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2007-08 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Aerospace Engineering
College: Engineering
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Hours for Degree: 128
Minor: Yes, BioMechanics
Dual Degree: Dual mechanical engineering/aerospace engineering available
Combined-Degree Program: Yes
Website: www.mae.ufl.edu/mae-undergrad/

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 and aerospace engineering department or its Web site for more information.

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 opportunities for students to participate in research through classroom assignments, individual studies, undergraduate research scholarships and employment as research assistants.

Mission

The mission of the undergraduate program is to serve the state of Florida, the United States and the engineering profession by providing quality educational programs in aerospace engineering; conduct a nationally recognized research program; and foster ongoing professional development of students and faculty.

Educational Objectives

Within three to five years of obtaining a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Florida, a graduate is expected to achieve one or more of the following milestones:
  • Advance professionally as a result of his/her ability to solve complex technical problems and to work in multidisciplinary teams on problems whose solutions lead to significant societal benefits;
  • Demonstrate professional engineering competence via promotions and/or positions of increasing responsibility, or successfully transition from the traditional aerospace engineering career path into business, government or education;
  • Make scholarly contributions to knowledge as demonstrated by publishing papers and/or technical reports, applying for patents, delivering effective conference presentations and/or contributing to innovative leadership articles;
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the community and the profession through involvement with community and/or professional organizations and/or make contributions towards society's greater good and prosperity; and
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the need for life-long learning via progress toward, or successful completion of an advanced degree, professional development and/or industrial training course(s), and/or engineering certification.

Critical Tracking and Semester Plan

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 2048/2048L, PHY 2049/2049L

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 appear in bold.

Suggested semester-by-semester plan

Semester 1Credits
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M)4
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 (GE-P)3
CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GE-P)1
English composition (placement scores on ACT/SAT do not exempt this requirement)3
Social Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 14
Semester 2Credits
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M)4
PHY 2048 and 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
Science elective, CHM 2046, BSC 2010 or PHY 31013
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 (3) and Laboratory (1) (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 (select Fortran or C++ offered by ISE department)2
EEL 3003 and 3303L Elements of Electrical Engineering and Circuits Laboratory or EEL 3111C Circuits 1 with Laboratory4
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, EML 4500, EML 4220, EML 4140 or EML 5714 3
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
EAS 4200C Aerospace Structures3
EAS 4400 Stability and Control of Aircraft3
EAS 4700 Aerospace Design 13
Aerospace elective, EML 4500, EML 4220, EML 4140 or EML 57143
Laboratory elective, EML 4304C, EML 4147C or EML 4314C3
Total 15
Semester 9Credits
EAS 4300 Aerospace Propulsion3
EAS 4710 Aerospace Design 23
EML 4920 Professional Orientation1
Humanities (GE-H) or Social Sciences (GE-S) 3
Technical elective (see approved list)6
Total 16

* Completed with a grade of C or better