Aeronautics and Astronautics (BS) at Stanford University

The mission of the undergraduate program in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering is to provide students with the fundamental principles and techniques necessary for success and leadership in the conception, design, implementation, and operation of aerospace and related engineering systems. Courses in the major introduce students to engineering principles. Students learn to apply this fundamental knowledge to conduct laboratory experiments, and aerospace system design problems. Courses in the major include engineering fundamentals, mathematics, and the sciences, as well as in-depth courses in aeronautics and astronautics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, autonomous systems, computational engineering, embedded programming, fluids engineering, and heat transfer. The major prepares students for careers in aircraft and spacecraft engineering, autonomy, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, space exploration, air and space-based telecommunication industries, computational engineering, teaching, research, military service, and other related technology-intensive fields.

Completion of the undergraduate program in Aeronautics and Astronautics leads to the conferral of the Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics.

For additional information and sample programs see the Handbook for Undergraduate Engineering and the Aeronautics and Astronautics Undergraduate Program Sheet .

All courses taken for the major must be taken for a letter grade if that option is offered by the instructor.

Minimum Combined GPA for all courses in Engineering Topics (Engineering Fundamentals and Depth courses) is 2.0.

It is recommended that the CME series (100, 102, 104) be taken rather than the MATH series (51, 52, 53). It is recommended that students taking the MATH series also take CME192 Introduction to MATLAB.

The department expects undergraduate majors in the program to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes. These learning outcomes are used in evaluating students and the department's undergraduate program. Students are expected to demonstrate:

1. an ability to apply the knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to understand and solve complex interdisciplinary problems.

2. an ability to design and conduct relevant experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret the resulting outcomes to make appropriate design choices.

3. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context.

4. an ability to work professionally in aircraft and spacecraft engineering, space exploration, air- and space-based telecommunication industries, autonomous systems, robotics, commercial space transportation, teaching, research, military service, and many related technology-intensive fields.

5. an ability to understand multidisciplinary challenges of modern aircraft and spacecraft design at the system level.

6. an ability to communicate effectively and to work in diverse and inter-disciplinary teams to accomplish objectives.

7. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

8. an understanding of the impact that engineering solutions can have through entrepreneurial processes.

9. a recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning, and to make original contributions in Aeronautics and Astronautics and related fields.

Program Learning Outcomes

Transfer and AP credits in Math, Science, Fundamentals, and the Technology in Society course must be approved by the School of Engineering Dean's office.

A score of 4 on the Calculus BC test or 5 on the AB test only gives students 8 units, not 10 units, so is equal to MATH 19 + MATH 20, but not MATH 21. The Math Placement Exam determines what math course the student starts with. 

A score of 5 on the AP Physics C Mechanics test places the student out of PHYSICS 41. Similarly, a score of 5 on the AP Physics Electricity and Magnetism test places the student out of PHYSICS 43.

External Credit Policies