Admission for study towards the MSE degree requires the equivalent of a BSE at the University of Michigan. Solid undergraduate preparation in mathematics and engineering is essential. For the MSE degree, 30 credit hours of course work are required. Students have substantial flexibility in selecting courses to meet their individual needs.

The 30 credit hours must include at least five courses in aerospace engineering at the 500 level or higher (excluding directed study courses and seminars) and two approved courses in mathematics from the list below.  Also, up to six credit hours of directed study (AEROSP 590) and three credit hours of AEROSP 585 seminar series may be elected. Students are encouraged to take advantage of directed study and become involved in research as part of their MSE experience. The MSE program does not include an option for a thesis per se; however, through AEROSP 590, students can perform research work in close supervision of a faculty member and investigate a problem of common interest, resulting in a paper of publishable quality, if they so choose.  Students should become acquainted with the research work being performed in the Department and then contact faculty members with whom they find common research interest.

The courses that satisfy the Math requirement include:

• AEROSP 523 (MECHENG 523) Computational Fluid Dynamics I
• AEROSP 623 Computational Fluid Dynamics II
• EECS 401 Probabilistic Methods in Engineering
• EECS 501 Probability and Random Processes
• EECS 502 Stochastic Processes
• EECS 560 (MECHENG 564, AEROSP 550) Linear Systems Theory
• EECS 562 (AEROSP 551) Nonlinear Systems and Control
• Math 419 (EECS 400) Linear Spaces and Matrix Theory
• Math 451 Advanced Calculus I
• Math 452 Advanced Calculus II
• Math 454 Boundary Value Problems for Partial Differential Equations
• Math 471 Introduction to Numerical Methods
• Math 525 (STAT 525) Probability Theory
• Math 555 Introduction to Complex Variables
• Math 556 Methods of Applied Mathematics I
• Math 557 Methods of Applied Mathematics II
• Math 561 (IOE 510) Linear Programming I
• Math 562 Continuous Optimization Methods
• Math 571 Numerical Methods for Scientific Computing I
• Math 572 Numerical Methods for Scientific Computing II
• Math 602 Real Analysis II
• MECHENG 501 Analytical Methods in Mechanics
• MECHENG 502 Methods of Differential Equations in Mechanics
• NERS 571 Intermediate Plasma Physics I
• Physics 451, 452 Methods of Theoretical Physics

In special circumstances, and with the prior approval of the Graduate Chair, a student may elect other primarily mathematical courses offered by the departments of Mathematics, Statistics, and/or Physics in support to a tailored program.  The following courses cannot be used to satisfy the mathematics requirement: Math 404, Math 417, Math 448, and Math 450.

Master's program requirements checklist

Students can use the checklist to keep track of their performance and progress towards the degree.

B or better grades

All the required courses (the five AEROSP 5XX and the two Math courses) must be completed with a grade of B or better. Rackham requires that students must end the program with a cumulative GPA of 5.0 (B) or higher. Notice also that the MSE students who contemplate applying to the PhD will need a GPA of 6.5 or higher (as per the Preliminary Examinations requirements) to be considered.

SGUS (Sequential Graduate Undergraduate Studies)

SGUS students can double-count up to nine credits towards their undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, they still have to satisfy the same requirements as any other MSE student. Click here to find out more about the SGUS Program. For additional information contact Denise Phelps, Graduate Student Services Coordinator. Rackham SGUS

Other issues

For any clarification or special case questions, feel free to contact the Graduate Office:

Denise Phelps, Graduate Student Services Coordinator
Kelley Bowen, Graduate Admissions Coordinator

Additional course information

The College Bulletin is available only in electronic form. It is an extremely useful resource and has the answers to most questions students may have. Copies of the current Bulletin CD are available from the graduate office. The web version is frequently updated and has the current Bulletin. Web links to the College Bulletin and the official University Class Schedule for all the semesters are given below.

• CoE Bulletin
• Schedule of Classes

Below are lists of courses offered by each of the three research groups within the Department. Students may find it a useful resource for making course selection and planning for their individual degree emphasis.

Courses in each research area can be broadly divided into fundamental courses, mainly taken by MSE and PhD students, and elective courses that are also widely taken by undergraduate students. It is generally recommended that MSE students take a combination of fundamental and elective courses that meet their interests. Some elective courses are not offered every year, and require having taken some fundamental courses as pre-requisites.

Graduate courses in Flight Dynamics and Control

Fundamental courses

AEROSP 540. Intermediate Dynamics
AEROSP 550 (EECS 560, ME 564). Linear Systems Theory
AEROSP 551. Nonlinear Systems and Control
AEROSP 740. Aerospace Information Systems

Elective courses

AEROSP 450. Flight Software Systems
AEROSP 548. Astrodynamics
AEROSP 566. Data Analysis and System Identification
AEROSP 573. Dynamics and Control of Spacecraft
AEROSP 575. Flight and Trajectory Optimization
AEROSP 579. Control of Structures and Fluids
AEROSP 580. Linear Feedback Control Systems
AEROSP 581. Space Policy and Management
AEROSP 582. Spacecraft Technology
AEROSP 583. Space Systems Design and Management
AEROSP 584. Avionics, Navigation and Guidance of Aerospace Vehicles

Graduate courses in Gas Dynamics

Fundamental courses

AEROSP 520. Compressible Flow
AEROSP 522. Viscous Flow
AEROSP 523 (MECHENG 523). Computational Fluid Dynamics I
AEROSP 525. Introduction to Turbulent Flows
AEROSP 532. Molecular Gas Dynamics
AEROSP 533 (ENSCEN 533). Combustion Processes

Elective courses

AEROSP 521. Experimental Methods in Fluid Mechanics
AEROSP 524. Aerodynamics II
AEROSP 526. Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics
AEROSP 530. Gas-Turbine Propulsion
AEROSP 535. Rocket Propulsion
AEROSP 536. Electric Propulsion
AEROSP 544. Aeroelasticity
AEROSP 623. Computational Fluid Dynamics II
AEROSP 625. Advanced Topics in Turbulent Flow
AEROSP 627. Advanced Gas Dynamics
AEROSP 633. Advanced Combustion

Graduate courses in Solids and Structures

Fundamental courses

AEROSP 510. Finite Elements I
AEROSP 513. Solids and Structures I
AEROSP 516. Mechanics of Composite Structures
AEROSP 518. Elastic Stability
AEROSP 543. Structural Dynamics

Elective courses

AEROSP 495. Advanced Flight Structures
NAME/AEROSP 416. Plates and Shells
AEROSP 511. Finite Elements II
AEROSP 514. Solids and Structures II
AEROSP 544. Aeroelasticity
AEROSP 545. Helicopter Aeromechanics
MECHENG 505. Finite Element Methods in Mechanical Engineering
MECHENG 512. Theory of Elasticity
MECHENG 516. Thin Films and Layered Materials
MECHENG 517. Mechanics of Polymers
MECHENG 519. Theory of Plasticity
AEROSP/MECHENG 540. Intermediate Dynamics
MECHENG 605. Advanced Finite Element Methods in Mechanics
AEROSP 618. Advanced Structural Stability
AEROSP 714. Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization