Aerospace Engineering

The world of aerospace engineering is dynamic and forward-driven as it addresses the needs of commercial and military aerospace systems. Proper aerodynamic shape, effective engines for clean and quiet propulsion, high-strength materials appropriate for lightweight structures and the safest control and navigation systems must be integrated to produce efficient and economical flying machines. These challenges must also be met across the broad spectrum of flight, from the low-speed, near-earth hovering of helicopters to the supersonic flight of our present day aircraft and beyond to the extreme speeds and ranges of our future aircraft and spacecraft.

Aerospace Engineering at Ohio State

The Aerospace Engineering (AE) Graduate Program is part of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and it provides diverse opportunities for graduate studies in fundamental and applied research in areas of flight mechanics, aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, aeroelasticity, propulsion and power, dynamics and control and structure mechanics. The program offers both master’s and doctoral degrees with courses taught by a stimulating group of distinguished faculty, including fellows of AIAA, IEEE and the Royal Aeronautical Society and supported by comprehensive laboratories and extensive computer facilities. Our faculty bring their expertise in the varied disciplines of aerospace engineering to the classroom and laboratory and use their extensive research activities to enhance their lectures. The unique combination of a large university, a highly ranked academic department, distinguished faculty and small class size allows the AE program to foster an atmosphere of ingenuity and independence.

Student Life

Aerospace engineering students have many opportunities to interact with other students and faculty within the department. The department’s graduate student association assists in organizing department functions and activities, whether it’s planning the annual Graduate Student Research Day, assisting with our annual Open House, or providing input on important department matters. There are excellent resources available both within and outside the academic arena, ranging from excellent libraries to award-winning recreational facilities.

Financial Support Opportunities

The main types of support for aerospace engineering graduate students are Graduate Research Assistant (GRA), Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA) positions. Competitive fellowship awards may also be provided by the university or by external sponsors including industrial organizations and government agencies such as the National Science Foundation as well as the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Defense.

Research

The state-of-the-art research and instructional laboratories of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering support comprehensive educational and research activities. These facilities are supplemented by specialized university-wide research facilities. Research is also supported by several government agencies. The department’s current research application areas include advanced automotive systems, advanced aerospace systems, energy and environmental quality, materials and manufacturing, micro- and nanotechnology, nuclear energy and bioengineering.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace engineering is home to the: