The European Path to Aerospace

EuMAS is a two-year MSc programme in aerospace engineering jointly offered by the University of Pisa, Italy; the Technical University of Munich, Germany; the Politechnic University of Madrid, Spain; ISAE-Supaero of Toulouse, France; and Cranfield University, United Kingdom. The Masters Course includes two options, aimed at providing world-class instruction in Aeronautical Engineering and in Space Technology, respectively. Each Course cycle will be hosted in turn by two of the partner Universities, who will deliver a Double Degree in Aerospace Engineering, fully recognized in Europe and in most countries worldwide.

Student mobility

Students will spend the first year at one location, then move to another location for the second year. The end-of-study project will be normally carried out at a third location (University, research center or industry). EuMAS sixth cycle will be hosted by Università di Pisa, Italy (first year, 2010/11) and ISAE of Toulouse, France (second year, 2011/12).

The first edition of EuMAS started in October 2005 in Pisa, Italy (first year, 2005/6); students moved to Toulouse, France for the second year, 2006/7. Second cycle, started October 2006, was hosted at Munich, Germany (first year, 2006/7) and Madrid, Spain (second year, 2007/8); third cycle started in September 2008, hosted at Pisa (first year, 2007/2008) and Madrid (second year, 2008/2009). Fourth cycle started in September 2008 at Cranfield, UK and moved to Toulouse in 2009. Fifth cycle is underway at Munich (2009/2010) and students will move to Cranfield for 2010/2011. The sixth cycle will start in Pisa in fall 2010 and move to Toulouse in fall 2011.

Pre-requisites

Application is open to students who have completed at least three years of undergraduate education in an engineering discipline or in an applied science. The disciplines studied are within the broad areas of structures and mechanics; fluid dynamics, thermal fluid sciences and aerodynamics; air-breathing and rocket propulsion; flight dynamics, orbital mechanics and control; aircraft and spacecraft systems and mission design. Instruction is delivered in English by an international team including academic staff from the EuMAS partner Universities. Additional lectures and seminars are provided by leading researchers, experts and industry managers from the European aerospace sector.

Course content and outcome

The course schedule of each academic year is organized by the Masters Course Scientific Board in accordance with the objectives of the Course and the internal regulations of the hosting institutions. As a rule, students must be prepared to take the equivalent of five full courses (10 to 12 ECTS credits each) per academic year in the following core subject areas:

  • Option Aeronautics: fluid dynamics and aerodynamics, mechanics of solids and aeronautical structures, air-breathing propulsion, aircraft flight dynamics and control, aircraft systems.

  • Option Space Technology: fluid dynamics and thermal fluid sciences, space propulsion systems, spacecraft systems engineering, spacecraft flight dynamics and control, spacecraft and mission design.

Preparation and discussion of a final thesis with a substantial research content and distinctive originality is required. In addition to the course offering in English, the students have access to language courses, lectures and seminars delivered in the local language of the hosting University. The envisaged student population is in the range of 25 to 40. Full-time residence is required.

At the end of the Masters Course, students will have acquired a level of instruction corresponding to the second step in the Sorbonne-Bologna scheme (3-5-8), certified by the award of a double degree by the hosting Universities. The Masters Course provides an ideal basis for those students who wish to enter a doctoral programme in Aerospace Engineering or in other related high technology disciplines, in Europe and abroad. The professional qualification acquired opens the way to careers in the aerospace industry, government and international organizations involved in aerospace, and research laboratories.