Aerospace Research Certificate

Enhance Your Degree with a Focus on Aerospace Research and Technology

Students in Duke Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science master's and PhD programs can expand their learning experience through the Graduate Certificate in Aerospace Research.

In our research groups and courses we educate future leaders in engineering to enable the development of high performance and ultra-efficient aircraft, including drones and UAVs. Reduced emissions, noise and vibration are also important goals for our team.

The globally recognized faculty within the certificate program are experts in structures and dynamics, aerodynamics, acoustics, and mathematical and computational methods. 

Jing Li

"I chose Duke because its aeroelasticity faculty are some of the most renowned in this field in the world."

Jing Li
TurboMachine Research Engineer, Ge

Program Features

In-Depth and Hands-On

  • Advanced training in focused courses
  • Compelling aerospace seminars, featuring academic and industry experts
  • Create a research presentation to deliver to faculty
  • Receive a transcript designation to share with potential employer or doctoral program

Certificate Requirements

Aligned with Duke Graduate Degree Requirements

  • Four technical courses (click below to browse course lists)
  • Attend four aerospace seminars
  • Aerospace research presentation delivered to program faculty
Structures & Dynamics Courses
  • ME 544 Advanced Mechanical Vibrations (Fall)—Core Course
  • ME 524/CE 530 Introduction to Finite Element Methods (Spring)—Core Course
  • ME 527 Buckling of Engineering Structures (Every other Spring)
  • CEE 541 Structural Dynamics (Occasionally)
  • ME 541 Intermediate Dynamics (Fall)
  • ME 742 Nonlinear Mechanical Vibrations (Spring)
  • CEE 629 System Identification (Every other Spring, even years)
Aerodynamics & Acoustics Courses
  • ME 571 Aerodynamics (Fall)—Core Course
  • ME 572 Engineering Acoustics (Spring)—Core Course
  • ME 672 Unsteady Aerodynamics (Fall)
  • ME 671 Advanced Aerodynamics (Occasionally)
  • ME 555 Advanced Acoustics (Occasionally)
  • ME 775 Aeroelasticity (Spring)
Mathematical and Computational Methods Courses
  • MATH 551 Applied Partial Differential Equations & Complex Variables (Fall)
  • MATH 577 Mathematical Modeling (Spring)
  • ME 639 Computational Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer (Fall)
  • ME 524/CE 530 Finite Element Method (Fall)
  • MATH 561 Numerical Linear Algebra, Optimization & Monte Carlo Simulation (Fall)
  • COMPSCI 520 Numerical Analysis (Spring)
  • MATH 563 Applied Computational Analysis (Spring)
Important Notes
  • The certificate is only available to graduate students in the Duke Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
  • Students must declare enrollment in this certificate program within their first semester
  • Participants must select a focus area, either Structures & Dynamics or Aerodynamics & Acoustics
  • Each focus area has two (2) required core courses (in bold)—at least one (1) must be in another area
  • Only one (1) Mathematical and Computational Methods course can be counted toward the four required courses
  • Course lists are subject to change
The Duke Aerospace Research Group
The Duke Aerospace Research Group

Meet Our Faculty

Top-Flight Aerospace and Engineering Experts

With over 250 years combined of academic and industrial experience, our faculty includes many AIAA and ASME fellows—as well as recipients of the highest awards for research excellence in aerospace engineering.

Also, Duke is home to the GUIde Consortium of government, university and industry experts in turbomachinery aeroelasticity.

Faculty Profiles

Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science

Civil Engineering

Mathematics

Research Facilities

Aerospace Testing, Robotics, Fabrication & More

Get Started

For New Students

Become a Duke MEMS Graduate Student

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For Current Duke MEMS Students

Download and Complete an Enrollment Form

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