The Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Graduate Programs are offered under the Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Graduate Program of the ITU Graduate School. The programs aim to provide students with advanced research and development competencies in the fields of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures and materials, flight and orbital dynamics, and the control of air and space vehicles.

Taking into account national and international needs in the fields of aviation and space, the programs aim to educate engineers and researchers who can use theoretical, computational, and experimental methods; are capable of multidisciplinary work; follow current technological developments; and conduct research-oriented studies.

About the Programs

The Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduate programs are interdisciplinary programs that benefit from the academic and research infrastructure of the Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The programs bring together core areas of specialization in aeronautical and astronautical engineering with advanced research and applied studies.

Within the scope of the programs, students have the opportunity to work in areas such as theoretical, computational, and experimental aerodynamics and fluid dynamics; structural analysis and design; aircraft design, flight dynamics, and performance; spacecraft control, design, and performance; unmanned aerial vehicles; rotorcraft; mechanical vibrations; structural dynamics; multidisciplinary analysis, design, and optimization; thermal systems; control systems, robotic control, measurement systems, and avionics navigation systems.

Main Fields of Study

• Aerodynamics and fluid dynamics
• Propulsion systems
• Structures and materials
• Flight dynamics and control
• Orbital dynamics and space mechanics
• Control of air and space vehicles
• Aircraft design and performance
• Spacecraft design, control, and performance
• Unmanned aerial vehicles and rotorcraft
• Multidisciplinary analysis, design, and optimization
• Design and optimization of thermal systems
• Avionics, navigation, and measurement systems

Program Profile and Educational Objectives

The main objective of the programs is to enable students to specialize in areas such as aerothermodynamics, aircraft structures and materials, flight control and dynamics, space mechanics, and control in line with their career goals.

Graduates are expected to analyze complex and previously unencountered problems using theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods; develop new strategic approaches; and use modern programming tools, numerical modeling, and simulation software effectively.

The programs aim to educate specialist engineers and researchers who can communicate effectively, are committed to lifelong learning, adopt professional and ethical principles, and take responsibility in multidisciplinary studies.

Learning Environments

The Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduate programs are supported by a broad academic staff and modern laboratory facilities. Classrooms, laboratories, library resources, and applied project environments enable students to develop theoretical knowledge together with research and practical skills.

Students are guided by advisor faculty members throughout their thesis and research studies. Research within the programs may be carried out using faculty laboratories, computational engineering infrastructure, experimental testing facilities, and interdisciplinary research environments.

Course Structure of the Master of Science Program with Thesis

In the course plan of the Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Master of Science Program with Thesis after the 2025-2026 Fall Semester, the total credit load is 24 credits. The program includes thesis work, scientific research, ethics and seminar, a compulsory mathematics course, compulsory elective courses, and elective course groups.

For the course plan of the Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Master of Science Program with Thesis, please click here.

Doctoral Program

The Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Doctoral Program is an interdisciplinary doctoral program offered under the ITU Graduate School Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Graduate Program. Taking Türkiye’s needs in aviation and space into consideration, the program aims to support advanced research in the fields of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures and materials, flight and orbital dynamics, and the control of air and space vehicles.

The doctoral program aims to educate researchers who have advanced academic formation, follow technological developments in their field, respond to industrial needs, are capable of multidisciplinary work, and are environmentally conscious. Within the program, students gain the competence to conduct original research using theoretical, computational, and experimental methods.

For the course plan of the Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Doctoral Program, please click here.

Doctoral Program Research Competencies

• Design, implement, conclude, and manage an original research process independently.
• Conduct comprehensive studies that introduce innovation to science or technology or develop a new scientific method, technological product, or process.
• Apply a known method to a new field and contribute original scientific or technological value.
• Contribute to the scientific and technological literature by publishing the outputs of academic studies in respected academic environments.
• Critically analyze, synthesize, and evaluate ideas and developments in the field of specialization.
• Access the most up-to-date knowledge in the field and use it at an advanced level by integrating it with research methods.
• Evaluate scientific, technological, social, and cultural developments with scientific objectivity and ethical responsibility, and communicate them to society.
• Use a foreign language at least at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in written, oral, and visual communication and discussion.

Assessment, Evaluation, and Graduation

Student achievement is evaluated within the framework of the ITU Graduate Education and Training Regulations and Senate Principles. Course success requirements, in-semester studies, examinations, and grading principles are determined by the relevant instructor and program executive board and announced to students.

To graduate, students must complete the coursework, thesis, and other academic obligations of the program in which they are enrolled and fulfill the graduation requirements specified in the ITU Graduate Education and Training Regulations.

Program Outcomes

• Develop and deepen knowledge in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at an expert level.
• Analyze aeronautical and astronautical engineering problems using theoretical and applied knowledge.
• Produce solutions to complex engineering problems using theoretical, numerical, and experimental research methods.
• Understand interdisciplinary interactions and integrate knowledge from different fields.
• Conduct a study requiring expertise independently.
• Develop new strategic approaches for complex problems encountered in applications.
• Communicate scientific and technological developments in written, oral, and visual forms on national and international platforms.
• Observe social, scientific, cultural, and ethical values.
• Provide leadership in solving problems related to aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the programs can work in a wide range of fields extending from the defense and aviation sectors to the space and satellite sectors. Graduates may work in national and multinational companies, research institutes, engineering organizations serving the defense industry, public institutions, and academic environments in areas such as research and development, production, design, analysis, testing, verification, and project management.

The programs provide a strong graduate education infrastructure for students aiming for careers in high-technology fields such as aviation, space, defense, satellite technologies, unmanned systems, control systems, advanced materials, structural design, aerodynamics, and propulsion systems.

Program Coordinator and Head of Graduate Program

Prof. Dr. Halit Süleyman Türkmen
Email: halit@itu.edu.tr
Web: research.itu.edu.tr/tr/persons/halit

Introduction

Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Graduate Programs Introduction Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEqMkfFE-vo
For detailed information about the master’s program, please click here.
For detailed information about the doctoral program, please click here.