Aerospace Engineering (ASE)

Aerospace engineers are called upon to solve exciting problems of design, construction and operation of aircraft and spacecraft to meet the ever-increasing requirement for improved performance at lower unit cost. These challenges mean that aerospace engineers work at the continuously changing forefront of science, technology and systems management.

The undergraduate curriculum in aerospace engineering is a fully accredited baccalaureate program that provides a broad education with a strong foundation in mathematics, science and basic engineering sciences. Advanced courses in aeronautics and astronautics complete the degree. Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in the aerospace and related industries or to pursue graduate study.

To provide quality educational programs in aerospace engineering, conduct a nationally recognized research program, provide service to the State of Florida, the nation, and the profession, support innovative instruction, and lay the foundation for ongoing professional development of students and faculty.

• Provide students with a comprehensive aerospace engineering education that includes instruction in aerodynamics, aerospace structures and materials, flight mechanics, stability and controls, orbital mechanics, propulsion, design of aerospace systems, mathematics, experimental methods, and numerical methods.
• Prepare students to design aerospace and related multidisciplinary systems.
• Give graduates the ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data.
• Promote development of communication skills and individual professionalism through presentations in experimental methods, design, and technical writing courses as well as other activities including individual study and research.
• Prepare students to use modern computational and experimental equipment commonly found in the aerospace industries and research facilities and cultivate skills for ongoing professional development.
• Develop in each student the broad background needed to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a societal and economic content.

There is a large amount of overlap between the aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering curriculum. The first six semesters of the two degree programs are identical. Through proper selection of elective courses, a dual mechanical engineering/aerospace engineering BS degree may be obtained with one semester of additional work. Interested students should contact the MAE department or visit the MAE Web site for more information.

Students also should be aware that there is an increasing need for a master’s level of competence for a lifelong engineering career. Through the combined BS/MS program, students may expedite the completion of the MS degree. Qualified students begin MS degree course work in the senior year and double-count up to six graduate course credit hours for both the BS and MS degrees.

The department’s active research programs are sponsored by private industry, the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, NASA, National Institutes of Health and other agencies.

These programs keep faculty at the leading edge of technology and provide opportunity for students to participate in research through classroom assignments, individual studies, undergraduate research scholarships and employment as research assistants.

Aerospace Engineering

To remain ‘on track’ for this major, a student must meet the following critical tracking criteria. The critical tracking courses appear in bold.

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
• 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work for semesters 1-5
• Complete 1 of 8 tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts (CHM 2045, approved science elective, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, EGM 3311 or MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049)

• Complete 1 additional course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

• Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

• Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

• Complete all 8 critical tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts