Beginning this fall, the U will offer a new Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering. Aerospace Engineering is a big part of Utah already, with over 900 aerospace and defense companies in Utah, employing over 30,000 people according to the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. This degree will help train more engineers to support this industry, as well as supporting research efforts.
Student interest matches industry interest, with over 120 undergraduate students already pursuing an aerospace emphasis on their mechanical engineering degree. By offering an MS degree as well, these students will be better situated to support this growing industry with advanced knowledge and skills.
“The University of Utah has had a vigorous program of aerospace engineering research, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and elsewhere in the Price College of Engineering, for many years,” said Dr Mark Maier, Director of the MSAE program. “The MSAE program gives our students a great way to focus their graduate education and get recognition for their expertise in the aerospace engineering field. We believe this will particularly appeal to engineers working in the rapidly growing Utah aerospace industry.”
This degree program will also tie into the other efforts the ME department is pursuing to grow its aerospace program. In addition to several faculty members already engaged in related research, the department has brough on three new tenure track faculty members in aerospace. These efforts have also been supported by the University through seed money to support an Aerospace Research Hub.
“The Aerospace Hub at The University of Utah consists of an interconnected group of a faculty, students, administration, and research infrastructure,” said Dr Jacob Hochalter, director of the Hub. “Additionally, the Hub helps establish multi-disciplinary research initiatives, linking together students and faculty across multiple colleges, such as engineering, medicine, and science.”
You can find out more about the Aerospace program, as well as how to apply, by visiting http://aerospace.utah.edu.