College Prep Tips for Admission to Aerospace Engineering Program

Aerospace engineering majors learn how to use mathematics and science to design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. They also study such topics as aerodynamics, orbits, launch, flight controls, and engines. Auxiliary and propulsion systems are also an essential part of this discipline. These include guidance, control, environmental, ramjet, rocket, turbo-jet, and piston engine systems. Emphasis in the senior year is directed toward these topics, and the program culminates in a major aerospace design project.

The future for the aerospace engineer is extremely exciting and expanding. Aerospace engineers find themselves on the leading edge of technology, solving problems existing high in the clouds or in the vast reaches of space.

Following are the college preparation ways and means:

Applicants must:

i. Have undergraduate courses in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations.
ii. Have two semesters of undergraduate calculus-based physics.
iii. Have at least two semesters of upper-division undergraduate courses in aerospace engineering or physics.
iv. Hold a baccalaureate degree in engineering, science or mathematics from a college or university of recognized standing (or the equivalent).
v. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.4.
vi. Standardized Scores must be submitted:
     - Provide official GRE scores from an examination taken within the last 5 years. All applicants from a university outside the US are required to submit General GRE scores for admission consideration. Applicants who are US graduates can submit GRE scores if they feel their scores will enhance their admission prospect.
     - Official TOEFL / IELTS  scores must be submitted.
vii. Provide letters of recommendation.
viii. Provide a statement of purpose.

Students concentrating in aeronautics must undergo courses in aerodynamics, aerospace materials, structures, air-breathing propulsion, flight mechanics, and stability and control.  While Students concentrating in astronautics must undertake courses in orbital mechanics, space environment, altitude determination and control, telecommunications, space structures and rocket propulsion.

Required Undergrad Courses for Aerospace Engineering majors include:

• General Chemistry for Engineers
• Engineering Solutions
• Engineering Impact on Society
• Statistics
• Dynamics
• Mechanics of Solids
• Engineering Computations
• EE Concepts/Non-majors
• Introduction to Engineering Drawing and CAD
• Thermodynamics
• Introduction to Aerospace Engineering Practice
• Analysis of Structures
• Aerospace Structures
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Lab I
• Fluid Mechanics
• Heat Transfer
• Intermediate Dynamics
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Lab 2
• Dynamic Systems
• Applied Math for MAE
• Product Design in a CAD Environment
• Engineering Materials/Lab
• Gas Dynamics
• Introduction to Propulsion
• Aerodynamics
• Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
• Aircraft Design
• Flight Dynamics
• Design Process and Methods
• College Calculus I
• College Calculus II
• College Calculus III
• Introduction to Differential Equations
• General Physics I
• General Physics II/Lab
• One technical elective