The Master of Science in Space Systems Design and Engineering (MSAE) is designed to prepare students for careers as engineers in aerospace. The program includes the fields of controls and dynamics, space environment, instrumentation and communications, structures and materials, thermal analysis, and design.
The MSAE is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including 12 credit hours of required courses, 12 credit hours of elective courses selected from an approved list of courses, and an additional 6 credit hours in either a thesis or nonthesis option.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Please note: Aerospace Engineering (MSAE) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit http://global.ucf.edu/. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.
UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.
Track Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
Prerequisites (or equivalent)
- MAP 2302 - Differential Equations
- EML 3034C - Modeling Methods in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering EAS 4134 - High-Speed Aerodynamics
- EAS 4105 - Flight Mechanics EAS 4200 - Flight Structures
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- EML5060 - Mathematical Methods in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3)
- EML5271 - Intermediate Dynamics (3)
- EML5311 - System Control (3)
- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- EML5152 - Intermediate Heat Transfer (3)
- EML5237 - Intermediate Mechanics of Materials (3)
- EAS5123 - Intermediate Aerodynamics (3)
Elective Courses
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete at least 4 of the following:
- EAS5123 - Intermediate Aerodynamics (3)
- EAS5157 - V/Stol Aerodynamics and Performance (3)
- EAS5211 - Aeroelasticity (3)
- EAS5302 - Direct Energy Conversion (3)
- EAS5315 - Rocket Propulsion (3)
- EAS5407C - Mechatronic Systems (3)
- EAS5535 - Engineering Design for Aerospace Vehicles (3)
- EAS6138 - Advanced Gas Dynamics (3)
- EAS6222 - Non-Destructive Evaluation of Aero-Structures (3)
- EAS6250 - Structural and Dynamic Stability (3)
- EAS6405 - Advanced Flight Dynamics (3)
- EAS6414 - Estimation of Dynamical Systems in Aerospace Engineering (3)
- EAS6415 - Guidance, Navigation and Control (3)
- EAS6507 - Topics of Astrodynamics (3)
- EAS6722 - Multidisciplinary Optimization Under Uncertainty (3)
- EAS6808 - Space Environment and Payload Instrumentation (3)
- EML5066 - Computational Methods in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3)
- EML5152 - Intermediate Heat Transfer (3)
- EML5228C - Modal Analysis (3)
- EML5237 - Intermediate Mechanics of Materials (3)
- EML5402 - Turbomachinery (3)
- EML5456 - Turbines for Sustainable Power (3)
- EML5546 - Engineering Design with Composite Materials (3)
- EML5713 - Intermediate Fluid Mechanics (3)
- EML5937 - Special Topics: Advanced Manufacturing (3)
- EML6067 - Finite Elements in Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering I (3)
- EML6068 - Finite Elements in Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering II (3)
- EML6104 - Classical Thermodynamics (3)
- EML6131 - Combustion Phenomena (3)
- EML6154 - Conduction Heat Transfer (3)
- EML6155 - Convection Heat Transfer (3)
- EML6157 - Radiation Heat Transfer (3)
- EML6211 - Continuum Mechanics (3)
- EML6223 - Advanced Vibrational Systems (3)
- EML6233 - Fundamentals of Fatigue Analysis (3)
- EML6238 - Plates and Shells (3)
- EML6295 - Sensors and Actuators for Micro Mechanical Systems (3)
- EML6299 - Advanced Topics on Miniaturization (3)
- EML6305C - Experimental Mechanics (3)
- EML6547 - Engineering Fracture Mechanics in Design (3)
- EML6572 - Probabilistic Methods in Mechanical Design (3)
- EML6712 - Mechanics of Viscous Flow (3)
- EML6725 - Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer I (3)
- EML6726 - Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer II (3)
- EML6808 - Analysis and Control of Robot Manipulators (3)
- EGM6653 - Theory of Elasticity and Plasticity (3)
- Elective courses beyond those listed in the graduate catalog, and others outside the department and/or program, are permitted at the discretion of the student’s advisor and/or graduate program director in the form of a signed and approved Program of Study.
Thesis/Nonthesis Option
6 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis Option- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: EAS 6971 Thesis The thesis option requires 30 credit hours, at least half of which must be at the 6000 level and will include 6 credit hours of thesis credit. A student pursuing the thesis program may not register for thesis credit hours until an advisory committee has been appointed and the committee has reviewed the program of study and the proposed thesis topic. Student must complete the thesis course with a satisfactory (S) grade. If the student does not complete the course with a satisfactory grade, the student will be asked to repeat the course to meet program requirements.
- Additionally, students pursuing the thesis option must enroll one time in the following course: EML 5090 - Mechanical and Aerospace Seminar 0 Credit Hours
- The thesis option requires 30 credit hours, at least half of which must be at the 6000 level and will include 6 credit hours of thesis credit.
Nonthesis Option- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
- EML6085 - Research Methods in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3 - 99)
- For students who work on a research topic with an MAE faculty, XXX 6918 Directed Research (3 credit hours) may be used to substitute EML6085 as the student's independent learning experience. After the graduate program director approves the substitution, the faculty supervising the directed research will create a special registration of XXX 6918 for the student.
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Additional elective course from the suggested list above.
- The non-thesis option requires 30 credit hours, at least half of which must be at the 6000 level and will include 3 credit hours of xxx6918.
Grand Total Credits: 30
Application Requirements
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
All students must identify an adviser and file an official degree program of study prior to the completion of 9 credit hours of study. The program of study must be approved by the department and therefore students should consult with the MAE Graduate Director for assistance in filling out their program of study.
Equipment FeeStudents in the Aerospace Engineering MSAE program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled.
Independent LearningThe independent learning requirement is met by successful completion of a master's thesis for the thesis option. The nonthesis option independent learning experience is provided by the required course, EML 6085 - Research Methods in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3 credit hours). Upon prior approval from the graduate program director, xxx 6918 (3 credit hours) may substitute EML 6085 as the student's independent learning experience. After the graduate program director approves the substitution, the faculty supervising the directed research will create a special registration of XXX 6918 for the student.
