Educational objectives
The program is divided into several thematic blocks: - Scientific and methodological complements: mainly focused on applied mathematics and numerical methods; - General aerospace engineering: it provides the knowledge base common to all Master-level aerospace engineers (advanced flight mechanics, aerospace construction and structures, aerospace equipment and systems, aero-gas dynamics and aerospace propulsion); - Contextual knowledge/final exa... More...
The program is divided into several thematic blocks:
- Scientific and methodological complements: mainly focused on applied mathematics and numerical methods;
- General aerospace engineering: it provides the knowledge base common to all Master-level aerospace engineers (advanced flight mechanics, aerospace construction and structures, aerospace equipment and systems, aero-gas dynamics and aerospace propulsion);
- Contextual knowledge/final exam: the former may be acquired during preparation of the thesis, especially if undertaken within an industry or abroad, or selective from optional courses offered by the university.
Courses in the second year may be specific to the field Aerospace Engineering:
- Aerostructures: methods of analysis, calculation and testing of structures used in aerospace;
- Propulsion systems, particularly for thermo-mechanical and fluid-dynamic design of aircraft engines;
- Aeromechanics and systems, for an integrated view of aircraft systems;
- Aero-gasdynamics: analytical methods and numerical prediction of flows, and some of their peculiar scientific and phenomenological aspects;
or to the interdisciplinary field of space flight:
- Space: advanced concepts and applications.
Within the MSc programme there are also many opportunities for periods abroad ranging from six to eighteen months. Moreover, the MSc programme in Aerospace Engineering offer to a number of students (stated by institutional agreements with partner universities and selected on a quality basis) the possibility to obtain, in addition to the Laurea Magistrale, also the foreign equivalent degree at
- Cranfield University, School of Mechanical Engineering, Cranfield, UK.
- Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (ETSEIB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE, Formation Supaero e Formation ENSICA), Toulouse, France.
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et d’Aérotechnique (ENSMA), Poitiers, France.
- Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM), Esquela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros Aeronauticos (ETSIA), Madrid, Spain.
- Ecole Centrale de Lyon (ECL), Ecully (Lyon), France BSc in Engineering EC (after the first 4 years) and Diplôme d’Ingénieur (after conclusion of the 6° year).
- Institut Supérieur de Mécanique de Paris (Supméca), Saint Ouen (Paris), France.
- Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Lisboa, Portugal
Career opportunities
Employment opportunities for which MSc graduates in Aerospace Engineering are specifically trained lie mainly in the aerospace field itself:
- major aerospace industries of both national and European dimensions;
- small and medium-size industries supplying the former;
- agencies and contractors responsible for aircraft maintenance;
- airline companies;
- air traffic management authorities;
- the air force... More...
- major aerospace industries of both national and European dimensions;
- small and medium-size industries supplying the former;
- agencies and contractors responsible for aircraft maintenance;
- airline companies;
- air traffic management authorities;
- the air force and other military aviation sectors;
- public and private bodies for testing in the aerospace field;
and, in addition to the likely outlets for the three-year degree:
- public and private centres for basic and applied research.
Moreover master-level graduates in Aerospace Engineering are particularly well equipped for foreign job markets, particularly if they profited from the opportunities for international mobility provided In the aerospace industry foreign and domestic labor markets are closely integrated, so the ability to move easily in both responds to a systemic requirement.
To an even greater level than BSc graduates, Master-level graduates possess multidisciplinary awareness and specific competences (fluid dynamics and aerodynamics, thin structures, attention to weight and material savings in design, familiarity with advanced materials and technologies, ability to envision whole systems, sensitivity to safety and security issues) that can readily be applied in a range of jobs outside the aerospace sector where product and process innovation play a dominant role. European-level data show that about 50% of aerospace engineers are offered employment outside the aerospace industry, even in regions where aerospace activities are more strongly represented and offer the greatest employment opportunities.
| The Study program qualifies the following professional profile/s: | Roles and skills: |
| Chief engineer
This is the industry engineer profile, as emerging from the classical curriucula in industrial engineering |
FUNCTIONS IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Active contribution to design teams through advanced specialized knowledge in different fields related to aerospace. Establishment of general guidelines for the engineers operating at lower levels (assisted designers). After a few years, leader of design teams. COMPETENCIES: dimensioning and computing structural, aerodynamic, propulsive and mechanical systems and subsystems. Knowledge of the main scientific programming languages. Positive attitude to innovation and to life-long learning in order to maintain the professional competence. Ability to lead technical teams EMPLOYEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: - technical units of major aerospace industries of both national and European dimensions; - the same, but in small and medium-size industries supplying the former; - the air force and other military aviation sectors; - airline companies; - air traffic management authorities; - public and private bodies for testing in the aerospace field; - technical units of non-aerospace industries |
| System Engineer
The requested professional profile is an engineer who knows all elements of the aircraft system and is able to fix the requisites to the providers of components |
FUNCTIONS IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Managing the interfaces and the integration processes inside large and complex projects, also in the framework of international collaborations. COMPETENCIES: Good familiarity with English and possibly with other European languages. General vision on the aerospace products and processes, including neighbouring disciplines (electronics, management, environmental impact, economy ...). Ability to communicate and to handle with technical counterparts. Attitude to lead large and composite working teams. Sense of responsibility and capability of taking decisions, also in conditions of uncertainty. EMPLOYEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: - major aerospace industries of both national and European dimensions; - small and medium-size industries supplying the former; - agencies and contractors responsible for aircraft maintenance; - airline companies; - air traffic management authorities; - the air force and other military aviation sectors; - public and private bodies for testing in the aerospace field; |
| Research Engineer
This profile, particularly appreciated in an international context, has the property to associate an attitude to the applications to the classical approach of the scientific research |
FUNCTIONS IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Advanced research in industrial units, research centres and universities in order to generate innovation or study continuation in PhD programmes. COMPETENCIES: Very good mathematical and computational skills, in-depth knowledge of physics, mechanics, etc... with possible specializations in aerodynamics, material and structural science. Excellent ability to analyze problems and to formulate them in mathematical terms. Communication skills aimed to knowledge transmission, critical attitude towards the current ideas. EMPLOYEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: - major aerospace industries of both national and European dimensions; - the air force and other military aviation sectors; - public and private bodies for testing in the aerospace field; - public and private centres for basic and applied research. |
| Specialist in construction and aerospace structures | JOB ROLES:
Structural analysis of even complex configurations, determination of the states of stress and deformation. Mechanical design of components. Management of load tests, fatigue, breakage and interpretation of results. Applied and advanced research in order to generate innovation in industrial organizations, research centres and universities, or further study within Ph.D. programs. SKILLS: Mathematical and computational skills, advanced knowledge of structural mechanics and related experimental techniques. Ability to analyse problems and formulate them in mathematical terms. Ability to plan a campaign of experimental measurements or critically use the current computer codes. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES - major aeronautic and space industries of both national and European size; - military aviation and aeronautical sectors of other corps - public and private organizations in aerospace testing - Universities and public or private basic and applied research centres. |
| Specialist in aerospace propulsion | JOB ROLES:
Participation in (and later coordination of) design teams of aeroplane and aerospace propulsion systems. Management of experimental evidence and interpretation of the results. Interaction with aerospace industries to integrate the propulsion system in the aeroplane, rocket or satellite. Applied and advanced research in order to generate innovation in industrial organizations, research centres and Universities or further pursuit of studies within a PhD. program. SKILLS: Computational capabilities, advanced knowledge of applied thermodynamics of propulsion, the techniques of control, in particular of the engines and of the experimental techniques typical of the sector. Ability to analyse problems and formulate them in mathematical terms. Ability to plan a campaign of experimental measurements or critically use current computer codes. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES industries that deal with propulsion, but also production of energy - major aeronautic and space industries having both national and European dimensions ; - military aviation and aeronautical sectors of other corps - public and private organizations in aerospace testing - Universities and public or private basic and applied research centres. |
| Specialist in flight mechanics and aircraft systems | JOB ROLES:
Systems engineering design of equipment and on-board systems and update (upgrade) of existing aircraft by integrating them with new systems or new avionics. Use of simulation methods in the planning phases for new aircraft. Participation in the planning and conduct of flight tests, as well as the monitoring and interpretation of results. Applied and advanced research in order to generate innovation in industrial organisations, research centres and universities or further study within PhD programs. SKILLS: Computational skills, mastery of systems engineering design methods for aerospace systems, advanced knowledge of body dynamics, simulation methods of air and space flight and virtual reality control techniques (including robotic systems of interest for aerospace) and experimental techniques typical of the sector. A specific role of this professional profile is also the development of the design simulators (for an individual system level and/or integrated systems) and training simulators (for fixed and rotary wing aircraft). Looking ahead, the ability to schedule a flight test campaign. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES - major aeronautic and space industries having both national and European dimensions ; - air freight companies; - air traffic management organizations; - military aviation and aeronautical sectors of other corps - public and private organizations in aerospace testing - Universities and public or private basic and applied research centres. |
| Specialist in Astronautics
|
JOB ROLES:
Participation in design teams of satellites, pressurized modules, space transportation systems. Conception of subsystems and their integration into larger systems. Contribution to the design of space missions, management of interfaces within international projects. Design, implementation and management of "Ground Segments" necessary for the execution of the above mentioned space missions. Management and control activities in national and international space agencies. SKILLS: Mathematical and computational skills, knowledge of orbital dynamics, spatial structures, gas dynamics and space systems. Familiarity with English and possibly another European language, associated with technical communication skills and an attitude for teamwork, developed also with the international exchange periods during studies. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES - major national and European space industries; - National and International space agencies - Universities and public or private basic and applied research centres. |
| Qualifications for further studies | Knowledge required to continue studies |
| University programmes of the 3rd Sorbonne-Bologna level (PhD or specialized Post MSc progammes)
The MSc graduate in Aerospace Engineering is the ideal candidate to a 3rd level programme thanks to his attitude to advanced studies. |
Attitude to advanced studies.
In particular graduates with a specific interest to research, either theoretical (hence closer to the academic world) or applied (closer to the industrial one) will find their best collocation in doctoral programmes. Competences Deep theoretical knowledge in mathematics, physics, fluid dynamics, mechanics ... Adequate language skills and capability to formulate problems in mathematical terms. Analysis and synthesis capabilities, good communication tools. Open minded attitude and mental flexibility, ability to transmit knowledge, critical disposition. |
Expected learning outcomes
TThe MSc degree program in Aerospace Engineering aims to consolidate the professional profile already formed in the three-year BSc degree course. This goal is pursued with a close centering within the aerospace context, and is explored at a conceptual level that allows graduates to work with decision-making autonomy in more advanced productive and scientific sectors. This instruction is provided by means of both mandatory and optional courses.... More...
TThe MSc degree program in Aerospace Engineering aims to consolidate the professional profile already formed in the three-year BSc degree course. This goal is pursued with a close centering within the aerospace context, and is explored at a conceptual level that allows graduates to work with decision-making autonomy in more advanced productive and scientific sectors. This instruction is provided by means of both mandatory and optional courses. Optional courses are organized to give different specialization opportunities in the aeronautical and space field.
In all cases, one of the educational goals is to open students to the international context, particularly important in the aerospace industry. Qualified students are given ample opportunities to fulfill their educational requirements at partner European universities under mobility programs providing a range of possibilities, from simple thesis preparation abroad to double degree programs.
The graduates will therefore possess a knowledge allowing them to play professional roles in different domains, also contributing to activities as design, production, management and organization and support to technical and commercial units, either as professionals or inside manufacturing or service companies, and in public administrations. The professional abilities of the graduates, in particular, can be defined according to the different aerospace working environments.
