Stanford University, located in Palo Alto, California, offers two options for students interested in aeronautics and astronautics at the undergraduate level: a minor in the subject and an interdisciplinary bachelor of science degree in engineering, with an emphasis in the field. A master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics is available in the graduate school, consisting of core classes such as feedback control design, space experiments laboratory and propulsion system design. With an additional year of study, an engineering degree can also be achieved. Students who want to go on to pursue a doctorate degree prepare a custom course of study with an adviser and must complete a written and oral exam as well as write a dissertation.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees in aeronautics and astronautics. At the undergraduate level, the bulk of material learned is in applicative mathematics and engineering, though other courses, such as ethics and communication skills, are also required. Summer internships are available in addition to undergraduate research opportunities in the field. At the graduate level a master's and doctorate program are both available. Students can choose a specialization of study, which includes aerospace computational engineering, humans in aerospace, space propulsion and space systems.
The University of Central Florida, located in Orlando, houses the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering. The school offers a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering with core courses in solid mechanics, high-speed aerodynamics, space structural dynamics and thermodynamics. A master's program in the field is also offered with specialty tracks in thermofluid aerodynamics systems design and engineering and space systems design and engineering. The department has a number of laboratories focused on topics, such as robotics, propulsion and instrumentation development as well as the Center for Advanced Turbines and Energy Research. Students at all levels conduct independent and group research with the aid of a faculty member.
California Polytechnic University's aerospace engineering program focuses on hands-on learning. As such, students have access to many labs and related coursework in areas such as flight simulation, unmanned aerial systems, thermal control, nano-satellite design and aerothermodynamics. The school offers both a bachelor of science and a master of science degree in the field. In addition, a blended program offers an accelerated transition from the bachelor to the master's degree. In addition to taking classes, students can join Sigma Gamma Tau, the national aerospace engineering honor society, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Society for Advancement of Material and Process Engineering.