BS in Aerospace Engineering

Gain Practical Experience

Florida Tech’s BS in Aerospace Engineering begins with courses that give you an excellent grounding in both engineering and calculus-based physics. In addition, students are introduced to aircraft design in their first year, in contrast to other schools that reserve it as a junior- or senior-year experience. You can expect to learn basic machining; use software to build models and analyze real aerospace parts and systems; and design, build, and test your own model airplane or rocket.

As a senior, you will complete a senior design project in collaboration with a team of your peers. Together, you will conceptualize, design, construct and present an aerospace system or component that fulfills a real-world need, then present the project to industry leaders and potential employers.

New technical electives allow you to specialize in unique career-track subfields such as systems engineering, nanotechnology, sustainability, flight test engineering, and control of space systems, making you an extremely valuable prospect in the eyes of future employers.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering must complete the minimum course requirements outlined in the following curriculum.

Curriculum

The field of aerospace engineering has grown rapidly in recent decades to assume a vital role in modern human endeavors. Ranging from manned lunar excursions, exploration of the solar system and ecological study of Earth, to beneficial commerce on space stations and high-quality products for humans and military concerns, the contributions from the aerospace engineering profession have been profound. Aerospace engineers are currently involved in space station operations and are expected to take part in future moon base and space station missions, as well as manned exploration of Mars. The many spin-offs from their involvement in these activities in space will surely benefit humanity just as has their previous space involvement.

The undergraduate curriculum for the aerospace engineering major at Florida Tech presents the fundamentals underlying modern aerospace engineering and prepares the student for a lifetime of continued learning. During the freshman and sophomore years, emphasis is placed on mathematics and physics, while aerospace engineering is introduced through a sequence of three courses. The sophomore and junior years direct the student toward the engineering sciences, including materials science, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics. During the junior and senior years, the study becomes progressively centered on the specific issues facing practicing aerospace engineers.

The aerospace engineering major uses the basic tools imparted during the first two years and applies them in studies of aerodynamics, propulsion systems, aerospace structures, and design projects. Other courses taken during the last two years expand the student’s knowledge in the fields of mechanics of solids, electric circuits, flight stability and control, and mission analysis. Technical electives taken during the junior and senior years allow the student to direct the program toward specific areas of personal interest, such as flight training and human factors engineering, space science, mathematics, computer science, or other engineering disciplines.

Laboratory experiences are essential to the education of engineers, and these are provided in chemistry, physics, computers, materials, fluids, structures, and experimental aerodynamics. The capstone of the educational process is embodied in the aerospace engineering design project, which synthesizes and focuses elements from the various disciplines into a design activity of current aerospace engineering interest. The faculty of the program serve jointly in the supervision and consultation of these projects.

Aerospace engineering majors are encouraged to define career objectives early in the program (preferably during the sophomore year), so that in consultation with faculty advisors, electives can be selected that are best suited to the achievement of specific goals.

Aerospace engineering majors may also choose to benefit from the experience gained through the cooperative education program. After graduation, the aerospace engineering student is prepared to pursue a career in either industry or government as a practicing engineer or to enter graduate study in engineering, applied mechanics, or mathematics.

Educational Objectives

The broad educational objectives of the aerospace engineering program at Florida Tech are:

• Academic fundamentals: Graduates have successfully applied and integrated their knowledge of fundamental principles in their chosen careers.
• Engineering practice: Graduates have used their engineering skills in the successful completion of an engineering project.
• Teamwork and communication: Graduates have demonstrated the ability to communicate their ideas and technical results verbally, in writing, and via presentations, and are effective team members.
• Professional development: Graduates have advanced their knowledge and contributed to the profession and society.

Career Outlook

Graduates with an aerospace engineering degree from Florida Tech are eagerly recruited by employers, including:

• NASA
• US Department of Defense
• Boeing
• Lockheed Martin
• Northrop Grumman
• GE
• Pratt and Whitney
• Revolutionary Research
• SpaceX
• Harris Corporation
• Federal Department of Transportation
• Department of Homeland Security
• Federal defense contractors

Jobs that provide an aerospace engineering career are often related to national defense and demand a security clearance. These types of restrictions keep jobs in the United States. As policies on noise pollution and better fuel efficiency continue to increase, there will be a rising demand for aerospace engineers. In addition, as governments refocus their space efforts, new private companies outside of standard space agencies are emerging to explore access to space. These efforts will expand opportunities for anyone seeking an aerospace engineering career.