2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog

Mar 15, 2026

2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Aerospace Systems Engineering, MSASE (AEROEG-MSASE)

CIP Code: 140201

Program Description

The Master of Science in Aerospace Systems Engineering (M.S.A.S.E.) program is designed to provide graduate study opportunities focused on theoretical study and practical experience in aerospace systems engineering. These opportunities will effectively prepare graduates for the job markets or further doctoral study. The M.S.A.S.E. program differs from traditional aerospace engineering programs in that its breadth requires cross-disciplinary study modeled after our highly ranked Ph.D. program. This forms the strongly needed systems understanding required in modern aerospace programs as well as a natural steppingstone for a Ph.D. program.

Program Admission Requirements

Students must first satisfy basic requirements of the Graduate School. This includes having earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related area with an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.40 (on a 4.00 scale)
International students need additional information in a complete admission package (including a TOEFL score minimum 89, IELTS score minimum 6.0, and financial information). International student admission packages are sent to the International Student Admissions Office before forwarding to the department for review and recommendation and will require sufficient evidence that they would be able to obtain employment upon completion (not typically possible for U.S. Department of Defense and its contractors, a significant segment of the Dayton region’s workforce).
A GRE is required with a combined GRE score of 304 (1000 under the old system) with a quantitative score of 158 or above and an analytical writing GRE score of 3.5 out of 6.0
Three letters of recommendation
A personal statement of goals and experience

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

demonstrate engineering competency in aerospace system engineering field
apply advanced engineering analysis techniques to the solution of complex problems
articulate the results of complex engineering problems in written or oral form

Facilities

The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering is housed in Wright State’s Russ Engineering Center. Many outstanding facilities are available for both teaching and research. Access to modern equipment, instrumentation, and computer systems similar to those used by industry is a critical part of an engineering education. Laboratories specifically dedicated to student and faculty research exist in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, mechanical vibrations, micro-fabrication, materials testing, materials processing, electron microscopy, etc. Computational facilities include numerous PC clusters, workstations, X-windowing terminals, and personal computers. Students have access to a wide range of computer systems interconnected by local and wide-area networks. Access is also available to the Ohio Supercomputer via the Ohio Academic and Research Network (OARNET).

Graduate students have access to a wide range of modern facilities at Wright State including classrooms, laboratories, and computer systems interconnected by local and wide-area communication networks. Graduate research is not limited to the facilities on campus.

Several industrial companies and laboratories at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are involved in joint research efforts with the university and have unique facilities available for faculty and graduate research.

Information for International Students

This program qualifies as a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree for the purpose of a STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension. Certain students on an F-1 visa may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. Students can learn more on the USCIS website.

For More Information

Program Requirements:

Dept Core and Electives

I. Core Classes: 12 Hours

1) Choose 2 from the Following:

ME 7340 - Computational Fluid Dynamics Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 7120 - Finite Element Method Applications Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 7080 - Multidisciplinary Structural Optimization Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 7100 - Advanced Mechanics of Solids Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 7300 - Advanced Fluid Dynamics Credit Hour(s): 3

2) Choose 2 from the Following:

ME 6330 - Compressible Fluid Flow Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 6340 - Simulation of Thermal-Fluids Problems with Advanced Engineering Software Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 6350 - Mechanics of Viscous Fluids Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 6430 - Aeronautics Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 6440 - Aerospace Propulsion Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 6490 - Aerospace Structures Credit Hour(s): 3
ME 6120 - Finite Element Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3

II. Subspecialty: 6 Hours

A two-course sub-specialty sequence, at least one of which must be at the 7xxx level:

Industrial and Human Systems
Sensors and Signals
Materials and Nanotechnology
Controls and Robotics
Computer Science
Medical/Biological Systems

Ill. Math Course: 3 Hours

MTH 6050 - Advanced Engineering Mathematics Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. Thesis or Non-Thesis Options: 9-0 Hours

Thesis option

Master’s thesis (ME 7950)
Non-thesis option

3 additional 3 credit hour courses at 7000 level

V. Electives: 0-9 Hours

As necessary for credit hour total

Note(s):

At least 15 credit hours of coursework must be taken at the 7xxx level for the non-thesis option. At least 6 credit hours of coursework must be taken at the 7xxx level for the thesis option. Core and subspecialty courses taken as an undergraduate may be applied to fulfill content requirements. If so, advisor approved courses must be taken to meet the 30-hour requirement.

This is less than a 49% difference from the existing Mechanical Engineering: Thermal Fluids track MS in Engineering. Consider the following scenarios:

Thesis Option (30 hours):

Following a thesis option, 9 hours of each are dedicated to thesis, 3 hours to MTH 6050 , and the Mechanical Engineering Thermal fluid track contains room for 9 hours of electives, which would be filled by the 2 core classes in category a). This is a total of 18 of 30 hours common. Further, ME 7340 is a core course for each.

Non-thesis option (30 hours).

The 9 hours of replacement courses for the thesis can be equivalent between the programs (ME Thermal Fluids and Aero). The Mech EGR Thermal fluid track contains room for 9 hours of electives, which would be filled by the 2 core classes in category a). This is a total of 18 of 30 hours common. Further, ME 7340 is a core course for each.

Research/Areas of Expertise:

Research in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering spans several exciting areas. There is a large program in design optimization addressing large structures, die shapes, flight trajectories, and other applications. Work is also being done in structural dynamics areas including vehicle suspensions and turbine blades. Mechanical design studies include the characterization of carbon-carbon composites. Fluid dynamics research is being conducted both experimentally and via computer computation (CFD). Projects include study of flows in turbine engines and reciprocating compressors. There is also a large thermal science program in the analysis and application of heat pipes and related devices.