New Graduate Students

Welcome incoming Fall 2019 AERO grads!

Sections

• Orientations
• Class registration
• Information for master’s student
• International student information
• Other university information

Orientations

Aero Orientation

The Aerospace Engineering graduate program will host a department orientation for incoming Fall 2019 students on Friday morning, August 30, 2019.   (RSVP and details will be emailed this summer.)

Other Orientations

• College of Engineering orientation:  12:30pm – 4:30pm Wednesday, August 28, 2019
• Rackham Graduate School orientation:  afternoon of Friday, August 30 (details from Rackham to follow)
• International Center’s orientation:  August 12 – August 30

Class registration

Class registration for new Rackham students begins on June 3 (your “enrollment appointment time”).  Prior to this date, review the registration process, degree requirements, and class information.

Registration process

• Rackham Graduate School information on Registering for Classes
• Before your enrollment appointment time, you will need to put all of the classes you would like to take into a “Backpack” on Wolverine Access.   See: Tips for Using Backpack/Registration

Degree requirements

• Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) degree requirements
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree requirements

Class information

• Aerospace Engineering class descriptions & prerequisites
• Schedule of Classes Fall 2019

Waitlist

If you are unable to register for a class you want (as is typical for most new graduate students), you should get on the waitlist and attend the first day of class.  Once the term begins, AERO grad students on the waitlist for AEROSP classes are generally able to enroll in the class. For non-AEROSP classes, get on the waitlist and contact the instructor or the department directly about their override process.

If you are granted an override (i.e. permission) to register, you must add the class and complete the registration process via Wolverine Access.  You will have until the end of the first three weeks of classes to finalize your course selections.

Drop/Add Deadline

You may change your schedule by dropping, adding, or modifying a course or changing sections at any time after you register until the third week of classes.  You may initially register for more classes and drop prior to the deadline.

Dual Degree and Transfer of Credit

Students may not apply for a dual degree or transfer credit to their program until they have completed one term of coursework in Rackham Graduate School.  Learn more about Dual Degree Programs & Outside Institution Transfer Of Credit Policy.  Reach out to the Graduate Student Coordinator during the first term to discuss these options.

Questions

Registrar:  ro.registration.questions@umich.edu  |  734-764-6280
Degree requirements and classes: Denise Phelps, Aerospace Engineering Graduate Student Services Coordinator    dphelps@umich.edu | (734) 615-4406

Information for master’s students

Courses & research

The master’s degree is a coursework-based degree.  The specific choice of courses is flexible, and students take a combination of fundamental and elective courses that match their interests. Some elective courses are not offered every year and require having taken fundamental courses as prerequisites.

Although not required, students interested in research can pursue individual directed-study projects with faculty members as part of their experience in the AERO graduate program.  The Master’s Program Requirements Checklist can be used to track progress towards the degree.

Faculty advisors for master’s students

Faculty academic advisors are assigned to each AERO master’s student and can provide guidance on class selection and developing a plan of study.  Students can visit the Aero graduate student services coordinator, Ms. Denise Phelps, for assistance with all aspects of their degree program.

Faculty academic advisors are assigned based on a student’s sub-plan.  Incoming master’s students may indicate two preferred faculty advisors from the Aerospace Engineering core faculty by completing the master’s advisor preference form by August 6. (link to form emailed to master’s students) 

Student’s preferences and subplan are taking into account, but cannot be guaranteed.  Academic advisors assignments are shared at AERO Orientation.

Open department positions

Admission to the master’s program is not accompanied by financial aid, and most MSE students are self-funded throughout their program. Only after one or two semesters, and in very limited cases, are there opportunities for master’s students to have graduate student instructor (GSI) or graduate student research assistant (GSRA) positions.

When there is an open GSI, GSRA or grader positions an email is sent to all AERO master’s students.  This is usually in August and September.  Applications received prior to these requests are not accepted. Although first term master’s students may apply for these positions, it is uncommon for master’s student to be selected in their first term, as most positions are filled by PhD students and former U-M undergraduate students.

Information for international students

Immigration Documents

Rackham Admissions is the U-M office that prepares immigration documents (I-20 or DS-2019) after required documentation has been submitted through Wolverine Access.

Track the processing of your immigration documents

To review immigration information and track the progress of immigration documents select “View I-20 or DS-2019 Status” link in Wolverine Access.

Arrival

• Mandatory Immigration Check-in is a required appointment with the International Center to maintain visa status. 
• You will receive specific personal information from Rackham Graduate School about when to arrive.  The Rackham I-20 start date for Fall 2019 term is: August 27, 2019
• View your reporting date on the “View Documents Page” link in Wolverine Access after your immigration document is issued.
• Make travel arrangements after you have been informed of the reporting date on your immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019).

Resources

• International Students’ Guide to Campus and Community  

• UM’s International Center’s Information for Incoming International Students  

Questions:

Rackham Graduate School is responsible for issuing immigration forms  Email: rackadmin@umich.edu | Phone: (734) 764-8129

International Center  Phone:(734)764-9310  | Email: icenter@umich.edu  | website: internationalcenter.umich.edu

Other information

• Student and Family Housing
• Living in Ann Arbor
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the College of Engineering
• Campus Map
• Magic Bus
• Student Parking

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