M.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for aerospace and mechanical engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

The Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering prepares the student to practice engineering at an advanced level in a specialization within aerospace engineering and to recognize the benefit of solving problems using expertise from other engineering disciplines. Students improve their skills in setting up and solving problems by using contemporary tools and leveraging interaction with peers.

Requirements

The program of study depends upon the student’s interests and background. The M.S. in Aerospace Engineering program requires completion of a minimum of 27 units, with at least 18 units at the 500 level, and a 3.0 GPA overall. A minimum of 15 units must be AME 500-level courses including the applied mathematics course. See details below.

• 4 units of Applied Mathematics Coursework. Choose from:
  • AME 525 Linear Algebra in Engineering Science
  • AME 526 Partial Differential Equations for Engineering Applications
  • AME 540 Probability and Statistics in Engineering Science
  • Cross-listed classes count as AME department courses
  • Elective courses may be from AME, Math, Physics, or other Engineering Departments (ASTE, BME, CE, CHE, CSCI, DSCI, EE, ENE, ENGR, ISE, ITP, MASC, PTE, SAE)

  In addition to the general requirements listed in the catalogue, the department has identified requirements in several areas of optional specializations. Core requirements and elective requirements are defined for each area of specialization below. Note that the specializations are not designated on transcripts or diplomas.

  Specializations

  *Note that listed core and elective units below may not add up to 27 for some specializations. Courses listed are either 3 or 4 units. Remaining units can be chosen in area of specific interest to the student in accordance with the requirements listed above.

  ▸ AERODYNAMICS/FLUID DYNAMICS SPECIALIZATION

  Applied Math Requirement (select 1 course = 4 units):
  AME 525 Linear Algebra in Engineering Science (4 units)
  AME 526 Partial Differential Equations for Engineering Applications (4 units)
  AME 540 Probability and Statistics in Engineering Science (4 units)
  

  Core Requirements (2 courses = 8 units):
  AME 530a Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids (4 units)
  AME 511 Compressible Gas Dynamics (4 units)

  Core Electives (select 1 course = 3-4 units):
  AME 506 Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics (4 units)
  AME 535a Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics (3 units)
  AME 651 Statistical Theories of Turbulence (3 units)

  ▸ AEROSPACE CONTROL SPECIALIZATION

  Applied Math Requirement (select 1 course = 4 units):
  AME 525 Linear Algebra in Engineering Science (4 units)
  AME 526 Partial Differential Equations for Engineering Applications (4 units)
  AME 540 Probability and Statistics in Engineering Science (4 units)

  Core Requirements (2 courses = 7 units):
  AME 532a Flight Vehicle Stability and Control (3 units)
  AME 541 Linear Control Systems II (4 units) (Pre-req: AME 451 or equivalent)

  Core Electives (select 1 course = 3-4 units):
  AME 532b Flight Vehicle Stability and Control (3 units)
  AME 552 Nonlinear Control Systems (4 units) (Pre-req: AME 541)
  AME 544 Computer Control of Mechanical Systems (3 units)
  AME 545 Modeling and Control of Distributed Dynamic Systems (3 units)
  ASTE 585 Spacecraft Attitude Control (3 units)
  ASTE 586 Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (3 units)

  ▸ AEROSPACE DESIGN SPECIALIZATION

  Applied Math Requirement (select 1 course = 4 units):
  AME 525 Linear Algebra in Engineering Science (4 units)
  AME 526 Partial Differential Equations for Engineering Applications (4 units)
  AME 540 Probability and Statistics in Engineering Science (4 units)

  Core Requirements (1 course = 3 units):
  AME 527 Elements of Vehicle and Energy Systems Design (3 units)

  Core Electives (select 2 courses = 6-7 units):
  ASTE 520 Spacecraft System Design (3 units)
  AME 408 Computer-Aided Design of Mechanical Systems (3 units)
  AME 410 Engineering Design Theory and Methodology (3 units)
  AME 502 Modern Topics in Aerospace Design (3 units)
  AME 528 Finite Element Analysis (4 units) (Cross-listed with CE 529; students enroll in CE 529)
  AME 532a Flight Vehicle Stability and Control (3 units)
  AME 549 System Architecting (3 units) (Cross-listed with SAE 549; students enroll in SAE 549)

  ▸ AEROSTRUCTURES SPECIALIZATION

  Applied Math Requirement (select 1 course = 4 units):
  AME 525 Linear Algebra and Engineering Science (4 units)
  AME 526 Partial Differential Equations for Engineering Applications (4 units)
  AME 540 Probability and Statistics in Engineering Science (4 units)

  Core Requirements (3 courses = 12 units):
  AME 529 Aircraft Structures Analysis (4 units) (Pre-req: AME 204 or equivalent)
  AME 509 Applied Elasticity (4 units) (Pre-req: Stress Analysis, AME 403 or equivalent)
  AME 521 Engineering Vibrations II (4 units) (Pre-req: AME 420 or equivalent)

  Core Electives (select 2 courses = 6-8 units):
  AME 420 Engineering Vibrations I (3 units)
  AME 506 Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics (4 units)
  AME 507 Mechanics of Solids I (4 units) (Cross-listed with CE 507; students enroll in CE 507)
  AME 522 Nonlinear Dynamical Systems, Vibrations, and Chaos (4 units)
  AME 524 Advanced Engineering Dynamics (4 units)
  AME 528 Finite Element Analysis (4 units) (Cross-listed with CE 529; students enroll in CE 529)
  AME 539 Multi-body Dynamics (4 units)
  AME 560 Fatigue and Fracture (3 units) (Cross-listed with MASC 560; students enroll in MASC 560)
  AME 585 Aerospace Structures II (3 units) (Pre-req: AME 485 or equivalent)
  CE 541 Dynamics of Structures (4 units)

  ▸ COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS

  Applied Math Requirement (select 1 course = 4 units):
  AME 525 Linear Algebra in Engineering Science (4 units)
  AME 526 Partial Differential in Engineering Science (4 units)
  AME 540 Probability and Statistics in Engineering Science (4 units)

  Core Requirements (3 courses = 11 units):
  AME 530a Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids (4 units)
  AME 511 Compressible Gas Dynamics (4 units)
  AME 535a Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics (3 units)

  Core Elective in Fluid Dynamics (1 course = 3-4 units):
  AME 506 Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics (4 units)
  AME 513a Principles of Combustion (4 units)
  AME 651 Statistical Theories of Turbulence (3 units)

  Core Elective in Numerical Methods (select 1 course= 3-4 units)
  AME 415 Turbine Design and Analysis (3 units)
  AME 535b Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics II (3 units)
  AME 579 Numerical Modeling of Single and Multiphase Reactive Flows (4 units) (Pre-req: AME 535a and AME 513b or equivalent)
  ASTE 545 Computational Techniques in Rarefied Gas Dynamics (3 units):

  ▸ PROPULSION SPECIALIZATION

  Applied Math Requirement (select 1 course = 4 units):
  AME 525 Linear Algebra in Engineering Science (4 units)
  AME 526 Partial Differential Equations for Engineering Applications (4 units)
  AME 540 Probability and Statistics in Engineering Science (4 units)

  Core Requirements (4 courses = 13 units):
  AME 436 Energy and Propulsion (3 units)
  AME 511 Compressible Gas Dynamics (4 units)
  ASTE 570 Liquid Rocket Propulsion (3 units)
  ASTE 572 Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion (3 units)

  Core Electives (select 2 courses = 6-8 units):
  ASTE 501a Physical Gas Dynamics (3 units)
  AME 414 Engineering Thermodynamics II (3 units)
  AME 513a Fundamentals and Applications of Combustion I (4 units)
  AME 513b Fundamentals and Applications of Combustion II (4 units) (Pre-req: AME 513a)
  AME 530a Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids (4 units)
  AME 579 Numerical Modeling of Single and Multiphase Reactive Flows (4 units) (Pre-req: AME 535a and AME 513b or equivalent)