Program Overview

Aerospace Engineering, B.S.

The Aerospace Engineering program at Florida Tech is a challenging course of study that offers students the opportunity to tackle compelling and relevant engineering problems using cutting-edge engineering tools and laboratory equipment.

Program Overview

Aerospace engineering is all about flying machines: the design, development, production, testing, and marketing of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems and equipment. Whether students dream of designing the aircraft of the future, developing new and powerful methods of propulsion, or being part of a space exploration team that goes where no one has gone before, an aerospace engineering degree from Florida Tech gets them there.

Why Choose Florida Tech for Aerospace Engineering?

At Florida Tech, students develop a strong background in engineering combined with hands-on experience in fields like aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. They become part of a prestigious program that consistently receives accolades at a university ranked among the nation’s top tier.

• Small Class Sizes and Low Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Our small class sizes ensure an exceptional learning experience—a low student-to-faculty ratio and personalized one-on-one academics where students work alongside their professors in internships and research projects.
• Internationally Recognized Faculty: Learn from the best. Our aerospace engineering faculty are highly experienced in aerospace systems and leaders in innovative aerospace research. They have won numerous prestigious research grants from NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and the National Science Foundation—and they share a special dedication to teaching and working with every student.
• High-Tech Labs and Facilities: High-tech learning requires high-tech tools. At Florida Tech, students find wind tunnels to study scale models of airplanes and aerospace parts, shock tubes for high-speed and high-temperature flow studies, a rocket and gas turbine engine thrust stand, machinery for structural and materials testing, modern state-of-the-art software for computer-aided design, and more.

Careers in Aerospace Engineering

Florida Tech graduates are eagerly recruited by employers, including:

• NASA
• U.S. Department of Defense
• Boeing Co.
• Lockheed Martin
• Northrop Grumman Corp.
• General Electric Co.
• Pratt and Whitney
• Revolutionary Research
• SpaceX
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• U.S. Department of Transportation
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Federal defense contractors

Advanced Degree Options

After receiving their aerospace engineering degree, many of our students pursue graduate degrees at Florida Tech or other prestigious universities. Post-graduate programs our students choose include:

• Aerospace Engineering, M.S.
• Space Systems, M.S.
• Aerospace Engineering, Ph.D.

Curriculum

The aerospace engineering program at Florida Tech is a challenging course of study that offers students the opportunity to tackle compelling and relevant engineering problems using cutting-edge engineering tools and laboratory equipment.

• Freshman and sophomore years emphasize mathematics and physics while aerospace engineering is introduced.
• During sophomore and junior years, students move into engineering sciences, including materials science, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
• For junior and senior years, students progressively center on the specific issues faced by practicing aerospace engineers and complete their capstone project.

Some examples of classes students take:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Aerospace Structural Design
• Aerospace Computational Techniques
• Aerospace Experimentation

Undergraduate Opportunities in Aerospace Engineering Research

As an undergraduate in the aerospace engineering program, students participate in state-of-the-art research projects and relevant hands-on workshops that involve concepts and systems at the forefront of engineering.

• During junior year, students lay the groundwork for their capstone design project, which they complete during senior year.
• Students present their senior capstone project at the Northrop Grumman Engineering and Science Student Design Showcase.

Related Programs

Students might also be interested in:

• Aeronautical Science, B.S.
• Mechanical Engineering, B.S.
• Electrical Engineering, B.S.

Program Accreditation

The Aerospace Engineering (Bachelor of Science) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Aerospace and Similarly Named Programs. Additional information can be found on the department’s ABET information page.