Aerospace Engineering Programs: A Comprehensive Curriculum Overview

Aerospace engineering stands as a dynamic field born from humanity's ambition to conquer the skies and explore the cosmos. Initially rooted in aeronautical engineering, the discipline expanded with the dawn of the space age, evolving into the encompassing field of aerospace engineering, also known as aeronautics and astronautics. Aerospace engineers tackle the intricate challenges of designing, constructing, and operating aircraft and spacecraft, constantly pushing the boundaries of performance while striving for cost-effectiveness.

The Foundation of Aerospace Engineering Education

The undergraduate curriculum in aerospace engineering provides a broad education with a strong foundation in mathematics, science, and basic engineering sciences. Advanced courses in aeronautics and astronautics complete the degree. It is a fully accredited baccalaureate program. This curriculum serves as the bedrock for advanced studies and specialization, incorporating coursework in essential areas such as:

Aerodynamics: The study of fluid motion, lift and drag on wings and other bodies, high-speed heating effects, and wind tunnel investigation of these problems.
Materials and Structures: This subdiscipline includes the study of airplane, spacecraft, and missile structures, the materials that make them efficient, and methods for testing, analysis, and design of new structural systems.
Propulsion: The science of propelling vehicles through air and space.
Dynamics and Control of Aircraft and Spacecraft: Control theory is applied in aerospace engineering to the development of automatic flight control systems for aircraft (autopilots and stability augmentation systems), attitude control systems for satellites, and guidance and control systems for missiles, rockets, reentry vehicles, and spacecraft. Flight mechanics involves the analysis of the motion of aircraft, missiles, rockets, reentry vehicles, and spacecraft that are subjected to gravitational, propulsive, and aerodynamic forces; the study of uncontrolled motion of satellites and coasting spacecraft is usually referred to orbital mechanics.

Senior technical electives allow for focused study in specific areas of interest, enabling students to tailor their education to their career aspirations.

The Significance of Design Experience

Design is a cornerstone of aerospace engineering education. It is emphasized particularly in senior design electives and a senior-level two-semester design sequence involving specific goals, objectives, and constraints, which integrates analysis and design tools and requires students working in teams to design, and in some cases build, test, and deploy an aerospace system, such as an aircraft, rotorcraft, flight simulator, morphing air or space structure, space suit, space habitat, or a mission to Mars. This hands-on experience is invaluable in preparing students for the practical challenges of the profession.

Dual Degree Programs: Expanding Horizons

There is great overlap between the aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering curriculum. The first six semesters of the two degree programs are identical. Through proper selection of electives, students can earn dual mechanical engineering/aerospace engineering BS degrees with one semester of additional work. Recognizing the value of advanced education, many institutions offer combined BS/MS degree programs. The Aerospace Engineering professional often benefits from an advanced degree to meet the challenging needs of industry and government. Accordingly, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) actively participates in the combination BS/MS degree program that allows students to double-count graduate courses toward both degrees. The combination-degree program reduces the cost for both degrees and enhances the student’s marketability for career advancement. These programs allow students to double-count graduate courses towards both degrees, reducing the overall cost and enhancing career prospects.

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Academic Standing and Progress

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. An Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering student whose cumulative, upper-division or department grade point average falls below a 2.0 or whose critical-tracking grades do not meet department requirements will be placed on academic probation and required to complete a probation contract with an MAE academic advisor. Students normally are allowed a maximum of two terms (consecutive or non-consecutive) on academic probation. To ensure academic success, students are expected to maintain a satisfactory grade point average and meet critical-tracking requirements. Students are also expected to complete the Gen Ed International requirement. This is often done concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, Gen Ed Composition, Gen Ed Humanities or Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences). 2 ACT/SAT placement scores do not exempt this requirement. 3 Minimum grade of C required. 4 Can substitute EEL 3111C. 5 Students should select a Quest 2 course that is either Gen Ed Physical or Biological Science.

Sample Curriculum Structure

A typical aerospace engineering curriculum spans four years, encompassing a wide range of courses. This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses.

Freshman Year

Fall: First-Year Writing I, Computing and Digital Solutions for the future or Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering or Global Challenges Addressed by Engineering and Technology, Calculus I for Engineers, University Physics I.
Spring: Introduction to Engineering II, Mechanics of Solids I, First-Year Writing II: STEM, Calculus II, University Physics II, Physics Laboratory.

Sophomore Year

Fall: Mechanics of Solids II, Applied Probability and Statistics, Calculus III, University Physics III, Physics Laboratory 2, HA Cognate (HA Elective).
Spring: Dynamics, Measurements Laboratory, Chemistry for Engineers, Chemistry Laboratory for Engineers, Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations, PS Cognate (PS Elective).

Junior Year

Fall: Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical Design I, HA Cognate (HA Elective), Principles of Electrical Engineering--I.
Spring: Heat Transfer, Mechanics Laboratory 2, Introduction to Aerospace Structures, Aerodynamics, MAE Technical Elective, PS Cognate (PS Elective).

Senior Year

Fall: Experimental Engineering Laboratory, Capstone Aerospace Design Project-I, Aircraft Design, Flight Dynamics, Design of Aerospace Structures, Aerospace Propulsion.
Spring: Automatic Control, Capstone Aerospace Design Project-II, MAE Technical Electives, HA Cognate (Adv. HA Elective), PS Cognate (Adv. PS Elective).

The total credit hours required for graduation are 129. It is important to note that students must complete a minimum of 1 PS cognate and 1 HA cognate to be selected from the list of available cognates. Each cognate should be a minimum of three courses (9 credit hours).

Design Tracks: Atmospheric Flight vs. Space Flight

During the junior year, students typically choose between two design tracks:

Atmospheric Flight: Also called aeronautics, this track provides the student with a well-rounded program of study emphasizing the major disciplines of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, design, performance, flight mechanics, and control of aircraft. These subjects are treated at a fundamental level that lays a foundation for work in a broad variety of specialties in the aircraft industry. This track focuses on aircraft design, aerodynamics, propulsion, and flight mechanics, preparing students for careers in the aircraft industry.
Space Flight: Also called astronautics, this track offers a well-rounded program of study that provides a background in the traditional areas of materials, structures, propulsion, and controls, while also giving the student a chance to learn about the space environment, attitude determination and control, orbital mechanics, mission design, and spacecraft systems engineering. These subjects are treated at a fundamental level that lays a foundation for work in a broad variety of specialties in space-related industries. This track delves into spacecraft systems, orbital mechanics, and mission design, ideal for those interested in space-related industries.

The design track option allows the student to choose seven semester hours of courses in either atmospheric flight or space flight. Each student should choose a design track by the end of the first semester of the junior year and plan an academic program to meet the track requirements in the next three semesters. Many students choose electives that will strengthen their backgrounds in one specialty area, but this is not required. The degree requires all students to take nine semester hours of approved aerospace electives.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Beyond the classroom, aerospace engineering programs often offer opportunities for hands-on experience through special projects. The department offers students the opportunity to participate in special projects such as student-built radio-controlled aircraft competitions and student satellite-building projects. These time-intensive projects are open to all aerospace engineering students with at least 15 semester hours of University credit toward the degree and a grade point average of at least 2.50. Academic credit for participation in departmentally approved student projects is available on the pass/fail basis through the course Aerospace Engineering 128. . These may include student-built radio-controlled aircraft competitions and satellite-building projects, providing invaluable practical skills and teamwork experience.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

Graduates of aerospace engineering programs are expected to possess a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge, including:

A strong foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering principles.
Expertise in aerodynamics, materials and structures, propulsion, and dynamics and control.
Proficiency in engineering design and analysis tools.
The ability to work effectively in teams.
Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
An understanding of ethical and professional responsibilities.
An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Computing Resources

Students entering aerospace engineering are required to have access to a portable computing device capable of running the software tools required for undergraduate engineering analyses (MATLAB, SOLIDWORKS, Word, Excel, etc.) and accessing the remote server for the department. This device does not need to be brought to campus on a daily basis, but individual courses may require that the device be brought to certain lectures, labs, and/or exams. Access to appropriate computing resources is essential for completing coursework and engaging in engineering analysis. The student must take all courses required for the degree on the letter-grade basis and must earn a grade of at least C- in each course, except for those listed as Remaining Core Curriculum courses.

Mission and Goals of Aerospace Engineering Programs

The mission of the Aerospace Engineering program is to provide excellent undergraduate education in Aerospace Engineering that will prepare graduates to meet society’s changing needs and aspirations. The educational objectives of the undergraduate Aerospace Engineering (B.S.A.S.E.) Program are to prepare graduates, within a few years after graduation, to be: working as a professional or as an entrepreneur in an area related to aerospace engineering, and/or exhibiting lifelong learning by pursuing or having completed a graduate or professional degree and/or demonstrated professional development. The mission of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is to provide excellent undergraduate education in aerospace engineering and undergraduate and graduate education in mechanical engineering that will prepare graduates to meet Society’s changing needs and aspirations.

The goals of aerospace engineering programs are to:

Prepare students for professional practice in aerospace engineering and related fields.
Prepare students for postbaccalaureate study.
Instill a commitment to lifelong learning and ethical behavior.
Promote awareness of the global and societal impact of technology.

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