Master's Program

[GatorEng23]

<p>This question is out of simple curiosity. </p>

<p>I was wondering what exactly is the difference between Caltech’s Master of Aerospace Engineering and Master of Aeronautics?</p>

<p>From there website:</p>

<p>

The ** Master’s Degree in Aeronautics ** offers an integrated, multiscale view of fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, materials, structures, and propulsion with an emphasis in modern mechanics and aeronautics. This rigorous, interdisciplinary, one-year program is for students interested in mechanics and aeronautics who may wish to pursue further studies in this area, as part of the broad research scope within GALCIT, as well as for professionals interested in mechanics and aeronautics who wish to increase their knowledge base and expand their versatility. The coursework and training emphasize fundamental fluid and solid mechanics, with topics and applications drawn from propulsion, materials science, biomechanics, and other areas of modern mechanics and aeronautics.

</p>

<p>and</p>

<p>

The ** Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering ** offers an integrated, multiscale view of fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, materials, structures, and propulsion with an emphasis in modern applications in space technology. This rigorous, interdisciplinary, one-year program is for students interested in aerospace engineering who may wish to pursue further studies in this area, as part of the broad research scope within GALCIT, as well as for professionals interested in space science and engineering who wish to increase their knowledge base and expand their versatility. The coursework and training emphasize fundamental science, with topics and applications drawn from space science technology.

</p>

<p>I guess the difference is the technical electives or maybe that the aerospace is more related to space technologies and aeronautics is more mechanical based? I dunno, if anyone knows, I’d like to know. Thanks.</p>

[G2sus4m6aug11b15]

<p>I’m an undergrad in Aeronautics, but I’ve been working with the Aero department (including grad students) for a good while, and I’m fairly familiar with the way things work there. I’ll take a shot at it.</p>

<p>So far as I can tell, the only difference between Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering is one required course and the elective requirement. The master’s program is thesis-less – it’s just 5 classes a term for 3 terms. Both degrees require</p>

<p>Ae101 - Fluid Mechanics;
Ae102 - Solid Mechanics;
ACM100 or 101 or AM125 - Complex Analysis (operator theory in the case of AM125), Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations;
and Ae150 - Aerospace Engineering Seminar.</p>

<p>Aeronautics also requires</p>

<p>Ae104 - Experimental Methods (lab class);
one elective - any Caltech course numbered 100 or higher;</p>

<p>whereas Aeronautical Engineering requires</p>

<p>Ae105 - Aerospace Engineering;
one elective - any Caltech course related to space science and engineering.</p>

<p>Ultimately, which degree you get isn’t of major consequence (especially if you continue afterwards to get a higher degree). I believe grad students choose based on course preference–would you rather do lab work in fluid/solid mechanics, or take an 8 a.m. MWF course on space engineering? : )</p>

[Joe_Caltech_04]

<p>I know back when I was at Caltech the GALCIT folks really wanted all first year grads to take Ae104 to learn good lab technique. Assuming that that’s still the case, it looks to me like the “Aeronautics” one might be the one to do if you’re continuing on for the PhD. This is just a guess. Maybe “Aerospace Engineering” is more marketable as a terminal degree? I know I do kinda like that my master’s (not from Caltech) says that. Not that I dislike Aeronautics, just nice to have a variety, you know.</p>

<p>Anyway, Gator, are you going to be at GALCIT next year? Me too!</p>

[G2sus4m6aug11b15]

<p>I personally think Ae104 is better for the Ph.D. as well, but I got the impression that Dr. Rosakis, the head honcho of GALCIT, didn’t want to present either degree as being better than the other.</p>

[inverse]

<p>My impression is one is more physics-based whereas the other is more system-based.</p>

[GatorEng23]

<p>G2sus4m6aug11b15, Joe(Caltech '04): I think you guys are right. On the website, they have only a Phd in Aeronautics, so the masters in aeronautics is intended to lead up to that. </p>

<p>

Anyway, Gator, are you going to be at GALCIT next year?

</p>

<p>Oh no, I was just curious about the programs. I’m actually an EE (rising senior), but I am looking to apply to CalTech for grad school next year, so maybe I’ll see you anyways! :)</p>

<p>Anyways, thanks for the response G2sus4m6aug11b15 (and joe), good luck with what you do!</p>

[Joe_Caltech_04]

<p>Well, G2, that MS is pretty much a brand-new program so I’m sure they wouldn’t have created it if it didn’t serve some purpose in their minds.</p>