2012–2013 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

MAE 5630 Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems
MAE 5650 Robotics
MAE 5660 Robot Control
The student’s program of study in this area will be tailored to
provide the background and training to pursue a career in a desired
and related area of interest. Examples of related areas include
design and control of dynamic systems, robotics, vibration, automotive
engineering, energy and power systems, etc.
Structures, Solid Mechanics and Materials
Three courses selected in consultation with the student’s adviser
from the list below:
MAE 5050 Finite Element Fundamentals
MAE 5060 Applications in Finite Element Methods
MAE 5410 Elasticity
MAE 5420 Advanced Mechanical Design
MAE 5460 Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue of Materials
MAE 5470 Principles of Composite Materials
Specialization in this area focuses on analytical and computational
techniques as they apply in design. Each student plans a program of
study in consultation with a member of the faculty whose professional
field is related to the student’s interests.
Thermal-Fluid Sciences
Three courses selected in consultation with the student’s adviser
from the list below:
MAE 5130 Viscous Flows
MAE 5210 Conduction Heat Transfer
MAE 5220 Convection Heat Transfer
MAE 5230 Radiation Heat Transfer
MAE 5310 Combustion Fundamentals
Specialization in this area focuses on heat transfer, combustion
and energy systems. Analytical, computational and experimental
techniques are emphasized.
Aerospace Engineering, Ph.D. __________________
major Code: 9134 Degree awarded: Doctor of Philosophy
age restriction: N admission status: graduate
Delivery mode/s: classroom only Location/s: main campus
admission materials: GRE, 3 letters of
recommendation, résumé, objectives
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.
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.
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
Major Area of Specialization, two related Areas of
Specialization and Mathematics ................................................................ 18
Dissertation ................................................................................................ 24
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED ............................................................... 42
Degree Programs—College of Engineering 145