graduate students is available in the form
of fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and tuition waivers. A block
grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration supports a multidisciplinary
research and training program. Qualified candidates are considered for financial
support upon application. In addition, graduate students making satisfactory progress
toward their degrees may be considered for financial support.
TOP OF PAGE
PREVIOUS | TABLE
OF CONTENTS | NEXT Programs of Study, 1997-1999
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Maintained by webmaster@uiuc.edu