Program Summary
Investigate the development and production of aircraft or the operation of vehicles in space. It is crucial to have a solid understanding of aerodynamics, structures and materials, propulsion systems, flight mechanics, and controls.
Educational criteria
The Online Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering program has no research or thesis requirements. The same lectures, homework, tests, and projects are given to online and on-campus students alike.
By requiring at least one core course in each of the three branches of aerospace engineering—fluid mechanics, solid mechanics and materials, and dynamics and controls—as well as one course in mathematics, the program is intended to give students a strong foundation in the fundamentals of aerospace engineering.
Then, specialization can be achieved by enrolling in additional courses in a variety of topics, including aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion/propulsion, structural mechanics, solid mechanics and materials, dynamical systems, aerospace control, orbital mechanics, and spacecraft.
For the non-thesis M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, 32 credits of coursework are needed. (a thesis is not required). All MS non-thesis students are required to complete at least one course in each of the three categories listed under the Aerospace Engineering Breadth Requirements.
Subject Aera
Aerospace engineering examines both the development and manufacture of aircraft as well as the creation and operation of spacecraft. This field requires expertise in aerodynamics, structures and materials, propulsion systems, and flight mechanics and controls.
Most aerospace engineers work in civil aviation, the defense sector, and the space program. Although related fields like ground and underwater transportation systems, pollution abatement, wind energy, and the effects of wind on structures, as well as the creation and application of advanced materials, also use aerospace technology.
In this field, practical experience is crucial, so become familiar with the engineering lab at your school. You can prepare to work with materials, observe their interactions, and investigate their impact on aircraft.
Since conducting and analyzing research is a crucial component of aerospace engineering, you might be expected to do so as a student. There are opportunities for research in the areas of dynamical systems and structural dynamics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Aerospace Engineering Schools in Illinois
When you choose to major in aerospace engineering in Illinois, you are committing to a subject area that is always developing and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. You might be required to finish some advanced math and science courses before moving on to engineering courses because engineering is heavily based on math and science.
Your school’s curriculum is structured to support your development in a variety of ways. The design, technology, testing, and research of aircraft and spacecraft will be covered.
You must take interdisciplinary courses like Aerospace Systems, Mechanics of Materials, Aerospace Structural Dynamics, and Applied Aerospace Structures because engineers need to be knowledgeable in a wide range of engineering-related fields.
Best Aerospace Engineering Schools in Illinois
| Institution | Category | Location | website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | University department | 104 S Wright St | http://aerospace.illinois.edu/ |
| Western Illinois University - The School of Engineering and Technology | University | 3300 River Dr Suite 207 | http://www.wiu.edu/cbt/qc/engineering/ |
| Armour College of Engineering | University department | 10 W 33rd St | http://web.iit.edu/ |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | University | 10 W 35th St | https://www.iit.edu/ |
| IIT Mechanical, Material, and Aerospace Engineering Department | University department | institute of technology, 10 west 32 street room 243 illnois | https://engineering.iit.edu/mmae |
| Illinois Institute of Technology Rice Campus | University | 201 E Loop Rd | http://www.iit.edu/ |
| Parks College of St Louis University | University | 3450 Lindell Blvd | https://www.slu.edu/science-and-engineering/index.php |
| SIUE School of Engineering | University department | 62026, 61 Circle Dr | http://www.siue.edu/engineering |
| University of Illinois System | Public university | 506 S Wright St | http://uillinois.edu/ |
| NIU Engineering Building | School | 590 Garden Rd | http://www.niu.edu/CEET |
| Illinois Aviation Academy | Flight school | 32W751 Tower Rd | http://www.illinoisaviation.com/ |
| Northwestern University | University | 633 Clark St | http://www.northwestern.edu/ |
| Northern Illinois University | Public university | Northeast Illinois, 1425 W Lincoln Hwy | https://www.niu.edu/ |
| UIC College of Engineering EIB | University department | 942 W Taylor St | http://engineering.uic.edu/ |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University | +1 217-333-1000 | http://illinois.edu/ |
| Chicago State University | University | 9501 S King Dr | http://www.csu.edu/ |
| Wheaton College | Private university | 501 College Ave | http://www.wheaton.edu/ |
| University of Illinois Chicago | University | 1200 W Harrison St | http://www.uic.edu/ |
| Saint Xavier University | University | 3700 W 103rd St | https://www.sxu.edu/ |
| College of Media | University | 810 S Wright St | http://media.illinois.edu/ |
Career Possibilities
Aerospace engineers are typically employed in the following fields:
Space programs, the defense industry, and civil aviation
Transportation networks on land and at sea control pollution
Wind power and building effects
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, candidates must possess a B.S. in aerospace engineering or a closely related field, such as mechanical or civil engineering, from an accredited college in the United States or from an authorized institution of higher education abroad.
Students with backgrounds outside of aerospace engineering are infrequently accepted by the department. However, after being accepted, these students typically need to enroll in undergraduate-level, non-credit courses in their areas of interest in order to fulfill the requirements for the graduate courses. If aerospace engineering isn’t their background, students should make sure they have the prerequisite knowledge for the graduate program.
Scope
The following statements represent the current educational goals of the undergraduate program in aerospace engineering:
- Graduates will live up to employers’ standards for aerospace engineers.
- Graduates will be equipped to continue their education if they choose to.
- Graduates will be equipped to take on leadership positions in their professions and/or communities.
Cost of aerospace engineering
Do you want to work on the spacecraft and aircraft that propel our nation using your technical and scientific expertise? If so, consider pursuing an Illinois-based aerospace engineering degree!
This degree is offered by two institutions in Illinois, one each in Chicago and Champaign. In this state, the average annual cost of tuition is around $20,200. The extremely small class sizes are one of the main advantages of attending school in Illinois. With an average class size of just 16, it is simple for you to ask questions and get assistance from your professors.
