Aerospace Engineering

The first year focuses on coursework in the areas of chemistry, mathematics, physics, humanities, social sciences. The second year adds coursework in general engineering sciences and aerospace specific disciplines. The third and fourth years emphasize aerospace disciplines, vehicle systems integration and design, and Options courses that allow students to individualize their education.The undergraduate curriculum is designed to provide each student with a general background for employment in industry or government, or advanced study in graduate school at the end of four years. The program stresses the analytical, experimental, and design aspects of aerospace engineering. A certain degree of specialization is available to undergraduate students through the proper choice of Options and through a choice of air- or space-focused tracks. In addition, opportunities for undergraduate research and team competition courses are available, depending on the student's abilities and career objectives. Courses do not have to be taken during the specific semester indicated in the curriculum, but all prerequisites must be satisfied for each course. Advisement is encouraged before registration, with each student assigned a faculty advisor who remains the same for the full undergraduate program, unless the student requests a change. Students should consult with academic advisors for the availability of courses and recommended course sequences.

Educational Objectives

The undergraduate aerospace engineering degree program is designed to achieve the following objectives:

• Our graduates will be technically proficient and effective leaders and entrepreneurs. They will display high professional and ethical standards in aerospace engineering and related fields, and within industry, academia, and government.
• Our graduates will create new knowledge and engineering practices and develop products and services that have a global impact. They will collaborate with international partners and engage in culturally diverse teams.
• Our graduates will be life-long learners, continually developing their leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They will be actively engaged in the acquisition and advancement of knowledge and technical expertise through research and development, and through active participation in professional societies, graduate studies, conferences, and symposia.
• Our graduates will transfer the knowledge gained from their aerospace engineering degrees to new fields that intersect with aerospace engineering such as robotics, medicine, and clean energy. They will use their degrees as a launching point for careers in other professional fields such as law, medicine, and public service.