传统的MS和PhD学生被录取到一个特定的重点领域，该领域提供研究建议，财务支持，并为部门内外的课程工作设定专门的入学和课程要求以及建议。天体动力学和卫星导航系统-该重点领域研究航天器的轨道运动，行星际任务设计，姿态控制以及利用GPS和高级传感器的导航。自治系统-此重点领域来自各种学科，包括机器人技术，人机交互，人工智能，无人系统，形式方法以及估计和控制理论。生物航天-研究和支持太空中的人类生命。探索如何实现安全有效的人类太空探索。流体，结构和材料-该重点领域研究高性能航空和航天系统背后的固体和流体力学。遥
Traditional MS and PhD students are admitted into a specific focus area that provides research advising, financial support, and sets specialized admission and program requirements and recommendations for course work within and outside the department. Astrodynamics and Satellite Navigation Systems - This focus area investigates orbital motion of spacecraft, interplanetary mission design, attitude control, as well as navigation utilizing GPS and advanced sensors. Autonomous Systems - This focus area draws from a variety of disciplines including robotics, human-robot interaction, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, formal methods, and estimation and control theory. Bioastronautics - The study and support of human life in space. Explores how to enable safe and efficient human space exploration. Fluids, Structures and Materials - This focus area studies the solid and fluid mechanics behind high-performance aeronautical and aerospace systems. Remote Sensing, Earth and Space Sciences - Bridges the gap between science and engineering by exploring Earth from space, and space from Earth.