Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Specializations: How Illinois Institute of Technology Is Shaping the Future of Innovation

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Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Specializations: How Illinois Institute of Technology Is Shaping the Future of Innovation

Whether you realize it or not, the rising convergence of technology and industry has a profound impact in your daily life. Advancements in areas such as 3D printing, electric automobiles, robotics, satellite internet, smart devices, and unmanned aerial vehicles have ushered in a new era of innovation and possibilities. In addition to transforming the way you live, work, and learn, these advancements are creating new and exciting opportunities for mechanical and aerospace engineers.

Whether it’s developing sustainable energy solutions, improving transportation infrastructure, or enhancing communication networks, these engineers are at the forefront of transforming ideas into practical, impactful realities. As industries evolve and new technologies emerge, the need for mechanical and aerospace engineers with specific expertise is becoming even more critical.

Read on to learn how Illinois Institute of Technology is preparing the next generation of engineers to meet this demand through our mechanical and aerospace engineering specializations.

What Are the Specializations in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Illinois Tech?

The Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Illinois Tech offers a comprehensive curriculum to equip current and aspiring engineers with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to thrive in these dynamic fields. This advanced degree combines elements of master’s degrees in both mechanical and aerospace engineering to broaden your understanding of these disciplines.

Illinois Tech’s program also features mechanical and aerospace engineering concentrations that provide focused study in key areas, allowing you to delve deeper into specific interests that align with your career goals. These mechanical and aerospace engineering specializations include:

Fluid dynamics
Thermal sciences
Solids and structures
Dynamics and controls
Computer-aided design and manufacturing

Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace specializations provide the education and tools necessary to achieve your ambitions, from contributing to groundbreaking advancements in space exploration to revolutionizing the automotive industry.

Now that we’ve answered the question, “What are the specializations in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Illinois Tech?” let’s dive deeper into each area to explore their importance and impact.

Fluid Dynamics

Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace engineering concentration in fluid dynamics covers the behavior and properties of fluids, like gases and liquids, as they interact with solid objects. Fluid dynamics is a fundamental principle in many industries, including aviation, energy, and automotive.

If you’ve ever flown on an airplane, you’ve experienced fluid dynamics at work. By studying how air flows around an aircraft, engineers can shape wings and other parts to minimize resistance and generate more lift. This allows planes to fly more efficiently and smoothly.

With Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace engineering specialization in fluid dynamics, you’ll get hands-on experience in real-world applications for various industries. You’ll explore flow patterns, turbulence, and aerodynamics, and gain valuable insights into the practical implications of these concepts.

New aircraft design could revolutionize air travel

Engineers at California-based startup JetZero are developing a new type of aircraft called a blended-wing body (BWB). The BWB design features a single continuous wing that merges with the fuselage, which the company claims will be 50 percent more efficient than traditional tube-and-wing planes.¹ JetZero is working with the United States Air Force, NASA, and the Federal Aviation Administration to develop the BWB aircraft and plan to have it in the air by 2030.

Thermal Sciences

Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace engineering specialization in thermal sciences explores the transfer of heat and energy and its applications in fields such as energy, manufacturing, health care, and transportation.

Thermal science plays a crucial role in the design and operation of various systems and components, particularly in automobile and aircraft engines. Understanding thermal science helps engineers design efficient cooling systems, manage heat generation, and ensure structural integrity under extreme temperature conditions.

With the thermal sciences concentration, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of fundamental concepts such as conduction, convection, and radiation, which are essential for analyzing and designing thermal systems.

Toyota investing millions to improve thermal efficiency

Toyota Motor North America recently announced a massive investment of $383 million in its U.S. engine production and electrification initiatives. The funds will be directed toward expanding engine manufacturing capabilities and advancing thermal efficiency technologies.²

The company’s focus on improving thermal efficiency highlights the importance of maximizing energy utilization and reducing the environmental impact of automotive technology. Toyota’s plans include updates and expansions at four U.S. production facilities, creating new opportunities for engineers.

Solids and Structures

With Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace engineering concentration in solids and structures, you’ll develop a deep understanding of the behavior of solid materials and the principles behind designing structures capable of withstanding various loads and forces. This knowledge is essential for various engineering applications.

For example, mechanical engineers utilize this expertise to design cars that can withstand the forces of impact in accidents. Similarly, aerospace engineers apply this knowledge to design aircraft that can hold up to the complex forces experienced during flight.

In this specialization, you’ll study material properties such as strength, stiffness, and resilience, and analyze structure behavior under various loads and stresses. You’ll also develop the skills to design structures that meet performance requirements, considering shape, dimensions, and materials for integrity and safety.

Tesla hiring engineers for new crash test lab

Tesla has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art crash test lab at its facility in Austin, Texas, presenting exciting prospects for engineers. The lab will be equipped to conduct rigorous testing to ensure the safety and performance of Tesla’s electric vehicles.³

Highlighting the important role engineers play in the growing EV industry, the company is already hiring engineering technicians to work at the yet-to-be-constructed lab. Tesla, which already has a similar testing operation in California, aims to improve its crash test capabilities and reduce its reliance on external testing facilities.

Dynamics and Controls

Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace specialization in dynamics and controls focuses on the study of motion, forces, and the regulation of systems. This program equips you with the skills to analyze and predict system behavior. Additionally, you’ll learn to design and implement control systems to effectively manage and optimize system performance.

Dynamics and controls are essential in a wide array of applications, including autonomous vehicle and aircraft design, robotics, space exploration, power systems, biomedical devices, and more.

With this mechanical and aerospace engineering concentration from Illinois Tech, you’ll learn how to apply principles of dynamics and controls in real-world scenarios. You’ll learn the fundamental principles of motion, forces, and system regulation, and explore topics like kinetics, vibrations, and feedback control systems.

Innovations in vibration testing improve space launch reliability

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) serves as a prime example of how engineers with aerospace specializations are advancing critical vibration testing methods to improve the safety of space launches. With its immense size and power, the SLS generates intense vibrations during liftoff that can potentially jeopardize the integrity of the vehicle and its payload.⁴

To mitigate these risks, engineers employ sophisticated testing techniques to analyze and optimize the design. By subjecting the SLS to rigorous vibration tests that simulate the extreme conditions of a launch, engineers can ensure the safety and reliability of future space exploration endeavors.

Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing

With Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace engineering specialization in computer-aided design and manufacturing, you’ll explore the integration of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) principles.

CAD is one of the most vital aspects of engineering because it allows engineers to create and visualize designs in a digital environment. This can save time and money by eliminating the need for physical prototypes, and it can also help engineers identify problems with their designs before they are manufactured.

Through this specialization, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge to use CAD software to create and analyze complex designs for use in a variety of industries.

Big growth projected for the CAD market

The global CAD software market is projected to reach $25.6 billion by 2030, according to a recent report.⁵ This growth is primarily driven by the automotive industry, which demands advanced products and efficient design solutions.

The growth of the CAD software market is aligned with the increasing need for professionals with mechanical and aerospace engineering specializations in CAD to meet the evolving demands and challenges of the automotive sector. By utilizing CAD software, engineers can enhance productivity, improve design quality, and contribute to overall product development.

Creating opportunities through research

Ricardo Vinuesa (M.S. MAE ’09, Ph.D. ’13), is a shining example of the benefits of Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace engineering specializations. In addition to gaining an extensive technical understanding of fluid mechanics, Vinuesa developed strong leadership skills and forged his career path through hands-on research at Illinois Tech.

Vinuesa, an associate professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, credits his Illinois Tech experiences with giving him a competitive advantage in his professional journey.

“I believe that my environment at Illinois Tech allowed me to develop great leadership skills which served me later in my career, both in industry for a period of one year and in academia,” he said.

Vinuesa, who was recently awarded Sweden’s prestigious Göran Gustafsson Foundation Award for Young Researchers, earned both his master’s and doctorate degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Illinois Tech. He said living and studying in Chicago offers a multitude of possibilities for students pursuing Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace engineering concentrations.

“I genuinely enjoyed Illinois Tech and all the opportunities it opened up for me,” Vinuesa said.

Launch Your Career Potential With Illinois Tech’s M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Specializations

Whether your passion lies in robotics, propulsion systems, structural analysis, aerodynamics, or a related field, Illinois Tech’s M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers a range of mechanical and aerospace engineering specializations to suit your goals. Boost your career potential with focused study in fluid dynamics, thermal sciences, solids and structures, dynamics and controls, or CAD and manufacturing.

Our dedicated faculty experts will guide you through a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications. You’ll also benefit from Illinois Tech’s strong industry connections, which provide an abundance of professional opportunities. These include internships, co-op programs, and networking, giving you invaluable industry insights and connections that can launch your career to new heights.

As technology continues to shape the way we live, work, and learn, the demand for engineers with mechanical and aerospace specializations is strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects steady job growth for engineers in these areas over the next decade—along with lucrative salaries.⁶ According to BLS data, aerospace engineering boasts an average annual salary of $122,270, while mechanical and industrial engineers can expect to earn about $95,300.

At Illinois Tech, you’ll also have access to state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories, and cutting-edge research to further elevate your potential for these exciting careers. In addition, our emphasis on hands-on experience and collaborative projects ensures that you graduate with the theoretical knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge to real-world engineering challenges.

The benefits of earning your master’s degree from Illinois Tech

Along with our master’s degree featuring mechanical and aerospace engineering specializations, Illinois Tech offers several benefits to help you reach your goals:

· Elevate program: Through Illinois Tech’s Elevate program, you can gain professional expertise to become career-ready. This unique program guarantees personalized academic and career mentorship, along with hands-on experiences like research projects, internships, competitions, short courses, and study away opportunities.

· A bustling tech city: Immerse yourself in the thriving tech hub of Chicago. Renowned for its thriving technology industry, the city offers a vibrant living-learning experience. Additionally, you’ll have access to a wide array of options for great food, culture, and entertainment.

· An affordable, highly valued degree: Illinois Tech is recognized as an educational best value by esteemed publications such as The Princeton Review, Forbes, Time, and Money magazine. Moreover, we are ranked third in the nation for upward mobility among highly selective private colleges by Opportunity Insights.

· Dedicated, expert faculty: Learn from Illinois Tech’s world-renowned experts and accomplished researchers. Our faculty are not only knowledgeable mentors but also encourage you to explore cutting-edge topics in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Choose your mechanical and aerospace specialization

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in aerospace, mechanical, or industrial engineering—or seeking to enhance your existing skill set—explore Illinois Tech’s mechanical and aerospace engineering specializations to see how you can get started.

Learn more about our M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program.