Graduate Student Handbook
Chapter 3
Summary of Degree Requirements - Master's Degrees
3.1 Admission
To qualify for admission, an applicant must first meet the general University admission requirements, as described in the University Catalog, as summarized below. For admission as a regular graduate student, the applicant must have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited university in aerospace engineering, engineering mechanics, mechanical engineering, or a related field, such as civil structural engineering, physics or mathematics. For those applicants with non-engineering degrees, or those with engineering degrees other than aerospace, mechanical or engineering mechanics, the undergraduate program must have included the subject matter prerequisite for graduate study in aerospace engineering or engineering mechanics. In other cases, a remedial study plan may be designed for an applicant by the GPD upon the applicant's request. This remedial plan will include the undergraduate course work required to prepare the student for graduate work in the shortest possible time.
An applicant with an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in the major of at least 3.00 (4.00 scale) may be admitted as a regular student. An applicant with at least a 2.75 overall GPA, 2.75 in the major, and who shows evidence of improvement may be admitted as a provisional student. Provisional students are automatically transferred to regular status after the completion of 12 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
All students must submit scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) from their Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Those applicants with an aggregate score above 1800 will automatically be considered for possible financial support. The GPD may waive the GRE requirement for applicants holding B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from ODU, or with exceptional academic achievements. International students, if their native language is not English, must submit scores from their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required by the University. International students must also submit a statement of adequate financial resources to cover their educational expenses. This requirement is satisfied if the Department offers financial aid through teaching or research assistantships, fellowships, etc.
3.2 Requirements
To qualify as a candidate for a Master of Science or Master of Engineering degree in aerospace engineering, engineering mechanics or experimental methods, a student must meet the following requirements:
3.2.1 General
All students will plan and execute their programs under the guidance of a Faculty Advisor. The GPD can serve as the student's advisor during the early portion of their program; however, as soon as possible, the student should select a Faculty Advisor whose expertise coincides with their research and educational interests. A minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree is required.
3.2.2 Course Work
The Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 24 semester hours of course work beyond the bachelor's degree with at least a B (3.00) average and a minimum of 6 semester hours of thesis credit. The Master of Engineering degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work (with at least a B (3.00) average). All Master's degree students in aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics are required to take MATH 691 (Engineering Analysis I) and AE 601 (Theoretical Continuum Mechanics) as part of their core course requirements. They must take an additional three-hour course at the 600-level or above in mathematics or an approved equivalent in AE with heavy mathematical emphasis. A maximum of 6 semester hours may be derived from 500-level courses, with the approval of the Faculty Advisor. Form AE #3 indicating the planned program of study for the Master's degree should be submitted to the GPD before the end of the student's first semester in the Department. The program of study listed is a tentative list of desired course work needed to meet degree requirements, research needs and student interest.
Aerospace Engineering students will now choose an emphasis area, either aerodynamics, structural mechanics, or dynamics and controls, and take the designated core course for that emphasis area (see Section 7.0). This will complete their core course requirements. The remainder of the program will be selected primarily from the chosen emphasis area, according to the study plan developed by the student, the student's Faculty Advisor and the GPD.
Engineering Mechanics students are required to take a minimum of one course in each of the three emphasis areas of aerodynamics, structural mechanics, and dynamics and controls (see Section 7.0). Either by choice of these courses, or by an additional selection, students must complete one course with heavy emphasis on computational methods. These selections will complete the core course requirements. The entire program will be planned by the student under the guidance of the Faculty Advisor and the GPD.
Experimental Methods students have a different set of requirements. Students entering the Master of Engineering in Experimental Methods (MEXM) program are required to take AE 605 (Applied Engineering Analysis), AE 606 (Applied Signal Processing) and AE 691 (Experimental Research Project). Students must then take the required three courses in each of two specialty areas, chosen from the three currently offered: aerodynamics, structural dynamics and applied automatic controls. An approved elective course completes the 30-hour program. The MEXM program requires students to combine two of these specialty areas as part of the degree requirements. Combinations lead to emphasis in areas such as spacecraft control, noise control, robotics, flight controls, active flow control, wind tunnel testing, and aircraft design and aeroelasticity. In this program, students will gain a solid foundation in advanced topics in the areas of aerodynamics, structural mechanics and controls, coupled with hands-on experience with state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment. The entire program will be planned under the guidance of a faculty advisor, the Director of the Experimental Methods Program, and the GPD.
3.2.3 Writing Proficiency
It is the policy of the University that all graduate students demonstrate writing proficiency. Master's students in the Aerospace Engineering Department must satisfy this requirement prior to the completion of 15 hours of course work by passing a writing examination prepared and administered through the Writing Center. The writing examination must be repeated until passed. Students should consult the Writing Exit Examination Guidelines available from the Writing Center. This examination is administered several times each semester with the scheduled dates announced in each semester's schedule of classes pamphlet. Students having writing deficiencies may be required to participate in programs through the Writing Center to correct these deficiencies. Students with previous degrees from ODU will probably have already passed the Writing Exit Examination. Retesting is not required.
3.2.4 Master's Thesis
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in aerospace engineering or engineering mechanics is a research degree which requires a thesis. The thesis constitutes six semester hours within the 30 semester-hour requirement. Master of Science students are required to pass an oral defense of their thesis at the conclusion of study. As early as possible, a Thesis Advisory Committee should be formed (Graduate Form 20) consisting of the Faculty Advisor and at least two other faculty members, or approved experts in the field of research. The majority of committee members must always be full-time faculty members of the Department. Graduate Form 20 should be completed and submitted to the GPD for approval.
Before the end of the student's second semester in the Department, Form AE #1 should be submitted to the GPD. Signatures of the Thesis Advisory Committee members indicate approval of the proposed work.
3.2.5 Master's Written Comprehensive Examination
The Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree in aerospace engineering and in engineering mechanics is a non-thesis degree. The 30 semester-hour requirement is thus met entirely by course work. During their final semester, Master of Engineering students are required to pass a comprehensive, written examination covering their program of study. Students are only permitted two attempts at this examination. Unsuccessful candidates are not eligible to transfer to the thesis option.
Students in this program identify a Master's Examination Committee and submit Graduate Form 22 to the GPD with the appropriate signatures. At the beginning of the semester in which the student desires to take the Master's Comprehensive Examination, Graduate Form 23 should be submitted to the GPD with the appropriate signatures. At the same time, students should submit Form AE #5 listing their graduate courses which form the basis of the examination.
3.2.6 Project in Experimental Methods
The project for the MEXM program (AE 691) is defined jointly by the student and their Advisor. A one-page description of the proposed project should be submitted by the student with the Advisor's endorsement to the Director of the Experimental Methods Program for approval. Projects should be planned such that the majority of the work can be completed in one semester. The project will culminate in a written report in the format of a technical journal or conference paper and an oral presentation of the project and its findings. A letter grade is assigned to the project by the student's Advisor. Written reports of sufficient quality may form the basis of a submission to a technical conference or journal. All written reports will be archived by the Department.
The Project Advisory Committee for students in the MEXM program is defined using Graduate Form 20 and consists of the Faculty Advisor and at least two other faculty members or approved experts in the field. The majority of committee members must always be full-time faculty members of the Department. Graduate Form 20 should be completed and submitted to the GPD through the Director of the Experimental Methods Program for approval.
Before the end of the student's second semester in the Department, Form AE #3 should be submitted to the GPD. Signature of the Faculty Advisor indicates approval of the proposed work.