When applying to the Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering degree, students must specify their intention to pursue either the thesis or the non-thesis option. Both options require the completion of 30 graduate credit hours. Students in the thesis option must complete 8 credits of thesis research (AE 5099), whereas students in the non-thesis option may complete up to 8 credits of research, of which up to 3 may be in Graduate Internship Experience (AE 5900) and the remaining in Directed Research (AE 5098). Petitions to transfer from/to the non-thesis to/from the thesis option will be considered by the graduate committee.
Academic Advising
The schedule of academic advising ensures that students are well advised throughout the program.
Temporary Advisor: upon admission to the M.S. program each student is assigned or may select a Temporary Advisor. Arranges an academic plan covering the first 8 credits of prior to the first registration. For students accepted to the BS/MS degree program, the academic advisor for the student during their undergraduate degree will be assigned as a Temporary Advisor.
Academic Advisor: elected by a student prior to registering for more than 8 credits. Arranges an academic plan covering the remaining course of study.
20 graduate credits in AE courses (thesis option)
The Master of Science degree with thesis option requires the completion of 30 graduate credit hours and is suitable for students interested in research with a focus in a specific area. The thesis option requires a minimum of 8 graduate credit hours in AE 5099 MS Thesis. Students must select a thesis advisor from the AED faculty prior to registration in AE 5099. The thesis advisor also serves as the academic advisor of the student. The thesis submission follows WPI’s rules.
A minimum of 2 credits in each of the five AE curricular areas (including Special Topics and Independent Study) is required and a minimum of 8 credits in MS Thesis (AE 5099).
20 graduate credits in AE courses (non-thesis option)
A minimum of 2 graduate credits in each of the five AE curricular areas (including Special Topics and Independent Study) and a maximum of 8 graduate credits in AE research of which a maximum of 3 may be in graduate internship experience (AE 5900) and the remaining in directed research (AE 5098). Prior to registering for directed research AE 5098, the student must have completed at least 6 graduate credits in AE courses.