Program Overview

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Aerospace Engineering, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Aerospace Engineering

The Aerospace Engineering curriculum provides a strong fundamental background in engineering, mathematics, and science, along with the ability to apply this fundamental knowledge to the analysis and design of future aircraft and spacecraft. It also prepares students for lifelong learning and the attainment of their career goals in the field of aerospace engineering and in a wide range of other areas. The concepts of system design are introduced early in the curriculum and culminate in the yearlong senior capstone design experience (AE 442, AE 443), in which students work in teams to respond to a design challenge from industry, government, or a professional engineering society. Technical and free electives allow the student to pursue an individualized program of study.

Current Program Educational Objectives

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Aerospace Engineering

• 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.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours. Minimum Overall GPA: 2.0

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

Orientation and Professional Development

• AE 100: Intro to Aerospace Engineering (2 hours)
• ENG 100: Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar (1 hour) Total Hours: 3

Foundational Mathematics and Science

• CHEM 102: General Chemistry I (3 hours)
• CHEM 103: General Chemistry Lab I (1 hour)
• MATH 221: Calculus I (4 hours)
• MATH 231: Calculus II (3 hours)
• MATH 241: Calculus III (4 hours)
• MATH 257: Linear Algebra with Computational Applications (3 hours)
• MATH 285: Intro Differential Equations (3 hours)
• PHYS 211: University Physics: Mechanics (4 hours)
• PHYS 212: University Physics: Elec & Mag (4 hours) Total Hours: 29

Aerospace Engineering Technical Core

• AE 140: Aerospace Computer-Aided Design (2 hours)
• AE 202: Aerospace Flight Mechanics (3 hours)
• AE 311: Incompressible Flow (3 hours)
• AE 312: Compressible Flow (3 hours)
• AE 321: Mechs of Aerospace Structures (3 hours)
• AE 323: Applied Aerospace Structures (3 hours)
• AE 352: Aerospace Dynamical Systems (3 hours)
• AE 353: Aerospace Control Systems (3 hours)
• AE 370: Aerospace Numerical Methods (3 hours)
• AE 433: Aerospace Propulsion (3 hours)
• AE 442: Aerospace Systems Design I (3 hours)
• AE 443: Aerospace Systems Design II (3 hours)
• AE 460: Aerodynamics & Propulsion Lab (2 hours)
• AE 461: Structures & Control Lab (2 hours)
• AE 483: Autonomous Systems Lab (2 hours)
• CS 101: Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci (3 hours)
• ECE 205: Electrical and Electronic Circuits (3 hours)
• ME 200: Thermodynamics (3 hours)
• MSE 280: Engineering Materials (3 hours)
• TAM 210: Introduction to Statics (2 hours)
• TAM 212: Introductory Dynamics (3 hours) Total Hours: 58

Technical Electives

Select from the departmentally approved list of Technical Electives. Student will choose 6 hours of AE Technical Electives and 6 hours of either additional AE Technical Electives or Non-AE Technical Electives. Total Hours: 12

Free Electives

Additional course work, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree. Total Hours: 10

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals.

First Year

• First Semester:
  • AE 100: Intro to Aerospace Engineering (2 hours)
  • ENG 100: Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar (1 hour)
  • MATH 221: Calculus I (4 hours)
  • CHEM 102: General Chemistry I (3 hours)
  • CHEM 103: General Chemistry Lab I (1 hour)
  • AE 140: Aerospace Computer-Aided Design (2 hours)
  • Composition I or General Education (Choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course) (4-3 hours) Total Hours: 17
• Second Semester:
  • MATH 231: Calculus II (3 hours)
  • MATH 225: (2 hours)
  • PHYS 211: University Physics: Mechanics (4 hours)
  • CS 101: Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci (3 hours)
  • General Education (Choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course) or Composition I course (3-4 hours) Total Hours: 15

Second Year

• First Semester:
  • MATH 241: Calculus III (4 hours)
  • PHYS 212: University Physics: Elec & Mag (4 hours)
  • TAM 210: Introduction to Statics (2 hours)
  • MSE 280: Engineering Materials (3 hours)
  • General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) (3 hours) Total Hours: 16
• Second Semester:
  • MATH 285: Intro Differential Equations (3 hours)
  • ME 200: Thermodynamics (3 hours)
  • AE 202: Aerospace Flight Mechanics (3 hours)
  • TAM 212: Introductory Dynamics (3 hours)
  • General Education courses (choose Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science courses with Cultural Studies designation) (6 hours) Total Hours: 18

Third Year

• First Semester:
  • AE 311: Incompressible Flow (3 hours)
  • AE 321: Mechs of Aerospace Structures (3 hours)
  • AE 352: Aerospace Dynamical Systems (3 hours)
  • ECE 205: Electrical and Electronic Circuits (3 hours)
  • General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) (3 hours) Total Hours: 15
• Second Semester:
  • AE 312: Compressible Flow (3 hours)
  • AE 323: Applied Aerospace Structures (3 hours)
  • AE 353: Aerospace Control Systems (3 hours)
  • AE 370: Aerospace Numerical Methods (3 hours)
  • Language Other Than English (3rd level) course (4 hours) Total Hours: 16

Fourth Year

• First Semester:
  • AE 442: Aerospace Systems Design I (3 hours)
  • AE 433: Aerospace Propulsion (3 hours)
  • AE 460: Aerodynamics & Propulsion Lab (2 hours)
  • AE 483: Autonomous Systems Lab (2 hours)
  • Technical elective course (3 hours)
  • Free elective course (3 hours) Total Hours: 16
• Second Semester:
  • AE 443: Aerospace Systems Design II (3 hours)
  • AE 461: Structures & Control Lab (2 hours)
  • Technical elective courses (9 hours)
  • Free elective course (1 hour) Total Hours: 15

Total Hours of Curriculum to Graduate: 128

Learning Outcomes

Aerospace Engineering graduates will have:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. 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.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.