Aerospace Engineering, M.S.

(Major Code: 09021) (SIMS Code: 441001)

Admission to Graduate Study

All students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies with classified graduate standing as described in Admission and Registration . Candidates for admission to aerospace engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering programs must have attained a grade point average of at least 2.85 (where A equals 4) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units of technical study attempted in the undergraduate degree program. In addition, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a field of engineering appropriate to the field in which they desire to earn an advanced degree or in a field closely related thereto from an institution acceptable to the College of Engineering and the College of Graduate Studies. If undergraduate preparation is deemed insufficient, the student will be required to take specified courses for the removal of the deficiency. Such courses may be in addition to the minimum of 30 units for the master’s degree in engineering. Students graduating from foreign universities need a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Students should contact their specific engineering department for GRE test requirements. Letters of recommendation for graduate study are helpful but optional.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the $55 application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the College of Engineering (refer to the appropriate department section for the address to submit additional information).

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:
Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended;
   NOTE:
   • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
   • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
2. GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
3. English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

College of Engineering

The following materials should be mailed or delivered to the appropriate address listed in each department section:

1. Personal statement of graduate program goals;
2. Letters of recommendation (optional).

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must meet the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees .

Specific Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing as stated above, the student must satisfy the basic requirements for the master’s degree as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees . With the approval of the appropriate department, the student working toward the master of science degree may elect either Plan A, requiring a thesis and an oral defense, or Plan B, requiring a comprehensive written examination.

Students shall arrange their coursework, in conference with their graduate adviser, according to the following requirements for the specific degree.

General Information

The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering.

Students are encouraged to engage in thesis research or special study projects. Available areas of research include experimental, theoretical and computational aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, structural analysis and design, composite materials and structures, fluid-structure interactions, structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, and aircraft and spacecraft stability and control.

The following materials should be mailed or delivered to:

Dr. Satchi Venkataraman, Graduate Adviser
Department of Aerospace Engineering
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1308

1. Personal statement of graduate program goals;
2. Letters of recommendation (optional).

Specific Requirements for the Degree

The student’s program prepared in conference with and approved by the graduate adviser, must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Twenty-one units of 600-700 numbered courses in aerospace engineering. At least six units must be taken in the Aerospace Engineering specialization. At least one course must be taken outside the student’s area of specialization.
2. Nine additional units of 500-, 600- and 700-numbered courses approved by the graduate adviser.