Undergraduates
Prospective Students
Official University Description
This major field of study is designed primarily for those students who are interested in the analysis, design, and operation of aircraft and space vehicles. Depending upon the technical course selections made in the senior year, a student may emphasize aeronautics or astronautics, and specific technical areas within these fields, including aerodynamics, structural mechanics, flight mechanics, propulsion, and controls.
If E MCH 012, CMPSC 201, MATH 220, 230, and 251 are not completed by the start of the junior year, it is doubtful that graduation requirements can be met in the following two years; i.e., more than four years will be required to complete the program. Otherwise, the first two years of study are similar to those of other engineering majors and provide the student with a basic education for the engineering profession. Because engineering practice changes rapidly, emphasis is placed upon those physical and scientific principles and methods that form the soundest and broadest base for future work in aerospace engineering.
Six of the 9 required technical credits taken in the senior year must be aerospace engineering courses; however, this requirement may be waived for students with special interests.
Supplemental Departmental Description
The study of Aerospace Engineering prepares students for the design, analysis, and testing of aerospace products--including satellites, space stations, and launch vehicles, as well as propeller-driven and jet-powered airplanes and helicopters. Students take courses in aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and controls as applied to aircraft and spacecraft. They also have a liberal choice of technical electives to expand their knowledge in these areas as well as in more specialized aerospace subjects, such as V/STOL aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, aeronautics, automatic controls, composites, numerical methods, orbital mechanics, and rocket propulsion.
The Aerospace Engineering major leads to the bachelor of science degree. Like other Engineering majors, students in this major are introduced to the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry, solid mechanics, and general engineering.
Students enrolled in this major who qualify can be admitted to the Schreyer Honors College and graduate with honors in Aerospace Engineering.
Baccalaureate majors in the College of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.