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Aerospace Sciences (Ph.D.)

Be a part of the next generation of aerospace leaders overseeing cutting edge breakthroughs in aviation and space.

The aerospace field is fast paced and highly technical, involving complex systems operating from Earth’s surface to deep space. Successful aerospace professionals possess broad backgrounds linking science, engineering, policy, business, and law. Get your doctoral education from a world-renowned center for aerospace learning, the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota.

Program Snapshot
Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
On-campus or online
Est. time to complete:
4-7 years
Credit hours:
90

Why Study Aerospace Sciences at UND?

The Aerospace Sciences Ph.D. program provides interdisciplinary teaching and research at the highest academic level. The program's goal is to provide highly educated scholars and leaders with the skills necessary to mix technology and science with an understanding of the politics and economics of the aerospace fields. You'll enhance your analytical, technical, research and communication skills through classroom and research activities too. The result will be capabilities to carry out independent, original and applied research at a high level.

With a 1:1 faculty to student ratio you'll experience outstanding faculty focus while in the program. In addition you'll gain access to an extensive, involved alumni network that provides real-time industry feedback to research and development work by dissertation candidates. Pursue the doctorate from anywhere in the world with our online synchronous curriculum, while still receiving real time faculty and student interaction.

Develop a thorough knowledge of the aerospace disciplines to become a successful leader by applying solutions gained through theory and applied research. Enhance your analytical, technical, research and communication skills through classroom and research activities to carry out independent, original and applied research.

 

 

Aerospace Sciences Overview

  • Gain the extensive technical knowledge needed to be a successful leader in the industry by applying solutions gained through theory and applied research.

  • Be part of a program nationally acclaimed for achievements in collegiate aviation education, atmospheric research, space studies, and earth system science and policy research.

  • Gain unique perspectives and training that integrates and combines traditional disciplines related to space.

  • Leverage faculty expertise drawn from disciplines such as aerodynamics, orbital mechanics, planetary science, remote sensing, public policy, law, unmanned aircraft systems, business, management, engineering, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Doctorate in Aerospace Sciences

106K
Median salary for an aerospace program manager*
134K
Those with the highest level of experience earn up to $134,000 as an aerospace program manager.*

 

*Payscale.com

A doctoral degree in Aerospace Sciences from UND lets you further develop the critical skills you need to fill leadership roles. These opportunities span government and research agencies, educational institutions and private aerospace and aviation sector companies.

UND bearers of doctoral degrees in this exciting field have gone onto careers in top space exploration enterprises and firms in related industries. Some of the opportunities graduates can expect include:

  • Higher education professor
  • Senior aircraft engineer
  • Aerospace laboratory manager
  • Aerospace engineer
  • Aerospace science researcher
  • Aerospace program manager
  • Federal agency policymaker
  • Aerospace defense manager

Courses to Earn Your Aerospace Sciences Ph.D.

AVIT 521. Ethics in Aerospace. 3 Credits.

The course will introduce ethical concepts and frameworks used in professional decision-making. Students will engage with faculty and outside speakers to weigh decisions in the applicable ethical frameworks. Students participation will include graded elements of formal case presentations, class discussion sessions, essay examinations and review of scholarly and trade journal articles. The course will have a strong emphasis on research project design to assess dynamics of ethical decision-making in different populations, as well as exploring educational opportunities in the aerospace industry.

SPST 504. Research Methods in Space Studies. 3 Credits.

This course will provide an introduction to research in Space Studies emphasizing the preparation of a Ph.D. proposal and the dissertation itself. Course content will be tailored to address the specific research methods applicable to the student(s) research interests. Typically given by the student's advisor, but students preparing in the same area (e.g., Planetary Science, Astronomy) may be in a combined section. On demand.

SPST 410. Life Support Systems. 3 Credits.

A review of the physiological effects of living in space including a discussion of current and near-term life support systems equipment for the provision of oxygen, water, food, and radiation protection. In addition, a review will be made of the issues associated with the development of fully closed ecological life-support systems that will be essential to the long-term development of space. Prerequisite: SPST 200. On demand.

SPST 512. Human Performance in Extreme Environments. 3 Credits.

This course identifies the impact that the stressors of extreme environments have on human performance. The course objectives are to highlight the differences and similarities among extreme environments and to demonstrate that, despite the differences lessons learned from operations in a given extreme environment can be effectively applied to other environments. Although settings such as space, mountains, or deep sea exhibit unique characteristics, the human physiological and psychological reactions and adaptations to these extreme settings stay similar. On demand.

SPST 527. Extraterrestrial Resources. 3 Credits.

This course focuses on the inventory, accessibility, acquisition, processing and utilization of extraterrestrial resources (space resources) from celestial bodies such as the Moon, Mars, asteroids and comets. Consideration will be given to extraterrestrial resources for in situ utilization (such as a Lunar or Martian base), for space operations (such as supporting large scale near-Earth activities or a human Mars mission), and for terrestrial markets. The course will focus on the interplay between the scientific, technical, and economic aspects of acquiring and utilizing such resources. The course will also explore some of the legal and political ramifications and limitations of claiming and recovering space resources. On demand.

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Connect with the space studies and aviation faculty you'll work with at UND's world-renowned center for aerospace learning.

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