Aerospace Concentration
Updated April 17, 2012
About the Concentration
A student may specialize in Aerospace Engineering once a solid background in the fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering has been developed through the core Mechanical Engnieering or Engineering Mechanics courses. This Concentration develops and requires knowledge and background in several fields including advanced dynamics, flight mechanics, propulsion, aerospace materials and structures, signal processing, control systems, astrophysics and space systems.
Requirements
Students pursuing the Aerospace Engineering Concentration are required to take at least five of the following courses, which count toward the requirements of the Mechanical Engineering electives and the Technical Electives in the general Mechanical Engineering program:
- 530.328 Fluid Mechanics II
- 530.418 Aerospace Structures and Materials
- 530.424 Dynamics of Robots and Spacecraft
- 530.425 Mechanics of Flight
- 530.432 Jet and Rocket Propulsion
- 530.467 Thermal Design Issues for Aerospace Systems
- 530.470 Space Vehicle Dynamics and Control
- NEW! 171.321 Introduction to Space Science and Technology
- NEW! 270.318 Remote Sensing of the Environment
535.442 Control Systems for ME Applications615.444 Space Systems I615.445 Space Systems II
A sixth course amongst this list though not required is highly recommended. Note that the courses crossed out are no longer offered.
There are other courses relevant to aerospace studies, but they are not counted toward this concentration, such as:
- 171.118 Stars and the Universe
- 520.214 Signals and Systems
- 520.401 Basic Communications
- 525.445 Modern Navigation Systems
Internships in Aerospace Engineering
Students in the Aerospace Engineering Concentration are encouraged to participate in internships in organizations involved with aerospace engineering.
Opportunities within the university include the Applied Physics Laboratory (Satellites), the Center for Astrophysical Sciences (CAS) and the Space Telescope Science Institute (Hubble Space Telescope). In addition, local companies and institutions, such as Northrop Grumman (which is formally affiliated with the Mechanical Engineering department as an Industrial Partner), NASA Goddard, Lockheed Martin, Orbital Sciences and other private corporations offer excellent opportunities for internships.