Aerospace Engineering (ENAE)
Graduate Degree Program
College: Engineering
Abstract
The Aerospace Engineering Department offers a broad program in graduate studies leading to the degrees of Master of Science (thesis and non-thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy. Graduate students can choose from the following areas of specialization: aerodynamics, hypersonics and propulsion; dynamics, control and autonomy; rotorcraft; space systems; and structural dynamics and composites. Within these disciplines, the student can tailor programs in related topics such as computational fluid dynamics, aeroelasticity, hypersonics, composites, smart structures, finite elements, space propulsion, robotics, and human factors.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance for graduate study may be in the form of fellowships or research or teaching assistantships. Both fellowship students and research assistants work with a faculty advisor on a specific research topic which often leads to a thesis, scholarly paper, or dissertation. Teaching assistants are assigned to specific courses to help professors with instruction, grading, or other classroom tasks. All full-time applicants are automatically considered for these fellowships and assistantships, which often cover tuition in addition to a stipend.
Contact
Department of Aerospace Engineering
3179 Glenn L. Martin Hall Building
4298 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.2376
Fax: 301.314.9001
Website: http://www.aero.umd.edu
Courses: ENAE
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcript(s)
- TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
- Letters of Recommendation (3)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional)
- CV/Resume
- Writing Sample (optional)
- Description of Research/Work Experience
- Portfolio PDF Upload (optional)
- GPA: 3.2 for M.S. and 3.5 for Ph.D.
Applicants should have a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering (or in a closely related field) with a recommended minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0 from an accredited institution. Applicants with a marginal academic record may be conditionally approved for admission to the M.S. program if other evidence of accomplishment is provided (i.e. publications or exceptional letters of recommendation). Admission to the Ph.D. program requires an academic record indicating promise of the high level of accomplishment required for the degree. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is strongly encouraged for applicants seeking financial support.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| Type of Applicant | Fall Deadline | Spring Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Applicants: | ||
| US Citizens and Permanent Residents | April 2, 2025 | October 10, 2024 |
| International Applicants: | ||
| F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A,E,G,H,I and L visas and immigrants. | March 14, 2025 | September 26, 2024 |
RESOURCES AND LINKS:
Program Website: aero.umd.edu
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/application-process/step-step-guide-applying
The departmental laboratories and facilities for large-scale experimental research include the following:
- Space Systems Laboratory (SSL): Houses the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility (NBRF), a multi-million dollar laboratory featuring a 50-foot diameter by 25-foot deep water tank, for simulating the microgravity environment of space as well as for developing and testing spacecraft systems.
- Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center (AGRC): An Army/Navy/NASA designated Vertical Lift Center of Excellence. The AGRC conducts multidisciplinary research focused on advancing the field of rotorcraft technology, using experimental rotor rigs capable of testing 6-foot diameter rotors and other hover test facilities.
- Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel (GLMWT): A subsonic wind tunnel that has served the department for over 75 years, with 8-foot by 11-foot test section and airspeeds of up to 330 feet per second. Recent upgrades and modernization ensure it remains a valuable resource for testing UAVs, cars, rotorcraft and other aircraft models.
- High-speed Aerodynamics and Propulsion Laboratory (HAPL): Houses high-speed wind tunnels capable of simulating hypersonic flight conditions. The high-temperature Ludwieg tube (HTLT) can generate Mach numbers of 6.2 and 8.0 for about 100 milliseconds, while a reflected shock tunnel (HyperTERP) with Mach 6 nozzle is capable of reservoir temperatures and pressures up to 1500 K and 25 atmospheres.
Beyond these large-scale facilities, the department boasts a diverse range of specialized laboratories catering to various research areas, including:
- Advanced Propulsion Research Laboratory: Houses a high-enthalpy vitiated-air testing facility for studying advanced propulsion concepts.
- Aerodynamics Laboratory: Houses a 6-inch by 6-inch supersonic wind tunnel for high-speed aerodynamic education and research.
- Collective Dynamics and Control Laboratory: Equipped for investigating cooperative control of autonomous robotic systems.
- Composites Research Laboratory: Provides resources for research on composite materials, including a microprocessor-controlled autoclave and an environmental conditioning chamber.
- Dynamic Effects Laboratory: Specializes in explosive testing capabilities.
- Extended Reality Flight Simulation and Control Laboratory: Focuses on advanced flight simulation techniques.
- Hydrogen and Electric Flight Laboratory: Conducts research on electric and hybrid propulsion systems, with facilities for testing these engines.
- Machine Learning for Dynamical Systems Laboratory: Explores the application of machine learning algorithms in aerospace engineering.
- Motion and Teaming Laboratory: Develops algorithms and methods for autonomous robots and multi-agent systems.
- Planetary Surfaces and Spacecraft Laboratory: Utilizes advanced techniques to study the physics of the space environment.
- Separated and Transient Aerodynamics Laboratory: Focuses on the aerodynamics of flapping wings, turbines, and rotorcraft flows.
- Space Power and Propulsion Laboratory: Equipped with various plasma sources, probes, and diagnostic tools for research in space propulsion technologies.
- Tilt Rotor Laboratory: Houses the Maryland Tiltrotor Rig (MTR) for studying tiltrotors.
- The X Laboratory: Specializes in the design of cyber-physical and autonomous multi-agent systems.
| Last Name | First/Middle Name | Graduate Faculty Status | Academic Credentials | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abel | Ian | Associate | B.A. Mathematics, University of Cambridge, 2006; M.Math., 2007; Ph.D. Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford, 2013. | Associate Research Scientist, Aerospace Engineering |
| Akin | David L. | Full Member | S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1974; S.M., 1975; Sc.D., 1981. | Professor, Aerospace Engineering Associate Professor, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation |
| Anderson | John D. | Full Member | B.S., University of Florida, 1959; Ph.D., Ohio State University-Columbus, 1966. | Professor Emeritus, Aerospace Engineering |
| Baeder | James D. | Full Member | B.S., Rice University, 1983; M.S., Stanford University, 1984; Ph.D., 1989. | Professor, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Barbee | Brent | Associate | B.S., University of Texas-Austin, 2003; M.S., 2005 | Lecturer, Aerospace Engineering |
| Barlow | Jewel B. | Associate | B.Sc., Auburn University, 1963;M.S., 1964; Ph.D., University of Toronto, 1970. | Associate Professor Emeritus, Aerospace Engineering |
| Bauchau | Olivier A | Full Member | Ing´enieur Civil Physicien degree, Universit´e de l’´Etat `a Li`ege, 1977; M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1978; Ph.D., 1981. | Research Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Bowden | Mary L. | Associate | B.A., Cornell University, 1978; M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1981; Sc.D., 1988. | Senior Lecturer, Aerospace Engineering |
| Brehm | Christoph | Full Member | B.S., Universität Stuttgart, Germany, 2005; M.S., University of Arizona, 2006; Ph.D., 2011. | Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Cadou | Christopher | Full Member | B.S., Cornell University, 1989; M.S., University of California- Los Angeles, 1991; Ph.D., 1996. | Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Carignan | Craig | Associate | B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1981; M.S., 1982; Sc.D., 1987 | Associate Research Scientist, Aerospace Engineering |
| Castano Salcedo | Lina | Associate | B.S., University of Valle, Columbia, 2004; M.S., University of Maryland, 2010; Ph.D., 2015. | Assistant Research Scientist, Aerospace Engineering |
| Celi | Roberto | Associate | Laurea,Politecnico Di Torino-Italy, 1980; M.S., University of California-Los Angeles, 1982; Ph.D., 1987. | Research Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Chopra | Inderjit | Full Member | B.Sc.,Punjab Engineering College-Chandigarh, India, 1965; M.Eng.,Indian Institute of Science-Bangalore, 1968; Sc.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1977. | Distinguished University Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Conroy | Joseph K. | Associate | B.S., University of Maryland, 2003; M.S., 2005; Ph.D., 2010. | Lecturer, Aerospace Engineering |
| Datta | Anubhav | Full Member | B.Tech, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 1998; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2004. | Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Flatau | Alison | Full Member | B.S., University of Connecticut, 1978; M.S., University of Utah, 1985, Ph.D., 1990 | Chair, Aerospace Engineering Professor, Aerospace Engineering Affiliate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering |
| Fourney | William L. | Full Member | B.S.A.E., West Virginia University, 1962; M.S., 1963; Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, 1966. | Professor Emeritus, Mechanical Engineering Professor Emeritus, Aerospace Engineering |
| Hartzell | Christine | Full Member | B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008; Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder, 2012. | Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Healy | Liam | Associate | A.B. Physics, Harvard College, 1979; M.S. Physics, University of Maryland, 1981; Ph.D. Physics, 1986. | Senior Lecturer, Aerospace Engineering |
| Hubbarb, Jr. | James E. | Full Member | B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1977; M.S., 1979; Ph.D., 1982. | Professor Emeritus, Aerospace Engineering |
| Jones | Anya R. | Full Member | B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2004; S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006; Ph.D., University of Cambridge, 2010 | Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Laurence | Stuart | Full Member | B.Sc./B.A. Conjoint, Physics and Philosophy, 2001, University of Auckland; B,Sc. Applied Mathematics,2001, University of Auckland; M.S. Aeronautics, 2002, California Institute of Technology; Ph.D. Aeronautics,2006, California Institute of Technology. | Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Lee | Sung W. | Full Member | B.S., Seoul National University, 1966; M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1974; Ph.D., 1978. | Professor, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Lewis | Mark J. | Full Member | B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1983; B.S., 1983; M.S., 1985; Ph.D., 1988. | Professor Emeritus, Aerospace Engineering |
| Martin | John | Full Member | B.S./B.A. Physics and Astronomy/ Music, University of North Carolina, 2018; M.S. Aerospace Engineering, University of ColoradoBoulder, 2021; Ph.D., 2023. | Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Martin | M. Pino | Full Member | B. Eng., Boston University, 1994; M.S., University of Minnesota, 1995; Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1999; | Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Nagaraj | V.T. | Associate | B.E., University of Mysore; M.E., Indian Institute of Science; Ph.D., Loughborough University of Technology | Senior Research Scientist, Aerospace Engineering |
| Oran | Elaine S. | Associate | A.B. Physics and Chemistry, Bryn Mawr College, 1966; M.Ph. Physics, Yale University, 1968; Ph.D. Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, 1972. | Research Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Otte | Michael W. | Full Member | B.S. Clarkson University, 2005; M.S. University of Colorado at Boulder, 2007; Ph.D. University of Colorado at Boulder, 2011; Postdoc, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2014 | Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Paley | Derek | Full Member | B.S., Yale University, 1997; Ph.D., Princeton University, 2007. Willis H. Young Jr. Professor of Aerospace Engineering Education. | Professor, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation Professor, Neurosciences and Cognitive Science Professor, Aerospace Engineering Affiliate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Pines | Darryll J. | Full Member | B.S.,University of California-Berkeley, 1986; M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1988; Ph.D., 1992. | Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Saetti | Umberto | Full Member | B.S., Polytechnic University of Milan, 2014; M.S., Electrical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 2019; M.S., Aerospace Engineering, 2016; Ph.D., 2019 | Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Sanner | Robert | Full Member | B.S.,Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1985; M.S., 1988; Sc.D., 1993. | Associate Professor, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Sedwick | Raymond | Full Member | B.S., Penn State University, 1992; S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994; Ph.D., 1997 | Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Tritschler | John | Associate | B.S., University of Notre Dame, 2005; M.S., University of Maryland, 2010; Ph.D., 2012. | Lecturer, Aerospace Engineering |
| Wereley | Norman M. | Full Member | B.E., McGill University-Montreal,1983; M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1987; Ph.D., 1990. | Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Winkelmann | Allen E. | Full Member | B.S.,University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 1965; M.S., 1967; Ph.D.,University of Maryland-College Park, 1976. | Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Xu | Huan | Full Member | S.B., Harvard University, 2007; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, 2013, M.S., 2008. | Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering |
| Yu | Kenneth H. | Full Member | B.S.,University of California-Berkeley, 1985; M.S., 1988; Ph.D., 1989. | Professor, Aerospace Engineering |