AA-MS - Aeronautics and Astronautics (MS)
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Program Overview
The University’s basic requirements for the master’s degree are outlined in the "Graduate Degrees" section of this bulletin.
Students with an aeronautical engineering background should be able to complete the master’s degree in five quarters; note that many courses are not taught during the summer. Students with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Science, Mathematics, or other areas of Engineering may find it necessary to take certain prerequisite courses, which may lengthen the time required to obtain the master’s degree.
The Master of Science (M.S.) program is a terminal degree program. It is based on the completion of lecture courses focused on a theme within the discipline of Aeronautics and Astronautics engineering. No thesis is offered. Research is optional (required to take the qualifying examination).
Grade Point Averages
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 is required to fulfill the department's master's degree requirements. A minimum GPA of 3.5 is required for eligibility to attempt the Ph.D. qualifying examination. Students must also meet the University's quarterly academic requirements for graduate students as described in the "Degree Progress" section of this bulletin and in the "Satisfactory Progress" section of the Guide to Graduate Studies in Aeronautics and Astronautics. All courses (excluding seminars) used to satisfy the requirements for basic courses, mathematics and technical electives must be taken for a letter grade. Insufficient grade points on which to base the GPA may delay expected degree conferral or result in refusal of permission to take the qualifying examinations.
Director of Graduate Studies
Free Form Requisites
Course Requirements
The master's degree program requires 45 quarter units of course work, which must be taken at Stanford. All units must be in courses at or above the 100 level, and all courses other than seminars and free elective must be taken for a letter grade.
The course work is divided into four categories:
Basic Courses
Mathematics Courses
Technical Electives
Other Electives
Basic Courses
Master's degree candidates must select eight courses as follows:
Units | ||
|---|---|---|
(I) Five courses in the basic areas of Aeronautics and Astronautics (one in each area): | ||
Fluids | ||
Applied Aerodynamics | 3 | |
Fundamentals of Compressible Flow | 3 | |
Structures | ||
Analysis of Structures | 3 | |
Guidance and Control | ||
Feedback Control Design | 3 | |
Introduction to Control Design Techniques | 3 | |
Propulsion | ||
Aircraft and Rocket Propulsion | 3 | |
Spacecraft Electric Propulsion | 3 | |
Experimentation/Design Requirement - Please choose one course (for at least 3 units) from the list below.
Units | ||
|---|---|---|
Spacecraft Design | 4 | |
Spacecraft Design Laboratory | 3 | |
AA246X | Aircraft Design Laboratory | 3 |
Structural Health Monitoring | 3 | |
Principles of Robot Autonomy I | 3-4 | |
Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control | 3 | |
Spacecraft Formation-Flying and Rendezvous | 3 | |
Propulsion System Design Laboratory | 3 | |
Propulsion System Design Laboratory | 3 | |
Problems in Aero/Astro (with experimental/design content) | 3 | |
Experimental Robotics | 3 | |
Beyond Bits and Atoms - Lab | 1-3 | |
Analog Communications Design Laboratory | 3-4 | |
Photonics Laboratory | 3 | |
High-Frequency Circuit Design Laboratory | 3 | |
Integrated Circuit Fabrication Laboratory | 3-4 | |
Nanomaterials Laboratory | 3-4 | |
Electronic and Photonic Materials and Devices Laboratory | 3-4 | |
Energy Materials Laboratory | 3-4 | |
X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory | 3-4 | |
Mechanical Behavior Laboratory | 3-4 | |
Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory | 3 | |
Introduction to Mechatronics | 4 | |
Smart Product Design Fundamentals | 4-5 | |
Smart Product Design Applications | 4-5 | |
Smart Product Design Practice | 4-5 | |
Smart Product Design: Projects | 3-4 | |
Introduction to Sensors | 3-4 | |
Global Engineering Design Thinking, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship | 4 | |
Global Engineering Design Thinking, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship | 4 | |
Global Engineering Design Thinking, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship | 4 | |
Precision Engineering | 4 | |
Experimental Stress Analysis | 3 | |
Experimental Methods in Fluid Mechanics | 4-5 | |
Optical Diagnostics and Spectroscopy Laboratory | 4 | |
(II) Three courses (one each from three of the four areas below) | ||
Fluids | ||
Applied Aerodynamics | 3 | |
Fundamentals of Compressible Flow | 3 | |
Introduction to Plasma Physics and Engineering | 3 | |
Structures | ||
Mechanical Vibrations | 3 | |
Mechanics of Composites | 3 | |
Structural Health Monitoring | 3 | |
Smart Structures | 3 | |
Guidance and Control | ||
Classical Dynamics | 3 | |
Mechanical Vibrations | 3 | |
Introduction to the Space Environment | 3 | |
Dynamics and Control of Aircraft | 3 | |
Global Positioning Systems | 3 | |
Principles of Robot Autonomy I | 3-4 | |
Navigation for Autonomous Systems | 3 | |
Multi-Robot Control and Distributed Optimization | 3 | |
Space Mechanics | 3 | |
One course selected from AA courses numbered 200 and above, excluding seminars and independent research | ||
Course Waivers
Waivers of the basic courses required for the M.S. degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics can only be granted by the instructor of that course. Students who believe that they have had a substantially equivalent course at another institution should consult with the course instructor to determine if they are eligible for a waiver, and with their adviser to judge the effect on their overall program plans. To request a waiver, students should fill out a Petition for Waiver form (reverse side of the department's program proposal) and have it approved by the instructor and their adviser. One additional technical elective must be added for each basic course that is waived.
Mathematics Courses
M.S. candidates are expected to exhibit competence in applied mathematics. Students meet this requirement by taking two courses, for a minimum of 6 units, of either advanced mathematics offered by the Mathematics Department or technical electives that strongly emphasize applied mathematics. Common choices include:
course Optimal and Learning-based Control
course Advanced Feedback Control Design
course Numerical Methods for Compressible Flows
course Introduction to Symmetry Analysis
course Engineering Design Optimization
course Decision Making under Uncertainty
course Mechanical Vibrations
course State Estimation and Filtering for Robotic Perception
course Multi-Robot Control and Distributed Optimization
See the list of mathematics courses in the list below for additional suggestions, which includes all courses in the Mathematics Department numbered 200 or above.
Each Aero/Astro degree has a mathematics requirement, for which courses on the following list are pre-approved. (Other advanced courses may also be acceptable.) Students should consult with their advisers in selecting the most appropriate classes for their field. M.S. candidates select 2 courses; they may also use the mathematics courses listed as common choices in the master's degree course requirements.
Units | ||
|---|---|---|
Optimal and Learning-based Control | 3 | |
Advanced Feedback Control Design | 3 | |
Numerical Methods for Compressible Flows | 3 | |
Introduction to Symmetry Analysis | 3 | |
Engineering Design Optimization | 3-4 | |
Decision Making under Uncertainty | 3-4 | |
Mechanical Vibrations | 3 | |
State Estimation and Filtering for Robotic Perception | 3 | |
Multi-Robot Control and Distributed Optimization | 3 | |
Mechanics and Finite Elements | 3 | |
Introduction to Scientific Computing | 3 | |
Numerical Linear Algebra | 3 | |
Partial Differential Equations of Applied Mathematics | 3 | |
Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations | 3 | |
Optimization | 3 | |
Stochastic Methods in Engineering | 3 | |
Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques | 3-4 | |
Machine Learning | 3-4 | |
The Fourier Transform and Its Applications | 3 | |
Introduction to Linear Dynamical Systems | 3 | |
Digital Signal Processing | 3-4 | |
Introduction to Statistical Signal Processing | 3 | |
Convex Optimization I | 3 | |
Convex Optimization II | 3 | |
Analysis and Control of Nonlinear Systems | 3 | |
Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory | 3 | |
Functions of a Real Variable | 3 | |
Groups and Rings | 3 | |
Fundamental Concepts of Analysis | 3 | |
Linear Algebra with Application to Engineering Computations | 3 | |
Partial Differential Equations in Engineering | 3 | |
Introduction to Numerical Methods for Engineering | 3 | |
Finite Element Analysis | 3 | |
Finite Element Analysis | 3 | |
Finite Element Analysis | 3 | |
Spectral Methods in Computational Physics | 3 | |
Computational Methods in Fluid Mechanics | 3 | |
Dynamic Systems | 3 | |
Stochastic Modeling | 3 | |
Optimization | 3 | |
Dynamic Programming and Stochastic Control | 3 | |
Continuum Mechanics | 3 | |
Statistical Methods in Engineering and the Physical Sciences | 5 | |
Theory of Probability | 4 | |
Introduction to Stochastic Processes I | 3 | |
A maximum of six AA290 (or research/independent study in another department) may count toward the MS program. These units may be used to satisfy the technical elective, free elective and/or the experimentation/design requirements. If used to satisfy the experimentation/design requirement, an instructor’s signature certifying the experimentation/design content is required.
Technical Electives
Students, in consultation with their adviser, select at least four courses* from among the graduate-level courses, totaling at least 12 units, from departments in the School of Engineering and related science departments. These courses should be taken for a letter grade; the student should not elect the credit/no-credit option for any course except free elective.
*Up to three seminar units may count toward an M.S. program, and are counted as one technical elective. At least three additional graduate courses offered in Engineering or related math/science departments should be taken to meet the technical elective section requirement.
Other Electives
It is recommended that all candidates enroll in a humanities or social sciences course to complete the 45-unit requirement. Practicing courses in, for example, art, music, and physical education do not qualify in this category. Language courses may qualify.
Coterminal Master's Program in Aeronautics and Astronautics
This program allows Stanford undergraduates an opportunity to work simultaneously toward a B.S. degree and an M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics. Stanford undergraduates who wish to continue their studies for the master of science degree in the coterminal program must have earned a minimum of 120 units towards graduation. This includes allowable Advanced Placement (AP) and transfer credit.
The department-specific Aero/Astro coterminal program application, which includes information and deadlines, can be obtained from the Aero/Astro Student Services Office. A completed application (including letters of recommendation and transcripts) must be received no later than the quarter prior to the expected completion of the undergraduate degree. Admission is granted or denied through the departmental faculty admissions committee. Stanford undergraduates interested in learning more about receiving an Aero/Astro master's degree as a coterm student should review the information on the University Registrar's web site and visit the Aero/Astro Student Services Office.
University Coterminal Requirements
Coterminal master’s degree candidates are expected to complete all master’s degree requirements as described in this bulletin. University requirements for the coterminal master’s degree are described in the "Coterminal Master's Degrees" section. University requirements for the master’s degree are described in the "Graduate Degrees" section of this bulletin.
After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree. Transfer of courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case by case basis.
In this master’s program, courses taken during or after the first quarter of the sophomore year are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career; the timing of the first graduate quarter is not a factor. No courses taken prior to the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.
Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.
The University requires that the graduate advisor be assigned in the student’s first graduate quarter even though the undergraduate career may still be open. The University also requires that the Master’s Degree Program Proposal be completed by the student and approved by the department by the end of the student’s first graduate quarter.
Honors Cooperative Program
The Honors Cooperative Program (HCP) makes it possible for academically qualified engineers and scientists in nearby companies to be part-time master's students in Aeronautics and Astronautics while continuing nearly full-time professional employment. Prospective HCP students follow the same admission process and must meet the same admission requirements as full-time master's students. For more information regarding the Honors Cooperative Program, see the Stanford Center for Professional Development web site.
Master of Science in Engineering (AA)
Students whose career objectives require a more interdepartmental or narrowly focused program than is possible in the M.S. program in Aeronautics and Astronautics (Aero/Astro) may pursue a program for an M.S. degree in Engineering (45 units). This program is described in the Graduate Programs in the "School of Engineering" section of this bulletin.
Sponsorship by the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics in this more general program requires that the student file a proposal before completing 18 units of the proposed graduate program. The proposal must be accompanied by a statement explaining the objectives of the program and how the program is coherent, contains depth, and fulfills a well-defined career objective. The proposed program must include at least 12 units of graduate-level work in the department and meet rigorous standards of technical breadth and depth comparable to the regular Aero/Astro Master of Science program. The grade and unit requirements are the same as for the M.S. degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics.