New Graduate Students
Welcome incoming Fall 2020 AERO grads!
Dear New Graduate Students,
Welcome to the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Michigan! We are excited that you have made the decision to pursue your graduate studies with us, and we are committed to providing you with the highest quality education for which the department is known. Given the global pandemic, you likely have many questions about how next semester, and beyond, will look. Please read the fall opening plan shared by our department Chair.
The purpose of this page is to provide a centralized location for information and answers to questions that you may have, to be updated as more information arises. If you have any additional questions to which you cannot find answers, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to having you join our program!
Sincerely,
Chris Fidkowski
Key Dates
| NAME/EVENT | DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2020 class registration begins for new Rackham students | Monday, June 1 | 8am | N/A |
| AERO graduate student Orientation | Friday, August 28 | 8:30-10am EST | Virtual |
| First day of classes | Monday, August 31 | N/A | N/A |
Aero Orientation
Recordings and presentations of Fall 2020 AERO graduate student orientation are available now. It was a virtual event, with presentations by faculty and staff from the department, and opportunities for questions.
Video-PhD Overview, AERO New Graduate Student Orientation
Session 1, AERO New Graduate Student Orientation
A guide for the Michigan Engineering Community: COVID-19 resources Learn more
Information for master’s students
The master’s degree is a coursework-based degree. Learn more about choice of courses and faculty advisors.
Learn More »
Information for international students
Check out steps, links, and resources for international students.
Learn More »
Class Registration
Review the registration process, degree requirements, and course information.
Learn More »Checklist for you
BEFORE ARRIVING ON CAMPUS
| TO-DO | BEFORE ARRIVING ON CAMPUS |
|---|---|
| Create a UM uniqname | This uniqname is your U-M email address. Make sure to check it throughout the summer. |
| Familiarize yourself with our degree requirements and course information | Master’s degree requirements PHD degree requirements Course information |
| Course Registration | Opens the beginning of June |
| Join the GSAC group | Connect with the Aero Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC), which serves to increase social connectivity in the Aerospace Department. GSAC email contacts Ryan Patterson (president) and Leanne Su (vice president). Links to join the email list, Facebook group, and Slack workspace are emailed. |
| Housing | University housing Off Campus housing International Center Housing Guide |
AFTER ARRIVING ON CAMPUS
| TO-DO | AFTER ARRIVING ON CAMPUS |
|---|---|
| Attend Orientations | AERO graduate student orientation—August 28, 8:30-10am EST College of Engineering new graduate student orientation—August 18-19, 2-4:30pm (both days) Rackham Fall Welcome |
| Get your MCard | The Mcard is your official University of Michigan identification card. You’ll use it all over campus to identify yourself as a member of the university community. |
| Finalize schedule changes | You will have until the end of the first three weeks of classes to finalize your course selections. |
| International students: mandatory check-in | Go to the International Center and check-in when you arrive here before you do anything else. |
| Activate your CAEN account. | This will allow you to use the CAEN computer labs and workstations. |
| Update Wolverine Access | Keep your current personal information (address, phone number, emergency contact) up-to-date. Go to Wolverine Access now. |
| Learn the Bus system and find the closest parking lot | It will make getting around campus a lot easier. Bus routes and Transportation & Parking |
FAQs
- Q. What will the Fall semester at the University of Michigan look like?
A. University of Michigan’s public-health-informed plan for fall term includes a blend of in-person and remote classes, an adjusted academic calendar and an emphasis on the use of face coverings, social distancing and other public health measures. Learn more on U-M’s Campus Maize and Blueprint website.
- Q. What will be the instructional format for AERO classes?
A. Fall classes will be delivered in a variety of formats including in-person, remote and a hybrid mix of in-person and remote instruction. The Aero department will communicate the specific format of the Fall graduate course offerings in mid July. The University as a whole has adopted the hybrid in-person and remote instruction format, but has left decisions about which courses and sections will be offered in which formats to the schools, colleges and departments to fulfill their unique educational needs.
Read the fall opening plan shared by our department Chair. - Q. What if I need to change my Fall courses?
A. U-M is assigning codes to all U-M courses, which will allow students to determine whether or not a particular course is considered to be in-person, mixed (hybrid) or online. The Office of the Registrar is working with academic departments to code classes accordingly and to assign classrooms with appropriate physical distancing. These changes are underway and will be finalized by August 7, so that students may adjust their course registration accordingly.
- Q. How do I take a class remotely?
A. You will need an internet connection and a means of scanning written work or creating electronic written content. This topic will be covered at the AERO orientation. For more information see—Information and Technology Services: Learning & Study
- Q. Where can I find the latest University of Michigan information and resources on COVID-19?
A. Please visit University of Michigan Public Affairs COVID-19 site
- Q. Can I take classes fully remotely even if I am in Ann Arbor?
A. Although not all courses will be available in every format, students can choose whether to return to Ann Arbor for a hybrid learning experience or study from home in a fully remote mode.
Students who are US citizens may take all their classes fully remotely regardless of their residence.
International students residing in the US must abide by the rules of your rules of your immigration status. For details on this, please see updates on the International Center website.
Note, international students not residing in the US can still take all of their courses online.
- Q. I will be in a different time zone. How will live class sessions, such as discussions or office hours, work?
A. Instructors are aware of the potential for students taking classes remotely with a large time difference. As such, any interactive sessions will be scheduled with time zone differences in mind. Multiple sessions may also be offered.
- Q. How many cases of COVID19 are there in Washtenaw County? Where can I find out what’s happening locally?
A. Please visit Washtenaw County Health Department COVID-19 information and Michigan coronavirus website for COVID19 information.
- Q. Where do I find the latest updates about the U.S. government travel restrictions and updates on COVID-19 for international students?
A. Authoritative, up-to-date information and resources about U.S. government travel restrictions, and updates on COVID-19 for students on F-1 and J-1 visas, is available through the U-M International Center. Also, check out International Center: COVID-19 Update: FAQs for Newly Admitted Students
- Q. As an international student, do I need a visa if I am going to take online classes for the Fall term?
A. No, you do not need a visa if you won’t be traveling to the US for the Fall term. You will need a visa when you enter the US.
- Q. I am an international student taking Fall classes online. How do I obtain an I-20 for the Winter 2021 term?
A. Winter 2021 immigration document processing will begin in July 2020. You may also wish to check the website of your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate regarding visa processing: Travel.state.gov U.S. Visas
- Q. I am a master’s student waiting for a visa appointment. If I do not get my visa in time to arrive for the start of Fall classes, could I arrive mid-semester after I get my visa?
A. Aero Master’s students cannot arrive mid-term. Instead, international students may start their program in their home country taking online classes in the Fall term. Then Rackham will issue them a new I-20 to apply for a visa, to arrive on campus by the first day of winter term classes, January 18, 2021.
More Useful Resources
We are a big university. Here is information to help you navigate the U-M and Ann Arbor.
- Campus Information Center—University and Campus Life information including maps, transportation info, campus events, etc.
- Info You Need to Know—Your guide to navigating the College of Engineering and its resources.
- New Graduate Students Welcome—Information provided by the Rackham Graduate School
- Michigan Engineering’s Student Support Hub
- Housing
- Living in Ann Arbor
- Campus Map
- Student Parking
- UM – Magic Bus
THE SPIRIT OF ANN ARBOR
Students and Ann Arbor residents talk about how the city they love changed them.
Contact
Ruthie Freeman
Graduate Student Services Coordinator
Department of Aerospace Engineering
frruth@umich.edu
(734) 615-4406
2049 FXB Bldg