Aerospace Engineering
Career Focus
The Aerospace Engineering degree program prepares its graduates for careers in aircraft and space systems design, analysis and manufacturing. Aerospace engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to the design, development, and implementation of systems or vehicles that travel above the surface of the earth. These vehicles may include low-speed propeller-powered aircraft, high-speed jet-powered aircraft, remotely piloted vehicles, micro air vehicles, hovercraft, and helicopters, as well as rockets, spacecraft, space stations, planetary rovers, and such specialty equipment as heat shields and other protective and deployment devices. The design of these vehicles and systems is both difficult and challenging because they must operate reliably and efficiently in harsh environments. Aerospace engineering is intimately involved in the design, manufacture, control, and operation of these systems coupled with a consideration of environmental, economical, ethical, and social issues.
AE Program Educational Objectives
In collaboration with representatives of the significant constituency groups, including students, graduates, employers and others, the faculty of the department developed the following two program educational objectives (PEOs) for mechanical engineering.
Within a few years after graduation, alumni of the Aerospace engineering program will:
- Contribute to solving the engineering challenges that face our society.
- Lead successful and productive careers in the engineering fields, and/or pursue further study in engineering or other fields such as medicine, business and law.
Curriculum and Advising
Credit Hours to Graduate
127
Areas Of Study
- Aerodynamic vehicle design
- Aerodynamic vehicle performance
- Aerodynamic structures
- Air-breathing propulsion
- Compressible aerodynamics
- Engineering dynamics
- Engineering materials
- Rocket propulsion
- Stability and control
- Thermodynamics
- Wing theory
Senior Design Project
AE capstone senior design is a two-semester project in which students design and build a number of Aerospace vehicles:
- Aircraft: Design a novel remotely controlled aircraft and construct and flight-test it at the program’s air field.
- Spacecraft: Design, construct and test a space system, like a moon rover, satellite, or remotely operated interplanetary probe.
Accelerated Tracks
Jobs and Salary
Aerospace Engineers Occupational Outlook and Salaries – Bureau of Labor Statistics