Program Overview

Aerospace Graduate Certificate

Overview

The Aerospace Graduate Certificate is designed to enhance your degree with a focus on developing high-performance and ultra-efficient aircraft, including drones and UAVs, and improving aerospace technology by reducing emissions, noise, and vibration. Studying with renowned Duke MEMS faculty, you will receive specialized training in aerospace applications and technologies.

Choice of Focus Area

• Structures & Dynamics
• Aerodynamics & Acoustics

Specialized Research Facilities

The program offers access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including:

• Subsonic wind tunnel
• Computational facilities
• 3D prototyping in polymers, metals, and composites
• Professional and student machine shops

Eligibility

The Aerospace Graduate Certificate is open to all graduate students in Duke's Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science working toward:

• Master of Engineering
• Master of Science
• PhD

Requirements & Courses

To complete the certificate, students must:

• Select a focus area: Structures & Dynamics or Aerodynamics & Acoustics
• Complete four (4) technical courses:
  • Two (2) required core courses with your chosen focus area
  • Two (2) additional courses, with at least (1) being in another focus area
• Present your aerospace research to Duke MEMS aerospace faculty
• Attend four (4) aerospace seminars

Structures & Dynamics Courses

Core Courses

• ME 544 Advanced Mechanical Vibrations (Fall)
• ME 524/CE 530 Introduction to Finite Element Methods (Spring)

Additional Courses

• ME 527 Buckling of Engineering Structures (Every other Spring)
• CEE 541 Structural Dynamics (Occasionally)
• ME 541 Intermediate Dynamics (Fall)
• ME 742 Nonlinear Mechanical Vibrations (Spring)
• CEE 629 System Identification (Every other Spring, even years)

Aerodynamics & Acoustics Courses

Core Courses

• ME 571 Aerodynamics (Fall)
• ME 572 Engineering Acoustics (Spring)

Additional Courses

• ME 672 Unsteady Aerodynamics (Fall)
• ME 671 Advanced Aerodynamics (Occasionally)
• ME 775 Aeroelasticity (Spring)

Mathematical & Computational Methods Courses

• MATH 551 Applied Partial Differential Equations & Complex Variables (Fall)
• MATH 577 Mathematical Modeling (Spring)
• ME 639 Computational Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer (Fall)
• ME 524/CE 530 Finite Element Method (Fall)
• MATH 561 Numerical Linear Algebra, Optimization & Monte Carlo Simulation (Fall)
• COMPSCI 520 Numerical Analysis (Spring)
• MATH 563 Applied Computational Analysis (Spring)

Important Notes

• Only one (1) Mathematical & Computational Methods course may be counted toward the four required courses.
• The courses listed are approved for this certificate and are subject to change as new courses are offered.
• Other courses may be approved in advance by the program director.
• Master of Science students may not use their MS research project, non-thesis poster, or thesis defense for the presentation requirement.
• PhD students may use their preliminary exam as their presentation; however, a presentation such as those prepared for a conference is preferred.
• To receive credit for this certificate, complete the requirements and provide a copy of your updated certificate plan to the program director and your program coordinator as you complete requirements.

Certificate Contacts

For questions or concerns, please consult with the program director, Professor Kenneth C. Hall.