The aerospace graduate program will improve and enhance the capabilities of those students seeking careers in the aerospace field and supporting engineering work for the aerospace and aviation technology community. The majority of students seeking the M.S.A.E. degree will have undergraduate degrees in the fields of mechanical or aerospace engineering, or closely related fields of engineering, applied physics, or applied mathematics; some will already have graduate degrees in the more conventional areas of engineering or the sciences. Those individuals with engineering (as well as physical science) interests will use the M.S.A.E. to develop careers as well as improve their skills in the aerospace and aviation industry. Students enrolling in the program on a full-time basis will likely assist engineering faculty in obtaining sponsored project funding and performing innovative aerospace and aviation engineering research.