Aeronautical Engineering and Astronautics M.Sc.

 

The goal of this program offered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen is to provide a broad education to future mechanical engineers so they can go on to find employment in all technical areas of industry not only in research and development but also in production and sales. Together the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs replace the German Diplom degree in mechanical engineering.

The Master’s programs are academic, research-based programs that are geared to research and methods. The programs allow graduates to pursue successful careers that span their entire working life because the programs not only teach current contents, but also theoretically substantiated basic concepts and methods that transcend current trends.

Aeronautical engineering and astronautics have quite an impact and fascinate. They stand for state-of-the-art technology and advancement. The aeronautical engineering and astronautics institutes at RWTH Aachen with different concentrations all share the goal of finding the right answers together with the students to the varied and exciting future topics related to performance and sustainability in aeronautical engineering and astronautics.

Airplanes, missiles, spacecraft and satellites are systems with technical, scientific and ecological aspects, aspects which have to be taken into consideration wherever possible to achieve the most favorable link (integration) of components and subsystems. Student engineers can only tackle these tasks if they familiarize themselves with the design and application of mathematical processes and physical models for a realistic calculation and design of aircraft. Moreover, they have to learn the most important testing techniques with which the design and calculation procedures can be checked and advanced.

Aerodynamics:
Experimental and numerical experiments of basic flow phenomena such as turbulence and vortex dynamics in laminar and turbulent flows as well as flow acoustics.
Drive Systems:
Developing jet engines with respect to efficiency improvement, power concentration, operating performance, operational safety and environmental impacts.
Structural Design and Lightweight Construction:
Developing and applying calculation methods for designing and dimensioning lightweight structures made from metal or fiber composite materials for aeronautics and astronautics.
Flight System Dynamics:
Identification and targeted improvement of movement and system behavior of aeronautic and astronautic systems; optimizing flight control, mission control and automation of manned and unmanned systems right up to autonomy.
Aeronautic and Astronautic Systems
Design and optimization of future innovative airplane and astronautic configurations; theoretical and experimental analysis of rotating stall and noise sources to reduce noise.

 

Degree Content

The three semester long course of study is broken down into two pieces.  During the two semester examination period, students should complete all mandatory and elective modules.  In the final and third semester, students independently work on a defined research topic and finish their Master thesis.

 

Prerequisites

A prerequisite for starting studies in a first university degree, with which the necessary background education can be proven, as determined in the exam regulations.  The exam board determines whether it fulfills the entrance requirements.

The application for examination of admission requirements must be submitted to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering three weeks before the start of the semester at the latest.

 

Career Prospects

After successfully completing the Master's program, it is possible for students to apply for doctoral studies at one of the chairs in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.  A profession in any technical field and almost any branch and sector of industry both domestically and abroad is possible. Futhermore, graduates are able to successfully work in integrative and interdisciplinary topic areas.

 

Examination Regulations

Exam regulations regulate academic goals and prerequisites, the course of study layout, and exam procedures.  The appendix to the regulations contains the description of the modules, from which the course of study is composed.

 

Faculty

The Master course of study in Aeronatical Engineering and Astronautics is offered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.