The Aerospace Engineering Program (AEP) at Institute of Space Science and Technology (ISSE) is concerned with advanced training, research and innovation development of aircraft, spacecraft, and satellite system engineering. The program currently offers MSc and PhD programs using state of the art facilities at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and renowned faculty from African University of Science and Technology, Abuja. The degrees are supervised and awarded by the African University of Science and Technology and therefore the programs conform to the highest standards set by the university. The AEP degree programs at ISSE are structured to also cover teaching and research in all aspects of satellite system-based communications and navigation and other space-related engineering systems and processes.

The MSc and PhD in AEP at ISSE are designed to be research-based degrees to produce graduates with the best of scientific knowledge available globally and at the same time acquire relevant skills to be a successful industry player in the field of aerospace engineering. Each student is required to propose, complete and defend an approved thesis or dissertation on a research topic that contributes to the field of aerospace, aeronautics, spacecrafts or satellite systems engineering.

The curricula covers teaching and research in different areas of aerospace and aeronautics engineering, including spacecrafts, aircrafts, UAVs; and systems design, development and optimization. Students in AES are encouraged to structure their study and research works towards meeting professional needs and current challenges in the general space industry, through departmental counseling and academia-industry mentorship and industry exposures. Graduates of AEP are expected to be able to apply space technology to operations in industry, boost scientific and engineering research, national productivity, improve quality of products and national security. These capabilities are achievable from the rigorous systematic academic and research study geared towards high level manpower needs of Nigeria and Africa in particular and global economy in general.

Admission requirements for the MSc program include a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with a second class upper (minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale and 3.5 on a 5 point scale). The MSc program in AEP requires 18 months (12 months of course work and 6 months of research ending up in an acceptable MSc Thesis) and is based on a combination of foundation, core and elective courses, plus thesis research. MSc Courses in Aerospace Engineering include: Satellite and Payload Systems Design; Satellite Communications Engineering; Aerospace Systems Design and Analysis; Launch Vehicle and Launch Pad Designs; Launch Vehicle and Launch Pad Designs; Unmanned Aeronautical Engineering Systems; Aeronautical Design and Analysis; Aerodynamics; Global Navigation Satellite Systems and GSBAS; Controls, Automation and Avionics; Computational Fluid Dynamics. Graduation requirements include a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (on the scale of 4.0) on completion of the course work.

Admission requirements for the PhD program in Aerospace Engineering include the same requirements for the MSc program plus an MSc in the relevant field with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 4 point scale or 4 on a 5 point scale. The PhD program requires a minimum of 3 years made up of one year course work and two years of research. Doctoral students are meant to take 4 advanced courses prior to their qualifiers. Students admitted on a provisional basis (without an AUST M.Sc. degree) will be required to take 18 Credit Units of coursework (M.Sc. + PhD) prior to qualifiers, while maintaining CGPA of 3.25 at the end of all courses.

The course work includes a minimum of 4 advanced courses at the PhD level plus some MSc courses depending on the student’s background. Courses include: Courses in PhD Aerospace Engineering include: Advances in Satellite Engineering Systems; Advances in Aerospace Engineering Systems Research Seminar; Research Methodology & Communication; Advances in Aeronautical Design and Analysis; Advanced Launch Vehicle Designs; Computational Fluid Dynamics. Graduation requirement include a CGPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale (3.5 on a 5 point scale) plus two papers published from the thesis in at least a SCOPUS indexed journal prescribed by the University.

The programme is very intensive and only well-motivated and prepared students are encouraged to apply. The courses are taught as 3- or 4-week modules of 45 to 60 hours, including lectures and problem solving sessions. Details of the course outline are in the handbook. The Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Outcome Based Education (OBE) approaches are used in teaching.

For more details on course description, fees, faculty, research areas, visit:

www.isse.edu.ng ; www.aust.edu.ng