Program Structure and Requirements
Overall Program Structure
The MSc AERO program is equivalent to 30 credit hours, distributed as follows: 12 credit hours of Program Core courses, 9 credit hours of Program Elective courses and 9 credit hours of Master’s Thesis. The components of the program are summarized in the table below.
| Program Component |
Credit Hours |
| Seminar in Research Methods |
0 |
| Program Core |
12 |
| Program Electives |
9 |
| Master’s Thesis |
9 |
| Total |
30 |
Program Requirements
Students seeking the degree of MSc in Aerospace Engineering must successfully complete 30 credit hours as specified in the program requirements detailed below, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. Course selection should be made in consultation with the student’s Main Advisor. All courses have a credit rating of three credits each, except the Seminar in Research Methods and the Master’s Thesis.
Program Core (12 credit hours)
Students must complete the core courses listed below.
Core Courses
Program Electives and Concentrations (9 credit hours)
Students must select three courses from the list below. Subject to approval of the Main Advisor, students can select up to two elective courses (6 credit hours) from other MSc programs in the College of Engineering at KU.
Program Elective Courses
| AERO 611 | Combustion Theory and Applications | 3 |
AERO 612
| Advanced Viscous Flow Analysis | 3 |
| AERO 621 | Boundary Layer Analysis | 3 |
| AERO 622 | Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity | 3 |
| AERO 623 | Experimental Methods in Aerodynamics | 3 |
| AERO 631 | Mechanics of Composite Materials | 3 |
| AERO 632 | Advanced Composite Materials Manufacturing | 3 |
| AERO 650 | Space Systems Engineering | 3 |
| AERO 651 | Space Systems Design Project I | 1 |
| AERO 652 | Space Systems Design Project II | 2 |
| AERO 653 | Space Propulsion | 3 |
| AERO 654 | Astrodynamics and Mission Analysis | 3 |
| AERO 660 | Aerospace Navigation and Guidance Systems | 3 |
| AERO 694 | Selected Topics in Aerospace Engineering | 4 |
| ENGR 602 | Engineering Numerical Methods | 3 |
Concentration in Space Systems and Technology
The program offers an optional concentration in Space Systems and Technology. Students choosing this concentration are expected to attain the following concentration specific learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate proficiency in space systems analysis and design.
- Acquire skills in advanced satellite development, assembly, integration and testing.
In addition to program specific core courses, students who opt for the concentration in Space Systems and Technology must complete a minimum of three courses (9 credit hours) from the list below and a thesis within the domain of the concentration. The concentration will be specified on the student’s official transcript. (AERO 650, AERO 651, and AERO 652: Indicates required courses for the concentration).
Concentration Courses
Master’s Thesis (minimum 9 credit hours)
Students must complete a Master’s Thesis that involves original, creative, research-oriented work within the broad field of aerospace engineering, under direct supervision of a faculty advisor from the Aerospace Engineering Department, and at least one other full-time faculty who acts as a co-advisor. The research findings must be documented in a formal thesis and defended successfully in a viva voce examination. Furthermore, the research should lead to publishable quality scholarly articles.
Thesis