Dec 06, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2007-2008 
    
Undergraduate Record 2007-2008 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Aerospace Engineering


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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 prepare students properly for the future workplace. Students need different experiences than they did ten years ago in order to be competitive in the changing industrial atmosphere. Rapidly expanding, global industries no longer have the resources for extensive “on the job” training. 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, from a co-operative education (co-op) program or from summer jobs or internships with industry.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering implemented a co-op program in 1996 that is currently placing students with 40 industries. This program builds self-confidence and helps define career goals. The co-op experience often helps students obtain senior thesis topics through industrial projects, eases transition to the industrial world, and enhances the student’s marketability. Salaries for co-op students are typically two-thirds of those for B.S. level engineers. It takes four and one-half years to complete the co-op program, including one extended stay (summer plus semester) in industry, with one or more summers possible. Requirements include third year academic standing and a grade point average of at least 2.000. Participation is optional and non-credit; details can be obtained from the school or department.

Program Objectives


  1. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering, and the principles of engineering design to the professional practice of their discipline in modern industry.
  2. Identify and formulate engineering problems in and related to their discipline, and to solve them using modern engineering tools and techniques, through the inspection and analysis of data obtained from the design and execution of experiments, or from the application of theoretical or computational analysis.
  3. Pursue continuous, lifelong learning and professional renewal, including undertaking graduate studies. Possess the tools and motivation for continuous learning, scholarship and self-directed research.
  4. Understand the nature of engineering knowledge and the social context of engineering; appreciate the impact of engineering solutions in a contemporary, global, societal and environmental context; exhibit professionalism, understand and adhere to professional ethics and standards.
  5. Communicate effectively, take leadership positions, and function on multi-disciplinary teams. Understand the importance of diversity in the workplace and of the ethical practice of their profession.

Minor


A minor in aerospace engineering is comprised of five courses and requires MAE 201 and two courses from List A and two courses from List B. List A: MAE 210, 230, 231, 232, and 321. List B: 301, 322, 331, 342, 352, 373, 382, 412, and 413.

First Semester Credits: 15


  • Science elective I Credits: 3
    (see footnote 3 below)
  • HSS elective Credits: 3
    (see footnote 4 below)

Fourth Semester Credits: 17


  • Unrestricted elective Credits: 3
    (See footnote 1 below)

Fifth Semester Credits: 17


  • Technical elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 2 below)
  • Unrestricted elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 1 below)

Sixth Semester Credits: 15


  • HSS elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 4 below)

Seventh Semester Credits: 15


  • Technical elective Credits: 3 
    (See Footnote 2 below)
  • Technical elective Credits: 3 
    (See Footnote 2 below)  
  • Unrestricted elective Credits: 3 
    (See Footnote 1 below)

Eighth Semester Credits: 15


Footnotes


(1) Unrestricted electives may be chosen from any graded course in the University except mathematics courses below MATH 131 and courses that substantially duplicate any others offered for the degree, including PHYS 201, 202; CS 110, 120; or any introductory programming course. Students in doubt as to what is acceptable to satisfy a degree requirement should get the approval of their advisor and the dean’s office, located in A122 Thornton Hall. APMA 109 counts as a three-credit unrestricted elective.

(2) Chosen from the MAE Department’s approved Technical Electives List except for MAE courses required for the AE degree.

(3) Chosen from: BIOL 201, 202; CHEM 152; ECE 200; PHYS 252; and MSE 209.

(4)  Chosen from the approved list available in A122 Thornton Hall.

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