Aerospace Engineering - B.S. Download to print

The Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering focuses on the application of engineering principles to the design, manufacturing and functionality of aerospace vehicles such as aircraft, missiles and spacecraft, to include autonomous and semi-autonomous unmanned aerial systems. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of aerodynamics, aerospace materials, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics and stability and control while being briefly exposed to orbital mechanics, control, space structures and rocket propulsion.

Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design. They may develop new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems and spacecraft. They often specialize in areas such as aerodynamic fluid flow; structural design; guidance, navigation and control; instrumentation and communication; robotics; and propulsion and combustion. Aerospace engineers can specialize in designing different types of aerospace products, such as commercial and military airplanes and helicopters; remotely piloted aircraft and rotorcraft; spacecraft, including launch vehicles and satellites; and military missiles and rockets. They often become experts in one or more related fields: aerodynamics, thermodynamics, celestial mechanics, flight mechanics, propulsion, acoustics and guidance and control systems.

Aerospace engineers are employed in industries where workers design or build aircraft, missiles, systems for national defense or spacecraft. They work primarily for firms that engage in analysis and design, manufacturing, research and development, as well as for the federal government. Aerospace engineers now spend more of their time in an office environment than they have in the past, because modern aircraft design requires the use of sophisticated computer equipment and software design tools, modeling, and simulations for tests, evaluation and training. (Source: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Freshmen Students: The admission to the program is selective. Prospective candidates must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA; a minimum 24 ACT composite score (minimum 24 ACT sub-scores in both in English and math) or minimum 1700 SAT composite score (mathematics, criterial reasoning and writing); and the capability of being placed directly into MATH 12002 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (or its equivalent).

Students who do not meet these requirements may apply for admission to the aeronautical systems engineering technology concentration within the Aeronautics major and apply for transfer into the Aerospace Engineering major at the conclusion of their freshman year. Admissions at that time will require a minimum 3.200 cumulative Kent State GPA and a minimum B grade in both MATH 12002 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I and PHY 23101 General University Physics I.

Transfer Students: Entry into the Aerospace Engineering major requires 12 or more semester hours in college-level coursework with a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA and a minimum B grade in both MATH 12002 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I and PHY 23101 General University Physics I (or their equivalents).

Transfer students who have completed less than 12 semester hours of college-level coursework will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records and must submit a final high school transcript and an ACT or SAT score.

Minimum 121 credit hours with 39 upper-division hours. Minimum 2.750 major GPA and 2.500 overall GPA.

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering.
2. Design and conduct experiments, and analyze and interpret data.
3. Design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability.
4. Function on multidisciplinary teams.
5. Identify, formulate and solve engineering problems.
6. Understand professional and ethical responsibility.
7. Communicate effectively, via both written and verbal means.
8. Understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context.
9. Recognize the need for, and able to engage in life-long learning.
10. Be aware of contemporary issues in the aerospace industry.
11. Use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.