Aerospace engineering (BSE)

Apply your creativity and imagination while developing research-based technical skills and create the next generation of aerospace designs.

Every year, students from all across the globe come to Tempe to study aerospace engineering at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. With award-winning faculty on-hand to advise and produce future engineers, the aerospace program takes cross-disciplinary research to new heights through imagination and technical aptitude.

Why aerospace engineering?

Our aerospace engineering programs prepare students for a variety of professional options. Concentrations in aeronautics, astronautics and autonomous vehicle systems (AVS) offer various avenues to see air and space travel in whole new ways. Creativity, imagination and research-based technical skills all combine to drive our students to an engaging and innovative development process.

Students in our aeronautics concentration learn tasks relevant to the design and analysis of aircraft, helicopters, missiles and other atmospheric vehicles. Students studying astronautics learn topics important to the engineering of rockets and spacecraft. Together the two programs give students a rigorous technical lens in solving real and timely engineering problems.

The concentration in autonomous vehicle systems provides students with a general exposure to engineering of autonomous aircraft and greater depth in one area of specific importance to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The depth areas, or “tracks”, are 1) guidance, navigation and control (GNC) and 2) communications. The senior capstone project consists of UAV design and development.

Highlights

  • ASU is among five university research teams that are funded by NASA’s Aeronautics University Leadership Initiative to explore improving aviation.
  • U.S. News and World Report ranked ASU #1 in Engineering Innovation.

Extra-curricular aerospace-related activities are available to all students like the Sun Devil Satellite Lab, a team designing and building an earth-imaging satellite.

Degree offered

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) with concentrations in aeronautics, astronautics, and autonomous vehicle systems (see concentration information below).

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

Location
Tempe

 

Admission requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Freshman
Transfer
International
Readmission
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

Affording college

Scholarships
Find and apply for relevant scholarships.

Be sure to check out Fulton Schools’ scholarships available to both new and continuing students at engineering.asu.edu/scholarships.

Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact, more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of financial assistance every year.

Program objectives and outcomes

The aerospace engineering undergraduate program has the following program educational objectives:

  1. Graduates of the aerospace engineering program should have attained one or more of the following objectives within a few years after completing their degrees:
    • Employment in the aerospace or other field in a position that capitalizes on the skills and abilities gained through the degree in aerospace engineering. Graduates will hold positions of increasing responsibility and leadership within their organizations.
    • Admission into, and possibly graduation from, a graduate degree program in aerospace engineering or other technical field.
    • Admission into a professional degree program, such as law or business, in accordance with the specific interests and abilities of the graduate.
  2. Through volunteering, entrepreneurial endeavors, community service, their employment, etc., graduates of the aerospace engineering program will demonstrate commitment to the Sun Devil ideals of global engagement, social embeddedness, social transformation and sustainability.

Graduates of the Aerospace Engineering program are expected to attain the following outcomes:

(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

Concentrations

Students must choose one of three concentrations: aeronautics, astronautics or autonomous vehicle systems.

Below are the major maps and technical electives for each concentration. A major map outlines a major’s official requirements, elective and required courses, and optimal course sequencing to help students stay on the right track to graduation.

Aeronautics

Aerospace engineering (aeronautics), BSE

The design and construction of aircraft structures and power units within the Earth’s atmosphere.

Astronautics

Aerospace engineering (astronautics), BSE

The science and tech behind space flight and the machines designed to exit or work entirely beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.

Autonomous vehicle systems

Aerospace engineering (autonomous vehicle systems), BSE

Learn the ins and outs of design and development for unmanned vehicle systems.

Accreditation

The Aerospace Engineering, BSE program at Arizona State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Student enrollment and graduation data are available at engineering.asu.edu/enrollment.


Professional licensure

for Autonomous vehicle systems concentration

ASU academic programs are designed to prepare students to apply for applicable licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet education requirements for license or certification in another state.

ASU makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure or certification information is current; however, state requirements may change. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, jurisprudence exams, etc. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Arizona, it is strongly recommended that you visit the ASU Professional Licensure website for contact information of the appropriate licensing entity to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements.