Department of Aerospace Engineering

Graduate Degree Requirements

Aerospace Engineering. A minimum of 27 credits of acceptable course work, at least 18 credits of which must be graduate course work in Aerospace Engineering along with a minimum of 3 credits of AerE 599 (creative component) must be taken.

The POS for this degree must include at least one course from each of the following AerE core areas.

Engineering Mechanics. A minimum of 24 credits of acceptable course work, at least 18 credits of which must be graduate work in Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related specialty. In addition, a minimum of 3 credits of acceptable mathematics and 3 credits in EM599 (creative component) must be taken. The POS for this degree must include at least one course from each of the following EM core areas.

BS/Master of Engineering degree for Iowa State undergraduate students

Aerospace Engineering. A minimum of 21 credits of acceptable course work, at least 15 credits of which must be graduate course work in Aerospace Engineering. In addition, a minimum of 9 credits in AerE 699 (thesis research) must be taken and an acceptable thesis is required. The POS for this degree must include at least one course from 3 of the 4 following AerE core areas.

Engineering Mechanics. A minimum of 18 credits of acceptable course work, at least 12 credits of which must be graduate work in Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related specialty. In addition, a minimum of 3 credits of acceptable mathematics and 9 credits in EM699 (thesis research) must be taken. The POS for this degree must include at least one course from 3 of the 4 following EM core areas.

Aerospace Engineering. The Graduate College requires a minimum of 72 credits for a PhD degree. The department's requirements include a minimum of 48 credits of acceptable course work, at least 27 credits of which must be graduate course work in aerospace engineering.

You must also have a minimum of 15 credits of acceptable course work from outside the major.

Courses related to the history, philosophy, sociology or political aspects of science and technology are strongly encouraged. Some course work at the 600 level is expected in all PhD Programs of Study. The minimum of 48 credits of course work may include appropriate 590, 690 and experimental course credits.

Each graduate student is required to present an open seminar as the first portion of the final thesis defense.

Engineering Mechanics. The Graduate College requires a minimum of 72 credits for a PhD degree. The department’s requirements include a minimum of 36 credits of acceptable course work, at least 24 credits of which must be graduate work in Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related specialty.

The PhD candidate must complete at least 6 credits of acceptable mathematics and 12 credits total of acceptable course work from outside EM. In addition, a minimum of 36 credits in EM 699 (thesis research) must be taken.

The POS for this degree must include one course from 3 of the 4 EM core areas listed above. The remainder of the POS is to be determined by the student and the POS committee.

Each graduate student is required to present an open seminar as the first portion of the final thesis defense.

Preliminary Exam

For the PhD degree in both Aerospace Engineering and in Engineering Mechanics, you must take a Preliminary Exam that is administered by your POS Committee. This exam is comprised of two parts, written and oral.

The purpose of the prelim is to establish your comprehension of the course material you have taken--in terms of facts, understanding, and the ability to use the material you have studied. It is taken at or near the time of completion of your formal course work, but no later than six months prior to your final exam (dissertation defense).