Graduate Program Information
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Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.
Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering
| Major Code: | 9134 | Degree Awarded: | Doctor of Philosophy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The doctor of philosophy degree program is offered for students who wish to carry out advanced research in any of the three areas of specialization listed under the master of science program or in human-centered design described below. Other research areas within the field of aerospace engineering may be pursued depending on current faculty interests and available facilities.
Admission Requirements
A candidate for the doctoral program in aerospace engineering will normally have completed a master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, or a closely related area of engineering, and have adequate preparation in areas of fundamental science and mathematics.
Doctoral applicants should have strong academic records including a 3.2 cumulative GPA during master’s degree study, provide three letters of recommendation and take the Graduate Record Examination General Test.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Degree Requirements
The degree of doctor of philosophy is conferred primarily in recognition of creative accomplishment and the ability to investigate scientific or engineering problems independently, rather than for completion of a definite curriculum. The program consists of advanced studies and research leading to a significant contribution to the knowledge of a particular problem. A student’s research may have analytical, computational or experimental components, or some combination of these. Each student is expected to complete an approved program of study beyond that required for a master’s degree as determined by the dissertation committee, pass the comprehensive examination (both written and oral parts), present a dissertation proposal acceptable to the student’s committee, complete a program of significant original research, and prepare and defend a dissertation detailing the research.
The program consists of a minimum of 42 credit hours of study beyond the master’s degree. Of the minimum 42 credit hour requirement, at least 24 shall be for dissertation registration.
The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to cover the student’s area of specialization and areas important to the major field. The examination is given when, in the judgment of the student’s advisory committee, the student has had sufficient preparation in his/her field of study by completing significant coursework in the major area, two related areas of specialization and mathematics, and by initiating doctoral research. The examination must normally be taken before the end of the student’s fourth academic semester after admission into the doctoral program. The written portion of the examination consists of individual parts given by each member of the advisory committee. These written examinations are intended to cover each of the student’s areas of specialization and mathematics. The written portion of the comprehensive examination is followed by an oral component that provides the advisory committee an opportunity for a more in-depth assessment of the student’s readiness for doctoral candidacy. Subsequent to completion of both written and oral components of the comprehensive examination, a dissertation proposal must be submitted to the student’s advisory committee for evaluation. Upon determining that the proposed research is of doctoral quality and that completion is feasible, the student is advanced to candidacy for the doctoral degree.
General degree requirements are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Curriculum
The doctoral program of study must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and the department head. Considerable latitude is allowable in course selection, although appropriate advanced courses are expected to form a part of the student’s program. A representative distribution of these courses taken beyond the master’s degree should include, as a minimum, six courses in any combination from the major area, the two related areas and mathematics. The following illustrates a minimum credit requirement for the doctoral program of study beyond the master’s degree.
| Coursework and Dissertation Summary | CREDITS |
| Major Area of Specialization, two related Areas of Specialization and Mathematics | 18 |
| Dissertation | 24 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED | 42 |
Selected course offerings from other engineering and science programs can be taken to fulfill the related area requirements. Each student takes mathematics courses from those offered each semester based on the areas of interest and in consultation with the student’s committee. Note that the dissertation credits are a minimum and the committee may require additional credits if they feel sufficient work has not been completed.
Human-Centered Design
The program in human-centered design (HCD) is offered for students who wish to carry out advanced research, innovation and leadership in the academic world, as well as fill equivalent positions in industry and government. The program may be completed through one of three areas: aerospace engineering, operations research or computer science. Other research areas within the field may be pursued depending on current trends in the Human-Centered Design Institute (HCDI) of Florida Tech.
The program is designed to attract students who have the greatest potential for expanding the frontiers of knowledge and art of HCD, and in transferring this knowledge and art to others. It is open to graduate students who have a strong interest in people and are ready to learn about applied human and social sciences. HCD requires significant breadth and depth of understanding in engineering, mathematics and science, the mastery of several specialized subjects and the creativity to extend the body of knowledge and art on a particular subject through significant original research.
Each candidate is expected to publish major portions of their dissertation in refereed conferences and journals, and is strongly encouraged to actively participate in research activities of the HCDI while pursuing the degree. The student’s advisory committee and the director of the HCDI must approve the doctoral program of study.