Hypersonics, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

About the Program

Purdue University’s Hypersonics Graduate Certificate is designed for working professional engineers who want to develop a competitive edge by gaining graduate-level knowledge in hypersonics. This fully online program teaches state-of the-art methods in fluid dynamics, aerospace propulsion, and compressible flows. 

Advances in hypersonic technology are rapidly accelerating toward a speed where knowledge of the field becomes integral for success in the aerospace and defense industries, a key element of national security, and more. Because of national security needs, there is a strong demand within industry and government agencies for engineers and managers to gain understanding of issues related to hypersonic flows and the methods used to analyze them. Development of systems operating at hypersonic speeds (greater than Mach 5) can be difficult due to the intense heat transfer rates generated. The design of efficient propulsion systems also presents its own challenges. The ability of engineers to accurately predict hypersonic flows and to choose appropriate materials is critical to the successful development of hypersonic flight vehicles.

The Hypersonics Graduate Certificate provides courses related to hypersonic flows and includes foundational subjects needed for students to be successful in the more specialized courses. Students take one course in mathematics (if needed); one foundational course (if needed) to provide the necessary background in fundamental fluid mechanics, compressible flow, aerospace propulsion or aerospace materials, depending on the background and goals of the student; and two-four hypersonics relevant courses. The specialized courses related to hypersonics include courses on transition from laminar to turbulent flow, computational fluid dynamics, hypersonic propulsion systems, hypersonic external aerodynamics, nonequilibrium aerothermodynamics and materials for hypersonics.

Program Website

Program Requirements

12 Credits Required

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Be upskilled as working engineers with a number of courses/programs that support areas related to hypersonics.
• Develop a strong foundation in the fundamentals of fluid dynamics or materials engineering.
• Expand knowledge and analysis capabilities for hypersonic propulsion, hypersonic external aerodynamics and materials selection.

GPA Requirements

Credits earned in this program with a grade of B- or better can be applied towards an Interdisciplinary Master of Science (MS) in Engineering, MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics, or MS in another engineering program according to that program’s policy.

Graduate Programs Disclaimer

• The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Students should consult with their advisor/department for more information.
• Not all graduate programs may be actively recruiting students and course modality availability may vary. 
• Please refer to the Explore Graduate Programs website for a list of currently available graduate programs.
• Transfer credit policy: Credits earned for graduate study at other universities (both domestic and international) may be applied toward an advanced degree. Only credit hours associated with graduate courses for which grades of B- or better were obtained will be eligible for transfer. Any additional conditions under which credit transfers may be made are determined by the various departments.
• Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.