The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers a wide variety of options for a Master’s degree and a PhD degree. Graduates of the Department as well as graduates of other engineering or science departments (such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, etc.) are invited to apply.
Within the study course framework, the following areas of specialization are offered:
Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
Aerodynamics of Bodies, Fluid Mechanics, Ballistics, Heat and Mass Transfer, Numerical Methods in Fluid, Aeroacoustics, ynamics of Rarified Gases.
Structures and Solid Mechanics
Solid Mechanics, Stability and Buckling, Finite Elements, Composite Stuctures and Materials, Structures and Composite Materials, Durability and Failure, Smart Structures, Biological, Active, Bioinspired and Meta-Materials, 3D Printing.
Guidance, Navigation and Control
Missile Guidance, Navigation (including computer vision-aided and autonomous navigation), Flight Control, State and Parameter Estimation, System Identification, Fault Detection and Identification, Control of Networked Systems, Man-Machine Systems.
Propulsion and Combustion
Jet Propulsion, Rocket Propulsion including Solid, Gel and Hybrid Propellants, Ramjet Engines, Combustion Processes, Energy and Heat Transfer, Electric Space Propulsion.
Interdisciplinary courses
such as Aeroelasticity, Helicopters, Structural Control, Design Theories and Methodologies, Flight and Space Vehicles’ Systems, Plasma Actuators, Flow Control.
All of the above areas include the possibility of conducting an analytical, experimental or computational methods research. The Department has advanced laboratories in all the aforementioned areas, as well as a well-equipped computer farm. Graduate students may also use the Technion’s advanced computer systems.
When filling out the registration forms, the applicant must specify the area in which he/she would like to specialize. It is recommended that when registering, the applicant should suggest the name of a faculty advisor in the chosen area of specialization.
If the applicant does not choose a faculty advisor, or if the chosen faculty advisor is unable to serve as an advisor for the applicant, the Graduate Studies Committee will appoint a faculty advisor for him/her. In any case, the faculty advisor will be appointed as a temporary advisor, and with the approval of the research project or thesis, a permanent advisor will be appointed.
MSc Studies
The objective of the Master’s program is to expand the student’s knowledge in the area of aeronautics and space to a higher level than he/she had acquired in the undergraduate studies, and to train the student in research methods. This objective is attained by studying advanced graduate level courses, attending professional seminars and conducting a research study or research project in one of the areas of specialization.
A thesis is not required in the Master of Engineering track detailed below, but students must study a larger number of courses. The proposed courses were chosen so that the students could expand their professional horizons, as they include up-to-date scientific and professional developments to provide the students with the most updated knowledge in their area of specialization.
While studying for a Master’s degree, a student may choose one of the following study tracks:
“Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering”
For students who completed a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, or who completed the appropriate prerequisite courses.
“Master of Science”
For students whose Bachelor’s degree is not in Aerospace Engineering but in another field of engineering, and who are not required to complete the prerequisite courses for a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.
“Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering” (without thesis)
“Master of Engineering” (without thesis)
For students whose Bachelor’s degree is not in Aerospace Engineering but in another field of engineering, and who are not required to complete the prerequisite courses for a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.
For aerospace engineering graduates who are interested in expanding their knowledge in their area of specialization by studying a larger number of courses. In this track, it is recommended to choose a major from the Department’s areas. Students registered for the 5-year program will receive this degree.
In special cases, it will be possible to submit a detailed explanation to the Graduate Studies Committee to transfer from this study track to a study track with thesis (see Graduate School regulation 21).
Admission Requirements
Candidates for the Master’s degree must meet Graduate School admission requirements. Requirements for candidates for “Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering” or “Master of Science” study tracks include a grade point average of at least 83 in their undergraduate studies at the Technion, or a similar GPA in their undergraduate studies in another academic institution.
International students are required to find an advisor and secure their official consent prior to submitting an application.
A candidate who wishes to be accepted to ME studies in the Department must meet the Technion’s admission requirements for ME studies. In any case, the Department’s Graduate Studies Committee reserves the right to also take the candidate’s ranking into account, and to summon him/her for a personal interview.
Courses studied in the Division of Continuing Education and External Studies or in other universities may be recognized if they are approved by the Department’s Graduate Studies Committee and the Graduate School (see Graduate School regulation 23).
international applicants
As part of the registration process, international applicants are required to submit a declaration of intent. It is recommended to also submit GRE or Tofel scores and one or more letters of recommendation. Find an adviser by contacting faculty members in the field. For candidates who have not found an advisor, the faculty will conduct discussions twice a year (January for the following winter semester and September for the following spring semester).
In order to assist in finding an adviser for the candidates, the faculty will publish their data among the faculty members. Those who have not found an advisor can start their studies in the ‘with thesis’ track upon recommendation by the Faculty Committee. Upon starting their studies, students must find an advisor within three months and submit their research proposal within six months. Candidates who do not receive approval for their studies in the ‘thesis’ track can start studying in the ‘without thesis’ track and without scholarships. Students enrolled in the ‘without thesis’ track will be eligible to move into the ‘thesis’ track once they accumulate 12 credits on average of minimum 85, have found an advisor, and have drafted a research proposal.
Study Requirements
The student must fulfill the following requirements:
40 credits in the track without a thesis (including a final 6-credit project), 28 credits in the thesis track, and 20 credits in the research or project track.
A research or project must be completed in the appropriate scope:
12 credits in the thesis track and 20 credits in the other tracks (these numbers do not include credit for prerequisite studies).
Research track
The degree comprises 40 credits, of which 20 credits are for the work and 20 credits for the courses.
Project track
The degree comprises 40 credits, of which 20 credits are for the project and 20 credits for the courses.
Thesis track
The degree comprises 40 credits, of which 12 credits are for the work and 28 credits for the courses.
Without thesis
The degree comprises 40 credits, of which 6 credits are for the final project and 34 credits for the courses.
Direct PhD track
The student must meet departmental admission requirements and conditions of the Graduate School detailed in Graduate School regulation 24.07.
Requirements for graduates of other departments
A student with a Bachelor’s degree from a department of engineering other than the Department of Aerospace Engineering who would like to obtain the degree of “Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering” will be required to complete at least 20 credits, which include the following courses.
| Course number | Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 084311 | Incompressible Aerodynamics | 3.5 credits |
| 084312 | Compressible Aerodynamics | 2.5 credits |
| 084515 | Introduction to Theory of Elasticity | 3 credits |
| 084738 | Control Theory | 3.0 credits |
| 084220 | Flight Mechanics 1 | 2.5 credits |
| 084221 | Flight Mechanics 2 | 2.5 credits |
| One of the following courses: | ||
| 085407 | Jet Engines | 2.5 credits |
| 085406 | Rocket Propulsion | 2.5 credits |
Prerequisite requirements for graduates of a three-year degree
The Graduate Studies Committee will discuss the case of each student and specify his/her prerequisite requirements (see Graduate School regulation 23.03).
Prerequisite requirements for the study track without a thesis
Students who are not graduates of the Department of Aerospace Engineering will be required to take prerequisite courses at the recommendations of the Graduate Studies Committee.
Research Proposal or Project
(Except for the study track leading to a “Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering”)
The objective of the research proposal towards a Master’s degree (totaling 20 credits) is to impart to the student advanced research and development methods. The objective of the project (totaling 20 credits) is to train the student in advanced engineering design methods. The objective of the thesis (totaling 12 credits) is to formulate the knowledge acquired during the Master’s studies. The research proposal or project could develop in different ways depending on the student’s area of specialization. It could be theoretical, computational, experimental or a combination thereof. It could deal with a general problem or a specific engineering problem (see Graduate School regulation 27).
The Department’s requirement of an internal student (receiving a fellowship) is to submit a research proposal together with his/her permanent faculty advisor within eight months after commencing graduate studies.
Thesis
See Graduate School regulation 28.
Thesis and Final Exam
See Graduate School regulation 29.
PhD Studies
Admission Requirements
Candidates who have completed their Master’s studies (in engineering/science departments) with high grades and are interested in developing their research abilities will be accepted to the PhD degree program. Candidates will be required to submit two suitable letters of recommendation. PhD degree candidates can also be accepted to the direct track (Graduate School regulations 24.07 and 32.06) and the special track (Graduate School regulations 32.05). The admission requirements for the Department’s PhD special track include a cumulative grade point average of at least 90 (in graduate studies), or the student’s inclusion on the President’s List during the last four semesters, as well as proof of research ability.
The candidate must meet Graduate School requirements. Candidates who meet these requirements will be interviewed by the Department’s Graduate Studies Committee, which will forward its final recommendation to the Graduate School.
Registration
See Graduate School Regulation 32.09.
Study Requirements and General Requirements
The objective of the PhD program is to train the student in conducting independent scientific research. The doctoral thesis should significantly advance knowledge and understanding in the field studied and be suitable for publication in an internationally recognized scientific journal. Most of the PhD student’s time will be dedicated to the research study. However, the student is expected to take part in professional seminars, attend advanced courses and expand his/her professional knowledge, both through independent study and by studying graduate-level courses. A PhD student will generally be required to formally complete at least 9 credits (see Graduate School regulations 33-37).
Additional Information
Graduate Studies Secretary in the Department
Tel.: 04-8293365
Website of the Department of Aerospace Engineering