The aerospace engineer is primarily concerned with the design, analysis, testing, and overall operation of vehicles that operate in air, water, and space. A wide variety of opportunities awaits the aerospace engineering graduate in research, development, design, production, sales, and management in the aerospace industry, and in many related industries in which fluid flow, control, structural, and transportation challenges play major roles.
Why Aerospace Engineering
We give students the tools, the hands-on experience, and the motivation to lead them into successful and exciting careers. Aerospace engineering is a program that prepares students for many types of engineering careers—more than half of our graduates work in fields that go beyond airplanes and rockets. Aerospace engineers have the universe at their fingertips, from individual atoms in nanomaterials to interstellar space. In the Department of Aerospace Engineering, you will find a program committed to real-world preparation. This program includes; a curriculum built on basic sciences, math, and engineering skills, laboratories that emphasize practical skills, and equipment that matches industry and research standards. You will cap your aerospace coursework by participating in a major aircraft or spacecraft senior design project, as part of a simulated industrial design team.
Program Requirements
A Bachelors Degree is Aerospace Engineering requires a minimum of 129 credits. The curriculum is designed to provide the student with an education in the fundamental principles of aerodynamics, flight dynamics, propulsion, structural mechanics, flight controls, design, testing, and space technologies. To find out more about program requirements, curriculum details, and student resources, see the Advising Center web page.
Engineering Minors
The College of Engineering offers different minors for students. For example, a popular minor used in the Aerospace industry is Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE), which utilizes a variety of techniques to determine the health of an engineering component or structure without affecting its usefulness. For all available minors, see this College of Engineering web page.
Make to Innovate
Make to Innovate (M:2:I) is an exciting program in the Aerospace Engineering Department that engages students in hands-on-projects to enhance their understanding of engineering fundamentals which are learned in the classroom. See the M:2:I web page for more information.
Co-ops and Internships
The field of aerospace engineering offers a wide range of employment opportunities including co-ops and internships for undergraduate students. Participating in a co-op or internship is not required, but is highly recommended. The College of Engineering provides students with career support through Engineering Career Services. The office helps students find internships, and co-ops and helps place new graduates in careers. For more information see the Career Services website.