BS - Aviation Computer Science

What is an Aviation Computer Science Degree?

Whether you want to be an air traffic controller, airspace manager or information support expert, you can get there with an aviation computer science degree from Florida Tech. Here, you'll develop a strong background in aviation and get hands-on experience in modern aeronautical technology and industry best practices.

Our aviation computer science degree program is dynamic and focused. You'll get started right away, taking core courses like Aviation Meteorology and Fundamentals of Software Development as a freshman. Guided by highly qualified faculty who care about your success, you'll hone your strengths and begin specializing as early as sophomore year.

The aviation computer science degree curriculum provides a strong background in computer science as related to several facets of the aviation industry, such as aircraft systems development, air traffic control, airspace management, information support systems and aviation planning. Program content complies with standards of the FAA Airway Science Program.

Students getting an Aviation Computer Science degree may undertake an Air Traffic Control (ATC) concentration. The ATC concentration meets the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program and is FAA approved.

Advantages

Why Florida Tech:

• One of the largest and most respected collegiate aviation computer science degree programs in the nation
• Benefit from the personal attention of excellent faculty
• Location provides year-round flying conditions
• Recognized as one of the safest flight schools in the U.S.
• 94% of flight training is in actual aircraft, not simulators
• Flight students average 250 - 300 flight hours
• New 12,000 -square-foot flight center
• New and refurbished fleet of Piper aircraft
• Aviation master's and accelerated MBA programs available to graduates
• Strong alumni and employer network

Facilities: The College of Aeronautics faculty and administrative offices, laboratories and academic classrooms are located in George M. Skurla Hall on the main campus in Melbourne, Fla. F.I.T. Aviation LLC conducts flight training at the nearby Melbourne International Airport. Just opened is the new Emil Buehler Flight Center for Aviation Education and Research. The Florida Tech Fleet consists of 24 new and refurbished aircraft, among them Piper Warriors/Cadets, Piper Seminoles, Cessna 172Ss, a Cirrus SR-22, an American Champion Citabria Aurora, and Fidelity and Frasca simulators

Learning

Clubs and Organizations:

• Alpha Eta Rho
• Collegiate Aviation Business Executives
• The Falcons Intercollegiate Flight Team
• Women in Aviation International

Research: Research interests of professors include human factors, airport management, airport planning and design, and flight training optimization

Internships and Cooperative Learning: Because of its long-standing relationships with various airlines and aviation companies, the College of Aeronautics is able to provide aviation computer science degree students with a variety of attractive internship opportunities. Students take internships at nearly every major U.S. airline, shadowing chief pilots or doing work in safety or flight standards and training. The College of Aeronautics has established cooperative relationships with many local companies in order to provide students with enhanced learning experiences both in and outside of the classroom. Companies providing guest speakers, field trip experiences and other opportunities to Florida Tech students include: Avidyne Corporation, Harris Corporation, Kennedy Space Center, Liberty Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Martin Marietta, Northrop Grumman, and United Space Alliance.

Future Outcomes

Outcomes - Grad School: Because Florida Tech is the forerunner of terminal degrees in aviation, students interested in graduate study often choose to pursue a master's degree or doctorate here. Some have gone on to take classes at other renowned graduate schools, while others have entered law school both in the United States and abroad. Typical graduate students study aviation human factors, applied aviation safety, airport development and management, and aviation law and business.

Outcomes - Career and Salary: Employers that have recruited Florida Tech students for internships and careers include top airlines including Air Tran Airways, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue Airways and US Airways, and employers such as Flight Safety International, Garrett Aviation, the Department of Homeland Security, and numerous international airports.

Curriculum

Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.

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Bachelor of Science in Aviation Computer Science

This curriculum provides a strong background in computer science as related to several facets of the aviation industry, such as aircraft systems development, air traffic control, airspace management, information support systems and aviation planning.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 130

Not all humanities core courses are offered online or every term; check the current schedule of classes for humanities core options.

Air Traffic Control Program

The college offers an air traffic control (ATC) specialization in conjunction with any of its seven bachelor’s degrees. The ATC specialization meets the requirements of the FAA’s Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program and is FAA-approved.

This program provides graduates with in-depth knowledge of ATC and the aviation industry to ensure graduates possess the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed in testing and training, and as air traffic controllers.

While no AT–CTI program graduates are guaranteed employment, the FAA considers these graduates to be a valuable hiring source for air traffic control specialist positions nationwide. On successful completion of this program and recommendation from the dean, graduates are further required by the FAA to achieve a passing score on the FAA-administered Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT) test battery, attend the FAA academy (bypassing the first five weeks) and successfully complete the on-site initial qualification training.

Curriculum

To successfully complete this program in conjunction with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Aeronautics, the following seven named courses (21 credit hours) must be completed either as required courses within a degree, as electives or as a combination of both.