At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    PhD

PhD in Aerospace Engineering Overview

Advance your expertise in critical areas of aerospace science and technology with UMass Lowell's Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. Through rigorous training in experimental and computational methods, you'll explore complex topics such as space structures, thermofluid systems, telecommunications and advanced materials. 

Focus your degree with one of the following concentrations: 

  • Space Mechanics & Engineering
  • Aerospace Dynamics, Controls & Stability
  • Space Communications
  • Aerospace Thermofluid Systems
  • Space Environment
  • Aerospace Systems Engineering
  • Structural Dynamics

Interdisciplinary coursework across departments including Math, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics and Applied Physics provides a strong technical foundation. With small cohort sizes and close faculty collaboration, you’ll gain the specialized knowledge and professional development needed to lead in aerospace industries, government research or academic institutions.

For complete program details and course descriptions, please visit the Academic Catalog.

For program-specific questions and to connect with our current students, please contact the Doctoral Graduate Coordinator.

A total of 63 credit hours of graduate level courses are required for the Ph.D. degree.
The Ph.D. degree must involve a traditional research-based dissertation, plus: 
  • A minimum of 30 approved credit hours of graduate-level engineering courses, including associated science and math courses*.
  • A minimum of 21 credit hours of doctoral dissertation. 
  • The balance of the remaining 12 credits can be a mix of graduate-level engineering courses including associated science and math coursework and dissertation credits at the discretion of the department, faculty advisor and dissertation committee.
  • At least two semesters of the 0 credit research seminar MECH.5011
Core Courses (total courses = 5)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.5550Introduction to Space Physics3
IENG.5432Life Cycle Systems Analysis3
MECH.5870Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization3
XXXX.XXXX
PHYS.5630
MECH.6140
MECH.5200
MATH.5630
XXXX.XXXX		Math Elective - choices include:
Computational Methods in Physics OR
Nonlinear FEA OR
Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
Computational Mathematics
Other Math-base course with approval of advisor and home department graduate coordinator		3
MECH.5011ASE Doctoral Seminar0
Total
12

Track Courses (see list below, total courses required = 4)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
XXXX.XXXXTrack Course 13
XXXX.XXXXTrack Course 23
XXXX.XXXXTrack Course 33
XXXX.XXXXTrack Course 43
Total
12


Elective Courses (total courses = 2)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
XXXX.XXXXElective 1 (chosen in collaboration with advisor)3
XXXX.XXXXElective 2 (chosen in collaboration with advisor)3
Total
6


Dissertation Research Credits
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
XXXX.XXXXDissertation Research21
Total
21


Additional Credits
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
XXXX.XXXXAdditional credits of either courses or dissertation research12
Total
12

Track Courses

Space Mechanics and Engineering

Aerospace Dynamics, Controls and Stability

Space Communications

Aerospace TF Systems

Space Environment

Aerospace Systems Engineering

Structural Dynamics

Total credits required for the degree = 63
Updated 4/8/25

Faculty Research

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty conduct research that impacts the following national needs: Energy and Sustainability, Defense and Security, Manufacturing and Industry and Engineering Education. Explore our faculty-led Research Centers and Research Labs below to learn more.

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty are actively engaged and lead several University Centers which encourage interdisciplinary research collaborations on projects that advance technology innovations.
  • Stock image related to 3D Printing
    Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Center
    A collaboration between the UMass Lowell, University of Connecticut, and Georgia Institute of Technology to create a National Science Foundation I/UCRC focused on 3D printing.
  • baseball-testing
    Baseball Research Center
    The Center is concentrating on dynamic baseball bat performance and durability using high-speed air cannons, modal techniques, finite element modeling, high-speed photography and a wide variety of other tools.
  • fields-of-wind-turbines
    Center for Wind Energy
    The center consists of 13 interdisciplinary faculty members whose research focuses on wind turbine manufacturing, reliability, energy storage, and design.
  • heroes
    HEROES
    A unique collaborative research and development center between UMass Lowell and the U.S. Army Natick MA Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC).
  • nano-woman
    Nanomanufacturing Center
    We leverage a strong plastics heritage along with industrial scale equipment to develop advanced nanomanufacturing processes, in a safe, reproducible and controlled environment.
  • Human walking on equipment at NERVE Center
    UMass Lowell NERVE Center
    The UMass Lowell NERVE Center is an interdisciplinary robotics testing, research, and training facility that evaluates robotic capabilities, human performance, and human-robot interaction.
  • Sunset Wind Turbines
    WindSTAR
    National Science Foundation supported industry-university collaboration driving down the cost of wind power.

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty remain dedicated to conducting research that impacts national needs. Our 11 faculty-run research labs provide students with the opportunity to work with state of the art equipment to advance energy and sustainability, security and defense, and manufacturing and industry, while furthering their engineering education.
  • 3D Printer. The ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND TEXTILE RESEARCH LAB is involved in the active integration of analytical modeling, experimentation, and numerical simulation to understand the behavior of fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix composites.
    Advanced Composite Materials and Textile Research Lab

    We are involved in the active integration of analytical modeling, experimentation, and numerical simulation to understand the behavior of fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix composites.
  • 4-D Textiles, printed grids on standard textile. The APPLIED SOLID MECHANICS LAB is Applying solid mechanics principles to various applications such as wind energy, composite manufacturing, flexible electronics, and textile manufacturing to improve performance, predictions, and design.
    Applied Solid Mechanics Lab

    Applying solid mechanics principles to various applications such as wind energy, composite manufacturing, flexible electronics, and textile manufacturing to improve performance, predictions, and design.
  • Low, Ambient, and High Temperature Hopkinson Bars for Polymer Testing
    Dynamic Mechanics of Materials Lab

    We study the mechanics and physics of materials, including polymers, composites, metals, and metamaterials under varied dynamic loadings and extreme environments.
  • Asst. Profs. Hsi-Wu Wong and Hunter Mack examine the reactor used in creating biofuels in the lab.
    Energy & Combustion Research Lab

    We are exploring a variety of topics ranging from alternative fuels, novel thermodynamic cycles, and combustion-assisted material synthesis.
  • An Energy Conversion Experiment. The ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY LAB primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
    Electrochemical Energy Lab

    Our primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
  • Asst. Prof. Ertan Agar conducts an electrochemical energy transport experiment. The ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY LAB's primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
    Electrochemical Energy Systems and Transport Lab

    We have an overarching goal to advance the science and engineering of flow assisted electrochemical energy systems, particularly redox flow batteries.
  • An image of a blue green background with blue circles over it.
    iComp2 Lab
    We develop ICME approaches for the analysis and optimization of advanced composites from manufacturing to failure.
  • Manufacturing Innovation and Neural Interface (MINI) Lab
    Manufacturing Innovation and Neural Interface (MINI) Lab
    The MINI Lab conducts experimental and modelling work to generate fundamental understandings of manufacturing processes.
  • Student conducts experiment in Re-Engineered Energy Lab. The RE-ENGINEERED ENERGY LAB is researching how to use solar energy and electricity to develop new types of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
    Re-Engineered Energy Lab

    We're researching how to use solar energy and electricity to develop new types of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
  • Student inspects test wind turbine blade in the research lab. The STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS & ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS LAB's research is related to analytical and experimental problems in the areas of structural and acoustic systems. The main thrust of the SDASL is to develop, employ and improve techniques to solve these problems using analytical approaches that are verified through experimental techniques.
    Structural Dynamics & Acoustic Systems Lab

    The main thrust of the SDASL is to develop, employ and improve techniques to solve these problems using analytical approaches that are verified through experimental techniques.

Funding Opportunities

UMass Lowell strives to provide financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. This includes funding through Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA) and summer research support. Assistantships are contingent upon availability and may be subject to change.

Admissions

  • Application:
  • Application Fee: $75
  • Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (max 2 pages)
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's, three (3) for doctoral applicants.
  • Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but if accepted, official transcripts are required.
  • Test Scores: Please send test scores to EngineeringCAS using school code 4530. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all Doctor of Philosophy programs and for the Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. It is accepted but not required for other master's applicants.

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed. To add documents before review, log in and select “Program Materials.”

International Applicants

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country’s national language, please submit one of the following scores:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
  • Duolingo: 115+
  • ASC English: Level 6+
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53+

For the TOEFL, please send your scores to EngineeringCAS using the school code B887.

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800-656-4723 (U.S. Students)
978-934-2390 (International Students)

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