Florida Institute of Technology
High Tech with a Human Touch
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Graduate Degree Programs
Printable Program Information:
Catalog Information
- MS - Aerospace Engineering
- MS - Mechanical Engineering
- Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering
- Ph.D. - Mechanical Engineering
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
The master of science degree can be earned in one of three major areas: aerodynamics and fluid dynamics, aerospace structures and materials, and combustion and propulsion. Because the purpose of each program is to prepare the student for either a challenging professional career in industry or for further graduate study, the programs do not permit narrow specialization. Emphasis is on required course work in several disciplines in which an advanced-degree engineer in a typical industrial position is expected to have knowledge and problem-solving expertise beyond that normally obtained during an undergraduate engineering education.
The master of science degree can be earned on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Full-time students can complete the program in a minimum of three semesters (four in the case of graduate student assistants). Students beginning their course work during the spring semester will be able to register for full course loads, although the commencement of thesis work will normally be delayed.
Graduate student assistants are required to take the one-week teaching seminar offered in mid-August each year.
Admission Requirements
An applicant should have an undergraduate major in a field related to aerospace engineering. Applicants whose bachelor’s degrees are in other fields are normally required to take some undergraduate course work in addition to the program described below, as determined by the department head. Applications are also invited from graduates with undergraduate majors in the physical sciences or mathematics. In these cases, at least one year of undergraduate course work in aerospace engineering is normally required before starting the master of science program. In evaluating an international application, due consideration is given to academic standards in the country where the undergraduate studies have been performed.
Master’s applicants should take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Applicants from foreign countries must meet the same requirements as applicants from the United States.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering is offered with both thesis and nonthesis options. Each option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work. Prior to the completion of nine credit hours, the student must submit for approval a master’s degree program plan to indicate the path chosen and the specific courses to be taken. For the thesis option, up to six credit hours of thesis work may be included in the 30 credit hours’ requirement. The thesis can be primarily analytical, computational or experimental; or it can be some combination of these. In each case, students must demonstrate the ability to read the appropriate engineering literature, to learn independently and to express themselves well technically, both orally and in writing. For the nonthesis option, a student may replace the thesis with additional elective courses and a final program examination, following approval of a written petition submitted to the department head. Generally, students wishing to pursue an academic career are encouraged to choose the thesis option.
Curriculum
The program of study leading to the master’s degree in aerospace engineering is offered in the three listed areas of specialization. The minimum program requirements consists of nine credit hours of core courses, six credit hours of mathematics and 15 credit hours (which may include six credit hours of thesis) of electives. Within the 15 credit hours of electives, six credit hours of course work are restricted electives. The department maintains a list of restricted electives for each specialization.
The nine credit hours of core courses must be chosen in consultation with the student’s adviser from one of the lists below.
Aerodynamics and Fluid Dynamics
| MAE 5110 | Continuum Mechanics |
| MAE 5120 | Aerodynamics of Wings and Bodies |
| MAE 5130 | Viscous Flows |
| MAE 5140 | Experimental Fluid Dynamics |
| MAE 5150 | Computational Fluid Dynamics |
| MAE 5180 | Turbulent Flows |
Aerospace Structures and Materials
| MAE 5050 | Finite Element Fundamentals |
| MAE 5410 | Elasticity |
| MAE 5430 | Design of Aerospace Structures |
| MAE 5460 | Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue of Materials |
| MAE 5470 | Principles of Composite Materials |
| MAE 5480 | Structural Dynamics |
Combustion and Propulsion
| MAE 5130 | Viscous Flows |
| MAE 5150 | Computational Fluid Dynamics |
| MAE 5310 | Combustion Fundamentals |
| MAE 5320 | Internal Combustion Engines |
| MAE 5350 | Gas Turbines |
| MAE 5360 | Hypersonic Air-breathing Engines |
Electives are selected from these course offerings and appropriate courses in mathematics, in consultation with the student’s adviser and committee. The topics of emphasis for aerospace engineering in the three areas of specialization include aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, experimental fluid dynamics, flow instability theory, combustion, aerospace propulsion and power, aerospace structures, composite materials, fracture mechanics and fatigue of materials.
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
All master of science options can be earned on either a full-time or a part-time basis. A two-year projection of course offerings is available on request. Course offerings are arranged to permit the master’s program to be completed by full-time students in a maximum of two calendar years.
Admission Requirements
The undergraduate backgrounds of applicants for admission to the master’s degree programs vary considerably. For this reason, a variety of master’s degree options are available. The applicant should have a bachelor of science or equivalent degree from a mechanical engineering program accredited by ABET. In evaluating an international application, consideration is given to academic standards of the school attended and the content of the courses leading to the degree obtained. Master’s applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (General Test).
Applicants whose bachelor’s degrees are in other engineering fields, mathematics, or the physical sciences may be accepted, but will be required to remedy any deficiencies by satisfactorily completing a number of undergraduate courses in preparation for graduate study in mechanical engineering.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering is offered with both thesis and nonthesis options. Each option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved graduate study; however, within each option, course choices vary considerably. Prior to the completion of nine credit hours, the student must submit for approval a master’s degree program plan to indicate the path chosen and the specific courses to be taken.
The minimum program requirements consist of nine credit hours of core courses, six credit hours of mathematics and 15 credit hours of electives (which may include six credit hours of thesis). Within the 15 credit hours of electives, six credit hours of course work are restricted electives. The department maintains a list of restricted electives for each specialization.
Curriculum
Regardless of which degree path the student chooses, the degree candidate must choose one of four areas of specialization. Listed below are required and elective courses for the master of science specializations.
Biomedical Engineering
Four core courses selected in consultation with the student’s adviser from the list below:
| BIO 5501 | Cell and Molecular Biology |
| CHE 5103 | Transport Processes in Bioengineering |
| CHE 5569 | Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration |
| ECE 5259 | Medical Imaging |
| MAE 5710 | Biomechanics |
| MAE 5720 | Biomedical Instrumentation |
Biomedical engineering applies engineering and science methodologies to the analysis of biological and physiological problems and the delivery of healthcare. The biomedical engineer serves as an interface between traditional engineering disciplines and living systems, and may focus on either, applying the patterns of living organisms to engineering design or engineering new approaches to human health. A biomedical engineer may use his/her knowledge of engineering to create new equipment or environments for such purposes as maximizing human performance or providing non-invasive diagnostic tools. Students can choose elective courses in their area of interest offered by other engineering disciplines.
Dynamic Systems, Robotics and Controls
Three core courses selected in consultation with the student adviser from the list below:
| MAE 5316 | Mechatronics |
| MAE 5318 | Instrumentation and Measurement Systems |
| MAE 5480 | Structural Dynamics |
| MAE 5610 | Advanced Dynamics |
| MAE 5630 | Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems |
| MAE 5650 | Robotics |
| MAE 5660 | Robot Control |
The student’s program of study in this area will be tailored to provide the background and training to pursue a career in a desired and related area of interest. Examples of related areas include design and control of dynamic systems, robotics, vibration, automotive engineering, energy and power systems, etc.
Structures, Solid Mechanics and Materials
Three core courses selected in consultation with the student adviser from the list below:
| MAE 5050 | Finite Element Fundamentals |
| MAE 5060 | Applications in Finite Element Methods |
| MAE 5410 | Elasticity |
| MAE 5420 | Advanced Mechanical Design |
| MAE 5460 | Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue of Materials |
| MAE 5470 | Principles of Composite Materials |
Specialization in this area focuses on analytical and computational techniques as they apply in design. Each student plans a program of study in consultation with a member of the faculty whose professional field is related to the student’s interests.
Thermal-Fluid Sciences
Three core courses selected in consultation with the student adviser from the list below:
| MAE 5130 | Viscous Flows |
| MAE 5210 | Conduction Heat Transfer |
| MAE 5220 | Convection Heat Transfer |
| MAE 5230 | Radiation Heat Transfer |
Specialization in this area focuses on heat transfer, combustion and energy systems. Analytical, computational and experimental techniques are emphasized.
Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering
The doctor of philosophy degree program is offered for students who wish to carry out advanced research in any of the three areas of specialization listed under the master of science program. Other research areas within the field of aerospace engineering may be pursued depending on current faculty interests and available facilities.
Admission Requirements
A candidate for the doctoral program in aerospace engineering will normally have completed a master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, or a closely related area of engineering, and have adequate preparation in areas of fundamental science and mathematics.
Doctoral applicants should have strong academic records including a 3.2 cumulative GPA during master’s degree study, provide three letters of recommendation and take the Graduate Record Examination General Test.
General Admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Degree Requirements
The degree of doctor of philosophy is conferred primarily in recognition of creative accomplishment and the ability to investigate scientific or engineering problems independently, rather than for completion of a definite curriculum. The program consists of advanced studies and research leading to a significant contribution to the knowledge of a particular problem. A student’s research may have analytical, computational or experimental components, or some combination of these. Each student is expected to complete an approved program of study beyond that required for a master’s degree as determined by the dissertation committee, pass the comprehensive examination (both written and oral parts), present a dissertation proposal acceptable to the student’s committee, complete a program of significant original research, and prepare and defend a dissertation detailing the research work.
The program consists of a minimum of 42 credit hours of study beyond the master’s degree. Of the minimum 42 credit hour requirement, at least 24 shall be for dissertation registration
The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to cover the student’s area of specialization and areas important to the major field. The examination is given when, in the judgment of the student’s advisory committee, the student has had sufficient preparation in his/her field of study by completing significant course work in the major area, two related areas of specialization and mathematics, and by initiating doctoral research. The examination must normally be taken before the end of the student’s fourth academic semester after admission into the doctoral program. The written portion of the examination consists of individual parts given by each member of the advisory committee. These written examinations are intended to cover each of the student’s areas of specialization and mathematics. The written portion of the comprehensive examination is followed by an oral component that provides the advisory committee an opportunity for a more in-depth assessment of the student’s readiness for doctoral candidacy. Subsequent to completion of both written and oral components of the comprehensive examination, a dissertation proposal must be submitted to the student’s advisory committee for evaluation. Upon determining that the proposed research is of doctoral quality and that completion is feasible, the student is advanced to candidacy for the doctoral degree.
General Degree requirements are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Curriculum
The doctoral program of study must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and the department head. Considerable latitude is allowable in course selection, although appropriate advanced courses are expected to form a part of the student’s program. A representative distribution of these courses taken beyond the master’s degree should include, as a minimum, six courses in any combination from the major area, the two related areas and mathematics. The following illustrates a minimum credit requirement for the doctoral program of study beyond the master’s degree.
| Course Work and Dissertation Summary | CREDITS |
| Major Area of Specialization, two related Areas of Specialization and Mathematics | 18 |
| Dissertation | 24 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED | 42 |
Selected course offerings from other engineering and science programs can be taken to fulfill the related area requirements. Each student takes mathematics courses from those offered each semester based on the areas of interest and in consultation with the student’s committee. Note that the dissertation credits are a minimum and the committee may require additional credits if they feel sufficient work has not been completed.
Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering
The doctor of philosophy degree is offered for students who wish to carry out advanced research in any of the three optional areas of specialization listed under the master of science program. Other research areas may or may not correlate well with current faculty interests and laboratory facilities. In such cases, the mechanical engineering department head should be consulted to determine the feasibility of pursuing advanced research topics that are outside of the three optional areas listed.
Admission Requirements
A candidate for the doctoral program will normally have completed a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field and have adequate preparation in areas of science and mathematics fundamental to his or her field of study. In addition, a student enrolled in the master’s program may apply to work directly toward the doctoral degree after completing at least 18 credit hours of graduate course work at Florida Tech with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.
Doctoral applicants should have superior academic records, provide letters of recommendation and take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Degree Requirements
The degree of doctor of philosophy is conferred primarily in recognition of creative accomplishment and ability to investigate scientific or engineering problems independently, rather than for completion of a definite course of study. The work should consist of advanced studies and research leading to a significant contribution to the knowledge of a particular problem. A student’s research may have analytical, computational or experimental components, or some combination. Each student is expected to complete an approved program of study beyond that required for a master’s degree, pass the comprehensive written/oral examination, complete a program of significant original research, and prepare and defend a dissertation concerning the research work.
The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to cover the student’s major field of study and related fields important to the major field. The examination is given when, in the judgment of the student’s advisory committee, the student has had sufficient preparation in his/her field of study by completing significant course work in at least three areas of specialization and by initiating doctoral research. The examination must normally be taken before the end of the student’s fourth academic semester, as counted from admission into the doctoral program. The written portion of the examination consists of individual examinations given by each member of the advisory committee. These written examinations are intended to cover each of the student’s areas of specialization. The written portion of the comprehensive examination is followed by an oral component administered by the student’s advisory committee. The oral examination provides the advisory committee an opportunity to complete the examinations in each of the student’s specialty areas. Subsequent to completion of both written and oral components of the examination, a dissertation proposal must be submitted to the student’s advisory committee for evaluation. Upon determining that the proposed research is of doctoral quality and that completion is feasible, the student is advanced to candidacy for the doctoral degree.
| Course Work and Dissertation Summary | CREDITS |
| Doctoral course work minimum beyond master’s degree | 18 |
| Doctoral research and dissertation | 24 |
| TOTAL MINIMUM BEYOND THE MASTER’S DEGREE | 42 |
General degree requirements are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Curriculum
The student’s master’s and doctoral course work combined should include a minimum of 24 credit hours in mechanical engineering and 12 credit hours in mathematics. The doctoral program of study must be approved by the student’s adviser and the department head. The distribution of these courses should include courses in each of the three optional areas of specialization (excluding biomedical engineering, which can be used as a related area of specialization), and as a minimum should have the credit distribution given below:
| Specialization Area Summary | CREDITS |
| Major Area of Specialization (including master’s courses) | 18 |
| Related Areas of Specialization (including master's courses) | 9 each |
| Mathematics (including master's courses) | 9 |