The Department of Aerospace Engineering, Me-chanics and Engineering Science (AeMES) offers bachelor’s, master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in aerospace engineering. In addition, the AeMES department offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering science and master’s and Doctor of Phi-losophy degrees in engineering mechanics.

        Aerospace engineers are called upon to solve ex-citing problems of design, construction and operation of aircraft and spacecraft to meet the ever-increasing requirement of improved performance at lower unit cost. Design of such vehi-cles is challenging because of the premium placed on light-weight vehicles performing efficiently and reli-ability, the enormous range of flight speeds and the variety of environments in which aerospace vehicles must operate. These challenges mean that aerospace engineers work at the continuously changing forefront of science, technology and systems management. The aerospace discipline also provides a solid background for other engineering fields.

        The undergraduate curriculum in aerospace engi-neering is an accredited baccalaureate program that provides a broad education with a particular focus in aeronautics or astronautics. A strong foundation in mathematics, science and basic engineering sciences is emphasized. Building on this foundation, the student can acquire a working knowledge of current technol-ogy in some of the primary subject areas of aerospace engineering, including aerodynamics and propulsion, flight dynamics and control systems, structural me-chanics and space systems. Laboratory and design experiences are integrated throughout the curriculum. Humanities and social science courses are included to improve communication skills and to prepare students for the socio-economic environment of engineering practice.

        There is an increasing need for a master’s level of competence for a lifelong engineering career. Students continuing in postgraduate work in aerospace engi-neering at the university may choose among three degree programs:

• A nonthesis master of engineering degree (ME) integrated with the baccalaureate program; students choose an emphasis in astronautics, structural me-chanics or thermofluid mechanics, and acquire the additional working knowledge needed to engage in the practice of modern aerospace engineering.
• A master’s degree (MS) with thesis provides an opportunity to work on a research or design topic under faculty supervision.
• The doctoral program (PhD) contains an extensive research component and prepares graduates for ca-reers in advanced engineering practice, research and higher education.

        The department will provide quality education programs in aerospace engineering and engineering science, conduct nationally recognized research and support the faculty in fostering a leading-edge educa-tional program that includes instruction in aerodynam-ics, aerospace structures and materials, flight mechan-ics and controls, and aerothermal processes.

Educational Objectives

• To educate students to apply mathematics and numerical methods to design and analyze aerospace systems.
• To promote development of communication skills to enable students to work effectively as individu-als and in teams.
• To cultivate learning and research skills to prepare students for lifelong learning and professional de-velopment, and
• To understand contemporary societal and ethical issues and their impact on engineering practice in a global context.

 

        The combined BS/MS degree program allows qualified students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master's degree in aerospace engineering with savings of up to six credit hours.

        Qualified students begin MS degree course work in the senior year and double-count up to six graduate course credit hours for both the BS and MS degrees. Students will be able to complete the MS degree within two or three semesters after completing the BS degree.
        For more information, please contact the program office at 226 Aerospace Building.

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.

        Degree programs and many 3-4000 level course offerings have resulted from ongoing research in the department.

Admission Requirements

        Admission decisions are made in accordance with college policy. A grade of C or better is required for certain courses. Students must maintain a junior/senior level GPA of 2.0 or better or the student will be placed on academic probation.

CURRICULUM LEADING TO THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

Critical Tracking Criteria:

        Critical tracking courses for semesters 1-4 appear in bold; these courses must be completed with a GPA of 2.50 or better.
 
 

	FRESHMAN YEAR
Semester 1 - Fall	Credits
ENC 1101 Composition (GE-C, see Note 1).	3
EML 3023 Computer Aided Graphics & Design.	3
MAC 2311 Analyt Geo & Calculus 1 (GE-M).	4
CHM 2045 & 2045L Chemistry & Lab (GE-P).	4
Total	14
Semester 2 - Spring	Credits
ENC 2210 Technical Writing	3
MAC 2312 Analyt Geo & Calculus 2 (GE-M).	4
PHY 2048 & 2048L Physics with Calculus 1          & Lab (GE-P).	4
Science Elective (see Note 2).	3
Total	14
	SOPHOMORE YEAR
Semester 3 - Fall	Credits
EAS 2001 Intro to Aerospace Engineering*	3
EGM 2511 Engr. Mechanics - Statics*	3
MAC 2313 Analyt Geo & Calculus 3 (GE-M).	4
PHY 2049 & 2049L Physics with Calculus 2           & Lab (GE-P).	4
Total	14
Semester 4 - Spring	Credits
CGS 2425 Computer Programming (see Note 3).	2
Humanities (GE-H, see Note 4).	3
EGM 3311 Intro to Engineering Analysis	3
EGM 3520 Mechanics of Materials*	3
EML 3100 Thermodynamics I.	3
Total	14
Semester 5 - Summer	Credits
Humanities (GE-H, see Note 4).	3
ECO 2013 Macroeconomics (see Note 4).	3
EMA 3010 Materials.	3
Total	9
	JUNIOR YEAR
Semester 6 - Fall	Credits
EAS 4530 Space Systems Design*	3
Humanities (GE-H, see Note 4).	3
EGM 4313 Inter. Engineering Analysis	4
EGM 3401 Engr Mechanics  - Dynamics Alt*	3
EGN 3353C Fluid Mechanics*	3
Total	16
Semester 7 - Spring	Credits
EAS 4101 Aerodynamics*	3
EAS 4510 Astrodynamics*	3
EGM 4344 Numerical Analysis	3
EEL 3111 Circuits I	3
EEL 3303L Circuits Lab	1
Humanities (GE-H, see Note 4)	3
Total	16
	SENIOR YEAR
Semester 8 - Fall	Credits
EAS 4103 Aero-Thermal Processes	3
EAS 3805C Experimental Methods 1*	3
EAS 4200C Aerospace Structures 1*	3
EAS 4400 Stability & Control of Aircraft*	4
EAS 4700C Aerospace Design 1*	3
Total	16
Semester 9 - Spring	Credits
EAS 4300 Propulsion	3
Aerospace Elective (see Note 5)*	3
EAS 3806C Experimental Methods 2*	3
EAS 4210C Aerospace Structures 2*	3
EAS 4710C Aerospace Design 2*	3
Total	15
Total Hours Required for Degree	128
* Must be completed with a grade of C or better

 
Note 1:     Satisfies general education requirements in composition and Gordon Rule.

Note 2:     Select from CHM 2046 Chemistry 2, BSC 2010 Biology 1 or other courses approved by the department.

Note 3:     Offered by the Industrial & Systems Engi-neering department.  Although FORTRAN is recommended, other
                  high-level languages such C or C++ can be taken with adviser consent.

Note 4:     Satisfies general education requirements in humanities and social/behavioral sciences. Select courses that also
                 satisfy Gordon Rule and the general education interna-tional/diversity requirements.

Note 5:     Select from EGM 4473 Exper. Optimum Engr. Design, EAS 4240 Aerospace Struc-tural Composites 1, EAS
                 4313 Elements of Reacting Flows, EAS 4412 Dynamics and Control of Space Vehicles, EAS 4850 Flight Test
                 Engineering or other approved courses. Students may take this elective during the junior year and postpone EAS
                 4510 until the senior year.