TABLE OF CONTENTS 
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION  __________________________________________________________________ 1 
UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES __________________________________________________ 3 
GENERAL ACADEMIC INFORMATION ___________________________________________________________ 5 
Registration Procedures _______________________________________________________________________________ 5 
Registration Requirements _____________________________________________________________________________ 6 
Satisfactory Progress Requirements ______________________________________________________________________ 6 
Summer Quarter Registration and Exceptions ______________________________________________________________ 6 
Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) ___________________________________________________________________ 6 
Reduced Tuition Quarter  ______________________________________________________________________________ 7 
Graduation Quarter (Final Quarter) ______________________________________________________________________ 8 
Leaves of Absence - Quarters Not Registered ______________________________________________________________ 8 
Research and Thesis Units _____________________________________________________________________________ 8 
Residency Requirements (Units per Degree) _______________________________________________________________ 9 
Transferring Residency ________________________________________________________________________________ 9 
Changes of Degree Level and/or Department ______________________________________________________________ 10 
Completing a Degree ________________________________________________________________________________ 10 
Mathematics Requirements in Aero/Astro ________________________________________________________________ 11 
Non-Aero/Astro Common Electives _____________________________________________________________________ 12 
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS ___________________________________ 13 
Course Requirements ________________________________________________________________________________ 13 
  Experimentation/ Design Requirements                            14 
Waivers of Requirements _____________________________________________________________________________ 15 
Program Proposal for Master’s Degree  __________________________________________________________________ 15 
Timeline for an Aero/Astro Master’s Student  _____________________________________________________________ 18 
Degree Completion __________________________________________________________________________________ 19 
Study after the Master’s Degree ________________________________________________________________________ 19 
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING ________________________________________________________ 20 
Course Requirements ________________________________________________________________________________ 20 
Program Proposal for Master’s Degree  __________________________________________________________________ 20 
Degree Completion __________________________________________________________________________________ 20 
ENGINEER'S DEGREE __________________________________________________________________________ 21 
Course Requirements ________________________________________________________________________________ 21 
Academic Requirements ______________________________________________________________________________ 21 
Candidacy _________________________________________________________________________________________ 22 
Engineer's Thesis ___________________________________________________________________________________ 22 
Ph.D. IN AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS ___________________________________________________ 23 
Aero/Astro Doctoral Study ____________________________________________________________________________ 23 
Petition for Pre-Quals Addition of AA-Ph.D Program _______________________________________________________ 23 
Ph.D. Funding ______________________________________________________________________________________ 23 
  Ph.D. Requirements and Good Standing _______________________________________________________            23 
Dissertation Advisor, Research Topic and Progress _________________________________________________________ 24  
Timeline for an Aero/Astro Ph.D Student  ________________________________________________________________ 25 
  Ph.D. Qualifying Procedures in Aero/Astro ______________________________________________________                   25 
Candidacy  ___________________________________________________________________________  _____________ 28 
  Course Requirements _______________________________________________________________________              28 
  Dissertation Reading Committee ______________________________________________________________              29 
University Oral Examination __________________________________________________________________________ 29 
Doctoral Dissertation ________________________________________________________________________________ 30 
RESEARCH AND COURSE ASSISTANTSHIPS (RAs and CAs) ________________________________________ 31 
STUDENT PAYROLL AT STANFORD _____________________________________________________________ 34 
FUNDAMENTAL STANDARD ____________________________________________________________________ 35 
HONOR CODE _________________________________________________________________________________ 36 
COMPUTER AND NETWORK USAGE POLICY ____________________________________________________ 40 
AERO/ASTRO DIRECTORY 2019-20 ______________________________________________________________ 44 
Stanford Academic Calendar 2019-20 _______________________________________________________________ 45

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

The administrative hub of the Aero/Astro Department is Room 202 of the Durand Building. The Student Services

Specialist at the front desk, Jenny Scholes, will be able to answer many of your questions about the department and the

Durand building, including access to Durand and its facilities after business hours. Jenny can also help with information

about the Aero/Astro undergraduate program. Graduate academic questions and matters of student support can be addressed

to Robin Murphy and Patrick Ferguson in Aero/Astro Student Services. (They deal with degree program requirements,

advising, grades, assistantships and fellowships, and just about anything else!) The office of the Director of Finance and

Operations, Brittney Niemeier, is also in Durand 202.

Professor Charbel Farhat, the Department Chair, has authority over all department functions, including academic

matters, but he delegates many of the day-to-day responsibilities to specific faculty or staff members. For items requiring

"chairman approval" or "department approval," students generally should talk first with Robin or Patrick, in Aero/Astro

Student Services.

Your advisor will serve as the first resource for consultation and advice about your academic program, and you

should meet with him/her frequently during the year, but feel free to contact any of the people mentioned above for

additional information.

Facilities

The Aero/Astro computer lab, 3

floor, Room 364, houses our general study area, Ph.D. dissertation collection, and

computer cluster. The computers are primarily for use in Aero/Astro courses, but provide access to all the University's

networked computing resources and the Internet as well. The Engineering Library in the Huang Engineering Center has the

University library holdings in engineering, reserve readings and videotapes for classes, and a computer cluster. Additional

computer clusters with a wide variety of hardware and software are located throughout the University, including dorms and

libraries, and are linked together over SUNet.

There are Aero/Astro mailboxes in the hallway opposite Durand 250. Student mail is put in the slot

corresponding to the first letter of your last name; you should check there regularly.

Departmental office space for Ph.D. students is assigned within their research labs by their research advisor. Course

assistants may use the small conversation rooms in Durand Building 2

floor (for office hours, etc.). In addition, course

assistants may contact Jenny Scholes to schedule a room for weekly problem sessions at

durandconferencerooms@stanford.edu.

Email is the primary method for department announcements and individual notifications. Check your email

regularly. You must setup your Stanford email account (free account) which is established when you request your SUNet

ID – see http://www.stanford.edu/group/itss/services/sunetid

Aero/Astro Student Services maintains a private distribution list, aa-academic@lists.stanford.edu, for academic

reminders and other major informational mailings. We will add your ‘@stanford.edu’ email address during your first week

here.

There is also an optional Aero/Astro student email list, aa-student[email protected]ford.edu. This is primarily for

students to share news and upcoming events. Only accounts which are on the list can send messages to it. We will add your

‘@stanford.edu’ email address during your first week here.

To unsubscribe go to https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/aa-students. This same method of

“subscribe/unsubscribe” will be used by many other lists at Stanford.

Student Directory Information

Aero/Astro does not maintain its own student directory. Instead, we rely on the AXESS system, in which students

review and update their own official directory information, such as local and permanent addresses, email, phone numbers,

etc. Please keep this info up-to-date. AXESS is also the source of the information for Stanfordwho service and the Stanford

Directory, a volume published each January.

If you wish to keep some or all of your information confidential, AXESS lets you mark items "private" so that only

authorized people can see. Please use this privacy function rather than withholding information.

he Stanford student branch of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) holds various

activities throughout the school year. Stanford’s AIAA activities are open to all students in the department (and those in

other departments who are interested in Aero/Astro). Membership in AIAA is optional, although student memberships are

available and include many non-Stanford benefits. For announcements of events, there is an AIAA email distribution list,

aiaa-stanford@lists.stanford.edu. We will add your ‘@stanford.edu’ email address during your first week here. To

unsubscribe go to https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/aiaa-stanford.

The branch supports a Young Astronauts program in the local schools, which relies on enthusiastic graduate student

volunteers to interest young students in science and engineering. To subscribe to the email distribution list, young-

astronauts@lists.stanford.edu, go to https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/young-astronauts.

Aero/Astro Labs: Research Safety Notes

Many research labs and facilities utilize hazardous materials or equipment. Please do not visit a lab without first

checking on hazards. [You don't just "pop in" at a lab where lasers are used, for instance!] If you are going to

participate in research at a lab, you should first receive specific training on its hazards, safety equipment, and

emergency procedures. Jenny Scholes in Durand room 202 can guide you through the process of gaining lab access.

We make every effort to identify hazards and to keep our facilities safe and secure. If you notice situations which

need to be corrected, please let us know immediately.

Also, if any injury or accident does occur, please let the Department office know right away. We will then be able to

help, if necessary; and we'll be able to handle whatever reporting procedures are required by law or University policy.

Environmental Health and Safety specialist: Dayna Michaiel, drp@stanford.edu

EMERGENCY (from a campus phone): 9-911 fire, police, ambulance, etc

3 
 
UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES 
There are several sources of information, about Stanford in general and graduate student life, which will be very 
helpful to you if you know and consult them during your time here.  All the publications below are online; some are in print, 
too, but the Web will be more current, and will offer links to other related sites of interest. Among the first documents to 
browse and to bookmark: 
 
Stanford Bulletin: http://www.stanford.edu/dept/registrar/bulletin 
Department-by-department listings of programs, courses, and degree requirements as well as University policies regarding 
academic life, degree requirements, etc.  Published online in early-August.  Note that many departments put a draft Bulletin 
on their Web pages, but faculty add, move, and cancel courses during the year - even “official” isn’t final! 
 
Explore Courses: http://explorecourses.stanford.edu/ 
Lists  days/time  and  location as  well  as  instructor, units,  etc.  for  the  quarter's  courses.  For  each  course,  check  for  pre-
registration requirements, grading limitations, etc.  The online version is updated nightly with room/time changes, etc. 
 
Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures (GAP): http://gap.stanford.edu/ 
University policies, requirements, and resources for Stanford graduate students in all schools, departments, and programs.  
 
Registrar’s Office: http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/registrar 
Important reference for academic policy information.  Also, University forms for graduate degree progress and enrollment 
are listed under Publications and Forms, http://www.stanford.edu/dept/registrar/shared/publications.htm 
 
Research Policy Handbook: http://rph.stanford.edu/  
Policies relating to research assistantships, academic freedom, shared authorship, patents, etc.  
 
About Computing at Stanford: https://uit.stanford.edu/service/computing 
Guide to campus computing systems, facilities, and support resources. 
 
Stanford Directory: http://stanfordwho.stanford.edu   
Directory info (address, phone, email) for students, faculty, and staff.  Logon using your SUNetID and you’ll have access 
to more information than the general public.  A printed version of the “public” information is usually available in January, 
with one free copy per student.  The printed Stanford Directory has information about student groups, Stanford facilities, 
and coupons for local businesses, in addition to the faculty/staff/student listing.   
 
Other Offices at Stanford  
 
Stanford provides a wide range of professional staff and facilities.  Students should look for and take advantage of these 
campus resources:  
 
Bechtel International Center (I-Center): an absolutely crucial office for international students!  Orientation 
programs and other support services for international students; serves as a place for cultural exchange; liaison with U.S. 
Departments  of  Labor, Justice, State, etc.   Visa status and  SEVIS questions,  requests for  renewals, practical training 
approvals, etc. are all handled by the I-Center.  https://bechtel.stanford.edu/ 
Their site for incoming students, https://bechtel.stanford.edu/coming-stanford, contains critical information about 
maintaining valid immigration status, helpful advice about maintaining your documents, as well as very useful orientation 
information.  Written to accompany the I-Center Orientation events in September, this guide is a very useful introduction 
and reference material. 
 
School of Engineering, Office of Student Affairs - Huang Engineering Center 135K:  
Provides a variety of services to Engineering students; often indirectly, via support to the departments within the School. 
Sally Gressens, Assistant Dean, is responsible for Graduate Policy and Financial Aid. Lourdes Andrade, Director of 

Diversity and Inclusion, directs the School’s Diversity Programs. Thomas Kenny is Senior Associate Dean for Student

Affairs. Kirsti Copeland is the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. In addition to their primary responsibilities, any of these

individuals is available to graduate students for advice and counsel in case of academic problems with a department, or for

a non-departmental view of a difficult issue in your academic life. http://soe.stanford.edu/

Vaden Student Health Service - 866 Campus Drive – 650-498-2336:

Medical, counseling and psychological services and education; student health insurance. A nurse is available during office

hours to answer routine medical questions in person or by phone, and advice for urgent conditions is provided 24 hours a

day by an on-call physician. Health promotion information is also available, and CAPS (Counseling and Psychological

Services) provides individual, couples and group psychological counseling. https://vaden.stanford.edu/

Crisis Counseling at Vaden - 24 Hours, 650-723-3785:

A CAPS on-call clinician may be contacted for urgent situations at any time, including evenings and weekends. In an

emergency, a clinician will speak with you within 20 minutes. In an urgent situation, a clinician will see you the same day.

In either case, the on-call clinician will assess your situation. Later, you will be offered a regular appointment with this or

another clinician.

Graduate Life Office (GLO) – 750 Escondido Rd. Suite 207 – 650-723-8222:

The Graduate Life Office works closely with students (both on and off campus) and with student groups in a variety of

welcome and on-going programs. The GLO staff also works with individual students who need information or who may be

experiencing personal difficulties. Staff members are knowledgeable about, and have access to, support and resources

available throughout the University. http://www.stanford.edu/group/glo/

Stanford Career Education (BEAM) - 563 Salvatierra Walk – 650-723-3963:

Career counseling, job listings, resource library, on-campus recruiting, workshops. https://beam.stanford.edu/

Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning – 408 Panama Mall:

VPTL’s service mission is to help Stanford invent the future research university through teaching and learning innovation

by supporting undergraduate, graduate, professional, and lifelong learning. https://vptl.stanford.edu/

Office of Accessible Education (OAE) - 563 Salvatierra Walk – 650-723-1066:

Provides information, referrals, and services for students with physical and learning disabilities. A variety of services is

available for students with long-term disabilities or illnesses, as well as those with short-term disabling conditions. The

OAE staff, professionals, and students are committed to providing support and services which remove the barriers to full

participation in university life. Students should contact the OAE for further information and/or as the first step in a

disability-related request for accommodations, auxiliary aids, or other services related to their education or life at Stanford.

http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/oae

GENERAL ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Registration Procedures

Stanford's registration process is part of AXESS, the Registrar's student information system. This web-based

system alerts you of upcoming deadlines, gives instructions about meeting them, and lets you check your official records.

Use AXESS to update your phone number and addresses (including email address) and apply for housing.

https://axess.stanford.edu/

New students will need to know their student ID number as listed on the Student ID card and admission letter.

Step 1: Payment

Stanford ePay (http://fingate.stanford.edu/students/index.html) notifies students on the 20

of each month when

their monthly online University bill is available. Bills are due on the 15

of the following month. For graduate students,

the first bill of the academic year is due October 15. Late fees are charged after this date! Your bill will show charges for

tuition, ASSU fees, insurance, housing, and other charges.

Your bill should reflect anticipated aid for the quarter for tuition from fellowships or assistantships, and fellowship

stipends (but not RA/CA salaries; payroll is a separate system). If it does not, check with the Aero/Astro Student Services

Office to verify that your financial aid has been processed. Note: Late fees are not charged for items paid by

fellowship/assistantships.

Step 2: Courses

Before the quarter starts, you may enroll in classes when AXESS opens for enrollment. You may also attend a

class before officially enrolling in the course to help you make an informed decision about whether to take a particular

course. (Some courses have limited enrollment and require that you sign a class list in advance; check the listing for each

course in Explore Courses for "notes" about signup lists.)

When you have decided which courses to take, use AXESS to submit your official Study List for the quarter. Please

pay attention to the deadline for entering your online Study List; a late fee will be charged! Also pay attention to the

“drop/add” deadlines and “withdraw” deadline - use AXESS to make any of these changes. Petitions are required for late

submissions and a fee is charged!

Note: fellowships are not fully disbursed until a student is enrolled in at least 8 units, qualifying as a full-time

student. Students expecting a fellowship stipend check should enroll in at least 8 units at least two weeks before the quarter

starts. You can add or change courses later.

In considering what courses to take, a student should talk with his/her academic advisor about long-term plans as

well as the appropriateness of particular classes. It is the student's responsibility to schedule meetings with the advisor; this

should be done first during Autumn registration, and then at least once a quarter. For first-year students, many advisors

suggest meeting between midterms and finals each quarter to discuss future quarters' plans. [Note: for MS students, the

week after first-quarter midterms is the recommended time to complete the Master’s Program Proposal.]

Questions about the content of a particular course are best addressed to the instructor of the course, while questions

about the quarter, days and times of courses can often best be answered through Explore Courses. Of course, you may also

come to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office with questions about your program, course requirements, or general

academic advice.

Step 3: Grades

You can check your grades on AXESS.

Registration Requirements

All graduate students are required to register as a full-time student – either at 8-10 units (minimum full-time

registration) or at full tuition, every quarter until they graduate. Exceptions are as follows:

1. Student is a regular University employee.

2. Student has an Office of Accessible Education approved academic accommodation.

3. Summer quarter only. See Summer Quarter, below.

4. Student is a Ph.D./Engineer candidate and TGR registration has been approved by the Registrar. Student enrolls in

a 0-unit TGR course. See TGR, below.

5. Student qualifies for GFR (Graduate Final Registration). See GFR, below.

6. Student qualifies for Graduation Quarter. See Graduation Quarter, below.

To claim reduced tuition for reasons 1 or 2 above, you must submit a petition to the Student Services Center. [Students in

the Honors Coop Program (HCP) claim reduced tuition status through their company coordinator and the SCPD staff.]

Satisfactory Progress Requirements

Every student should be familiar with the University’s requirements for minimal progress as outlined in the

Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures GAP. Stanford University defines academic requirements which constitute

"satisfactory progress" and allow continued student status. Graduate students should maintain an overall average GPA of

3.0 (B). In addition, there are minimum unit standards each quarter: Students who are registered at maximum tuition must

enroll for at least 11 units each quarter and must pass at least 8 units per term. Those registered at the 8-10 unit rate

("minimum full-time registration") must pass at least 6 units per term. Students with permission to enroll for fewer than 8

units must complete proportionate number of units, unless other requirements are specified. Students who have been granted

TGR status (see TGR) enroll in a 0-unit TGR course, which puts them at full time status.

Other University requirements for satisfactory progress include timely completion of department and program

requirements, such as admission to candidacy, successful completion of qualifying exams, and so on.

Students identified as not meeting the requirements for satisfactory progress are reviewed by the department on a

quarterly basis. Generally, there is discussion with both the student and the advisor. Approval for continuation in the degree

program is contingent on agreement by the student and department to a suitable plan to maintain satisfactory progress in

subsequent quarters. The Graduate Degrees section of the Stanford Bulletin describes the University's satisfactory progress

requirements, guidelines for handling problems and, if necessary, the procedures for dismissal of a student from the graduate

program.

Summer Quarter Registration and Exceptions

Summer is an academic quarter at Stanford, but it is special in several ways. First, fewer courses are offered than

during other quarters in the University as a whole. Second, most students may enroll less-than-full-time and pay tuition on

a unit basis, or choose not to enroll at all. Note: Students receiving any summer funds, including RAs and fellowships,

must be registered. International students may have much more restrictive registration requirements as a condition

of their visas, and should check with the International Center for details.

Student Forms

eForms is a new platform that provides student access to and submission of Registrar-related and

enrollment-based petitions. Both new electronic forms and existing pdf forms are housed there. To go to Stanford

eForms, log in to Axess, hover over the Student mega menu, and select “Student eForms”.

Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR)

Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) is a reduced-tuition registration status available to students who have

completed residency and course requirements but not yet completed thesis-related or project work. Most students in the

Aero/Astro Ph.D. or Engineer's Degree "go TGR" several quarters before graduating. The deadline for submission of the

request for TGR status and TGR course enrollment is the Preliminary Study List Deadline of the quarter TGR status is

being requested. To access the TGR form, students should log in to Axess, hover over the Student mega menu and select

“Student eForms”.

A student with TGR status registers each quarter for 0 units of TGR dissertation (or TGR project, for the Engineer

degree) with the advisor's section number. The advisor then submits a grade each quarter, usually an N which signifies

"continuing work, satisfactory progress" which is replaced by an S at the end of the thesis. Other possible grades are N- for

"continuing work, unsatisfactory progress", and No Credit. For TGR students, University standards of minimal progress

require an N grade for each quarter of the academic year. One N- is considered a warning; if it is followed by another N-,

the student's registration should be placed on Hold until the problems have been identified and resolved with the advisor.

TGR status does not affect length of candidacy or deadlines for completion of degrees.

TGR status, once granted, remains in effect for the remainder of the student's degree program.

The student's tuition will automatically be adjusted to TGR rates for each succeeding quarter. Granting TGR status

means that the department agrees that all requirements for the degree, other than the thesis or project, have been met. It

will not be possible to require additional work as a condition of graduation. Therefore, the department and advisor will

follow the same procedures for approving TGR status as for clearing students to graduate.

Ph.D. students who wish to go TGR must have:

 been admitted to candidacy

 filed a Dissertation Reading Committee form

 received a passing grade for all units including thesis which are listed on the candidacy form (or its latest revision)

 acquired 135 units of residency. This includes the 45 units of residency required for the M.S. degree, or officially

transferred from a M.S. degree at another university

 completed all other department requirements for the degree, except the dissertation and the University Oral

Examination

Engineer's degree students who wish to go TGR must have:

 been admitted to candidacy

 completed all units including thesis which are listed on the candidacy form (or its latest revision) with a passing

grade.

 acquired 90 units of residency. This includes the 45 units of residency required for the M.S. degree, or officially

transferred from a M.S. degree at another university

 completed all other department requirements for the degree, except the thesis

M.S. students in Aero/Astro cannot go TGR because there is no thesis requirement.

Graduate Petition for Part-time Enrollment

Effective Quarters: Aut/Win/Spr

Deadline for submission: Preliminary Study List deadline

How to submit a Graduate Petition for Part-time Enrollment: Students should log in to Axess, hover over the Student mega

menu and select “Student eForms”.

Eligibility: Graduate students who need only 3 to 7 remaining units to complete degree requirements or to qualify for TGR

status may register for one quarter on a unit basis (3 to 7 units) to cover the deficiency. This status may be used only once

during a degree program. International students should consult with Bechtel International Center prior to requesting part-

time enrollment to ensure compliance with visa regulations.

Students covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act that have been recommended for an approved reduced course

load by the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) may also request this status for multiple quarters. Matriculated and

enrolled pregnant graduate students may request up to two quarters of part-time enrollment for an approved Childbirth

Academic Accommodation; see the “Childbirth Accommodation Policy” of the Stanford Bulletin and the GAP 5.9,

Childbirth Accommodation.

Graduation Quarter (Final Quarter)

Registration is required for the term in which a student defends and/or submits a dissertation or has a degree

conferred. Students who meet all the following conditions are eligible to be assessed a special tuition rate for the quarter in

which they are receiving a degree. The deadline for submission of the graduation quarter request is the Preliminary Study

List deadline for the graduation quarter. To access the Graduation Quarter request form for graduate students or for coterms,

students should log in to Axess, hover over the Student mega menu, and select “Student eForms”. Verify eligibility below:

1. All course work, degree requirements, and residency requirements have been completed prior to the start of the

requested term with the exception of the dissertation/project or thesis.

2. The graduate/professional student has only to defend and/or submit the dissertation or project thesis by the deadline

for submission in the term designated as the Graduation Quarter.

3. The student has formally submitted the application to graduate via AXESS.

4. The student has filed all necessary forms regarding Graduation Quarter before the first day of the requested term

chosen for the Graduation Quarter (late study list fee applies after deadline).

5. A graduate or professional student must have an active program status, which may include an approved leave of

absence, in the term immediately preceding the requested Graduation Quarter (not applicable for undergraduates).

6. The student has enrolled in the appropriate course (usually 801 or 802).

Students on Graduation Quarter are registered and have the rights and privileges of registered students. There is a

registration fee and students will be assessed University health insurance (unless waived) and ASSU fees.

Leaves of Absence - Quarters Not Registered

A student who wishes to interrupt graduate study may apply for a leave of absence. The leave of absence form is

submitted via the Student eForm platform; log in to Axess and select Student eForms from the mega menu. You should

ask your advisor to send an email approving the leave to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office. For non-US citizens,

approval from the Bechtel International Center is then required before the form can be submitted to the Registrar's Office.

Leaves of Absence are normally granted for a maximum of one year. Extensions may be approved under exceptional

circumstances. Students on leave who would like on-campus housing upon their return should keep in mind that the housing

lottery for the following year is held in early May. See the Stanford Bulletin

https://exploredegrees.stanford.edu/graduatedegrees/ for additional information.

Students should review all possible ramifications of taking a leave of absence. Students are encouraged to check

with all other appropriate University offices (e.g., Housing Assignments, Financial Aid, Student Financial Services, Bechtel

International Center, Vaden Health Center) to determine how taking a leave of absence impacts their status with these

offices. Students on leave of absence are not registered and, therefore, do not have the rights and privileges of registered

students. They cannot fulfill any official department or University requirements during the leave period.

Leave of absence petitions should be fully approved and filed with the Registrar’s office before the first day of the

quarter to avoid tuition and insurance fees.

Research and Thesis Units

Many graduate students in Aero/Astro are interested in becoming involved in the research, perhaps by doing work

and receiving credit as a part of the MS degree. Of course, students interested in the Ph.D. or Engineer's degree are looking

for substantial thesis research, and a directed research project is a significant part of the PhD qualifying exams. All of our

faculty supervise directed research and are involved in thesis work. (The Dissertation Reading Committee section of this

Guide discusses restrictions on principal thesis advisors.) Each faculty member will have specific expectations for students

who want to work with them, and students should talk directly with the faculty about this. However, some general

information and advice may help in getting started:

What course? AA 290, "Problems in Aero Astro", is the directed research course for graduate students - to satisfy

the PhD qualifying exam requirement; or for research that may lead into a dissertation or Engineer's thesis. Any graduate

student may enroll in AA 290 for 1-5 units each quarter; in the summer only, the maximum is 15 units. You may take AA

290 several times, with the same or different faculty members. (Refer to specific degree descriptions for details about how

many units of research may be used to satisfy which requirements.) Students may also do research in other departments:

check the Bulletin, or ask the faculty member you are working with to see what course number is appropriate for your work.

Students in the Ph.D. program who have passed qualifying exams are eligible to enroll in AA 301, Ph.D.

Dissertation, for 1-15 units per quarter. (Before passing quals, enroll in AA 290.) After going TGR, Ph.D. students must

enroll in AA 802 TGR Dissertation for 0 units each quarter. Students in the Engineer's degree program enroll in AA 300

Engineer's Thesis for 1-15 units per quarter; after going TGR, enroll in AA 801 TGR Project for 0 units.

Important: When you enroll in any research/thesis course, always select the section number which

corresponds to the faculty member who will grade you. [AXESS helps you find the faculty member's section

number.]

Units: Talk with the faculty member before the quarter starts about how many units to sign up for, and clarify the

expected work and timetable for the quarter. The first "290" is usually for 3 units, with a projected workload roughly

corresponding to a standard class and a research paper due at the end of the quarter. After that, the number of units each

quarter varies widely. Students working on their Ph.D. or Engineer’s thesis will normally enroll in 1-10 units of thesis each

quarter, depending on how many units of courses they are taking. (Since most post-MS students are registered at the 8-10

unit rate, they enroll in enough research units to bring their total enrollment to 10 units each quarter.) TGR students have

completed all unit requirements, and enroll for 0 units of TGR.

Getting started: If a topic is discussed in one of your courses or there is a research group/lab you would like to

explore further, go to the faculty member's office hours to discuss it (or ask for a specific appointment). Do this before the

quarter you want to begin research. Describe the research area, the problem, or the lecture material which particularly

interests you. Ask, "Is there any possibility of working in this area with you? If so, what preparation do you

expect/recommend? What should I do next?" Often, the suggested pattern will be:

1. Start attending research group meetings (by invitation only);

2. Discuss, and then do a 3-unit directed research project (AA 290);

3. If this works out well, discuss future research for units and/or for RA pay.

When asking to "do some research," students should be clear about their expectations. For instance, are you asking

for short-term research, or for long-term possibilities (Ph.D. or Engineer thesis)? Are you interested in units only, or

(eventually) in a paid RA position? Is this research going to be part of your Ph.D. Quals requirements? Faculty will have

different projects, different time constraints, and different advice, for a student who wants one quarter of research experience

before going to industry than for someone who is interested in four or five years of funded research leading to a dissertation.

Also, it is perfectly okay to talk to several different faculty about various research options; just let them know you are

exploring.

Residency Requirements (Units per Degree)

Each type of graduate degree offered at Stanford (e.g., M.S., Ph.D.) has a residency requirement, stated as a number

of academic units required for the degree. Residency units refer to the number of units completed at Stanford plus transfer

residency units (see below).

For a Master’s degree, a student must have at least 45 units; for an Engineer's degree, 90 units; for a Ph.D., 135

units. Engineer’s degree and Ph.D. students who complete the residency requirements may qualify for reduced tuition while

working on the thesis; see the section on TGR for details.

Transferring Residency

As noted above, students who receive their M.S. at Stanford must have completed at least 45 units; these are

included in the residency unit total required for a (related) Ph.D. or Engineer’s degree. Therefore, their Ph.D. residency

requirement of 135 units is effectively 90 units in addition to the M.S.; the Engineer is 45 units in addition to the M.S.

Students who received their M.S. elsewhere may transfer up to 45 units of residency for that graduate work, which

in essence makes them "even" with Stanford’s M.S. students. Using an Application for Graduation Residency Credit form:

 Students list the courses taken elsewhere as a graduate student.

 Stanford allows 12 units of transferred residency for thesis work or for courses without Stanford equivalent. For

anything over 12 units, the student must list a (roughly) equivalent, graduate-level course which is taught at Stanford

but which the student did not take here. Advisor validates the (rough) equivalence.

 Advisor and student services administrator sign the form; the Graduate Degree Progress office reviews it and

officially grants residency credit.

These courses and units do not appear on any Stanford transcript. Moreover, they do not count toward the

Engineer's or Ph.D. degree course requirements, just as Stanford courses used to satisfy M.S. requirements cannot also be

used to satisfy Engineer or Ph.D. requirements. They are used solely to satisfy residency requirements.

When to file: This form may be filed when the student applies for candidacy, or later. Engineer’s degree students

must first complete one quarter at Stanford; Ph.D. students must first pass the qualifying exam. MS students cannot transfer

units from elsewhere, because the 45 units of residency required for the M.S. must all be Stanford units.

Changes of Degree Level and/or Department

A multi-purpose online form/petition entitled "Graduate Program Authorization Petition" is used to apply for

changes in department or degree level. If you were admitted to study for the M.S. degree and decide to continue in an

Engineer or Ph.D. program, you must have this petition fully approved in the quarter prior to receiving your M.S., or else

AXESS won't let you stay as a student. If you were admitted to study towards the Ph.D. and do not pass the Qualifying

Exam, you must use it to change to the degree program you decide to pursue. In either case, the petition should be submitted

online through AXESS at the beginning of the last quarter of the previous degree.

This petition is also used to apply to transfer to another department. Other departments generally require your

current department's approval before they will review your file for admission or transfer; the online form will be routed to

the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for approval.

International students will also need the approval of Bechtel International Center before changing or adding degrees.

This can take time; please start early in the quarter.

Completing a Degree

Stanford University officially confers degrees each academic quarter. In order to receive his/her degree, a student

must officially apply to graduate before the degree conferral application deadline - see AXESS for details. (To ensure that

a diploma will be ready by the June Commencement ceremony, students must apply to graduate by early April.) In addition

to applying to graduate, a student must be sure that all degree requirements have been met before the end of the final quarter:

this includes filing a revised program proposal or candidacy form, having all Incompletes officially changed to passing

grades, etc. Come to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office early in your final quarter to review your records and be sure

you meet all graduation requirements.

Degrees are conferred during the first week of the next quarter (except spring, when degrees are conferred on

Commencement Sunday). The conferred degree and date of conferral will then appear on transcripts. Students who have

no outstanding Stanford obligations (financial or academic) may obtain an official "certificate of completion" from the

Registrar's Office after degree conferral (submit request via AXESS).

Diplomas are distributed once a year at the June Commencement. In addition, diplomas for graduate degrees are

available for pickup or by mail. Indicate your preference on AXESS when you apply to graduate. At the annual

Commencement ceremonies each June, the University and the Department honor all degree recipients for the past year.

Several days of events culminate in a University-wide conferral ceremony, followed by the Department's awards ceremony,

at which diplomas and awards are distributed, and our reception for graduates and their families. Students should look for

details about these ceremonies, caps and gowns, etc. early in spring.

The next step:

Students who will continue at Stanford after receiving an advanced degree must officially change their "degree

level" before registering for the next quarter (see above).

Graduates who are moving on to jobs or other graduate work are encouraged to keep in touch, not only with the

department but also with Stanford Career Education (BEAM) and the Alumni Association. Your career path will be of

interest to students wondering about their own futures, as well as to the faculty and staff in Aero/Astro.

Note: Non-U.S. citizens who want to preserve their ability to work in the U.S. should consult with the Bechtel

International Center about visa paperwork requirements several months before graduation.

Mathematics Requirements in Aero/Astro

Each Aero/Astro degree has a math requirement, for which courses on the following list are pre-approved. (Other advanced

courses may also be acceptable.) Students should consult with their advisors in selecting the most appropriate classes for their field.

M.S. and Engineer candidates select 2 courses (at least 6 units). Ph.D. candidates select 3 courses, with at least 6 units from courses

numbered above 200. Note: Courses with the same "footnote" cannot be combined, e.g., both Math 113 (*) and ME 300A (*)

Course Number

Course Name

Unit Count

AA 203

Optimal and Learning-based Control

AA 212

Advanced Feedback Control Design

AA 214

Numerical Methods for Compressible Flows

AA 218

Introduction to Symmetry Analysis

AA 222

AA 228 (CS 238)

AA 229 (CS 239)

AA 242B (ME 242B)

Introduction to Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

Decision Making under Uncertainty

Advanced Topics in Sequential Decision Making

Mechanical Vibrations

3 - 4

CEE 281

Mechanics and Finite Elements

CME 108 (MATH 114)

Introduction to Scientific Computing

3 - 4

CME 302

Numerical Linear Algebra

CME 303 (MATH 220)

Partial Differential Equations of Applied Mathematics

CME 306 (MATH 226)

Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations

CME 307 (MS&E311)

Optimization

CME 308 (MATH 228, MS&E 324)

Stochastic Methods in Engineering

CS 221

Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques

3 - 4

CS 229 (STATS 229)

Machine Learning

3 - 4

EE 261

Fourier Transform and its Applications

EE 263

Introduction to Linear Dynamical Systems

EE 264

Digital Signal Processing

3 - 4

EE 266 (MS&E 251)

Introduction to Stochastic Control with Applications

EE 278

Introduction to Statistical Signal Processing

EE 364A

Convex Optimization I

EE 364B

Convex Optimization II

ENGR 207B

Linear Control Systems II

ENGR 209A

Analysis and Control of Nonlinear Systems

MS&E 201

Dynamic Systems

3 - 4

MS&E 221

Stochastic Modeling

MS&E 311

Optimization

MS&E 351

Dynamic Programming and Stochastic Control

MATH 113

Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory

MATH 115

Functions of a Real Variable

MATH 120

Groups and Rings

MATH 2xx

All Math courses over 200 will qualify (except seminars)

ME 300A (CME 200)

Linear Algebra with Application to Engineering Computations

ME 300B (CME 204)

Partial Differential Equations in Engineering

ME 300C (CME 206)

Introduction to Numerical Methods for Engineering

ME 335A

ME 335B

ME 335C

Finite Element Analysis

ME 408 (CME 322)

Spectral Methods in Computational Physics

ME 469

Computational Methods in Fluid Mechanics

PHYSICS 211

Continuum Mechanics

STATS 110

Statistical Methods in Engineering and the Physical Sciences

4 - 5

STATS 116

Theory of Probability (not recommended as Ph.D. math - take 110)

3 - 5

STATS 217

Introduction to Stochastic Processes I

2 - 3

Non-Aero/Astro Common Electives

The courses listed below are provided for reference only. Along with the Aero/Astro Student Advisory Committee,

the department has compiled a list of non-Aero/Astro courses that are more frequently taken to meet the technical elective

requirements for the MS, ENGR, and PhD programs. Please note that this list does not include courses already listed on

the Mathematics and Design/Experimentation lists. Please review those lists as well. All technical electives, as well as the

overall program, must be approved by your advisor and the Aero/Astro Candidacy Chair.

Course Number

Course Name

Unit Count

CME 211

Software Development for Scientists and Engineers

CME 212

Advanced Software Development for Scientists and Engineers

CS 106X

Programming Abstractions (Accelerated)

3 - 5

CS 223A (ME320)

Introduction to Robotics

EE 212

Integrated Circuit Fabrication Processes

EE 216

Principles and Models of Semiconductor Devices

EE 368 (CS232)

Digital Image Processing

ENGR 240

Introduction to Micro and Nano Electromechanical Systems

ME 203

Design and Manufacturing

ME 210 (EE118)

Introduction to Mechatronics

ME 333

Mechanics – Fundamentals and Variational Methods

ME 361

Turbulence

ME 362A

Physical Gas Dynamics

ME 371

Combustion Fundamentals

ME 372

Combustion Applications

ME 470

Uncertainty Quantification

PHYSICS 216

Back of the Envelope Physics

Common Seminar Courses

AA 289

Robotics and Autonomous Systems Seminar

AA 294

Case Studies in Aircraft Design

CEE 272T

SmartGrids and Advanced Power Systems Seminar

1 - 2

CEE 301 (ENERGY 301)

The Energy Seminar

CME 500

Departmental Seminar

CME 510

Linear Algebra and Optimization Seminar

CS 545

Information and Data Analytics Seminar

EE 203

The Entrepreneurial Engineer

EE 292I

Insanely Great Products: How do they get built?

ENGR 298

Seminar in Fluid Mechanics

ENGR 311A

Women's Perspectives

ENGR 313

Topics in Engineering and Science Education

1 - 2

ME 395

Seminar in Solid Mechanics

MS&E 279A

Entrepreneurial Leadership

MS&E 279B

Entrepreneurial Leadership

MS&E 472

Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders' Seminar

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AERONAUTICS AND

ASTRONAUTICS

Course Requirements

The Master’s degree program requires 45 units of course work, all of which must be completed at Stanford. The

course work is divided into 4 categories: Basic Courses, Mathematics Courses, Technical Electives and Other Electives.

Basic courses

M.S. candidates must select eight courses as follows:

(I) Five courses in the basic areas of Aeronautics and Astronautics (one each):

Area

Courses (Choose one each from all five areas)

Fluids

AA 200 (Applied Aerodynamics)

AA 210A (Fund. of Compressible Flow)

Structures

AA 240 (Analysis of Structures)

Guidance/Control

ENGR 105 (Feedback Control Design)

ENGR 205 (Intro to Control Design Techniques)

Propulsion

AA 283 (Aircraft and Rocket Propulsion)

Experimentation/Design

See next page for requirements and course list

(II) Three courses, one each from three of the areas below:

Area

Courses (Choose one each from three different areas)

Fluids

AA 200 (Applied Aerodynamics)

AA 210A (Fund. of Compressible Flow)

AA 244A (Intro. to Plasma Physics and Engineering)

Structures

AA 242B (Mechanical Vibrations)

AA 256 (Mechanics of Composites)

AA 280 (Smart Structures)

Dynamics/Control

AA 242A (Classical Dynamics)

AA 242B (Mechanical Vibrations)

AA 251 (Intro to the Space Environment)

AA 271A (Dynamics and Control of Spacecraft and

Aircraft)

AA 272C (Global Positioning Systems)

AA274A (Principles of Robot Autonomy I)

AA 277 (Multi-robot Control, Communication, & Sensing)

AA 279A (Space Mechanics)

Other

One course selected from AA courses numbered 200 and

above, excluding seminars and independent research)

Students who believe they have satisfied Basic Course requirements previously may request a waiver of one or more courses

(see "Waivers and Transfer Credits" below).

Mathematics Courses

M.S. candidates are expected to exhibit competence in applied mathematics. Students meet this requirement by

taking two courses - a minimum of six units – of either advanced mathematics offered by the Mathematics department or

technical electives which strongly emphasize methods of applied mathematics. Approved mathematics courses offered by

the Aero/Astro department include:

AA 212 Advanced Feedback Control Design

AA 214 Numerical Methods for Compressible Flows

AA 218 Intro to Symmetry Analysis

AA 222 Intro to Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

AA 228/CS 238 Decision Making under Uncertainty

AA 229/CS 239 Advanced Topics in Sequential Decision Making

The list of Mathematics courses on the previous page has additional suggestions. In order to use applied mathematics courses

not on the list to fulfill this requirement, prior approval should be obtained from the student's advisor. (Note: Calculus,

ordinary differential equations, and vector analysis are fundamental math prerequisites and will not satisfy the mathematics

requirement; they may be counted only as a free elective.)

Technical Electives

Students, in consultation with their advisor, select at least four courses (totaling at least 12 units) from among the

graduate-level courses offered by departments of the School of Engineering and related science departments. This

requirement increases by one course [3 units] for each basic course requirement which is waived. Up to three seminar units

may count toward a technical elective requirement (equivalent to one technical elective course).

Other Electives

It is recommended that all candidates enroll in a humanities or social sciences course to complete the 45-unit

requirement. Courses fulfilling this requirement may be taken as credit/no credit. Practicing courses in art, music, dance

and physical education do not qualify in the free elective section. Language courses may qualify.

Experimentation/Design Requirements

M.S. candidates must take a minimum of 3 units of course work that include an experimental/design component,

for which courses on the following list are pre-approved. Students should consult with their advisors in selecting the most

appropriate classes for their field.

Course Number

Course Name

Unit Count

AA 236A

Spacecraft Design

3 - 5

AA 236B

Spacecraft Design Laboratory

3 - 5

AA 236C

Spacecraft Design Laboratory

3 - 5

AA 241X

Autonomous Aircraft: Design/Build/Fly

AA 257

Design of Multifunctional Composites

AA 284B

Propulsion System Design Laboratory

AA 284C

Propulsion System Design Laboratory

CS 225A

Experimental Robotics

CS 402L (EDUC 211)

Beyond Bits and Atoms- Lab

3 - 4

EE 233/133

Analog Communications Design Laboratory

3 - 4

EE 234

Photonics Laboratory

EE 251

High-Frequency Circuit Design Laboratory

EE 312

Integrated Circuit Fabrication Laboratory

3 - 4

ENGR 206

Control System Design

3 - 4

ENGR 207A

Linear Control Systems I

ENGR 341

Micro/Nano Systems Design and Fabrication

3 - 5

MATSCI 160

Nanomaterials Laboratory

MATSCI 164

Electronic and Photonic Materials and Devices Laboratory

3 - 4

MATSCI 171/161

Energy Materials Laboratory

3 - 4

MATSCI 172/162

X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory

3 - 4

MATSCI 173/163

Mechanical Behavior Laboratory

MATSCI 322

Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory

ME 210

Introduction to Mechatronics

ME 218A

Smart Product Design Fundamentals

4 - 5

ME 218B

Smart Product Design Applications

4 - 5

ME 218C

Smart Product Design Practice

4 - 5

ME 218D

Smart Product Design: Projects

3 - 4

ME 220

Introduction to Sensors

3 - 4

ME 310A

Engineering Design Entrepreneurship and Innovation: exploring the problem space

ME 310B

Engineering Design Entrepreneurship and Innovation: exploring the solution space

ME 310C

Engineering Design Entrepreneurship and Innovation: make it REAL

ME 324

Precision Engineering

ME 348

Experimental Stress Analysis

ME 354

Experimental Methods in Fluid Mechanics

ME 367

Optical Diagnostics and Spectroscopy Laboratory

Notes: If you fulfill your Experimentation/Design requirement with a course other than AA 290 (or equivalent independent

research study from another department), it is possible to count AA 290 as a technical or free elective. All courses other

than seminars and your free elective must be taken for a letter grade.

Waivers of Requirements

Waivers of the Basic Courses required in the M.S. program can only be granted by the instructor of that course.

Students who believe that they have had a substantially equivalent course at another institution should consult with the

course instructor to determine if they are eligible for a waiver, and with their advisor to judge the effect on their overall

program plans. To officially request a waiver, students should fill out a Petition for Waiver form (reverse side of the

department's Program Proposal) and have it approved by the instructor and their advisor. One additional technical elective

must be added for each Basic Course which is waived. Students taking Aero/Astro qualifying exams are strongly encouraged

to take specific classes (described in “Ph.D. Qualifying Procedures in Aero/Astro”), and should consult with their advisor

before waiving courses.

Program Proposal for Master’s Degree

Each Master’s student must submit a "Master’s Program Proposal'' by the last day of classes in your first quarter of

study. It must be signed by your advisor, then submitted to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for the Candidacy

Chair's approval signature. This first submission is intended as a planning document to ensure that the student has identified

at least one plan of study which meets all department and University requirements, and also fits the student’s own abilities

and interests. Recommended timing: discuss several versions of this overall plan with your advisor when choosing classes

for the first quarter; then schedule an appointment for just after midterms to work out a detailed course plan for future

quarters and file an official Program Proposal for department review and approval.

Any changes to this program of study should be made in consultation with your advisor. Such changes may be

made more than once, but the final program proposal must be filed early in the quarter in which your degree is to be

conferred. The changed program of study should be summarized on a Program Proposal marked "Revised," signed by your

advisor and submitted to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for the Candidacy Chair's approval signature. The M.S.

degree cannot be conferred unless the student has successfully completed all courses on the (most recent) fully approved

Program Proposal.

International students should consult with the Bechtel International Center, but typically must be enrolled in at least

8 units per quarter to maintain legal status.

AERO/ASTRO MASTER'S PROGRAM PROPOSAL

Name:

SUID#:

New [ ] Revised [ ]

(Last)

(First)

Email:

45 units completed at Stanford

All courses other than seminars & free elective must be taken for a letter grade. Courses cannot be counted toward any other Stanford degree. You

must apply to graduate. To file your application through AXESS: Select “Apply to Graduate” from the drop down menu on the Student Center Academics

tab and complete the entire application to graduate process. Consult the Office of the University Registrar page for deadlines.

Requirement

AUTUMN

WINTER

SPRING

SUMMER

1. 1. Fluids

2. – select 1 course

AA 210A (3)

AA 200 (3)

3. 2. Structures

4. – select 1 course

AA 240 (3)

5. 3. Guidance & Controls

6. – select 1 course

ENGR 205 (3)

ENGR 105 (3)

7. 4. Propulsion

8. – select 1 course

AA 283 (3)

9. 5. Experimentation/Design

10. – select 1 course

(See full list of courses in

A/A Guide, page 15)

AA 236A (3-5)

AA290 (see reverse)

AA 236B (3-5)

AA 284B (3)

AA290 (see reverse)

AA 241X (3)

AA 257 (3)

AA 290 (see reverse)

11. 3 Courses From:

AUTUMN

WINTER

SPRING

SUMMER

1. 1. Fluids

– 1 course

AA 210A (3)

AA 200 (3)

AA 244A (3)

2. 2. Structures

– 1 course

AA 256 (3)

AA 280 (3)

AA 242B (3)

3. 3. Dynamics / Control

– 1 course

AA 242A (3)

AA 274A (3-4)

AA 272C (3) AA 277 (3)

AA 279A (3)

AA 242B (3) AA 251 (3)

AA 271A (3)

4. AA 200 or above

– 1 course

(examples listed, any AA

course over 200 will count)

Mathematics

AUTUMN

WINTER

SPRING

SUMMER

– select 2 courses

(See full list of courses in

A/A guide, page 12)

AA 212 (3)

AA 228 (3-4)

AA 214 (3)

AA 229 (3-4)

AA 203 (3) AA 218 (3)

AA 222 (3) AA 242B (3)

Technical Elective

AUTUMN

WINTER

SPRING

SUMMER

– at least 4 courses

(12 units)

– Grad-level courses in

Engineering or Physics

Free Elective

AUTUMN

WINTER

SPRING

SUMMER

– 3 units

Total Units

Courses marked in bold are recommended preparation courses for the Qualification Examination

Student Signature:

Date:

Advisor Name:

Signature:

Date:

Candidacy Chair:

Brian Cantwell

Signature:

Date:

(Please consult policies on reverse)

Aero/Astro Master's proposal, p. 2

Experimentation/Design Requirement is satisfied by: List of courses in AA Guide, page 15; AA 290 with "experimental" content (see

below)

Complete this section if using AA 290 (Problems in Aero/Astro) for experimentation requirement

experimental content:

instructor name:

instructor's signature:

A maximum of three independent study/research units (AA 290 or independent study in another department) may count toward your

MS program. If you fulfill your Experimentation/Design requirement with a course other than

AA 290 (or equivalent from another department), it is possible to count AA 290 as a technical or free elective.

Math requirement: two graduate-level math or applied-math courses (see AA Guide, page 12, for extended list)

Technical Electives: at least 4 courses*, totaling at least 12 units, plus one course for every core course waiver granted. Should be

graduate level courses in engineering or related disciplines & should be taken for a grade (student should not elect the credit/no-credit

option for any course except free elective.)

*Up to three seminar units may count toward your MS program, and will be counted as one technical elective. At least three additional

graduate courses offered in Engineering or related math/science departments should be taken to meet the technical elective section

requirement.

Waivers (core courses only) Note: waivers do not reduce the 45-unit total requirement for MS

I hereby request a waiver for: _______________________ (Stanford Course #, in A/A Core)

I believe I have fulfilled the substantial equivalent through the following prior work:

Course #: _____________ Title: ____________________________________________________________

School and year: ________________________________________________________________________________

Supporting documentation (course description, grade, etc) have been reviewed and approved by:

Instructor Name: Signature: Date: ____________

Advisor Name: Signature: Date: ____________

I hereby request a waiver for: _______________________ (Stanford Course #, in A/A Core)

I believe I have fulfilled the substantial equivalent through the following prior work:

Course #: __________ Title: ____________________________________________________________

School and year: ________________________________________________________________________________

Supporting documentation (course description, grade, etc) have been reviewed and approved by:

Instructor Name: Signature: Date: ____________

Advisor Name: Signature: Date: ____________

Timeline for an Aero/Astro Master’s Student

Before first

quarter

•Update personal information (address, etc.) in AXESS.

•Enroll in no fewer than 8 units before the first day of classes. A typical first quarter schedule

would include a combination of AA210A, AA240, AA242A or ENGR105; you can add/change

classes until the Final Study List Deadline.

First quarter

•Attend Aero/Astro Orientation events, receive department information packet, and advisor

assignment.

•Meet with advisor to discuss plan of study. Map out tentative plan for entire year (include

alternatives), then more definite schedule for first quarter.

•Talk with continuing students about courses, realistic workloads, etc. Peer advising is scheduled

Autumn quarter, and informal in winter and spring.

•Attend classes. Enroll/add/drop via AXESS before the Final Study List Deadline.

•Pay your University bill before October 15.

•Meet with advisor between midterms and finals to review progress and revise plan for entire

year, including next quarter's options.

•Complete Master's Program Proposal with advisor's signature, and submit to Aero/Astro Student

Services Office.

Second, third,

etc. quarter

•Repeat enrollment process

•Meet with advisor regularly to discuss progress and future plans. Thinking about PhD program?

See PhD Timeline

Last quarter

•If you need less than 10 units to complete your degree you may be able to register for less than

full-time and pay less. See the Aero/Astro Student Services Office.

•By the third week: Fill out a revised Master's Program Proposal, obtain advisor's signature, and

submit to Aero/Astro Student Services Office.

•Before midterms: if you intend to continue at Stanford for another degree, file a Graduate

Program Authorization Petition.

Degree Completion

Every student should be familiar with the University’s requirements for minimal progress as outlined in the

Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures GAP. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 is required to fulfill the

department's Master’s degree requirements, and a minimum GPA of 3.5 is required for eligibility to attempt the Ph.D.

qualifying examination. Students must also meet the University’s quarterly academic requirements for graduate students,

as described in the Bulletin. All courses used to satisfy the Basic Courses, Mathematics and Technical Electives

requirements must be taken for a letter grade (excluding seminars).

For midyear degrees, the date of conferral is during the first week of the next quarter. Students who have no

outstanding Stanford obligations (financial or academic) may obtain an official "certificate of completion" from the

Graduate Degree Progress Office after degree conferral. Diplomas are distributed once a year at Commencement in June.

In addition, diplomas for graduate degrees are available for pickup or by mail. Once you have begun study for the Master’s,

you have three years to complete the degree (five years for Honors Cooperative students). This time is not extended by

Leaves of Absence.

Time limits for MS Degree:

 HCP (Honors Cooperative Students): Five years from the first quarter of enrollment in the MS program.

 Co-terminal students: Three years after the quarter in which 180 units are completed.

 All other students: Three years from the first quarter of enrollment in the MS program, or 60 units

completed.

Study after the Master’s Degree

Students wishing to continue at Stanford after receiving the M.S. degree must be approved for further study by their

last M.S. quarter. In order to continue enrolling, a Graduate Program Authorization petition should be submitted online

through AXESS and fully approved before your M.S. is conferred (see Changes of Degree, above). Students who are not

citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. will need to verify their funding for the new degree, and update their visa

documentation, as part of the Graduate Program Authorization procedure. These forms are available from the Bechtel

International Center. Support from research assistantships can be verified by the professor providing support, and the

Aero/Astro Student Services Office can verify course assistantships. For personal funding or other support, inquire at

Bechtel International Center about the proper forms of verification.

If you leave Stanford for employment or study at another institution and later wish to return for further

degree work, you will need to submit a standard admission application to the department. Check with the Aero/Astro

Student Services Office to verify deadlines and required credentials. International students will be subject to visa

requirements when they are considered for admission.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING

The Master of Science in Engineering is available to students who wish to follow an interdisciplinary program of

study that does not conform to any existing graduate program in a department. Each such degree program must be approved

and administered ("sponsored") by a department within the School of Engineering, meeting department as well as School

standards.

Sponsorship by the Aeronautics and Astronautics department requires that the student petition for admission to this

program. No more than 18 units used for the proposed program may have been completed previously. The petition should

include a statement explaining the objectives of the program, how it is coherent, contains depth, and fulfills a well-defined

career objective. It should also include a Master’s Program Proposal listing the specific courses to be included in the degree

(see Program Proposal, below.) Both documents must be approved by the student's advisor and submitted to the Aero/Astro

Student Services Office for approval by the Chairman of the Candidacy Committee. If approved, the actual transfer will be

accomplished through the Graduate Authorization Petition process.

Course Requirements

The School of Engineering requires that the student's program include at least 21 units of courses within the

Engineering School with numbers 200 or above, for which a letter grade is received. The proposed program must include

at least 12 units of graduate level work in the department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and meet rigorous standards of

technical breadth and depth comparable to the regular Aero/Astro Master of Science degree. Note: Except in the free

elective, students should not elect credit/no-credit grading in a course where letter grades are available.

Mathematics Courses: M.S. candidates are expected to exhibit competence in applied mathematics. Students may meet

this requirement in the same manner as students pursuing the M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics by taking a minimum

of six units of advanced mathematics offered by the Mathematics department or courses that strongly emphasize methods

of applied mathematics. (Please refer to the Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics section of this Guide for a

discussion of courses.)

Other Electives: It is recommended that all candidates enroll in a humanities or social sciences course as part of the

Master’s program of study. Three (3) units of such "free electives" may be included in the 45-unit M.S. program. Practicing

courses in, for example, art, music and physical education, do not qualify in this category. Language courses may qualify.

Program Proposal for Master’s Degree

University regulations regarding the Master’s Program Proposal are the same as for the M.S. in Aeronautics and

Astronautics; departmental procedures and deadlines are also the same. For the M.S. in Engineering, however, the

University 's standard Program Proposal should be used, and the initial Proposal must be accompanied by a statement

describing the degree objectives (as described within sponsorship conditions, above).

Changes to the degree plan should be filed in the same manner as for the M.S. in Aero/Astro; in addition, an

amended statement of objectives should also be submitted if the course changes involve a significant change in focus from

the original proposal.

Degree Completion

The length of study, grade and unit requirements, and procedures for conferral of degrees are the same as for the

M.S. in Aero/Astro.

ENGINEER'S DEGREE

The Engineer’s degree represents one to two additional years of study beyond the Master’s degree and includes a

research thesis. The program is designed for students who wish to do professional engineering work upon graduation and

who want to engage in more specialized study than is afforded solely by a Master’s degree.

Applicants not currently enrolled at Stanford should follow the standard procedures for graduate applications.

Current Stanford students who wish to continue or transfer to the Engineer’s degree program should submit the following

materials to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office several weeks before the end of their current degree program:

 Online Graduate Program Authorization Petition;

 Statement of purpose describing the area of study and topic for thesis research;

 Short letter from an Aero/Astro faculty member, addressing your preparation for the proposed research and their

willingness to serve as your academic/research advisor.

Refer to the “Changes of Degree Level or Department” section, above, for more information.

Course Requirements

Each individual Engineer’s Degree program, designed by the student in consultation with the advisor, should

represent a strong and cohesive program reflecting the student's major field of interest. Engineer’s Degree candidates must

complete a minimum of 90 units. Candidates who received their MS from Stanford may count up to 45 units towards the

90-unit total. Students who received an MS degree at another institution may petition (through the university Registrar’s

Office) to transfer up to 45 units toward the 90-unit requirement.

Of the 45 units required beyond the MS, a student must complete a minimum of 21 units (including 6 units of

mathematics) of approved courses in advanced study in engineering, science, and mathematics (excluding research, directed

study, and seminars) beyond the MS degree. These units must be taken for a letter grade, and all courses must be

numbered 200 and above. Note: One math course may be taken at the 100 level if approved by the advisor. Students

may register for up to 24 units of Engineer thesis. Units which were applied toward the MS degree cannot be used again.

An advisor approved Engineer’s Degree course proposal must be submitted when applying for Engineer’s Degree

candidacy.

Mathematics Courses: Engineer’s Degree candidates are expected to exhibit competence in applied mathematics. Students

meet this requirement by taking two courses - a minimum of six units – of either advanced mathematics offered by the

Mathematics department or courses that strongly emphasize methods of applied mathematics. The Aero/Astro Department

and the other engineering departments offer many courses that have sufficient mathematical content that they may be used

to satisfy the mathematics requirement; a pre-approved list is included in this Guide, but there are many others which may

be acceptable. Please consult with your advisor and the Aero/Astro Student Services Office before assuming that a

particular course will be accepted in your own program. Note: One math course may be taken at the 100 level if approved

by the advisor.

Academic Requirements

Every student should be familiar with the University’s requirements for minimal progress as outlined in the

Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures GAP. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required to

fulfill the department’s Engineer’s Degree, and to maintain satisfactory academic standing in the program. It is incumbent

upon the student to request letter grades in all courses listed on the Application for Candidacy form. Students must receive

a passing grade, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, on all courses listed on the Candidacy form.

Candidacy

Students in the Engineer degree program must submit an Application for Candidacy no later than the second quarter

of Engineer's study. This form indicates the courses and thesis work which the student will be using for the degree. If the

research topic cannot be clearly described when this form is filed, the area of research should be described along with a

timetable for identifying a thesis topic. Aero/Astro has a department-specific Candidacy form, available in the Aero/Astro

Student Services Office.

The Application for Candidacy should be signed by the student's research advisor, and submitted to the Aero/Astro

Student Services Office for the Candidacy Chair's approval signature. Neglecting to file for candidacy can prevent you

from receiving your degree. Changes to your program of study can be filed at any time by submitting a revised Candidacy

form. Obtain your advisor's signature and submit it to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for Candidacy Chair's

approval signature. In order to graduate or go TGR, you must have completed all the units listed on your current Candidacy

form.

Engineer's Thesis

For specific information regarding the format and deadlines for submission of theses, please check with the

Graduate Degree Progress Office. The department recommends that students follow the format defined in the handbook

Directions for Preparing Doctoral Dissertations, available in the Graduate Degree Progress Office. Note: the advisor must

sign the thesis before the filing deadline, which is generally the last day of classes during the graduation quarter.

Mid-year degrees are not officially conferred until the first week of the quarter after degree completion, and actual

diplomas are distributed at the University's Commencement in June. However, students who have submitted their theses

and have no outstanding Stanford obligations (financial or academic) may obtain an official University "certificate of

completion" from the Graduate Degree Progress Office after degree conferral.

Ph.D. IN AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS

Aero/Astro Doctoral Study

A student in the Stanford Aero/Astro M.S. program who wishes to pursue doctoral study must take the Aero/Astro

Ph.D. Qualifying Examination in the second year. The Qualifying Examination is given once in the Autumn Quarter and

once in the Spring Quarter. The Application for Aero/Astro Ph.D. Qualifying Examination is made available early each

examination quarter, with the application deadlines early in April and October. The application must have the signed

approval of the student's proposed Ph.D. advisor. By signing the application, a faculty member indicates a commitment to

supervise the student, and work toward securing funding, if the student passes the Qualification Examination. A student

who passes the Qualifying Examination must submit the Graduate Program Authorization Petition in Axess to add the Ph.D.

program to his/her record at, or before, the beginning of their last quarter in the M.S. program, and file for candidacy before

the end of the examination quarter. Once achieved, candidacy is granted through year seven of graduate study (including

M.S.) unless terminated by the department (e.g., for unsatisfactory progress).

Applicants who have received their M.S. from other institutions may apply directly to the Ph.D. program. In order

to be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program, a faculty member must commit to supervise the student, and work toward

securing funding. A Ph.D. student who did not study in our M.S. program must take the first available Qualifying

Examination after two quarters of study at Stanford. The Application for Aero/Astro Ph.D. Qualifying Examination is made

available early each examination quarter, with the application deadlines early in April and October. A student who passes

the Qualifying Examination must file for candidacy before the end of the examination quarter. Once achieved, candidacy

for students admitted directly to the Ph.D. program (post-MS) is granted through year five of graduate study unless

terminated by the department (e.g., for unsatisfactory progress).

Ph.D. Funding

AA-PhD students that have been approved for candidacy and who are in good standing relative to program

requirements should be funded to the department’s 50% academic year post-quals research assistantship level. Arranging

for this funding is the responsibility of the faculty Ph.D. advisor and the department, and can include fellowships, research

assistantships, training grants and teaching assistantships.

Students receiving summer funds, including RAs and fellowships, must be registered. If there is a reasonable

expectation for a student to be making progress toward the degree in the summer or during a graduation quarter, and the

student is in good standing, the student should be funded at minimum to the 50% post-quals research assistantship level.

However, arrangements may be made during the summer for a research assistantship percentage increase/decrease

depending on the expectations of research progress agreed upon by the student and advisor. When students near the end of

their degree program, the student and advisor may agree to end the graduate funding; it’s necessary, for instance, if

students begin their new employment before Ph.D. conferral.

Ph.D. Requirements and Good Standing

Ph.D. students maintain good standing by:

 Meeting the university requirements for graduate enrollment and minimum progress (see below).

 Passing the Qualification Examination (Stanford M.S. students must complete this in the second year of graduate

study; students admitted directly to our Ph.D. program after an MS must take the first available qualifying

examination after completing two quarters of graduate study here.)

 Submitting the Application to Candidacy before the end of the quarter when they pass the Qualification Exam.

 Determine research topic, retain advisor, and sustain satisfactory research progress as determined by advisor.

 Satisfy coursework requirements.

 Secure advisor approval for any internship or leave of absence.

 Form a Dissertation Reading Committee.

 Pass the Oral Examination, in which dissertation results are presented and defended.

 Submit the final dissertation to the university. (See Doctoral Dissertation below)

 During your final quarter in the program, you must “Apply to Graduate” in AXESS.

 Complete all these requirements for the Ph.D. within the 5-year candidacy period, or receive department approval

for an extension of candidacy (for up to one year) and complete the requirements during that period.

Graduate Enrollment and Minimum Progress: A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is

required to fulfill the department’s Ph.D., and to maintain satisfactory academic standing in the program. Every student

should be familiar with the University’s requirements for minimal progress as outlined in the Graduate Academic Policies

and Procedures GAP. In addition, there are minimum unit standards each quarter: Students who are registered at

maximum tuition (11+ units) must enroll in at least 11 units each quarter and must pass at least 8 units per quarter. Those

registered at the 8-10 unit rate ("minimum full-time registration") must pass at least 6 units per quarter. Students with

permission to enroll in fewer than 8 units must complete proportionate number of units, unless other requirements are

specified. Students who have been granted TGR status (see TGR) enroll in a 0-unit TGR course, which puts the student at

full time status.

Students identified as not meeting the requirements for satisfactory progress are reviewed by the department on a

quarterly basis. Generally, there is discussion with both the student and the advisor. Approval for continuation in the

degree program is contingent on agreement by the student and department to a suitable plan to maintain satisfactory

progress in subsequent quarters. The Graduate Degrees section of the Stanford Bulletin describes the University's

satisfactory progress requirements, guidelines for handling problems and, if necessary, the procedures for dismissal of a

student from the graduate program.

Dissertation Advisor, Research Topic and Progress

The principal dissertation advisor must be a member of the Academic Council. Former Academic Council

members, emeritus Academic Council members, or non-Academic Council member may serve as co-advisor with the

appointment of a principal dissertation advisor who is currently on the Academic Council. Faculty research advisors guide

students in key areas such as selecting courses; designing and conducting research; developing of teaching pedagogy;

navigating policies and degree requirements; and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways. The

primary responsibilities for monitoring the research progress of a Ph.D. student lies with the Ph.D. research

advisor. An acceptable research dissertation must be presented for the Ph.D. degree. Because development of a

dissertation is usually an intense and personal process involving you and your research advisor, it is not possible to

abstractly define an acceptable dissertation. You should be very careful to reach a clear understanding of your advisor’s

expectations and standards before embarking too far into the research project. Switching your research topic without the

consent of the research advisor will affect the status of good standing.

When the research advisor is emeritus or from outside the Aero/Astro department, the student must also identify a

primary faculty co-advisor from within the department to provide guidance on departmental requirements and

opportunities. The co-advisor must be a member of the student’s Reading Committee and Oral Exam Committee.

Students and advisors should be aware of the University’s policies regarding minimum progress requirements for

graduate students described in the Stanford Bulletin in the section titled "Graduate Degree”, including the quarterly

grading expectations for research units and for the TGR course. If these are not met, the advisor and department will

follow the University’s guidance, as explained in the “Guidelines for Dismissal of Graduate Students for Academic or

Professional Reasons” section of the Stanford Bulletin.

Occasionally, a student's research may diverge from the area of competence of the adviser, or irreconcilable

differences may occur between the student and the faculty adviser. In such cases, the student or the faculty adviser may

request a change in assignment. If the department decides to grant the request, every reasonable effort must be made to pair

the student with another suitable adviser. This may entail some modification of the student's research project. In the rare

case where a student's dissertation research on an approved project is in an advanced stage and the dissertation adviser is no

longer available, every reasonable effort must be made to appoint a new adviser, usually from the student's reading

committee. This may also require that a new member be added to the reading committee before the draft dissertation is

evaluated, to keep the reconstituted committee in compliance with the University requirements for its composition. Please

see the Aero/Astro Student Services Office immediately if you have any questions or concerns about this.

Typical timeline for an AA-PhD student. Actual progress may vary.

*Year 1 is most likely year 2 of the graduate program, with the first year spent on the MS program.

Ph.D. Qualifying Procedures in Aero/Astro

Before beginning dissertation research for the Ph.D. degree, a student must pass the departmental Qualifying

Examination (Quals). Students may be admitted to the Ph.D. program and begin doctoral coursework before taking the

Quals. The basis of this examination is a series of oral exams in the general areas of control theory and dynamics; fluids;

structures; and applied mathematics and computation.

Time

A student in the Stanford Aero/Astro M.S. program who wishes to pursue doctoral study must take the Qualifying

Examination in the second year. A Ph.D. student who did not study in our M.S. program must take the first available

Qualifying Examination after two quarters of study at Stanford. Honors Cooperative students who have enrolled at less-

than-fulltime for most of their study should take the Qualifying Examination within three years after entering the graduate

program. The Aero/Astro Ph.D. Qualifying Examination is given once in the Autumn Quarter and once in the Spring

Quarter, usually in the second week of November and May. Exact dates are announced several weeks before the exam.

Year 1*

•Find Advisor/Lab

•Take the Qualification Examination

•Submit Application for Candidacy

•Complete MS coursework (confer MS optional)

Year 2

•Submit Reading Committee paperwork

•Take courses

•Advance research

Year 3 -

Year 4

•Complete course requirements

•Advance research

Year 5

•Complete research requirements

•Oral Examination (thesis defense)

•Complete dissertation writing and submit to Registrar's Office

•Submit an Application to Graduate for Advanced Degrees through AXESS

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Aero/Astro Qualifying Examination, a student must meet the following conditions by the

appropriate deadline.

 Current enrollment in a graduate program at Stanford University with at least 30 units of Master’s coursework

completed. A student who has completed fewer than 30 units may petition to take Quals.

 Stanford graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.

 Investigation of a research problem, under the direction of a faculty member who will evaluate this work as evidence

of the potential for doctoral research. The minimum requirement for taking Quals is to complete 3 units of AA 290

before the Quals quarter.

Application for the Aero/Astro Qualifying Examination

The Application for the Aero/Astro Qualifying Examination serves as the basis for exam scheduling. The

application form is made available early each Quals quarter and is due approximately two weeks later. The application

must have the signed approval of the student's proposed Ph.D. advisor. By signing the application, a faculty member

indicates a commitment to supervise the student, and work toward securing funding, if the student passes the Qualification

Examination.

All petitions (to waive specific Quals conditions or to defer the exams) are due prior to the start of the Quals

quarter (deadline announced); they must include advisor signature and appropriate documentation.

Examination Procedures

Examinations are given in the four fields: Dynamics and Controls; Fluids; Structures; and Applied Mathematics

and Computation. Every student is examined in three of these fields: one field for a Major Field Exam and two other fields

for Minor Field Exams.

 The Major Field Exam is a sixty-minute test of knowledge and understanding on topics selected by the

committee, based on the student's chosen area, including fifteen minutes devoted to pertinent mathematics. It is

conducted by a committee of four examiners, chaired by either the academic or research advisor. Committee

members should be from Aero/Astro faculty participating in the exams, from the field closest to the student’s

specialty. However, if the student has done significant research in this area with another faculty member outside

of the department, the student may request to have that professor on the Major Field Exam committee.

 There are two examinations in each Minor field. Each Minor examiner conducts a separate 15-minute oral

exam. Questions are usually from materials in courses (ENGR 105, AA 242A, AA 200, AA 210A, AA 151,

AA 240, courses listed under Applied Mathematics and Computation), or their equivalent at other universities,

but may cover fundamentals from earlier (undergraduate) courses as well. Examinations are not intended to

evaluate course work, but focus on general understanding, aptitude, and assimilation of knowledge. Minor

examiners are to be chosen from faculty participating in the exams in each field.

 The Qualifying Exam includes a thirty-minute research presentation consisting of a twenty-minute presentation

followed by ten minutes of questions and answers. The research presentation committee will be selected from

the students’ major exam area, and will include at least three Aero/Astro faculty members, counting the advisor.

At times, we may reach out to other Stanford departments for examiners. The content of the presentation should

be based on AA 290, focus on what the student has done, and show an understanding of how to approach a

research problem.

 Suggested outline when preparing the Qualifying Examination research presentation:

1. What is the research problem? Why is it hard? Who does it impact?

2. How is it solved today? What are the limits of current practice?

3. What is the new technical idea? Why we can succeed now?

4. Are there others dedicated to finding a solution to the problem?

5. What is the impact if successful?

General advice for Quals research:

1. Be sure that the faculty member understands you are doing Quals research - the type of project and

level of interaction may differ from a simple "let me try this field" AA 290.

2. If the supervising faculty member is not in the Aero/Astro Department, you should consult with the

Aero/Astro Student Services Office and your Aero/Astro advisor in advance to ensure that this research

will meet the Quals requirement.

Recommended Courses to Prepare for the Qualifying Exams

1. Controls and Dynamics

ENGR 105: Feedback Control Design

AA 242A: Classical Dynamics

2. Fluids

AA 200: Applied Aerodynamics

AA 210A: Fundamentals of Compressible Flow

3. Structures

AA 151: Lightweight Structures

AA 240: Analysis of Structures

4. Applied Mathematics and Computation

The exam will be based on two courses selected below.

AA 203: Optimal and Learning-based Control

AA 214: Numerical Methods for Compressible Flows

AA 222: Engineering Design Optimization (CS 361)

AA 228: Decision Making under Uncertainty (CS 238)

AA 242B: Mechanical Vibrations (ME 242B)

CS 229: Machine Learning (STATS 229)

Qualifying Decision

Following the Qualifying Examination, the results will be discussed by the department faculty in a closed meeting. In

addition to performance on the examination, the student's research potential and academic performance are considered.

Final decisions will be relayed to the student by the advisor. Decisions on the qualification of each student for the Ph.D.

program are based on the student's:

 Ability to assimilate knowledge.

 Aptitude for independent thought.

 Fundamental understanding of the basic principles.

 Potential to conduct research.

After the Exams

A student who passes the Qualifying Examination must file for candidacy before the end of the quarter.

A student who fails to qualify may remain in (or be admitted to) the Ph.D. program only if he or she passes the next

available Qualifying Examination. The Qualifying Examination may not be taken more than twice. A student who fails to

qualify after two attempts may remain in the AA-PhD program for one additional quarter. After this additional quarter, a

student will be formally dismissed from the PhD program by the Aero/Astro Faculty Committee. In this quarter, the

department will not approve a leave of absence or reduced tuition requests.

If a student elects to formally enter the Engineer degree, they must discontinue the PhD at the same time they add the

Engineer degree via the Graduate Program Authorization Petition in Axess.

Candidacy

Ph.D. students should complete the candidacy process and be admitted to candidacy by the end of their second year

of doctoral study. There are three requirements for admission to Ph.D. candidacy in Aeronautics and Astronautics. Students

must:

 Find a research topic (AA 290) and supervisor

 Pass the departmental Qualification Examination

 Submit an Application for Candidacy

The Application for Candidacy must be submitted to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office before the end

of the quarter in which you pass the Qualifying Examination. The candidacy form lists the courses the student will take

to fulfill the requirements for the degree. The form must include the 90 non-MS units required for the Ph.D.; it should be

signed by the advisor and submitted to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for the Candidacy Chair's approval signature.

Aero/Astro uses a department-specific candidacy form, which may be obtained in the Aero/Astro Student Services Office.

It is incumbent upon Ph.D. students to request letter grades in all courses listed on the Application for Candidacy form.

Students must receive a passing grade, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, on all courses listed on the Candidacy form.

Changes can be filed at any time by submitting a revised Candidacy form: obtain your advisor's signature and submit the

form to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for the Candidacy Chair's approval. In order to graduate or go TGR, you

must have completed all units listed on your current Candidacy form.

PhD candidacy is valid for five years, beginning in the quarter after passing qualifying exams (if the Application

for Candidacy has been submitted in a timely manner, as described above.) This term is not affected by leaves of absence.

The candidacy end date is listed on the student’s record in AXESS. Students who are unable to graduate before their

candidacy expires may submit an extension request for up to one additional year of candidacy (per request).

Candidacy extensions requests require review of a dissertation progress report, a dissertation draft, timetable for

completion of the dissertation, and any other factors regarded as relevant by the department. Students must submit the

candidacy extension request before the end of their program's time limit. Once candidacy has expired, registration

privileges are terminated and the student will need to apply for reinstatement into the Ph.D. program. Extension requests

should be submitted to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office. Note, the department is not obligated to grant an

extension, and all requests are subject to final approval by the Aero/Astro Department Chair.

Course Requirements

Each individual Ph.D. program, designed by the student in consultation with the advisor, should represent a strong

and cohesive program reflecting the student's major field of interest. Ph.D. candidates must complete a minimum of 135

units. Ph.D. candidates who received their MS from Stanford may count up to 45 units towards the 135-unit total. Students

who received an MS degree at another institution may petition (through the university Registrar’s Office) to transfer up to

45 units toward the 135-unit requirement.

Of the 90 units required beyond the MS, a student must complete a minimum of 27 units (including 9 units of

mathematics) of approved courses in advanced study in engineering, science, and mathematics (excluding research, directed

study, and seminars) beyond the MS degree. These units must be taken for a letter grade, and all courses must be

numbered 200 and above. Note: One math course may be taken at the 100 level if approved by the advisor. The

remainder of the 90 units may be in the form of either Ph.D. dissertation units or free electives. Units which were applied

toward the M.S. degree cannot be used again. An advisor approved Ph.D. course proposal must be submitted when applying

for Ph.D. candidacy.

Ph.D. students in Aeronautics and Astronautics must take 3 mathematics courses (a minimum of 9 units), with at

least 6 units from courses numbered above 200. The Aero/Astro Department and the other engineering departments offer

many courses that have sufficient mathematical content that they may be used to satisfy the mathematics requirement; a

pre-approved list is included in this Guide, but there are many others which may be acceptable. Please consult with your

advisor and the Aero/Astro Student Services Office before assuming that a particular course will be accepted in your own

program.

Ph.D. Minor

If choosing to take a Ph.D. minor in another department, a maximum of 9 units from the minor program may be included

in the 27 units of formal coursework; the remaining minor units may be considered free electives, and included within the

90-unit total (beyond the MS) required for the Aero/Astro Ph.D.

Dissertation Reading Committee

Each Ph.D. candidate is required to establish a reading committee for the doctoral dissertation within six months

after passing the department's Ph.D. Qualifying Examination. Thereafter, the student should consult frequently with all

members of the committee about the direction and progress of the dissertation research. The student’s principal advisor and

dissertation reading committee have the responsibility of supervising the research work and insuring that high standards of

performance are maintained. Conversely, it is the student’s responsibility to keep their reading committee members

informed about their research progress. The signatures on your dissertation represent the final certification of its adequacy.

A Dissertation Reading Committee consists of the principal dissertation advisor and at least two other readers. If

the principal advisor is emeritus or the principal research advisor is not within the Aero/Astro Department, there should be

a non-emeritus co-advisor. It is expected that at least two members of the Aero/Astro faculty will be on the reading

committee. Although all readers are usually members of the Stanford Academic Council, the Department Chair may approve

in special circumstances that must be justifiable, one non-Academic Council reader if the person brings unusual and

necessary expertise to the dissertation research, and has no conflict of interest (for example, this person should not be part

of the research project or directly associated with the funding authority). Generally, this non-Academic Council reader will

be a fourth reader, in addition to three Academic Council members. It is the student’s responsibility to justify to the Chair

why this non-Academic Council member is proposed as a fourth reader.

The student must submit a Doctoral Dissertation Reading Committee form, signed by each of the readers, to the

Aero/Astro Student Services Office for approval by the Department Chair. Approval of a non-Academic Council reader

requires submission of a Petition for Non-Academic Council Doctoral Committee Members. Any changes to the committee

must be submitted to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for approval by the Department Chair prior to submission of

the dissertation. The Change of Advisor or Reading Committee Form requires the signature of anyone who is added to the

committee; advisors/readers who signed the original form do not need to sign again.

University Oral Examination

Each Ph.D. candidate is required to take the University Oral Examination after the dissertation is substantially

completed but before final approval of the dissertation. The dissertation draft must be in writing, with the expectation the

final dissertation will be ready to submit within one quarter of the examination. The student should make available the draft

copy of the dissertation to members of the examination committee at least one week before the exam. The examination itself

is intended to verify that the research represents the student’s own contribution to knowledge and to test their understanding

of the research. Candidacy must be valid and the student must be registered in the quarter in which the University Oral

Examination is taken. The coordination of this exam is the responsibility of the department (primarily the student and

advisor). The Registrar reviews but does not participate in the examination. The examination normally begins with a

presentation by the PhD candidate during which clarifying questions may be asked. This part of the examination is typically

open to the public. After a brief recess, the examination continues in private session, with only the candidate and members

of the examining committee in attendance. This Committee is comprised of four faculty examiners plus a chairman. The

examination should be conducted according to the major department’s stated practice, although it should not exceed three

hours in length. A typical exam in Aero/Astro is expected to take three hours. At the conclusion of the examination the

candidate should be asked to leave so that the committee can confer in private. A vote is taken and the chair tallies the votes

of the members. The Orals Chair should submit the results of the examination to the Student Services Office immediately

following the exam. The student’s advisor will notify the student of the outcome.

The University Oral Examination Form can be found on the Registrar’s Office website. The form must be submitted

with a thesis abstract to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office at least three weeks prior to the date arranged for the oral

examination. The department will provide a (red) folder which includes the exam schedule, ballots, and department and

university guidelines for the exam. Note: Students must be enrolled during the quarter when they take their University Oral

Examination. If the orals take place during the break time between quarters, the student must be enrolled in the prior quarter.

Once the oral examination has been passed, the student finalizes the thesis for reading committee review and final approval.

Procedures for Scheduling University Oral Examinations

 Register for the quarter in which you will be taking your Orals.

 Verify your Reading Committee in Axess : If the committee who signed on the form when you submitted your

Doctoral Dissertation Reading Committee form is no longer appropriate, complete the Change of Advisor or

Reading Committee Form and submit to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office.

 Identify your Orals committee

o Four examiners: normally your reading committee plus one other faculty member, although readers

are not required to be members (for instance, in case of scheduling conflicts). At least one examiner

must be from your major department; Aero/Astro expects that two or, more likely, three members will

be Aero/Astro faculty. Check with your minor department for their rules as to representation. At least

three examiners must be members of the Academic Council (i.e., a Stanford Professor, Associate

Professor, or Assistant Professor - not Adjunct or Visiting). A non-Academic Council member requires

a Petition for Doctoral Committee Members (unless already approved for your Reading Committee).

o Committee chair: must be a member of the Academic Council or an emeritus member. Must not hold

an appointment in the same department as you or your advisor (this includes joint appointments, but

does not include courtesy appointments). Should not be a member of the reading committee. The chair

is an "impartial representative of the University" in the exam; although s/he does vote, s/he need not

be expert in your field. If you are having difficulty identifying a chair, ask your advisor or fellow

students for suggestions. If you decide on a chair from a distant field (e.g., History or Music), I suggest

you alert your advisor before the exam!

 Schedule a room: for participation in a public seminar, ask the Aero Astro Office (Durand 202), email:

durandconferencerooms@stanford.edu

 Submit to Aero/Astro Student Services Office three weeks in advance- for the Department Chair's review and

signature:

o University Oral Examination Schedule Form (if you have a minor, obtain minor department chair

signature)

o Dissertation abstract (for the committee chair)

o Petition for Non-Academic Council Doctoral Committee Members, if required (with curriculum vitae

if they are not visiting faculty or on the Stanford academic staff.)

 Deliver to Committee Chair – Approximately three days before the oral, pick up the information packet (red

folder) for your committee chair from the Aero/Astro Student Services Office, and hand-deliver it. This serves

two purposes: it delivers necessary paperwork, and it reminds the chair of the exam date and time. Optional:

you can make copies of the Schedule form to give to the examiners as a reminder, if you choose - and of course,

you can read the information packet yourself, to learn the details of exam procedure, voting, etc.

Doctoral Dissertation

Please refer to the Directions for Preparing Doctoral Dissertations, which outlines the University guidelines for

preparing a PhD dissertation. When the final draft of your dissertation has been completed, make an appointment to consult

with the Graduate Degree Progress (GDP) officer in the Registrar’s Office to go over a review of the completion of your

PhD program and the strict formatting requirements for the dissertation. Submit the final version of your dissertation to the

GDP no later than the dissertation deadline of your submission quarter. Note: All members of the Reading Committee must

sign the dissertation before the filing deadline.

Mid-year degrees are not officially conferred until the first week of the quarter after degree completion, and actual

diplomas are printed only once a year for distribution at the University's Commencement in June. However, students who

have submitted the dissertation and have no outstanding Stanford obligations (financial or academic) may obtain an official

University "Statement of Completion" in Axess after degree conferral. Prior to requesting a Statement of Completion, the

submission must first be approved by both the Final Reader and Registrar's Office. Note: students will receive email

confirmation once the submission is approved by the Registrar's Office. This email confirmation will provide instructions

for obtaining the letter by essentially logging on to AXESS, and going to the eDissertation/eThesis Center, where it should

be ready and available as a link to the student.

Note: Students may be eligible to petition for a Graduation Quarter during the quarter they plan to submit the dissertation.

For details, contact the Aero/Astro Student Services Office. International students should consult carefully with the

International Center before selecting specialized registration status because their visas may prohibit it.

RESEARCH AND COURSE ASSISTANTSHIPS (RAs and CAs)

Research and Course/Teaching Assistantships are paid positions available to Stanford students who are registered

and making satisfactory progress in a graduate degree program.

Research Assistants are selected and paid by individual faculty members. During the academic year, assistantship

appointments may not exceed 50% FTE (20 hours/week); most Aero/Astro RAs are hired at 50%. Salaries are set according

to department standards, within limits set by the University and School. Generally, salaries are highest for students who

have passed the Qualifying Exams, and lowest for those who have not received the M.S. degree.

When Aero/Astro faculty members agree to pay a student as a research assistant, the faculty and student, together

with the administrative associate, fill out an online Engineering Research Administration RA Appointment form. This form

specifies the salary, hours per week, and grant/contract which will pay for the work; it also clarifies the terms and conditions

of the RA pay. The admin should submit this online form to the Aero/Astro Student Services Office for approval before

the start of each quarter; late forms will result in late pay and possibly loss of the health subsidy! Faculty and students then

approve the forms online.

Course Assistants are assigned by the Aero/Astro Department prior to the start of each quarter. Application

information for Course Assistantships is posted by the Aero/Astro Student Services Office in the Spring Quarter. Applicants

are expected to have taken and done well in the course in which they will assist. Aero/Astro CAs can be 50% appointments

(20 hours/week) or 25% appointment (10 hours/week); salaries are comparable to RAs. Aero/Astro students may also serve

as course assistants in other departments. Procedures for selecting course assistants vary from department to department;

students interested in applying for positions in another department should contact the appropriate student services office for

information.

Students who hold assistantships receive tuition grants in addition to their monthly salaries, if their research or

teaching is related to their academic degree. (Assistantships awarded within the student's academic department are always

considered related to the degree.) This tuition grant is intended to support the academic progress of the student, not the

specific needs of the grant, contract, or department providing the funds.

A 50% RA or CA tuition payment covers the full 8-10-unit cost, and students holding these appointments may not

enroll for more than 10 units. RAs and CAs for less-than-50% bring a proportionally smaller salary and tuition grant (see

Tuition and Assistantships chart, below). These students may enroll at either the 8-10 unit rate or the full tuition rate; the

RA/CA tuition grant will partially pay the bill, and the student must pay for the remainder. Students with a less-than-50%

appointment may accept more than one RA/CA appointment in the same quarter, so long as the combined percentage does

not exceed 50%. The student will receive both salaries and a tuition grant based on the combined percentage (e.g., if they

total 50%, the tuition grant will be 8-10 units).

 Enrollment: All students holding assistantships must be enrolled in the quarter for which the assistantship is held

(including summer).

 Unit requirement: Students with assistantships must be enrolled in at least 8 units during Autumn, Winter and

Spring Quarters. Part time enrollment is only allowed during Summer Quarter. Maximum enrollment is 10 units if

you have a 50% RA/CA.

 TGR: Students who have fulfilled unit requirements and only need to complete their oral defense and dissertation

may apply for Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) status for a reduced tuition rate. TGR students with

assistantships must enroll in the 0-unit TGR course.

Other Paid Positions: Occasionally, there are temporary jobs available (course grading, office work, etc.) which

pay an hourly wage and no tuition benefit. Employment in addition to a 50% assistantship must be formally approved by

the faculty research supervisor, and may not exceed more than 8 hours per week. International students may not work at all

in addition to a 50% RA/TA/CA (their visas set a limit of 20 hours/week of paid work during academic terms.) Students

with fellowships may work 8 hours in addition; students without financial aid are not limited (except by their visas, if any).

SUMMER QUARTER RAs - Options and Examples:

The standard Research Assistantship, during the academic year and during summer quarter as well, is a 50%

appointment which requires 20 hours a week of work and pays for 8-10 units or TGR fees. However, in Summer Quarter

students can also be hired to work for MORE-than-50%, up to a maximum 90% - which brings proportionally more

salary and less tuition payment. Different labs have different policies about whether, and when, students will be paid for

more than 50% effort.

Students who are "trying out" research with a faculty member might also be hired for less-than-50% appointments,

which bring proportionally less salary and fewer units. This can happen during any quarter. In Summer Quarter only,

however, students may enroll at less than 8 units (minimum 1 unit), so an RA which pays for less than 8 units will not

necessarily leave the student with a large tuition bill to pay.

Examples of 50%, 25%, 75% and 90% appointments are described in some detail below. (Other percentages are

also possible, but these should be sufficient to demonstrate the principles involved.) In every case, the salary is proportional

to hours-paid (e.g., 25% is half of the 50% standard; 75% is 150% of that standard; 90% is 180% the standard). Tuition

charges will be proportionally lower, however, with the minimum tuition = 3-unit rate.

50% RA (20 hrs/wk), not TGR

quarterly salary: $11,496.00 postquals, $11,232.00 postMS, $10,956.00 preMS

tuition paid: 8-10 units: $12,110.00/quarter

Enroll in 8-10 units (AA 290 may be more than 5 units in summer)

50% RA (20 hrs/wk), TGR

quarterly salary: $11,496.00 postquals

TGR tuition fully paid: $3,411.00/quarter - Enroll in TGR course

25% RA (10 hrs/week)

quarterly salary: $5,748.00 postquals, $5,616.00 postMS, $5,478.00 preMS

tuition paid: 5 units: $6,055.00

Summer Only: Enroll in 3-5 units; you are billed for additional tuition if enrolled in > 5 units.

During the academic year: Enroll in 8 units or more; you will be billed for 8-10 units or for full tuition, as appropriate,

and will be responsible for paying the remainder.

90% RA (36 hrs/week) - not TGR SUMMER ONLY

quarterly salary: $20,692.80 postquals, $20,217.60 postMS, $19,720.80 preMS

tuition paid: $3,633.00 - Enroll in 3 units

90% RA (36 hrs/wk), TGR SUMMER ONLY

quarterly salary: $20,692.80 postquals

TGR tuition fully paid: $3,411.00 - Enroll in TGR course

75% RA (30 hrs/wk) - not TGR SUMMER ONLY

quarterly salary: $17,244.00 postquals, $16,848.00 postMS, $16,434.00 preMS

tuition paid: 5 units: $6,055.00

Enroll in 3-5 units; you will be billed for additional tuition if enrolled in > 5 units

75% RA (30 hrs/wk), TGR SUMMER ONLY

quarterly salary: $17,244.00 postquals

TGR tuition fully paid: $3,411.00 - Enroll in TGR course

2019-20 Engineering Tuition Charges & Assistantship Tuition Payments

Units

Tuition

RA/CA which pays

for this amount of

tuition [ % FTE ]

Weekly

work effort

(average)

11-18

“full tuition”

$18,635.00

none

8-10

“minimum fulltime”

$12,110.00

50% the "standard"

RA/CA

20 hours

$8,477.00

35%

14 hours

$7,266.00

30%

12 hours

$6,055.00

25%

10 hours

$4,844.00

20%

8 hours

$3,633.00

15%

6 hours

TGR (0)

$3,411.00

15% or more

Notes:

Graduate students will usually be charged a minimum of the 8-10 unit tuition rate – which is considered minimum

full-time registration for a graduate student. Enrollment in more than 10 units for a quarter will result in a higher tuition

charge. Enrollment in fewer units will NOT lower tuition charges, but will result in academic and visa problems.

The chart above does not imply that students holding a less-than-50% assistantship may reduce their tuition bill.

Students whose assistantships (or fellowships) pay for less than 8-10 units are expected to enroll for at least 8 units during

the academic year, and are responsible for paying the remainder of their tuition bill. For details, including the few exceptions

to this minimum tuition and minimum enrollment rule, refer to the Stanford Bulletin or to the “Registration Requirements”

section of this Guide.

Several fellowships will pay for “full tuition” (11-18 units). Students holding such fellowships are advised to take advantage

of this generous support, and to enroll in at least 11 units – or more likely, in 15-16 units – each quarter. If they enroll in

10 units or less, their tuition bill will remain at the 8-10 unit rate. This remainder is usually not “bank-able” for use in a later

quarter, nor convertible to stipend or to the payment of other fees. (Of course, students should always consult their academic

advisors and the Student Services Office about a specific academic or financial situation.)

STUDENT PAYROLL AT STANFORD

Any student employee (RA, CA, TA, grader, etc.) must meet several requirements before receiving a paycheck.

You must be enrolled in any quarter in which you are paid (including summer), make suitable academic progress, and

maintain good standing in the University.

If this is your first employment by Stanford, you need to fill out these forms:

• "I-9 Verification" for the University and INS. To complete, bring to your faculty member’s administrator:

Permanent Residents: an unexpired resident alien card

F1/J1 visa holders: unexpired passport and most recent entry/departure card, plus a current I-20 or DS-2019.

U.S. Citizens: a U.S. Passport; or two documents: driver's license or Stanford I.D. card (to establish identity) AND

an original Social Security card or U.S. birth certificate or unexpired INS Employment Authorization (to establish

employment eligibility).

The faculty admin must see the original documents; both the student and faculty admin sign the I-9 form.

• Declare Federal and State Withholding allowances through employee tab on AXESS (to instruct the University how

much tax to withhold from your salary)

• If you do not have a social security number, a copy of your application (and then a copy of the actual social security

card, when you receive one). Note: If any of these forms is missing or outdated, your paychecks will be delayed!

International students may also qualify for "tax treaty" status: some countries have agreements with the U.S. which

exempt their students from some or all taxes. To claim an exemption, the appropriate forms must be filed annually. For

payroll, file IRS form 8233 and a country attachment; information can be found on the web at

https://web.stanford.edu/group/fms/fingate/staff/taxcompliance/quick_steps/claim_taxTreaty_salary.html

We strongly encourage you to sign up for DIRECT DEPOSIT and PAYROLL DEDUCTION. Click on the website for more

information https://sfs.stanford.edu/student-accounts/refunds/direct-deposit.

Assistantship or grader salaries are processed through Stanford's Payroll system. Assistants and graders are University

employees. (Fellowships are entirely different.)

Deductions: Federal and state taxes are withheld from salary checks; the earnings and withholding are reported like any

other salary. Tuition amounts are not taxable or reported. (Student bill items like housing, ASSU fees, insurance etc. can

be paid by payroll deduction if you make prior arrangements - see the website info above.)

Schedule: Tuition is paid directly to Student Accounts. You can see the payment on your University bill. Click the Finances

tab in AXESS.

Payroll checks or direct deposit statements come twice a month, to the Aero/Astro Main Office. Work performed from the

1st to 15

of a month is paid on the 22

; pay for the 16

–31

of the month is paid on the 7

. Assistantship appointments

follow a standard quarterly schedule which does not coincide with the registration and exam dates:

appointment span first check last check

Autumn Oct 1 - Dec 31 Oct 22 Jan 7

Winter Jan 1 - Mar 31 Jan 22 Apr 7

Spring Apr 1 - Jun 30 Apr 22 July 7

Summer July 1 - Sept 30 July 22 Oct 7

If a check does not arrive on time: First, examine your own status. Are you enrolled? Is there a Hold on your registration?

If this is your first check, have you filed all the appropriate paperwork? If you have worked elsewhere on campus, have

you checked with the other department? Then, come to the Student Services Office to report either that you have found and

fixed one of the problems, or to find out what is wrong. For an RA, the faculty member may have forgotten to initiate or

renew your appointment for the quarter. In any event, we will try to find the problem and help you fix it.

FUNDAMENTAL STANDARD

The Fundamental Standard has set the standard of conduct for students at Stanford since it was articulated in 1896

by David Starr Jordan, Stanford's first president. It states:

Students at Stanford are expected to show both within and without the university such respect for order, morality, personal

honor and the rights of others as is demanded of good citizens. Failure to do this will be sufficient cause for removal from

the university.

Understanding the Fundamental Standard

The Fundamental Standard is an aspirational statement of Stanford's ideal of civic and moral community. Although the

spirit of the Fundamental Standard remains unchanged since 1896, these aspirational learning goals for all Stanford students

elaborate its basic values today:

1. Students are expected to respect and uphold the rights and dignity of others regardless of race, color, national or

ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic status.

2. Students are expected to uphold the integrity of the university as a community of scholars in which free speech is

available to all and intellectual honesty is demanded of all.

3. Students are expected to respect university policies as well as state and federal law.

4. For the purposes of clarity, students should be aware that they may be subject to discipline at Stanford University

for acts of misconduct including:

 Violation of university policy

 Violation of a specific university directive

 Violation of an applicable law

 Physical assault

 Theft of property or services

 Threats

 Hazing

 Hate crimes

 Alcohol- and drug-related violations, including driving under the influence

 Intentional or reckless property damage 

 Seeking a university benefit to which a student is not entitled 

 Falsifying a document

 Impersonating another

 Computer violations

 Knowingly or recklessly exposing others to significant danger       

Sanctions for Violating the Fundamental Standard

There is no standard sanction that applies to violations of the Fundamental Standard. Infractions have led to

sanctions ranging from formal warning and community service to expulsion. In each case, the nature and seriousness of the

offense, the motivation underlying the offense and precedent in similar cases are considered.

HONOR CODE

The Honor Code is the university's statement on academic integrity written by students in 1921. It articulates university

expectations of students and faculty in establishing and maintaining the highest standards in academic work.

Honor Code

1. The Honor Code is an undertaking of the students, individually and collectively:

1. that they will not give or receive aid in examinations; that they will not give or receive unpermitted aid in

class work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis

of grading;

2. that they will do their share and take an active part in seeing to it that others as well as themselves uphold

the spirit and letter of the Honor Code.

2. The faculty on its part manifests its confidence in the honor of its students by refraining from proctoring

examinations and from taking unusual and unreasonable precautions to prevent the forms of dishonesty mentioned

above. The faculty will also avoid, as far as practicable, academic procedures that create temptations to violate the

Honor Code.

3. While the faculty alone has the right and obligation to set academic requirements, the students and faculty will work

together to establish optimal conditions for honorable academic work.

Violations of the Honor Code

Examples of conduct that have been regarded as being in violation of the Honor Code include:

 Copying from another’s examination paper or allowing another to copy from one’s own paper

 Unpermitted collaboration

 Plagiarism

 Revising and resubmitting a quiz or exam for regrading, without the instructor’s knowledge and consent

 Giving or receiving unpermitted aid on a take-home examination

 Representing as one’s own work the work of another

 Giving or receiving aid on an academic assignment under circumstances in which a reasonable person should have

known that such aid was not permitted

Sanctions for Violating the Honor Code

In recent years, most student disciplinary cases have involved Honor Code violations; of these, the most frequent arise when

a student submits another’s work as his or her own, or gives or receives unpermitted aid. The standard sanction for a first

offense includes a one-quarter suspended suspension from the University and one or more educational components. In

addition, most faculty members issue a "No Pass" or "No Credit" for the course in which the violation occurred. The standard

sanction for multiple violations (e.g. cheating more than once in the same course) is a three-quarter suspension and 40 or

more hours of community service.

Interpretations of the Honor Code

In the Spring of 1977, the Student Conduct Legislative Council authored and adopted the following guidelines to assist

students and faculty in understanding their rights and obligations under the University's Honor Code. The most recent

revisions to the original text were adopted in the Winter of 2002 by the Board on Judicial Affairs.

It must be understood that the individual and collective responsibility of the students for upholding the Honor Code was not

imposed upon the students by the administration or the faculty but was assumed by the students at their own request starting

in 1921. Without such student responsibility, the Honor Code cannot be effectively maintained

1. General

 The Honor Code is agreed to by every student who registers at Stanford University and by every instructor who

accepts an appointment.

 The Honor Code provides a standard of honesty and declares that compliance with that standard is to be expected.

It does not contemplate that the standard will be self-enforcing but calls on students, faculty, and administration to

encourage compliance and to take reasonable steps to discourage violations. If violations occur, procedures are

prescribed by the Student Judicial Charter of 1997. However, the Honor Code depends for its effectiveness primarily

on the individual and collective desire of all members of the community to prevent and deter violations rather than

on proceedings to impose penalties after violations have occurred.

 In interpreting and applying the general provisions of the Honor Code, it should be kept in mind that although

primary responsibility for making the Code effective rests with the students, faculty cooperation is essential, since

the faculty sets the academic requirements which students are to meet. The faculty should endeavor to avoid

academic requirements and procedures which place honorable and conscientious students at a disadvantage. The

faculty should also be ready and willing to consult with students and should be responsive to their suggestions in

these matters.

 While an instructor's failure to observe these guidelines might be viewed as an extenuating circumstance in

evaluating penalty options for a student's misconduct, it would not preclude the initiation of an otherwise warranted

charge against the student.

2. Specific Interpretations and Applications

 Third-party responsibility: A primary responsibility assumed by students is to discourage violations of the Honor

Code by others. Various methods are possible. Drawing attention to a suspected violation may stop it. Moral suasion

may be effective. Initiating formal procedures is a necessary and obligatory remedy when other methods are

inappropriate or have failed. Faculty members have like responsibilities when suspected violations come to their

attention.

 Proctoring : Proctoring means being present in the examination room during a written examination, with the

following exceptions:

1. The prohibition against proctoring should not be construed to prohibit an instructor or teaching assistant

from remaining in the examination room for the first few minutes to distribute and explain the examination;

or from visiting the examination room briefly to transmit additional information; or from returning at the

end of the examination to collect examination papers.

2. Nor does the prohibition against proctoring prohibit an instructor or teaching assistant from visiting the

examination room in response to specific reports from students that cheating has been observed, to

investigate the basis for such reports.

The instructor or teaching assistant may also visit the examination room briefly and infrequently in

order to answer students' questions.

 Unusual and unreasonable precautions: In interpreting and applying this provision, consideration should be given

to standard procedures which are customary to Stanford and the need for cooperation between students and faculty

in making the Honor Code effective. The following situations are cited as examples:  An instructor should not

require students to identify themselves before being admitted to an examination room, or require students to submit

in advance to being searched for notes or other materials, or maintain surveillance upon students who leave the

examination room. Nor should the instructor take deliberate steps to invite dishonesty in order to entrap students.

Procedures of this kind would be unusual and unreasonable.  On the other hand, an instructor may require copies

of an examination or test to be returned after the examination. When possible, alternate seating should be provided

and used for all examinations. To avoid controversy in any rereading or regrading of students' work, the instructor

may take measures by which the original work may be clearly identified. With clear advance notice, an instructor

may systematically compare work submitted to current or previous submissions. An instructor who requires students

to make up a missed test or examination may administer a different test or examination of equivalent range and

difficulty. Such procedures are not to be construed as unusual or unreasonable.

 Procedures that create temptations to violate the Honor Code: Although students are expected to resist temptations

to cheat, the faculty should endeavor to minimize inducements to dishonesty. Examples of undesirable procedures

include the following: failure to give clear directions and instructions concerning course requirements and the limits

of acceptable collaboration in coursework; treating required work casually as if it were unimportant; carelessness

or inconsistency in maintaining security of examinations or tests; reusing an examination which is neither kept

secure from public exposure nor made available to all students. If take-home examinations are given, they should

not be closed-book examinations, nor should there be a specific time limit less than the full period between the

distribution of the examination and its due date. Such procedures place honorable and conscientious students in a

difficult position and often at a disadvantage, and could be interpreted as mitigating by a judicial panel.

 Penalty grading: Students are not to be penalized for violations of the Honor Code without adjudication under the

procedures specified by the Student Judicial Charter of 1997. An instructor may not, therefore, lower a student's

grade or impose any other academic penalty on the grounds of dishonesty in the absence of such formal proceedings.

 Instructor Discretion: Procedures falling under instructor discretion would include exam location, alternate times

for exams, and alteration of due dates. Tests will be taken from the classroom only with the consent of the instructor.

 Basis of Grading: All student work in a course or independent study (exams, quizzes, problem sets, drafts of papers,

oral presentations, internet/websites, research, classroom discussions, etc.) forms the basis for evaluating and/or

grading. The Honor Code applies to all academic work whether or not the work is given a letter grade, and whether

or not the Honor Code is cited and/or signed. Therefore, regardless of the nature or extent of an assignment,

academic dishonesty of any type is expressly prohibited and should always be considered a violation of the Honor

Code.

 Dual Submission Policy: One of the principal motivations behind the Honor Code is to prevent one student from

taking unfair advantage over the other students in a class. For example, receiving unpermitted aid on an assignment

or consulting notes on a closed book exam gives a student an advantage that students who adhere to the Honor Code

do not have. In much the same way, submitting the same work in more than one course without the knowledge of

the instructor undermines fairness because faculty assume that student work prepared for a course is done for that

course alone. To this end, the Interpretations of the Stanford Honor Code shall include the following: No student

may submit substantially similar work in more than one class without the approval of any instructors who might

otherwise assume that the work has been undertaken in their classes alone. Thus, submitting work that was prepared

for a previous class requires the approval of the current instructor. Submitting substantially similar work in

concurrent classes requires approval, in advance, from each instructor.

(Last amended 2019)

Honor Code Tips

Below is a listing of several tips that can make upholding the Honor Code an easier part of your day to day academic

life. Since this list is not exhaustive, we welcome you to engage with some of the resources available on the site such as

academic integrity videos for computer science assignments, lab work and in essays and papers.

Make sure to understand all guidelines for academic assignments.

This is especially applicable regarding permitted or unpermitted collaboration and aid. Guidelines frequently vary from

course to course, instructor to instructor and assignment to assignment. Ask the instructor directly if there is any ambiguity

on the guidelines for a particular assignment.

Sit apart during exams.

Alternate seating during in-class examinations when this is possible. Allowing space in between you and another student

reduces the likelihood of looking at another’s exam or copying.

Cite, cite, cite.

Citation is key in upholding the honor code in essays and other written work. You must cite all resources that were used in

producing your work. Omission of citation can be viewed as an attempt to pass off someone else’s words or thoughts as

your own, whether this was intended or not.

Be actively engaged with the Honor Code.

All members of the Stanford community have an obligation to respond in some manner if they observe an Honor Code

violation. If you observe another student behaving in a way that you believe is not aligned with the Honor Code, you should

notify a TA or professor. Formal reporting of Honor Code violations by students should be discussed with a member of the

Office of Community Standards.

Do not be tempted to take dishonest shortcuts.

Try to stand back and identify options. Think about the value of personal integrity. Think about the consequences of being

caught. These can include embarrassment and negative academic, career and family impact – and most likely a quarter of

suspension. Alternatives such as dropping a course, arranging for an incomplete or even accepting a lower grade are always

better choices.

Do not make crucial decisions when judgment is impaired.

This applies to both academic and non-academic situations. It is clearly wiser not to decide upon anything important when

feeling desperate, exhausted, grief-stricken or panicked.

Think before acting.

Most students need help at one time or another. Tap into the wealth of resources on campus and seek help or advice on how

to proceed.

COMPUTER AND NETWORK USAGE POLICY

Authority: Approved by the Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer.

Applicability: Applies to all University students, faculty and staff, and all others using computer and communication

technologies, including the University's network, whether personally or University owned, which access, transmit or store

University or student information.

Policy Statement: Use of Stanford's network and computer resources should support the basic missions of the University

in teaching, learning and research. Users of Stanford network and computer resources ("users") are responsible to properly

use and protect information resources and to respect the rights of others. This policy provides guidelines for the appropriate

use of information resources.

1. Definitions

As used in this policy:

a. "Information resources" are all computer and communication devices and other technologies which access, store or

transmit University or student information.

b. "Information" includes both University and student information.

c. "Personally owned resources" are information resources that are under the control of University employees or agents

and are not wholly owned by the University.

2. Policies

a. General Policy

Users of information resources must protect (i) their online identity from use by another individual, (ii) the integrity of

information resources, and (iii) the privacy of electronic information. In addition, users must refrain from seeking to gain

unauthorized access, honor all copyrights and licenses and respect the rights of other users of information resources.

b. Access

Users must refrain from seeking to gain unauthorized access to information resources or enabling unauthorized access.

Attempts to gain unauthorized access to a system or to another person's information are a violation of University policy

and may also violate applicable law, potentially subjecting the user to both civil and criminal liability. However,

authorized system administrators may access information resources, but only for a legitimate operational purpose and only

the minimum access required to accomplish this legitimate operational purpose.

(1) Prohibition against Sharing Identities

Sharing an online identity (user ID and password or other authenticator such as a token or certificate) violates University

policy.

(2) Information Belonging to Others

Users must not intentionally seek or provide information on, obtain copies of, or modify data files, programs, passwords

or other digital materials belonging to other users, without the specific permission of those other users.

(3) Abuse of Computing Privileges

Users of information resources must not access computers, computer software, computer data or information, or networks

without proper authorization, or intentionally enable others to do so, regardless of whether the computer, software, data,

information, or network in question is owned by the University. For example, abuse of the networks to which the

University belongs or the computers at other sites connected to those networks will be treated as an abuse of University

computing privileges.

c. Usage

The University is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and, as such, is subject to specific federal, state and local laws

regarding sources of income, political activities, use of property and similar matters. It also is a contractor with

government and other entities and thus must assure proper use of property under its control and allocation of overhead and

similar costs. Use of the University's information resources must comply with University policies and legal obligations

(including licenses and contracts), and all federal and state laws.

(1) Prohibited Use

Users must not send, view or download fraudulent, harassing, obscene (i.e., pornographic), threatening, or other messages

or material that are a violation of applicable law or University policy. In particular, contributing to the creation of a hostile

academic or work environment is prohibited.

(2) Copyrights and Licenses

Users must not violate copyright law and must respect licenses to copyrighted materials. For the avoidance of doubt,

unlawful file-sharing using the University's information resources is a violation of this policy.

(3) Social Media

Users must respect the purpose of and abide by the terms of use of online media forums, including social networking

websites, mailing lists, chat rooms and blogs.

(4) Political Use

University information resources must not be used for partisan political activities where prohibited by federal, state or

other applicable laws, and may be used for other political activities only when in compliance with federal, state and other

laws and in compliance with applicable University policies.

(5) Personal Use

University information resources should not be used for activities unrelated to appropriate University functions, except in

a purely incidental manner.

(6) Commercial Use

University information resources should not be used for commercial purposes, including advertisements, solicitations,

promotions or other commercial messages, except as permitted under University policy. Any such permitted commercial

use should be properly related to University activities, take into account proper cost allocations for government and other

overhead determinations, and provide for appropriate reimbursement to the University for taxes and other costs the

University may incur by reason of the commercial use. The University's Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for

Business Affairs will determine permitted commercial uses.

(7) Use of University Information

Users must abide by applicable data storage and transmission policies, including Admin Guide 6.3.1 (Information

Security). Consult the University Privacy Officer (privacyoffice[email protected]) for more information.

d. Personally Owned Resources

Stanford does not require personnel to use their personally owned resources to conduct University business. Individual

units within the University may permit such use, and users may choose to use their own resources accordingly. Any

personally owned resources used for University business are subject to this policy and must comply with all Stanford

requirements pertaining to that type of resource and to the type of data involved. The resources must also comply with any

additional requirements (including security controls for encryption, patching and backup) specific to the particular

University functions for which they are used.

e. Integrity of Information Resources

Users must respect the integrity of information and information resources.

(1) Modification or Removal of Information or Information Resources

Unless they have proper authorization, users must not attempt to modify or remove information or information resources

that are owned or used by others.

(2) Other Prohibited Activities

Users must not encroach, disrupt or otherwise interfere with access or use of the University's information or information

resources. For the avoidance of doubt, without express permission, users must not give away University information or

send bulk unsolicited email. In addition, users must not engage in other activities that damage, vandalize or otherwise

compromise the integrity of University information or information resources.

(3) Academic Pursuits

The University recognizes the value of legitimate research projects undertaken by faculty and students under faculty

supervision. The University may restrict such activities in order to protect University and individual information and

information resources, but in doing so will take into account legitimate academic pursuits.

f. Locally Defined and External Conditions of Use

Individual units within the University may define "conditions of use" for information resources under their control. These

statements must be consistent with this overall policy but may provide additional detail, guidelines restrictions, and/or

enforcement mechanisms. Where such conditions of use exist, the individual units are responsible for publicizing and

enforcing both the conditions of use and this policy. Where use of external networks is involved, policies governing such

use also are applicable and must be followed.

g. Access for Legal and University Processes

Under some circumstances, as a result of investigations, subpoenas or lawsuits, the University may be required by law to

provide electronic or other records, or information related to those records or relating to use of information resources,

("information records") to third parties. Additionally, the University may in its reasonable discretion review information

records, e.g., for the proper functioning of the University, in connection with investigations or audits, or to protect the

safety of individuals or the Stanford community. The University may also permit reasonable access to data to third-party

service providers in order to provide, maintain or improve services to the University. Accordingly, users of University

information resources do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy when using the University's information resources.

3. Oversight of Information Resources

Responsibility for, and management and operation of, information resources is delegated to the head of a specific

subdivision of the University governance structure ("department"), such as a Dean, Department Chair, Administrative

Department head, or Principal Investigator ("lead"). This person will be responsible for compliance with all University

policies relating to the use of information resources owned, used or otherwise residing in their department.

The lead may designate another person to manage and operate the system, but responsibility for information resources

remains with the lead. This designate is the "system administrator."

The system administrator is responsible for managing and operating information resources under their oversight in

compliance with University and department policies, including accessing information resources necessary to maintain

operation of the systems under the care of the system administrator. (See also section 4.b; system administrators should

defer to the Information Security Office for access beyond that necessary to maintain operation of the system.)

a. Responsibilities

The system administrator should:

Take all appropriate actions to protect the security of information and information resources. Applicable guidelines are

found at http://securecomputing.stanford.edu.

Take precautions against theft of or damage to information resources.

Faithfully execute all licensing agreements applicable to information resources.

Communicate this policy, and other applicable information use, security and privacy policies and procedures to their

information resource users.

Cooperate with the Information Security Office to find and correct problems caused by the use of the system under their

control.

b. Suspension of Privileges

System administrators may temporarily suspend access to information resources if they believe it is necessary or

appropriate to maintain the integrity of the information resources under their oversight.

4. Reporting or Investigating Violations or University Concerns

a. Reporting Violations

System users will report violations of this policy to the Information Security Office, and will immediately report defects in

system accounting, concerns with system security, or suspected unlawful or improper system activities to the Information

Security Office during normal business hours and the Office of the General Counsel emergency after-hours phone line at

other times.

b. Accessing Information & Systems

Inspecting and monitoring information and information resources may be required for the purposes of enforcing this

policy, conducting University investigations or audits, ensuring the safety of an individual or the University community,

complying with law or ensuring proper operation of information resources. Only the University's Chief Information

Security Officer (or designate) may authorize this inspection and monitoring.

43 
 
c. Cooperation Expected 
Information resource users are expected to cooperate with any investigation of policy abuse. Failure to cooperate may be 
grounds for cancellation of access privileges, or other disciplinary actions. 
 
5.  Consequences of Misuse of Information Resources 
A user found to have violated this policy may also have violated the University Code of Conduct, the Fundamental 
Standard, the Student Honor Code, and/or other University policies, and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action 
up to and including discharge, dismissal, expulsion, and/or legal action. The Chief Information Security Officer will refer 
violations to University units, i.e., Student Affairs for students, the supervisor for staff, and the Dean of the relevant 
School for faculty or other teaching or research personnel, if appropriate. 
 
6.  Cognizant Office 
University's Chief Information Security Officer, or other person designated by the Vice President for Business Affairs and 
Chief Financial Officer, shall be the primary contact for the interpretation, monitoring and enforcement of this policy. 
 
7.  Related Policies 
a. Student Discipline—See Student Life/Codes of Conduct/Fundamental Standard/Honor Code 
b. Staff Discipline—See Guide Memo 2.1.16: Addressing Conduct & Performance Issues 
c. Faculty Discipline—See the Statement on Faculty Discipline in the Faculty Handbook 
d. Patents and Copyrights—See Research Policy Handbook 9.1 and 9.2; see also the Stanford University Copyright 
Reminder 
e. Political Activities—See Guide Memo 1.5.1: Political Activities   
f. Ownership of Documents—See Research Policy Handbook 9.2 and Guide Memo 1.5.5: Ownership of Documents  
g. Incidental Personal Use—See Research Policy Handbook 4.1, and Guide Memo 1.5.2: Staff Policy on Conflict of 
Commitment and Interest 
h. Security of Information—See Guide Memo 6.6.1: Information Security Incident Response 
i. Privacy and Security of Health Information (HIPAA)—See Guide Memo 1.6.2: Privacy and Security of Health 
Information 
j. Data Classification, Access and Transmittal and Storage Guidelines—See http://dataclass.stanford.edu. 
k. Endpoint Compliance—See http://securecomputing.stanford.edu/endpoint_compliance.html 
l. Online Accessibility––http://ucomm.stanford.edu/policies/accessibility-policy.html  
   

AERO/ASTRO DIRECTORY 2019-20

Durand Building

Aero/Astro Main Office, Room 202, 723-3317

The Stanford Flight Room, Room 001, contact Jenny Scholes for access info.

Labs

Director

Room

Aerospace Design Lab (ADL)

Alonso

464

Aerospace Robotics Laboratory (ARL)

Rock

017

Aircraft Aerodynamics and Design Group

Kroo

464

Autonomous Systems Lab (ASL)

Pavone

009

Extreme Environment Microsystems (XLab)

Senesky

012-B

Farhat Research Group (FRG)

Farhat

224, 226

Global Positioning System Laboratory (GPS)

Lo, Walter

452

Multi-Robot System Lab (MSL)

Schwager

028

Robotic Exploration Lab

Manchester

032

Space Environment and Satellite Systems (SESS)

011

Space Rendezvous Lab (SLAB)

D’Amico

006

Stanford Intelligent Systems Lab (SISL)

Kochenderfer

227

Stanford Propulsion and Space Exploration Group (SPaSE)

Cantwell

053

Structures and Composites Lab (SACL)

Chang

054

Unsteady Flow Physics and Aeroacoustics Lab

Lele

204

Most labs maintain their own Web pages - http://aa.stanford.edu/research-0

Aero/Astro Faculty

Durand Building

@stanford.edu

Juan Alonso

Room 260

jjalonso@

Andrew Barrows

Room 205

abarrows@

Brian Cantwell

Room 250A

cantwell@

Fu-Kuo Chang

Room 250C

fkchang@

Richard Christensen (Emeritus)

Room 383

christensen@

Sigrid Close

Room 264

sigridc@

Simone D’Amico

Room 262

damicos@

Daniel DeBra (Emeritus)

Room 377

ddebra@

Charbel Farhat (Chair)

Room 257

cfarhat@

Grace Gao

Room 268

gracegao@

Ken Hara

Room 252

kenhara@

Scott Hubbard

Room 207

scott.hubbard@

Mykel Kochenderfer

Room 255

mykel@

Ilan Kroo

Room 263

kroo@

Sanjay Lall

Packard Room 235

lall@

Sanjiva Lele

Room 253

lele@

Zac Manchester

Room 267

zacmanchester@

Marco Pavone

Room 261

pavone@

David Powell (Emeritus)

Room 383

jdpowell@

Stephen Rock

Mac Schwager

Room 265

Room 266

rock@

schwager@

Debbie Senesky

Room 254

dsenesky@

George Springer (Emeritus)

Room 381

gspringer@

Short summaries of faculty research interests can be found on our website at: http://aa.stanford.edu/people/faculty