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Office of the University Registrar

2005-06 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Aerospace Engineering
College: Engineering
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Hours for Degree: 128
Minor: No
Dual Degree: Dual mechanical engineering/aerospace engineering available
Combined-Degree Program: Yes
Website: www.mae.ufl.edu

Aerospace engineers are called upon to solve exciting problems of design, construction and operation of aircraft and spacecraft to meet the ever-increasing requirement for improved performance at lower unit cost. These challenges mean that aerospace engineers work at the continuously changing forefront of science, technology and systems management.

The undergraduate curriculum in aerospace engineering is a fully accredited baccalaureate program that provides a broad education with a strong foundation in mathematics, science and basic engineering sciences. Advanced courses in aeronautics and astronautics complete the degree. Graduates will be prepared to work in the aerospace and related industries or to pursue graduate study.

Dual-Degree Programs

There is great overlap between the aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering curriculum. The first six semesters of the two degree programs are identical. Through proper selection of electives, students can earn dual mechanical engineering/aerospace engineering B.S. degrees with one semester of additional work. Interested students should contact the mechanical engineering department.

Research Programs

The department's active research programs are sponsored by private industry, the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, NASA, National Institutes of Health and other agencies. These programs keep faculty at the leading edge of technology and provide opportunity for students to participate in research through classroom assignments, individual studies, undergraduate research scholarships and employment as research assistants.

Mission

To provide quality educational programs in aerospace engineering, conduct a nationally recognized research program, provide service to the state of Florida, the nation and the profession, support innovative instruction and lay the foundation for ongoing professional development of students and faculty.

Educational Objectives

Provide students with a comprehensive aerospace engineering education that includes instruction in aerodynamics, aerospace structures and materials, flight mechanics, stability and controls, orbital mechanics, propulsion, design of aerospace systems, mathematics, experimental methods and numerical methods.
  • Prepare students to design aerospace and related multidisciplinary systems.
  • Give graduates the ability to design and conduct experiments and analyze and interpret the data.
  • Promote development of communication skills and individual professionalism through presentations in experimental methods, design and technical writing courses as well as other activities including individual study and research.
  • Prepare students to use modern computational and experimental equipment commonly found in the aerospace industries and research facilities and cultivate skills for ongoing professional development.
  • Develop the broad background needed to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a societal and economic context.

Critical Tracking Requirements

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
  • 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work for semesters 1-5
  • Complete 1 of 8 tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts (CHM 2045, approved science elective, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049)

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 additional course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

Semester 3:

  • Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

Semester 4:

  • Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

Semester 5:

  • Complete all 8 critical-tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which will be bold.

Suggested semester-by-semester plan

Semester 1Credits
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE–M)4
CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 and Laboratory (GE–P)4
ENC 1101 Introduction to College Writing (GE–C)3
Social Sciences (GE–S)3
Total 14
Semester 2 Credits
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE–M)4
PHY 2048 and 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 and Laboratory (GE–P)4
Science elective (note 1)3
ENC 2210 Technical Writing (GE–C) or
ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (GE–C)
3
Total 14
Semester 3Credits
MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE–M)4
PHY 2049 and 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 and Laboratory (GE–P)4
EML 2023 Computer Aided Graphics and Design3
EML 2322L Design and Manufacturing Laboratory1
EGM 2511 Engineering Mechanics – Statics *3
Total 15
Semester 4Credits
MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations3
CGS 2425 Computer Programming for Engineers (note 2)2
EEL 3111C Circuits 1 (note 3)4
EGM 3401 Engineering Mechanics – Dynamics *3
EML 3100 Thermodynamics *3
Total 15
Semester 5Credits
Humanities (GE–H)6
EMA 3010 Materials3
Total 9
Semester 6Credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE–S)3
EGM 3520 Mechanics of Materials3
EGM 4313 Intermediate Engineering Analysis4
EGN 3353C Fluid Mechanics3
EML 3301C Instrumentation and Measurements Laboratory2
Total 15
Semester 7Credits
EAS 4101 Aerodynamics3
EAS 4510 Astrodynamics3
EGM 4344 Introduction to Numerical Methods of Engineering Analysis3
EML 4312 Control of Mechanical Engineering Systems3
Aerospace elective (note 4)3
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
EAS 4200C Aerospace Structures3
EAS 4400 Stability and Control of Aircraft3
EAS 4700 Aerospace Design 13
Aerospace elective (note 4)3
Lab elective (note 5)3
Total 15
Semester 9Credits
EAS 4300 Aerospace Propulsion3
EAS 4710 Aerospace Design 23
EML 4920 Professional Orientation1
Humanities or Social Sciences (GE–H or S) 3
Technical elective (note 6)6
Total 16

* Completed with a grade of C or better

Note 1: Select from CHM 2046 (General Chemistry 2), BSC 2010 (Integrated Principles of Biology 1), PHY 3101 (Introduction to Modern Physics). Other courses may be accepted with prior written department approval.

Note 2: Offered by Industrial and Systems Engineering. Select FORTRAN or C++.

Note 3: Students can substitute EEL 3003 (Elements of Electrical Engineering) (3 cr) plus EEL 3303L (Electrical Circuits Laboratory) (1 cr).

Note 4: Aerospace Electives – Select two: EML 4500 (Finite Element Analysis and Design), EML 4220 (Vibrations), EML 4140 (Heat Transfer), EML 5714 (Introduction to Compressible Flow).

Note 5: Select from EML 4304C (Thermo/Fluid Design and Lab), EML 4147C (Thermo-Heat Transfer Design and Lab), EML 4314C (Dynamics and Controls System Design Laboratory).

Note 6: Technical electives - Select any 3000/4000/5000-level course with EML, EAS or EGM prefix that does not satisfy other aerospace engineering degree requirements. Other courses may be approved by the MAE department.

A (PDF) list of approved technical electives is available in 226 MAE-A. Students pursuing dual mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering degrees should select courses satisfying the ME degree.