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Aerospace Engineering Sciences

Aerospace Engineering is shaping the future of transportation, communication, explorations, and security through hands-on experience and teamwork. The department’s mission is to prepare students for leadership positions in design, testing, and operation of complex aerospace and related systems. Ranked 12th nationally by U.S. New and World Report, the graduate program spends more than $11 million annually on research. It is home to four research centers, two funded by NASA, and was named a program of excellence by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.

Areas of Study and Research

Graduate students are admitted into a specific focus area that provides research advising, financial support, and sets specialized admission and program requirements and recommendations for course work within and outside the department. The four focus areas are:

  • Astrodynamics and Satellite Navigation Systems
  • Bioastronautics
  • Remote Sensing, Earth and Space Science
  • Aerospace Engineering Systems
     

Each focus area has defined the required characteristics of its successful graduates at the MS and Ph.D. level, and defined the required and elective courses that support its educational program.

 

Degrees Offered:

  • MS, PhD
Degree Details: 

MS
The Master of Science requires 30 hours of course work, at least 24 hours of which must be completed at the graduate level, and no more than 12 hours taken outside of the aerospace engineering sciences department. Students must also complete a project (6 semester hours) consisting of either (1) a MS thesis, (2) required courses leading to an approved certificate, or (3) Graduate Projects I and II.  

PhD
The Ph.D. requires 36 credit hours at the 5000 level or above, 18 hours taken in the aerospace engineering sciences department, and 30 hours of dissertation credit. Students must pass the departmental preliminary and comprehensive examinations and successfully defend the dissertation in a final examination. Students do not need to have a master’s degree to apply to the Ph.D. program.

Admissions Requirements: 

Applicants must:

  1. Have undergraduate courses in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations.
  2. Have two semesters of undergraduate calculus-based physics.
  3. Have at least two semesters of upper-division undergraduate courses in engineering or physics.
  4. Hold a baccalaureate degree in engineering, science or mathematics from a college or university of recognized standing (or the equivalent).
  5. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.4.
  6. Provide official GRE scores from an examination taken within the last 5 years.
  7. Provide four letters of recommendation.
  8. Provide a statement of purpose.

Additional information is available on the department's website: www.colorado.edu/aerospace.
 

Fall Domestic Application Deadline: 
January 5, 2013
Fall International Application Deadline: 
December 1, 2012
Spring Domestic Application Deadline: 
October 1, 2012
Spring International Application Deadline: 
August 1, 2012
Contact Information: 

University of Colorado Boulder
Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Engineering Center
Office Tower 632 (ECOT 632)
429 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0429
Phone: 303-492-6416
Fax: 303-492-7881
 

Website: 
www.colorado.edu/aerospace
Email: 
aerograd@colorado.edu
Where To Send Your Materials: 

Application Mailing Instructions

Domestic Applicants:

Transcripts and other supporting materials required by your department should be sent directly to Graduate Admissions:

For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:

Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122
553 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0553 USA

For overnight or express mail (DHL, FEDEX, UPS):

Graduate Admissions             
University of Colorado Boulder                     
3100 Marine Street - 553 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  (303) 492-6301
  

All International Applicants

Transcripts and other supporting materials required by your department should be sent directly to Office of Admissions/International:

For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:

Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122
65 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0065 USA

Overnight/Express Mailing Address (DHL, UPS, Fedex)          

Office of Admissions/International               
University of Colorado Boulder                     
3100 Marine Street - 65 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA
303-492-6301