Purdue University is launching a new 100% online Hypersonics Graduate Certificate program aimed at professionals in engineering and management who wish to develop a competitive edge by gaining graduate-level knowledge in hypersonics. The four-course, 12-credit program from Purdue’s College of Engineering and School of Aeronautics and Astronautics offers state-of-the-art methods in fluid dynamics, aerospace propulsion and materials that are integral to understanding hypersonic flight.
The program is tailored for working professionals who want to stay up-to-date with the field, as the demand for hypersonics knowledge has grown exponentially in recent years, particularly in the defence industry. The program offers flexible course selection from the faculty of Purdue’s flagship West Lafayette campus. Credits from the program can be rolled into Purdue’s online Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics for students interested in pursuing a master’s degree.
Accessible Program helping working engineers get up to speed
Purdue University, known for its contributions to hypersonics research, aims to address the growing need for skilled professionals in the field by offering a new Hypersonics Graduate Certificate that can be completed entirely online. This program is designed to provide graduate-level knowledge in hypersonics to engineering and management professionals who seek to gain a competitive advantage in their careers while continuing to work.
According to William Crossley, the Uhrig and Vournas Head of Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the demand for this type of education has surged in recent years due to its growing importance to the defence industry. Purdue has received requests for this training from alumni who completed their undergraduate and master’s degrees from the university, as well as from companies associated with the school, who recognize the need to advance their employees’ knowledge in hypersonics.
Purdue University’s College of Engineering and School of Aeronautics and Astronautics offer a 12-credit program consisting of four courses that teach advanced techniques in aerospace propulsion, fluid dynamics, and materials science, essential to comprehend hypersonic flight.
Students have the flexibility to tailor their program by selecting from various graduate-level courses taught by faculty from Purdue’s main campus in West Lafayette, Indiana. These professors are globally recognized as experts in their respective fields.
According to Gregory Blaisdell, professor and associate head for Purdue’s Gambaro Graduate Program of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the program curriculum is organized into three tracks that cover hypersonic aerodynamics and vehicle design, propulsion systems, and materials science, particularly those designed for hypersonic heat transfer rates.
For additional details regarding Purdue’s 100% online Hypersonics Graduate Certificate, please refer to the program’s website.
Hypersonic aircraft and weapons systems developed by foreign countries pose a significant national security threat to the United States due to their high speed, low altitude, and exceptional manoeuvrability, with speeds exceeding five times that of sound.
Apart from national security, hypersonic research and development are also critical in the advancement of commercial space travel and exploration missions to Mars and the Moon. Spacecraft travelling at hypersonic speeds face unique challenges, such as managing extreme heat generated during the process.
The U.S. was previously a leader in hypersonics, but budget cuts following the Cold War hindered progress and allowed other countries, particularly China and Russia, to make significant strides in the field. As a result, the U.S. must now play catch up and invest in increasing the number of professionals with hypersonics training.
Purdue University has a rich history in hypersonics research, spanning several decades. Recent breakthroughs have transformed the institution into a prominent centre for hypersonics research and testing in the United States. Purdue boasts one of the few Mach 6 quiet wind tunnels globally, allowing researchers to examine the aerodynamics of high-speed vehicles under low-noise condition.
Moreover, Purdue is constructing a Hypersonics and Applied Research Facility worth $41 million, featuring the world’s first Mach 8 quiet wind tunnel and the Hypersonic Pulse (HYPULSE) reflected/shock expansion tunnel. The university has also authorized the development of a first-of-its-kind Hypersonic Ground Test Center and a $73 million High-Speed Propulsion Laboratory.
Purdue University’s exceptional standing in the hypersonics field and state-of-the-art facilities have attracted a diverse group of over 40 faculty members specializing in various aspects of hypersonics. The Hypersonics Graduate Certificate program brings together faculty members from Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, as well as those from the Schools of Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
According to Jonathan Poggie, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics, Purdue has a robust hypersonics-focused research program that works closely with major defence contractors and government laboratories across the United States. Poggie emphasized that Purdue’s distinctive hypersonics leadership stems from its ability to bring together academia, industry, government, and a wealth of human capital.
Purdue University’s online Hypersonics Graduate Certificate program leverages the university’s top-tier status as a leading public university, ranked No. 7 Best Value School in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education in 2022 and a top 10 Most Innovative School for five consecutive years according to U.S. News & World Report in 2023.
Furthermore, for students interested in pursuing a master’s degree, the credits earned from the Hypersonics Graduate Certificate program can be applied towards Purdue’s online Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics. If you wish to pursue the masters course from Purdue University, you can now pay your fees with Remigos; the new and improved student-centric service. Their seamless process makes the entire process a breeze and leaves money in your pocket too, with a promise of lowest exchange rates!
