Bachelor of Science in
Aerospace Engineering
The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSAE) program at Embry-Riddle equips students with skills to solve even the most complex challenges in design, propulsion, and systems for aircraft and/or spacecraft. For more than 17 years, the Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program at Embry-Riddle has held the top ranking in the nation among schools whose highest degree is a master’s, according to U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges Guide.
The prestige of this program doesn’t end there. Students benefit from the most modern, state-of-the-art resources available today — the same tools in use by aerospace engineering professionals around the globe. No other Aerospace Engineering program in the United States attracts more students.
Students gain hands-on experience from the start, with opportunities to participate in various projects and competitions. The program offers the chance to learn real-world, on-the-job engineering principles practiced by global companies and government agencies, enabling students to build a professional network within their first year.
Aerospace Engineering students attend classes in dynamic, engineering-related labs and facilities. Students frequently work with one-on-one with faculty on research projects and activities.
Embry-Riddle’s Aerospace Engineering graduates enjoy an extremely high job placement rate after graduation (93% of graduates are employed or have chosen to go on to higher education within a year of graduating).
Students credit Embry-Riddle with excellent preparation for real-world job demands.
The Aerospace Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/.
DETAILS
This offering is available at the following campuses. Select a campus to learn more.
About Aerospace Engineering at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus
The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering degree at the Daytona Beach Campus is a renowned program focusing primarily on the engineering of mission-oriented vehicles, with courses in aeronautics, airplane and space vehicle design, structures, and propulsion. Graduates of this selective program are highly sought after by the aerospace and aviation industry. The program is housed in the Aerospace Engineering Department of the College of Engineering.
Select from three tracks: Aeronautics, Astronautics, or Propulsion.
The Aeronautics track pertains to the knowledge of atmospheric vehicles that includes its aerodynamics with wind tunnel experience; the internal structural design and analysis; and the stability, controllability and flight testing of aircraft. Student teams design and analyze their own aircraft in their senior-year capstone courses.
The Astronautics track focuses on orbital mechanics, spacecraft controls, rocket propulsion, and structural analysis, which apply to industry-focused problems in the spacecraft design sequence. Students have frequent opportunities to participate in national competitions and design/build/test projects.
The Propulsion track focuses on air-breathing propulsion, including turbojets, turbofans, and ramjet engines. Building on a strong foundation of thermodynamics and propulsion theory, propulsion students will conclude their tenure by designing an entire jet engine from scratch, including sizing, cycle studies, and detailed component design.
First-year students must complete the College of Engineering’s Freshman Engineering Program before continuing with their Aerospace Engineering courses. Prior to entering the Freshman Engineering Program, a student should demonstrate competence in science and mathematics, including a proficiency in algebra and trigonometry, and be prepared to enter Calculus I.
Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus offers combined and accelerated degree programs that allow well-qualified students the chance to begin graduate work in a master's program while finishing their bachelor's degree.
Students can simultaneously work toward the Aerospace Engineering degree while pursuing the Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Master of Aerospace Engineering, or Master of Business Administration degree.
Accelerated degrees are available which combine the Aerospace Engineering bachelor's degree with the Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering, Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering, or Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree.
The Campus is adjacent to the Daytona Beach International Airport and the NextGen Test Bed, and is also close to NASA and Kennedy Space Center.
The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering program exists in partial fulfillment of the University’s purpose “to provide a comprehensive education to prepare graduates for productive careers and responsible citizenship with special emphasis on the needs of aviation, aerospace engineering, and related fields.” The program’s focus is primarily on the engineering of mission-oriented vehicles for atmospheric and space flight.
Within a few years of graduation the alumni of the BSAE program are expected to have successful engineering careers as productive members or leaders within teams or organizations or as independent innovators, to have applied creative thinking and practical problem-solving skills to the solution of problems or to the development of processes or products for the aerospace industry, or to be engaged in advanced studies.
Furthermore these alumni are expected to be responsible and ethical members of society and the engineering profession, and to pursue personal development through continuing education and active participation in professional organizations.
In order to achieve these objectives, the following student outcomes have been adopted:
- An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
To enter this program, students should have demonstrated competence in mathematics, physics, and chemistry in high school.
The Aerospace Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering program requires successful completion of a minimum of 129 credit hours. The program may be completed in eight semesters assuming appropriate background and full-time enrollment. A CGPA of 2.0 or higher with a grade of "C" or better within three attempts including audits and withdrawals in all courses is required for degree completion.
Remaining on Track for AE
Aerospace Engineering students must maintain a CGPA of 2.50 or higher, and achieve a GPA of 2.50 or higher in those courses prescribed by the College of Engineering, Engineering Fundamentals Program, First-Year for Aerospace, and achieve a GPA of 2.50 or higher in CHM, EGR, MA and PS courses prescribed in First-Year for Aerospace prior to and upon completing AE 201 to continue in the program.
New Area of Concentration (AOC)
The Rocket Propulsion option consists of a new set of design courses to complement the existing Aeronautics, Astronautics and Jet Propulsion options. This includes new and exciting course changes that also affect the Astronautics options. These courses are being phased in such that the Astronautics and Rocket Propulsion options is recommended for new students only. Option or AOC is to be declared prior to Year Three courses.
General Education Requirements
For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs.
| Communication Theory & Skills (COM 122, COM 219, COM 221) | 9 | |
| Lower-Level Humanities (HU 14x) * | 3 | |
| Lower-Level Social Sciences * | 3 | |
| Lower or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences * | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences * | 3 | |
| Computer Science (EGR 115) | 3 | |
| Mathematics (MA 241 & MA 242) | 8 | |
| Physical and Life Sciences - (PS 150, PS 160 & PS 253) | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| AOC Specific Math | 3 | |
MA 441 | Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I (Aero, Jet Prop AOC Only) | |
MA 432 | Linear Algebra (Astro, Rocket Prop AOC Only) | |
| Physical Science | ||
| CHM 110 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 110L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3 |
| Engineering Core | ||
| AE 201 | Aerospace Flight Vehicles | 3 |
| AE 313 | Space Mechanics | 3 |
| AE 314 | Experimental Aerodynamics | 1 |
| AE 315 | Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory | 1 |
| AE 316 | Aerospace Engineering Materials | 3 |
| AE 318 | Aerospace Structures I | 3 |
| AE 416 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation | 1 |
| AE 417 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation Laboratory | 1 |
| AE 442 | Experimental Dynamics and Control | 1 |
| AE 443 | Experimental Dynamics and Control Laboratory | 1 |
| AE AOC Specific Engineering Core | 9 | |
| AE 307, AE 308 & AE 418 (Aero, Jet Prop AOC Only) | ||
| AE 319, AE 323 & AE 429 (Astro, Rocket Prop AOC Only) | ||
| EGR 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 2 |
| EGR 120 | Graphical Communications | 3 |
| ES 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ES 202 | Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 204 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ES 305 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| EE 327 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals | 3 |
| EE 328 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Credits | 67 | |
| Choose one of the following Four Options | 17 | |
| Aeronautics Option | ||
AE 403 | Jet Propulsion | |
AE 413 | Airplane Stability and Control | |
AE 420 | Aircraft Preliminary Design | |
AE 421 | Aircraft Detail Design | |
AE 432 | Flight Dynamics and Control | |
| Astronautics Option | ||
AE 414 | Space Propulsion | |
AE 426 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics | |
AE 427 | Spacecraft Preliminary Design | |
AE 434 | Spacecraft Control | |
AE 445 | Spacecraft Detail Design | |
| Jet Propulsion Option | ||
AE 403 | Jet Propulsion | |
AE 413 | Airplane Stability and Control | |
AE 432 | Flight Dynamics and Control | |
AE 435 | Jet Propulsion Preliminary Design | |
AE 440 | Jet Propulsion Detail Design | |
| Rocket Propulsion Option *** | ||
AE 414 | Space Propulsion | |
AE 426 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics | |
AE 434 | Spacecraft Control | |
AE 441 | Rocket Propulsion Preliminary Design | |
AE 451 | Rocket Propulsion Detail Design | |
| Technical Electives (See Approved List) ** | 6 | |
| **One of the Technical Electives must be an AE course | ||
| Total Credits | 129 | |
Aeronautics Plan of Study
Students should be aware that most courses in each academic year have prerequisites and/or corequisites (check the Undergraduate Courses section before registering for classes to ensure required sequencing). See the AE flowchart(s) from the department for the recommended plan of study.
NOTE: Students in the Aerospace Engineering program desiring to complete a minor must complete at least six credit hours of coursework applied to the minor that are not specifically required in the student’s degree program.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| See the College of Engineering, Engineering Fundamentals Program for course selection | 33 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 33.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 33.0 | |
Aeronautics Option
| Year Two | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| AE 201 | Aerospace Flight Vehicles | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| ES 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ES 202 | Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 204 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ES 305 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| MA 441 | Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I | 3 |
| PS 160 | Physics for Engineers II | 3 |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3 |
| PS 253 | Physics Laboratory for Engineers | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 32.0 | |
| Year Three | ||
| AE 307 | Incompressible Aerodynamics | 3 |
| AE 308 | Compressible Aerodynamics | 3 |
| AE 313 | Space Mechanics | 3 |
| AE 314 | Experimental Aerodynamics * | 1 |
| AE 315 | Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory * | 1 |
| AE 316 | Aerospace Engineering Materials | 3 |
| AE 318 | Aerospace Structures I | 3 |
| AE 403 | Jet Propulsion | 3 |
| AE 413 | Airplane Stability and Control | 3 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| EE 327 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals * | 3 |
| EE 328 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Laboratory * | 1 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| Credits Subtotal | 34.0 | |
| Year Four | ||
| AE 416 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation * | 1 |
| AE 417 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation Laboratory * | 1 |
| AE 418 | Aerospace Structures II | 3 |
| AE 420 | Aircraft Preliminary Design | 4 |
| AE 421 | Aircraft Detail Design | 4 |
| AE 432 | Flight Dynamics and Control | 3 |
| AE 442 | Experimental Dynamics and Control * | 1 |
| AE 443 | Experimental Dynamics and Control Laboratory * | 1 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Lower or Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Upper-Level Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Approved AE Upper-Level Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 129 | |
Technical Electives
Two upper-level Technical Electives needs to be selected from the BSAE Approved Technical Electives list, in the areas of Engineering and Science, maintained by the AE Department. One Technical Elective must be a non-duplicating AE undergraduate or graduate course. The second Technical Elective can be any course on the BSAE Approved Technical Elective list. Proposed courses not on the list may be submitted to the AE Curriculum Committee.
| * | Lecture/Lab courses must be taken at the same time. |
Astronautics Plan of Study
Students should be aware that most courses in each academic year have prerequisites and/or corequisites (check the Undergraduate Courses section before registering for classes to ensure required sequencing). See the AE flowchart(s) from the department for the recommended plan of study.
Because of new courses being phased in, this option is recommended for new students only.
NOTE: Students in the Aerospace Engineering program desiring to complete a minor must complete at least six credit hours of coursework applied to the minor that are not specifically required in the student’s degree program.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| See the College of Engineering, Engineering Fundamentals Program for course selection | 33 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 33.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 33.0 | |
Astronautics Option
| Year Two | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| AE 201 | Aerospace Flight Vehicles | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| ES 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ES 202 | Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 204 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ES 305 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| PS 160 | Physics for Engineers II | 3 |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3 |
| PS 253 | Physics Laboratory for Engineers | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 33.0 | |
| Year Three | ||
| AE 313 | Space Mechanics | 3 |
| AE 314 | Experimental Aerodynamics * | 1 |
| AE 315 | Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory * | 1 |
| AE 316 | Aerospace Engineering Materials | 3 |
| AE 318 | Aerospace Structures I | 3 |
| AE 319 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
| AE 323 | Spacecraft Systems | 3 |
| AE 414 | Space Propulsion | 3 |
| AE 426 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics | 3 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| EE 327 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals * | 3 |
| EE 328 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Laboratory * | 1 |
| MA 432 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 33.0 | |
| Year Four | ||
| AE 416 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation * | 1 |
| AE 417 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation Laboratory * | 1 |
| AE 427 | Spacecraft Preliminary Design | 4 |
| AE 429 | Space Environmental Applications | 3 |
| AE 434 | Spacecraft Control | 3 |
| AE 445 | Spacecraft Detail Design | 4 |
| AE 442 | Experimental Dynamics and Control * | 1 |
| AE 443 | Experimental Dynamics and Control Laboratory * | 1 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Lower or Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Upper-Level Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Approved AE Upper-Level Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 129 | |
Technical Electives
Two upper-level Technical Electives needs to be selected from the BSAE Approved Technical Electives list, in the areas of Engineering and Science, maintained by the AE Department. One Technical Elective must be a non-duplicating AE undergraduate or graduate course. The second Technical Elective can be any course on the BSAE Approved Technical Elective list. Proposed courses not on the list may be submitted to the AE Curriculum Committee.
Footnotes
| * | Lecture/Lab courses must be taken at the same time. |
Jet Propulsion Plan of Study
Students should be aware that most courses in each academic year have prerequisites and/or corequisites (check the Undergraduate Courses section before registering for classes to ensure required sequencing). See the AE flowchart(s) from the department for the recommended plan of study.
NOTE: Students in the Aerospace Engineering program desiring to complete a minor must complete at least six credit hours of coursework applied to the minor that are not specifically required in the student’s degree program.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| See the College of Engineering, Engineering Fundamentals Program for course selection | 33 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 33.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 33.0 | |
Jet Propulsion Option
| Year Two | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| AE 201 | Aerospace Flight Vehicles | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| ES 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ES 202 | Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 204 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ES 305 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| MA 441 | Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I | 3 |
| PS 160 | Physics for Engineers II | 3 |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3 |
| PS 253 | Physics Laboratory for Engineers | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 32.0 | |
| Year Three | ||
| AE 307 | Incompressible Aerodynamics | 3 |
| AE 308 | Compressible Aerodynamics | 3 |
| AE 313 | Space Mechanics | 3 |
| AE 314 | Experimental Aerodynamics * | 1 |
| AE 315 | Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory * | 1 |
| AE 316 | Aerospace Engineering Materials | 3 |
| AE 318 | Aerospace Structures I | 3 |
| AE 403 | Jet Propulsion | 3 |
| AE 413 | Airplane Stability and Control | 3 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| EE 327 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals * | 3 |
| EE 328 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Laboratory * | 1 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| Credits Subtotal | 34.0 | |
| Year Four | ||
| AE 416 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation * | 1 |
| AE 417 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation Laboratory * | 1 |
| AE 418 | Aerospace Structures II | 3 |
| AE 432 | Flight Dynamics and Control | 3 |
| AE 435 | Jet Propulsion Preliminary Design | 4 |
| AE 440 | Jet Propulsion Detail Design | 4 |
| AE 442 | Experimental Dynamics and Control * | 1 |
| AE 443 | Experimental Dynamics and Control Laboratory * | 1 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Lower or Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Upper-Level Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Approved AE Upper-Level Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 129 | |
Technical Electives
Two upper-level Technical Electives needs to be selected from the BSAE Approved Technical Electives list, in the areas of Engineering and Science, maintained by the AE Department. One Technical Elective must be a non-duplicating AE undergraduate or graduate course. The second Technical Elective can be any course on the BSAE Approved Technical Elective list. Proposed courses not on the list may be submitted to the AE Curriculum Committee.
Footnotes
| * | Lecture/Lab courses must be taken at the same time. |
Rocket Propulsion Plan of Study
Students should be aware that most courses in each academic year have prerequisites and/or corequisites (check the Undergraduate Courses section before registering for classes to ensure required sequencing). See the AE flowchart(s) from the department for the recommended plan of study.
Because of new courses (including design courses) being phased in, this option is recommended for new students only.
NOTE: Students in the Aerospace Engineering program desiring to complete a minor must complete at least six credit hours of coursework applied to the minor that are not specifically required in the student’s degree program.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| See the College of Engineering, Engineering Fundamentals Program for course selection | 33 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 33.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 33.0 | |
Rocket Propulsion Option
| Year Two | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| AE 201 | Aerospace Flight Vehicles | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| ES 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ES 202 | Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 204 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ES 305 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| PS 160 | Physics for Engineers II | 3 |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3 |
| PS 253 | Physics Laboratory for Engineers | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 33.0 | |
| Year Three | ||
| AE 313 | Space Mechanics | 3 |
| AE 314 | Experimental Aerodynamics * | 1 |
| AE 315 | Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory * | 1 |
| AE 316 | Aerospace Engineering Materials | 3 |
| AE 318 | Aerospace Structures I | 3 |
| AE 319 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
| AE 323 | Spacecraft Systems | 3 |
| AE 414 | Space Propulsion | 3 |
| AE 426 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics | 3 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| EE 327 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals * | 3 |
| EE 328 | Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Laboratory * | 1 |
| MA 432 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 33.0 | |
| Year Four | ||
| AE 416 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation * | 1 |
| AE 417 | Aerospace Structures and Instrumentation Laboratory * | 1 |
| AE 429 | Space Environmental Applications | 3 |
| AE 434 | Spacecraft Control | 3 |
| AE 441 | Rocket Propulsion Preliminary Design | 4 |
| AE 442 | Experimental Dynamics and Control * | 1 |
| AE 443 | Experimental Dynamics and Control Laboratory * | 1 |
| AE 451 | Rocket Propulsion Detail Design | 4 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Lower or Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Upper-Level Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Approved AE Upper-Level Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 129 | |
Technical Electives
Two upper-level Technical Electives needs to be selected from the BSAE Approved Technical Electives list, in the areas of Engineering and Science, maintained by the AE Department. One Technical Elective must be a non-duplicating AE undergraduate or graduate course. The second Technical Elective can be any course on the BSAE Approved Technical Elective list. Proposed courses not on the list may be submitted to the AE Curriculum Committee.
Footnotes
| * | Lecture/Lab courses must be taken at the same time. |
Get Started Now:
Summary
129 Credits
Estimate your tuition by using the Tuition Calculator
View Financial Aid Information
Learn about our General Education
Find out about transferring credits to this degree
Learn more about our Veterans & Military benefits
View our Academic Calendar
We are Engineering the Future
We are Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Team Cruised to Second Place in 2022 RoboBoat International Competition
Eagles Partner With Alumna-Owned Drone Firm To Fight Wildfires, Protect First Responders
Famous Poem Helps Eagle Decode Gender Discrimination in STEM
New $670,000 Federal Grant To Help Eagle Researchers Take On Fusion Energy Generation
Eagles Launch Tech Aboard NASA Rockets From Virginia, the Arctic
Attention, Freshmen! Boeing Scholar Offers Tips To Help You Thrive
Focus on Diversity Helps Ph.D. Student Win Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship
Eagle Named to Aviation Week’s 20 Twenties Sends Message of Hope to Women in STEM
- Embry-Riddle Team Cruised to Second Place in 2022 RoboBoat International Competition
- Eagles Partner With Alumna-Owned Drone Firm To Fight Wildfires, Protect First Responders
- Famous Poem Helps Eagle Decode Gender Discrimination in STEM
- New $670,000 Federal Grant To Help Eagle Researchers Take On Fusion Energy Generation
- Eagles Launch Tech Aboard NASA Rockets From Virginia, the Arctic
- Attention, Freshmen! Boeing Scholar Offers Tips To Help You Thrive
- Focus on Diversity Helps Ph.D. Student Win Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship
- Eagle Named to Aviation Week’s 20 Twenties Sends Message of Hope to Women in STEM
About Aerospace Engineering at the Prescott, AZ Campus
The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering at the Prescott Campus empowers students to excel in various aspects of the field and offers a dynamic learning environment, with such high-tech facilities as the Aerospace Experimentation and Fabrication Building (AXFAB) and state-of-the-art labs. The Aerospace Engineering program, which was named No. 1 in the nation among undergraduate institutions in the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges guidebook, is housed in the Department of Aerospace Engineering in the College of Engineering.
The Aerospace Engineering program at Prescott offers two distinct tracks: Aeronautical (aircraft) and Astronautical (spacecraft).
Diverse co-operative education (co-op)/internship opportunities are available for students interested in expanding their experiences.
A large number of hands-on experiences will expose the students to practical engineering to balance the theoretical analysis required to understand aircraft and spacecraft systems.
Prescott Aerospace Engineering students attend classes in dynamic, engineering-related labs and facilities.
Students can participate in study abroad opportunities, including regular engineering-based summer programs.
The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering provides broad exposure to engineering fundamentals and prepares the graduating student for a wide range of engineering positions in industry or government. The program also is an excellent preparation for graduate school in a number of disciplines. The program’s focus is primarily on the engineering of mission-oriented vehicles for atmospheric and space flight. In addition to the general education requirements, the student will study aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, space systems, controls, materials, instrumentation, electrical fundamentals, computer applications, orbital mechanics, and design. Students choose to integrate their knowledge in either an aircraft or spacecraft capstone design project. Design projects in a number of courses will develop and refine the students’ ability to integrate their knowledge, communicate both verbally and in writing, and work in a team environment. A large number of hands-on experiences will expose the student to practical engineering to balance the theoretical analysis required to understand aircraft and spacecraft systems.
The overall objective of the Aerospace Engineering program at Prescott is to produce graduates who will be successful practitioners of aerospace engineering. The program objectives to measure our accomplishment of this goal are engineers who:
- Demonstrate achievements in their chosen profession
- Contribute to the profession and the university
- Demonstrate professional preparation
- Exhibit professional ethics and integrity
The Aerospace Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering program requires successful completion of a minimum of 129 credit hours. The program may be completed in eight semesters assuming appropriate background and full-time enrollment. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is needed for all required AE, EGR, EP, ES, and ME courses, excluding technical electives. The courses necessary to earn this degree are listed below.
Students should be aware that many courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Students must have a C or better in all prerequisites for all required AE, EGR, EP, ES, COM 221, ME, and SYS courses.
Program Requirements
General Education (51 Credits)
| CHM 113 | General Chemistry for Engineering | 3 |
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing (Must Earn a C or better to pass COM 221) | 3 |
| COM 420 | Advanced Technical Communication I | 1 |
| COM 430 | Advanced Technical Communication II | 2 |
| EC 225 | Engineering Economics | 3 |
| Economics, Humanities, Psychology, or Social Science Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| HU 330 | Values and Ethics (OR Study Abroad in HU/SS Upper-Level) | 3 |
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| MA 242 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry II | 4 |
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| Math or Natural Science Upper-Level Elective ^ | 3 | |
| PS 161 | Physics I & II for Engineers | 4 |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3 |
| PS 253 | Physics Laboratory for Engineers | 1 |
Aerospace Engineering Core (41 Credits)
| AE 302 | Aerodynamics II | 3 |
| AE 318 | Aerospace Structures I | 3 |
| AE 430 | Control System Analysis and Design | 3 |
| EE 335 | Electrical Engineering I | 2 |
| EE 336 | Electrical Engineering I Laboratory | 1 |
| EGR 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 2 |
| EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| EGR 200 | Computer Aided Conceptual Design of Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| or EGR 201 | Computer Aided Conceptual Design of Mechanical Systems | |
| ES 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ES 202 | Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 204 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ES 206 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 208 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ES 320 | Engineering Materials Science | 2 |
| ES 321 | Engineering Materials Science Laboratory | 1 |
| ES 324 | Measurements and Instrumentation | 2 |
| ES 325 | Measurements and Instrumentation Lab | 1 |
Astronautics Option (31 Credits)
| AE 313 | Space Mechanics | 3 |
| AE 324 | Experimental Space Sys Engr | 2 |
| AE 326 | Experimental Space Systems Engineering Lab | 1 |
| AE 414 | Space Propulsion | 3 |
| AE 426 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics | 3 |
| AE 427 | Spacecraft Preliminary Design | 4 |
| or AE 420 | Aircraft Preliminary Design | |
| AE 445 | Spacecraft Detail Design | 4 |
| CEC 325 | Fundamentals of Applied Microcontrollers | 3 |
| CEC 326 | Fundamentals of Applied Microcontrollers Laboratory | 1 |
| CS 125 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| EP 394 | Space Systems Engineering | 3 |
Aeronautics Option (31 Credits)
| AE 301 | Aerodynamics I | 3 |
| AE 314 | Experimental Aerodynamics | 1 |
| AE 315 | Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory | 1 |
| AE 317 | Aircraft Flight Mechanics & Performance | 3 |
| AE 413 | Airplane Stability and Control | 3 |
| AE 420 | Aircraft Preliminary Design | 4 |
| AE 421 | Aircraft Detail Design | 4 |
| EGR 310 | Advanced Engineering Computation | 3 |
| ME 309 | Airbreathing and Rocket Propulsion | 3 |
| Astronautics Elective | 3 | |
| Structures Elective | 3 | |
Technical Electives (6 Credits)
| Technical Electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 129 | |
Three Technical Elective credits must be upper-level College of Engineering courses not specifically listed in the student’s degree requirements.
| AE | ||
| Upper-level, except AE 399, AE 499 | ||
| With prior approval of the Aerospace Engineering Department. | ||
| Cooperative Education Courses | ||
| With prior approval of the Aerospace Engineering dept. See Career Advisor for more information | ||
| CEC | ||
| Upper-level, except CEC 399, CEC 499 | ||
| CS | ||
| CS 325 | Programming in ADA | 3 |
| CS 420 | Operating Systems * | 3 |
| EE | ||
| Upper-level, except EE 399, EE 499 | ||
| EGR | ||
| Upper-level | ||
| EP | ||
| Upper-level, except EP 399, EP 499 | ||
| ES | ||
| Upper-level, except ES 399, ES 499 | ||
| MA | ||
| MA 348 | Numerical Analysis I | 3 |
| MA 412 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| MA 432 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MA 441 | Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I | 3 |
| MA 442 | Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics II | 3 |
| MA 443 | Complex Variables | 3 |
| ME | ||
| Upper-level, except ME 399, ME 499 | ||
| PS | ||
| PS 303 | Modern Physics ** | 3 |
| PS 321 | Classical Mechanics I * | 3 |
| PS 322 | Classical Mechanics II ** | 3 |
| PS 350 | Quantum Mechanics I ** | 3 |
| PS 375 | Planetary Science | 3 |
| PS 420 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| SE | ||
| SE 300 | Software Engineering Practices ** | 3 |
| SIS | ||
| SIS 365 | Project Management | 3 |
| SYS | ||
| SYS 301 | Introduction to Systems Engineering | 3 |
| SYS 304 | Trade Studies, Risk and Decision Analysis | 3 |
| SYS 415 | Systems Engineering Practices: Specialty Engineering | 3 |
| * | Offered in Fall Only |
| ** | Offered in Spring Only |
| *** | Structures Elective may be satisfied with AE 409, AE 418, ES 322/323, ES 412, ES 414 (or as approved by Department Chair). |
| **** | UNIV 101 is taken in excess of degree requirements of meets open elective credits. |
| ***** | Astronautics Elective may be satisfied with AE 313 (or as approved by Department Chair). |
| ^ | This course could be filled by any 300/400 level MA/PS/CHM/BIO/WX course (or approved by the department chair). |
All Army ROTC students are required to complete SS 321 - U.S. Military History 1900-Present (3 credits) in order to commission.
Aeronautics Option
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CHM 113 | General Chemistry for Engineering | 3 |
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| Economics, Humanities, Psychology, or Social Science Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| EGR 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 2 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | (1) |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| EC 225 | Engineering Economics | 3 |
| EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| MA 242 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry II | 4 |
| PS 161 | Physics I & II for Engineers | 4 |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing (Must earn a C or better to pass COM 221) | 3 |
| ES 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ES 208 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3 |
| PS 253 | Physics Laboratory for Engineers | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| AE 317 | Aircraft Flight Mechanics & Performance | 3 |
| EGR 310 | Advanced Engineering Computation | 3 |
| ES 202 | Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 206 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| AE 301 | Aerodynamics I | 3 |
| AE 318 | Aerospace Structures I | 3 |
| EE 335 | Electrical Engineering I | 2 |
| EE 336 | Electrical Engineering I Laboratory | 1 |
| EGR 200 | Computer Aided Conceptual Design of Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| ES 204 | Dynamics | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| AE 302 | Aerodynamics II | 3 |
| AE 314 | Experimental Aerodynamics | 1 |
| AE 315 | Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory | 1 |
| AE 413 | Airplane Stability and Control | 3 |
| ES 320 | Engineering Materials Science | 2 |
| ES 321 | Engineering Materials Science Laboratory | 1 |
| Math or Natural Science Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| ME 309 | Airbreathing and Rocket Propulsion | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| AE 420 | Aircraft Preliminary Design | 4 |
| AE 430 | Control System Analysis and Design | 3 |
| COM 420 | Advanced Technical Communication I | 1 |
| ES 324 | Measurements and Instrumentation | 2 |
| ES 325 | Measurements and Instrumentation Lab | 1 |
| Structures Elective | 3 | |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| AE 421 | Aircraft Detail Design | 4 |
| Astronautics Elective | 3 | |
| COM 430 | Advanced Technical Communication II | 2 |
| HU 330 | Values and Ethics (OR HU/SS Upper-Level Study Abroad) | 3 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 129.0 | |
Astronautics Option
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CHM 113 | General Chemistry for Engineering | 3 |
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| Economics, Humanities, Psychology, or Social Science Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| EGR 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 2 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | (1) |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| EC 225 | Engineering Economics | 3 |
| EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| MA 242 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry II | 4 |
| PS 161 | Physics I & II for Engineers | 4 |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing (Must earn a C or better to pass COM 221) | 3 |
| ES 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ES 208 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3 |
| PS 253 | Physics Laboratory for Engineers | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| CS 125 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| EGR 200 | Computer Aided Conceptual Design of Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| ES 202 | Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 204 | Dynamics | 3 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| AE 313 | Space Mechanics | 3 |
| AE 318 | Aerospace Structures I | 3 |
| EE 336 | Electrical Engineering I Laboratory | 1 |
| EE 335 | Electrical Engineering I | 2 |
| ES 206 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| Math or Natural Science Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| AE 302 | Aerodynamics II | 3 |
| AE 324 | Experimental Space Sys Engr | 2 |
| AE 326 | Experimental Space Systems Engineering Lab | 1 |
| CEC 325 | Fundamentals of Applied Microcontrollers | 3 |
| CEC 326 | Fundamentals of Applied Microcontrollers Laboratory | 1 |
| EP 394 | Space Systems Engineering | 3 |
| ES 324 | Measurements and Instrumentation | 2 |
| ES 325 | Measurements and Instrumentation Lab | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| AE 414 | Space Propulsion | 3 |
| AE 426 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics | 3 |
| AE 427 | Spacecraft Preliminary Design | 4 |
or AE 420
|
Aircraft Preliminary Design | |
| COM 420 | Advanced Technical Communication I | 1 |
| ES 320 | Engineering Materials Science | 2 |
| ES 321 | Engineering Materials Science Laboratory | 1 |
| Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| AE 430 | Control System Analysis and Design | 3 |
| AE 445 | Spacecraft Detail Design | 4 |
| COM 430 | Advanced Technical Communication II | 2 |
| HU 330 | Values and Ethics (OR HU/SS Upper-Level Study Abroad) | 3 |
| Technical Electives | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 129.0 | |
Get Started Now:
Summary
129 Credits
Estimate your tuition by using the Tuition Calculator
View Financial Aid Information
Learn about our General Education
Find out about transferring credits to this degree
Learn more about our Veterans & Military benefits
View our Academic Calendar
The Aerospace Engineering Program
Prescott, AZ Campus
Attending First Asian Pilots Association Expo Inspires Eagle to Launch Student Chapter
Students Use Drones To Map Ancient American Cities, Capture First-Ever Imagery of Rock Carvings
Eagles Take Ride of a Lifetime Aboard NASA’s Flying Observatory
Prescott Campus To Revamp Flight Complex, Add New Wind Tunnel, Propulsion and UAS Labs
Five Embry-Riddle Students Awarded Defense Department Cybersecurity Scholarships
New FAA Grant To Help Embry-Riddle Researchers Improve Drone Safety
Turtle Trackers Fly Drones Out of Sight
Golden Eagles Win 14th NIFA SAFECON National Championship
- Attending First Asian Pilots Association Expo Inspires Eagle to Launch Student Chapter
- Students Use Drones To Map Ancient American Cities, Capture First-Ever Imagery of Rock Carvings
- Eagles Take Ride of a Lifetime Aboard NASA’s Flying Observatory
- Prescott Campus To Revamp Flight Complex, Add New Wind Tunnel, Propulsion and UAS Labs
- Five Embry-Riddle Students Awarded Defense Department Cybersecurity Scholarships
- New FAA Grant To Help Embry-Riddle Researchers Improve Drone Safety
- Turtle Trackers Fly Drones Out of Sight
- Golden Eagles Win 14th NIFA SAFECON National Championship