MSc in Aerospace Engineering

About The Program

The Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (MSc AERO) gives candidates the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in the broad field of Aerospace Engineering and contribute to the process of discovery and knowledge creation through the conduct of original research. Candidates for this degree are taught and supervised by experienced faculty and are expected to demonstrate initiative in their approach and innovation in their work. In addition to successfully completing the taught course component of the program, candidates prepare and present a thesis on their chosen area. Research may be undertaken in several topics corresponding to the areas of focus identified by the University.

Career Opportunities

The Aerospace Engineering graduate program at Khalifa University is one of the most cutting edge, state-of-the-art and innovative programs in the region. The program offers world-class graduate-level engineering education and research opportunities. The earned skills during the study period will trigger highly logical thought process that can translate well into industrial applications.

A graduate of the program will learn how to apply advanced skills related to aerospace engineering and make calculations on every aspect of an aircraft/spacecraft design. This includes aerodynamics, propulsion, stability and control, materials and manufacturing, electronic systems and much more.

Due to the diverse range of studied subjects, job opportunities are not only limited to aerospace related industries, they can be found in different disciplines. The program aims to attract students with a diverse background in Mechanical, Materials, Electronics, Mechatronics and other related disciplines of engineering and science, and cultivate them with unmatched academic and research expertise to lead projects in various high-tech industries.

The graduates can become outstanding researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, industrial leaders as well as strong independent academic scholars. Their skills develop in areas that include but are not limited to: aerodynamics, astronautics, space mechanics, composite materials, aircraft/spacecraft/UAV Design, flight stability and control, aeroelasticity, and propulsion.

The job prospects are very wide and varied, with opportunities doing many different jobs within the aviation and space sector. In addition to global aerospace employers such as Boeing, Airbus, Diehl, and NASA, within the UAE, the graduates can work in the defense and security sector, Tawazun Group, STRATA, Yahsat, MBRSC, Mubadala Group, GAL, Calidus, Etihad and Emirates airlines, and the educational sector. Furthermore, graduates go through rigorous training and research experience to help them pursue their studies at PhD level.

Program Educational Objectives

The objectives of the MSc in Aerospace Engineering program are to produce graduates who:

Advance professionally and be recognized as leaders in their respective careers in Aerospace Engineering in industry, government, and academia..
Apply their technical expertise to address the needs of society in a critical, creative, ethical, and innovative manner to solve problems related to Aerospace Engineering that are locally and globally relevant.
Further develop their knowledge and skills through graduate education and professional schools.

Learning Outcomes

MSc in Aerospace Engineering graduates will be able to:

Identify, formulate, and solve advanced Aerospace Engineering problems through the application of modern tools and techniques and advanced knowledge of mathematics and engineering science.
Acquire knowledge of contemporary issues in the field of Aerospace Engineering and develop an aptitude for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze, interpret data and make decisions.
Conduct research and document and defend the research results.
Function in teams and communicate effectively.
Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner.

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	Credits 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)

ENGR 695	Seminar in Research Methods	0
ENGR 606	Advanced Engineering Mathematics	3
AERO 620	Advanced Aerodynamics	3
AERO 630	Aerospace Materials and Structures	3
AERO 640	Advanced Flight Dynamics and Control	3

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

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

AERO 699

Master’s Thesis

9

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

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

Typical study plans for full-time and part-time students enrolled in the MSc in AERO program are shown below in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively.

Tables 3 and 4 show the study plans of full-time and part-time students enrolled in the MSc in AERO program with a concentration.

Each student is expected to select the courses in consultation with her/his academic advisor.

Table 1: Typical Study Plan for Full-Time Students

Fall Semester

· ENGR 606 Advanced Engineering Mathematics

· AERO 620 Advanced Aerodynamics

· AERO 630 Aerospace Materials and Structures

· AERO 640 Advanced Flight Dynamics and Control

· ENGR 695 Seminar in Research Methods

Spring Semester

· Elective course 1

· Elective course 2

· Elective course 3

· AERO 699 Master’s Thesis

Summer Terms

· AERO 699 Master’s Thesis

Table 2: Typical Study Plan for Part-Time Students

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Year 1	· ENGR 606 Advanced Engineering Mathematics · AERO 620 Advanced Aerodynamics · ENGR 695 Seminar in Research Methods	· AERO 640 Advanced Flight Dynamics and Control · Elective course 1
Year 2	· AERO 630 Aerospace Materials and Structures · Elective course 2	· Elective course 3 · AERO 699 Master’s Thesis
Year 3	· AERO 699 Master’s Thesis

Table 3: Typical Study Plan for Full-Time Students Enrolled in a Concentration

Fall Semester

· Core Course 1

· Core Course 2

· Core Course 3

· Core Course 4

· ENGR 695 Seminar in Research Methods

Spring Semester

· Concentration Elective Course 1

· Concentration Elective Course 2

· Concentration Elective course 3

· AERO 699 Master’s Thesis

Summer Term

· AERO 699 Master’s Thesis

Table 4: Typical Study Plan for Part-Time Students Enrolled a Concentration

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Year 1	· Core Course 1 · Core Course 2 · ENGR 695 Seminar in Research Methods	· Core Course 3 · Core Course 4
Year 2	· Concentration Elective Course 1 · Concentration Elective Course 2	· Concentration Elective Course 3 · AERO 699 Master’s Thesis
Year 3	· AERO 699 Master’s Thesis

Students must consult with their respective advisors on the courses that they will enroll in, the required pre-requisites, and the thesis topic selection. Full-time graduate students must register for 9 to 12 credits, including thesis credits, during a regular semester (Fall and Spring) and a maximum of 6 credits during a Summer term. In the case of part-time students, the credit load is normally 6 credits during a regular semester as well as the summer term.

Students can only register for thesis credits after successfully completing a minimum of 9 credits of the core courses of the master’s program they are enrolled in. It is to be noted that the minimum pass grade for graduate courses is a “C” letter grade. Students should consult the Graduate Catalog to learn about the graduate programs, the grading system, graduation requirements, and other pertinent matters.

About The Program

Program Educational Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Overall Program Structure

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