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Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

The Ph.D. program in Aerospace Engineering at Cornell provides advanced training for careers in research, development, education, and government. The curriculum covers both fundamental and applied aerospace topics, including vehicle dynamics, wind energy, and spacecraft systems.

Format

In-Person

Page Contents

Note: This page provides a general overview. For complete and accurate information, please consult with your advisor. For current course offerings and information, refer to the Cornell University Registrar: Courses of Study.

Degree Requirements

There are no specific course requirements. The selection of courses is a joint decision between the student and their Special Committee, including their minor advisor. Students in the Ph.D. program choose to major in one of the following concentrations:

  • Aerodynamics
  • Aerospace systems
  • Biomedical mechanics
  • Dynamics and control
  • Materials and structures
  • Propulsion
  • Thermal sciences

Students must choose an advisor who represents their major field and concentration by the end of the first semester. They must choose their full committee, made up of at least three members of the graduate field faculty, by the end of their third semester.

Students must take a Qualifying Exam (Q Exam) in addition to those exams required by the Graduate School (A and B Exams). Students entering with a master’s degree typically take the Qualifying exam at the end of the first semester, those entering with a bachelor’s degree, at the end of the first year.

All Ph.D. students in Aerospace Engineering must serve as a teaching assistant for two semesters.

Special Committee

Graduate study is conducted under the special committee system with the student’s research advisor serving as chair. The typical special committee comprises three faculty members representing the student’s major and minor subjects. Committee members are selected by the student with the guidance of his or her research advisor. The student’s special committee has complete discretion in determining the direction of the student’s studies including necessary coursework. The graduate field and special committee systems are inherently well suited for interdisciplinary studies.

Students must choose an advisor who represents their major field and concentration by the end of the first semester. They must choose their full committee, made up of at least three members of the graduate field faculty, by the end of their third semester.

Examinations

The Ph.D. degree requires the successful completion of three examinations: The Qualifying Examination (Q Exam), the Admission to Candidacy Examination (A Exam) and the Defense of Dissertation Examination (B Exam).

Q Exam

The purpose of the Qualifying Exam (Q Exam) is to gauge the candidate’s potential as a doctoral student. The scope of topics should not be so broad as to influence the selection of courses taken by the candidate prior to the exam. A thorough understanding of relevant undergraduate courses and graduate courses already taken should be sufficient to pass the examination.

Students entering with master’s degrees take the Q Exam at the end of their first semester; students entering with a bachelor’s degree take the Q Exam at the end of their second semester.

A Exam

The purpose of the Admission to Candidacy Exam (A Exam) is to determine whether the candidate has attained mastery of the major and minor subjects. In addition, a review may be conducted of the progress of the research and of the plans to complete the dissertation.

Conducted by the student’s special committee, this examination is expected to be taken before the seventh semester of residence and must be taken at least two semesters before the Defense of Dissertation Examination (B Exam). All members of the student’s special committee are expected to participate in the exam.

At least seven calendar days before the date of the exam, a Schedule of Examination form, signed by each member of the special committee and the director of graduate studies, must be submitted to the Graduate School and an announcement of the exam made to the field faculty. Within three days after the exam, a Results of Examination form, recording the outcome of the exam and signed by each member of the special committee and the director of graduate studies and graduate field administrator, must be submitted to the Graduate School.

B Exam

The Defense of Dissertation Examination (B Exam) comprises a public presentation of the student’s dissertation followed by an oral exam by the student’s special committee. All members of the student’s special committee are expected to participate in the examination. All members of the field are encouraged to attend and participate in the public portion of students’ B Exams.

At least seven calendar days before the date of the exam, a Schedule of Examination form, signed by each member of the special committee, the director of graduate studies, and the graduate field administrator, must be submitted to the Graduate School and an announcement of the exam made to the field faculty. Within three days after the exam, a Results of Examination form, signed by each member of the special committee, the DGS, and the GFA, recording the outcome of the exam, must be submitted to the Graduate School.

More information on examinations can be found in the Graduate School’s Research Degree Requirements.