Program Overview

Introduction to the Aerospace Program

The Institute offers graduate programs in aerospace leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Aeronautics and Space Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy in Aeronautics and Space Engineering. The programs are designed to provide intense education in the foundations of the aeronautical and space sciences, with emphasis on research and analytical, computational, and experimental methods.

Aims and Scope of the Graduate Program

Entering graduate students should have a thorough background in undergraduate mathematics, physics, and engineering science. In working toward a degree in aerospace, a student may pursue major study in one of the following areas: physics of fluids, physics of solids and mechanics of materials, structural mechanics, space technology, computational solid mechanics, computational and theoretical fluid dynamics, aeronautical engineering and propulsion, biomechanics of fluids and solids, technical fluid mechanics, control of aerospace systems and materials.

Examinations, Committees, and Student Responsibilities

To help students achieve satisfactory progress in their academic pursuits, the aerospace faculty provides for the following committee and individual support. Upon beginning the first year of the aerospace program, each student is assigned a faculty (course) adviser whose research field matches the interests of the student as described in the student’s statement of purpose in their admissions application.

Qualifying Examination

Students wishing to pursue studies leading to the Ph.D. must select and be accepted by a research adviser by the end of the spring term of the first year of residence and are required to pass a qualifying examination in the first term of the second year. The objective of the qualifying examination is to determine if the student is properly prepared and qualified to pursue problems typical of Ph.D.-level research by demonstrating fundamental understanding of the first year courses in the topic area of the exam.

AE Master’s Degrees

The master’s degree program in aeronautics or space engineering is a one-year program that provides advanced training in the areas of aeronautics or space engineering beyond that covered in a four-year undergraduate program. The program consists of a set of five core courses.

Admission

Students whose highest qualification is a baccalaureate degree equivalent to that given by the Institute are eligible to seek admission to work toward the master’s degree. Students are asked to submit course transcripts and letters of recommendation as well as evidence of English language proficiency.

Course Requirements

A program of study consists of courses totaling at least 135 units; of these, at least 81 units must be chosen from one of the following curricular tracks:

• Aeronautics track
  • Two 27-unit course sequences chosen from:
    • Fluid mechanics (Ae/APh/CE/ME 101 abc)
    • Solid/structural mechanics (Ae/AM/CE/ME 102abc)
    • Autonomy and control (Ae103a in first term, Ae 103b in second term, and a third course selected from department list in coordination with first-year adviser), 27 units
  • Experimental methods (Ae 104abc), 27 units
• Space Engineering track
  • Two 27-unit course sequences chosen from:
    • Fluid mechanics (Ae/APh/CE/ME 101 abc)
    • Solid/structural mechanics (Ae/AM/CE/ME 102abc)
    • Autonomy and control (Ae103a in first term, Ae 103b in second term, and a third course selected from department list in coordination with first-year adviser), 27 units
  • Space engineering (Ae 105abc), 27 units

AE Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

The course requirements for the first year of the Ph.D. degree are identical to those of the master’s degree. Students admitted to graduate study for the Ph.D. degree must complete in their first year a course of study that would qualify them for the master’s degree described above.

Research Adviser

Students wishing to pursue studies leading to the Ph.D. must select and be accepted by a research adviser preferably by the end of their third quarter but no later than the end of their first year of study and prior to taking the qualifying examination described below.

Candidacy

To be recommended for candidacy for the Ph.D. in aerospace, the applicant must:

• have satisfactorily completed at least 135 units of graduate work equivalent to the above Master of Science program;
• pass, with a grade of C or better, 27 units of graduate-level mathematics courses beyond ACM 95/100, and ACM/IDS 104;
• complete (with a grade of C or better, or Pass if the course is only offered Pass/Fail) at least 45 units of aerospace courses numbered Ae 200 or higher, or Ae/ME 118, Ae/ME 120, EE/Ae 157, Ae 159, Ae/Ge/ME 160 and Ae/CE 165ab, excluding research and seminars;
• complete three units of the advanced seminar Ae 208.

Graduate Teaching Assignment Duties

GALCIT provides opportunities to students to improve their teaching and communication skills that are valuable in many contexts. Ph.D. students are required to perform a minimum of 18 term hours of Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) duties within the aerospace Department during their terms of residence.

Thesis and Final Examination

Prior to graduation, each candidate is required to give a seminar presenting the results of their thesis research. For final examination and thesis completion, see also the general degree requirements and the section on Examinations, Committees, and Student Responsibilities regarding aerospace.

Subject Minor

A student majoring in a field other than aerospace may, with the approval of the option representative, elect aerospace as a subject minor. A minimum of 54 units in subjects acceptable to the aerospace faculty is required.

Problem and Grievance Resolution within Aerospace

Students may pursue several avenues for redress concerning personal and academic problems that may arise during their residency.

Educational Exchange Program with École Polytechnique

An educational exchange program is offered by the aerospace option with École Polytechnique (EP). In this exchange program, students selected for participation from Caltech will enroll for one year at EP. Correspondingly, students selected for the program from EP will enroll for one year at Caltech. To be eligible to participate, aerospace students must have completed one full year of study (for Caltech students this is equivalent to the requirements for the M.S. degree) and agree that they will spend one full year at EP.