Aerospace Engineering at University of California San Diego

Aerospace engineering is a four-year curriculum that begins with fundamental engineering courses in mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Additional courses are required in aerospace structures, aerodynamics, flight mechanics, propulsion, controls, and aerospace design. Graduates of this program normally enter the aerospace industry to develop aircraft and spacecraft, but also find employment in other areas that use similar technologies, such as mechanical and energy-related fields. Examples include automobile, naval, and sporting equipment manufacturing.

The B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Five to ten years after completing our program, our alumni are expected to:

1. Enjoy successful careers where they utilize a strong technical foundation to excel as engineers, technology leaders, innovators, or other contributors to society.
2. Keep pace with rapid technological change and further develop their knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines throughout their professional careers or in pursuit of advanced education.
3. Lead local or global teams, where they will communicate effectively, interact ethically and knowledgeably, and take into account societal issues to provide a positive impact on society.

STUDENT OUTCOMES

Graduates of AE are expected to have:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

2. 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

3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

5. 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

6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

8. knowledge of aerodynamics, aerospace materials, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics, and stability and control

9. knowledge of attitude determination and control, space structures, orbital mechanics, and rocket propulsion

10. an ability to integrate knowledge of the fundamental topics in the design of aerospace systems