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7044
Bachelor of Science
Classroom
No
Undergraduate
Main Campus - Melbourne
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Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
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 aerospace engineering undergraduate curriculum 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 student 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 for these projects.
Students 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.
Students 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 career.
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.
Degree Requirements
Candidates for a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering must complete the minimum course requirements outlined in the following curriculum.
Freshman Year
| FALL | CREDITS | |
| ASC 1000 | University Experience | 1 |
| CHM 1101 | General Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| COM 1101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| CSE 1502 | Introduction to Software Development with C++ or CSE 1503 Introduction to Software Development with FORTRAN (CL) |
3 |
| MAE 1201 | Introduction to Aerospace Engineering | 1 |
| MTH 1001 | Calculus 1 | 4 |
| 16 | ||
| SPRING | CREDITS | |
| COM 1102 | Writing about Literature | 3 |
| MAE 1202 | Aerospace Practicum | 2 |
| MTH 1002 | Calculus 2 | 4 |
| PHY 1001 | Physics 1 | 4 |
| PHY 2091 | Physics Lab 1 | 1 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| 17 | ||
Sophomore Year
| FALL | CREDITS | |
| HUM 2051 | Civilization 1 | 3 |
| MAE 2081 | Applied Mechanics: Statics | 3 |
| MAE 2201 | Aerospace Fundamentals | 2 |
| MTH 2001 | Calculus 3 | 4 |
| PHY 2002 | Physics 2 | 4 |
| PHY 2092 | Physics Lab 2 | 1 |
| 17 | ||
| SPRING | CREDITS | |
| CHE 3260 | Materials Science and Engineering | 3 |
| CHE 3265 | Materials Science and Engineering Lab | 1 |
| MAE 2082 | Applied Mechanics: Dynamics | 3 |
| MAE 3191 | Engineering Thermodynamics 1 | 3 |
| MTH 2201 | Differential Equations/Linear Algebra | 4 |
| Humanities Core Course* | 3 | |
| 17 | ||
Junior Year
| FALL | CREDITS | |
| COM 2223 | Scientific and Technical Communication | 3 |
| ECE 4991 | Electric and Electronic Circuits | 3 |
| MAE 3064 | Fluid Mechanics Lab |
1 |
| MAE 3161 | Fluid Mechanics |
3 |
| MAE 3083 | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| MTH 3210 | Introduction to Partial Differential Equations and Applications |
3 |
| 16 | ||
| SPRING | CREDITS | |
| MAE 3150 | Aerospace Computational Techniques | 3 |
| MAE 3162 | Compressible Flow | 3 |
| MAE 3241 | Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics | 3 |
| MAE 3291 | Junior Design (Q) | 1 |
| MAE 4281 | Aerospace Structural Design | 3 |
| MAE 4284 | Aerospace Structures Design Lab | 1 |
| Technical Elective** | 3 | |
| 17 | ||
Senior Year
| FALL | CREDITS | |
| MAE 3260 | Experimental Aerodynamics | 3 |
| MAE 4014 | Control Systems | 3 |
| MAE 4262 | Rockets and Mission Analysis | 3 |
| MAE 4263 | Space Flight Mechanics | 3 |
| MAE 4291 | Aerospace Engineering Design 1 (Q) | 3 |
| Technical Elective** | 3 | |
| 18 | ||
| SPRING | CREDITS | |
| MAE 4242 | Aircraft Stability and Control | 3 |
| MAE 4261 | Air-breathing Engines | 3 |
| MAE 4292 | Aerospace Engineering Design 2 (Q) | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| 15 | ||
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 133
| *Humanities Core Courses | |
| HUM 2052 | Civilization 2: Renaissance Through Modern |
| HUM 2142 | World Art History 2: Early Modern to Post-Colonial |
| HUM 2212 | British and American Literature 1 |
| HUM 2213 | British and American Literature 2 |
| HUM 2331 | American History: Pre-Columbian to Civil War Era |
| HUM 2332 | American History: From Reconstruction to the Present |
Not all humanities core courses are offered online or every term; check the current schedule of classes for humanities core options.
**A list of recommended Technical Electives is available from the department. Up to six credit hours of Technical Electives may be replaced by the following: Flight 1 (AVF 1001), Flight 2 (AVF 1002), Aeronautics 1 (AVT 1001), Aeronautics 2 (AVT 1002).