Aerodynamics—Graduate Certificate | College of Engineering

Online Education for Working Professionals

Refresh your fluid mechanics background and move into advanced concepts and applications.

Develop best-practice skills in aerodynamics analysis.

Aerodynamics, or the fluid dynamics of gases, deals with the flows observed in a wide range of transportation systems, such as airplanes, cars and trains. This certificate develops a foundation of fundamental fluid dynamics of gases from low to high speed flows. Students will learn how to interpret the experimental and computational data while developing theoretical understanding. Gain the skills to become an aerodynamics engineer.

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How to Apply

3 courses in 3 semesters.

Department	Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Admissions requirement	Acceptance to the Graduate School.
Contact	Wayne Weaver

Length	3 courses in 2-3 semesters
Effort	3 hours per credit per week
Each course	3 credits
Total credits	9
Course type	Online or on-campus
Modality	Watch class recordings on demand
Cost	Based on credits and course type
Already enrolled?	Speak with your advisor

Curriculum

Progress quickly with a compact curriculum. Work with the program advisor to select courses that fit your interests and pre-requisite skills.

Prerequisites

Check your preparation. Here are some of the pre-requisite courses for this certificate.

MEEM 3201 - introductory Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer

Course emphasizes internal flow and modes of heat transfer: control volume analysis of mass, momentum and energy, pipe and duct flow, dimensional analysis, steady and unsteady heat conduction, internal convection and application of boundary conditions, and simple heat exchanger design.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-4-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 2201 and MEEM 2911 and MA 3160

Required Courses

Take a 3-credit required course.

MEEM 5210 - Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Develops control volume forms of balance laws governing fluid motion and applies to problems involving rockets, pumps, sprinklers, etc. Derives and studies differential forms of governing equations for incompressible viscous flows. Some analytical solutions are obtained and students are exposed to rationale behind computational solution in conjunction with CFD software demonstration. Also covers qualitative aspects of lift and drag, loss of stability of laminar flows, turbulence, and vortex shedding.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering

Electives

Take 6 credits of elective courses. Select two courses, but only one at the 4000 level.

MEEM 5215 - Computational Fluids Engineering

This course introduces students into the theoretical and practical aspects of computational methods in fluid mechanics and thermal transport problems. Computer based tools are used to reinforce principles on advanced topics in thermo-fluids science.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering

MEEM 5230 - Advanced Heat Transfer

Advanced topics on conduction, convection, radiation, and heat exchangers are covered. Emphasis is on problem formulation, exact solutions, empirical correlations/results, and on computational techniques.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering

MEEM 5240 - Comp Fluid Dynamics for Engg

Introduces finite-difference and finite-volume methods used in solving fluid dynamics and heat transfer problems. Covers numerical grid generation, turbulence modeling, and application to some selected problems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring, in odd years
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering

MEEM 5265 - Physical Gasdynamics

Equilibrium gaskinetic theory, chemical thermodynamics, introduction to quantum and statistical mechanics, flow with finite rate (e.g. vibrational energy relaxations, and chemical reactions), nonequilibrium kinetic theory, selected gaskinetic related computational methods.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 4901(C) or ENT 4950(C) or Graduate Status >= 1

MEEM 4202 - Applied Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer

Intermediate fluid mechanics and heat transfer topics are covered. These include necessary considerations of: differential analysis of fluid flows based on Navier-Stokes equations, lift and drag, convective heat transfer in external flows, radiation, and simple considerations of condensation and boiling.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Eng-Eng Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3201

MEEM 4230 - Compressible Flow/Gas Dynamics

Fundamentals of one-dimensional gas dynamics, including flow in nozzles and diffusers, normal shocks, frictional flows, and flows with heat transfer or energy release; introduction to oblique shocks.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3201

Typical Schedule

The minimum completion time is one semester. Two or three semesters are recommended. Here are typical schedules.

Sample Plan 1

Fall
MEEM 5210 MEEM 5230 MEEM 5215

Sample Plan 2

Fall	Spring
MEEM 5210 MEEM 5230	MEEM 5240

Sample Plan 3

Fall	Spring
MEEM 5210	MEEM 5240
Fall
MEEM 5230

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to the Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts, test scores, or letters needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
GMAT/GRE: Not required
Preferred major: Mechanical Engineering or closely related technical field - Students with degrees in other fields may be required to take preparatory courses

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of 79 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of 6.5

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis.

Certificate Admissions

Prospective Students

Prospective students and non-degree seeking students interested in obtaining a graduate certificate must apply to the certificate program using the online application.
Accelerated certificate options exist for current Michigan Tech undergraduate students in good standing and have achieved at least junior-level standing or recent bachelor’s graduates of Michigan Tech (less than two years).
The number of credits earned prior to admission that can be counted are restricted.

Current Graduate Students

Current Michigan Tech graduate students who are in a degree program do not need to formally apply. Current students must still submit the appropriate degree schedule in order to complete the certificate.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Interested in taking a single, online course? Enroll as a non-degree seeking student.

Upon completion of the Certificate the student should be able to:

Solve the fundamental problems in aerodynamics given a physical description of a system, following the standard process of
1. define a suitable control surface or volume
2. list the appropriate set of governing equations
3. apply the necessary simplifications and approximations
4. solve the governing equations analytically or numerically
Apply the standard solution procedure to specific aerodynamics problems,
Communicate the analysis process in aerodynamics, through written project reports, including: statement of assumptions, derivation of governing equations, solution processes, and validation of the solutions.

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Engineering Salaries

Online Certified Instructors

Meet the online certified instructors. Students have the flexibility to review class recordings later.

Jeffrey Allen

John F. and Joan M. Calder Endowed Professor in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

jstallen@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Dr. Allen teaches in such topics as fluid mechanics, principles of energy conversion, and microfluidics.

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Chunpei Cai

Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

ccai@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Dr. Cai is interested in fluid dynamics, aerospace and space engineering, gas dynamics, and electric propulsion.

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L. King

Richard and Elizabeth Henes Endowed Professor (Space Systems), Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

lbking@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Dr. King's areas of expertise include space propulsion, plasma physics, and optical fluid diagnostics.

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Seong-Young Lee

Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

sylee@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Dr. Lee is interested in turbulent and spray combustion, including high-pressure diesel and gasoline spray and fundamental turbulent flames.

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Amitabh Narain

Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

narain@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Dr. Narain has expertise in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and system design.

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Fernando Ponta

Richard and Elizabeth Henes Professor (Wind Energy), Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

flponta@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Dr. Ponta's area of expertise is in theoretical and computational continuum mechanics, vortex dynamics, and advanced numerical methods for fluid-structure interaction analysis.

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Kazuya Tajiri

Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

ktajiri@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Dr. Tajiri lectures on applied thermodynamics, fuel cell technology, and other topics related to propulsion and energy conversion.

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Song-Lin (Jason) Yang

Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

slyang@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Dr. Yang is interested in computational fluid dynamics, heat transfer, engine flow simulation, and aerodynamics.

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