10: School of Engineering and Applied Science

General Information | Degree Programs | Curricula | Course Descriptions | Faculty

Aerospace Engineering | Applied Mathematics | Biomedical Engineering | Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering | Computer Science | Computer Engineering (Computer Science) | Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering (Electrical Engineering) | Engineering Science | Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering | Systems Engineering | Division of Technology, Culture, and Communication

Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering is concerned with the science and technology underlying the behavior and design of vehicles and systems that operate within the atmosphere and in space. It requires knowledge of a wide range of subject areas, including the basic sciences, mathematics, and engineering sciences as well as specialized studies in aerodynamics, propulsion systems, structures, materials, flight dynamics, astronautics, planetary atmospheres, and computational methods. This broad background qualifies the graduating engineer not only to handle problems that are special to the aerospace field, but also to meet challenges of an interdisciplinary nature facing society, such as those involving the environment, transportation, and energy resources.

With the changing climate in industry and educational units, increasing pressure is being placed on academic institutions to properly prepare students for the future workplace. Students need different experiences than ten years ago to be competitive in the changing industrial atmosphere. Rapidly expanding, global industries no longer have the resources for extensive training of employees "on the job." As indicated by discussions with recruiters and industry leaders, graduating students are now expected to have some practical and/or unique experience that they will be able to apply in an industry in the near term. These experiences may come from either laboratory work at the University or from a co-operative education (co-op) program.

The School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering implemented a co-op program in 1996, and are currently placing students with 27 industries.

This four and one-half year program includes one extended stay (summer plus semester) in industry, with one or two more summers possible. Requirements include third year academic standing and a grade point average of at least 2.5. Participation is optional and non-credit. The advantages of a co-op program for the student are that it builds self confidence, helps define career goals, assists with course selection, provides senior thesis material through industrial projects, eases transition to the industrial world, enhances marketability when seeking future employment, and provides income (wages are typically two-thirds of the salaries earned by B.S.M.E. or B.S.A.E.). Details of the program can be obtained from the school or department.

Minor   Six courses constitute a minor. There are two options: aeronautics and astronautics

For a minor in aeronautics: AE 202, AE 305, AE 310, AE 306, plus two courses from the following: AE 441/442, AE 423, AE 406, AE 433, AE 439, AE 445.

For a minor in astronautics: AE 326, AE 305, AE 310, AE 434, plus two courses from the following: AE 441/442, AE 427, AE 439, AE 445, AE 402.

Aerospace Engineering Curriculum

First Semester
APMA 101Calculus I 4
CHEM 151Introductory Chemistry for Engineers 3
CHEM 151LIntroductory Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory1
ENGR 160Engineering Concepts 3
ENGR 164Engineering Design 3
TCC 101Language Communication and the Technological Society3
Total17
Second Semester
APMA 102Calculus II4
PHYS 142EGeneral Physics I 4
CS 182Introduction to FORTRAN Programming 3
CHEM 152Introductory Chemistry for Engineers 3
CHEM 152LIntroductory Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory1
General Education elective[4]3
Total18
Third Semester
APMA 205Calculus III 4
PHYS 241EGeneral Physics II 3
PHYS 241LGeneral Physics Laboratory I 1
ENGR 205Solid Mechanics I 3
ENGR 202Thermodynamics[1]3
General Education elective[4]3
Total17
Fourth Semester
APMA 206Differential Equations I 4
PHYS 242EGeneral Physics III 3
PHYS 242LGeneral Physics Laboratory II 1
ENGR 207Dynamics 3
AE 202Introduction to Aeronautics 3
AE 202LIntroduction to Aeronautics Laboratory1
TCC 2__TCC elective3
Total18
Fifth Semester
APMA 315Vector Calculus and Complex Variables 3
AE 305Fluid Mechanics I[2]3
AE 383Experimental Methods Laboratory 2
ENGR 203Electrical Science 3
ENGR 306Solid Mechanics II3
General Education elective[4]3
Total17
Sixth Semester
APMA 341Differential Equations II 3
AE 306Fluid Mechanics II 3
AE 310Structural Analysis 3
AE 384Applied Engineering Laboratory 2
AE 326Introduction to Astronautics 3
Gen Educ elective[4]3
Total17
Seventh Semester
TCC 401Western Technology and Culture 3
AE 423Flight Vehicle Dynamics or
AE 427Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics 3
AE 441Aerospace Vehicle Design I 3
Technical elective[3] [5]3
Technical elective[3] [5]2
General Education elective[4]3
Total17
Eighth Semester
TCC 402The Engineer in Society 3
AE 442Aerospace Vehicle Design II 3
Technical elective[3] [5]3
Technical elective[3] [5]3
Technical elective[3] [5]3
Total15
136 credits - minimum required for graduation.

[1]ENGR 202 is prerequisite for third-year AE courses.
[2]ME 302 may be substituted for AE 305.
[3]The program of studies must include either ME 450 as a technical elective or formal course work in economics.
[4]One general education elective may be replaced by an unrestricted elective with the approval of the advisor.
[5]At least three of the following courses must be taken as part of the 14 credits of technical electives with no more than one course selected from any group: (a) AE 406; (b) AE 439 or AE 370 or AE 471; (c) AE 445; and (d) AE 433 or AE 434.

Continue to: Applied Mathematics
Return to: Chapter 10 Index