Undergraduate Program


The focus of the BS program in Aerospace Engineering is the design of aerospace vehicles and components. This is accomplished in a four year academic program that consists in the first year of basic sciences, mathematics, and communication courses. These courses form the key foundation for the rest of the program. Also, you will take an Introduction to Aerospace Engineering course that will give you an overview of the BS program. In the second year you will continue to take basic mathematics and science as well as engineering science courses. The engineering science courses apply the principles you have mastered in the basic sciences and mathematics to the solution of engineering problems. In the third year you learn the unique nature of aerospace problems. These courses cover the major subdivisions of Aerospace Engineering - fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and flight dynamics. You will also have courses in complementary topics including computer graphics and instrumentation. Inyour fourth year, you have the opportunity to see how all the individual specialized technologies are used to design a vehicle.

Statement:

The aerospace engineer is concerned with the design, production, operation, and support of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineers conduct research to solve problems and improve processes for the aerospace industry. The curriculum includes traditional courses in aerodynamics, flight dynamics and control, propulsion, structures, manufacturing, instrumentation, and spacecraft systems. Capstone design courses are offered in aircraft, propulsion, and spacecraft design.

Mission:

KUAE fosters a world-class community of choice for students, educators, researchers and industry partners by strategically aligning our teaching, research and service missions to prepare students for successful professional careers by providing them with foundational knowledge in and experience with aerospace engineering disciplines and interdisciplinary systems integration, while advancing the state-of-the-art.  A world-class graduate and undergraduate education focused on designing, simulating, building, testing, and flying aerospace vehicles is provided.  The department invests in research infrastructure and chooses outstanding students, faculty, and staff to conduct basic and applied research of relevance to aerospace vehicles and systems.  The department supports the aerospace profession by educating the public, by maintaining the KU aerospace short-course program, and by advising policy-makers in government, industry, and disciplinary professional organizations.

Objectives:

The Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program objective is that our graduates contribute to the aerospace profession, related fields and other disciplines through skilled professional practice in industry, government and/or graduate study.  Within a few years after graduation we expect that:

  • Graduates are meaningfully employed or pursuing graduate study in aerospace or other high technology fields, with the majority retained in aerospace and closely related engineering
  • Graduates have a positive professional career path including promotions, leadership and/or continued education
  • Graduates recognize the value of their educational preparation for their current and future professional endeavors.

Educational Outcomes:

Achievement is measured through assessment of the performance of graduates three to six years after graduation.  Graduates must demonstrate the following measurable learning 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.

The Aerospace Engineering Bachelor of Science program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Listed below are detailed descriptions of the undergraduate courses. These listings include the prerequisites, current textbooks, course topics, and faculty coordinator. Students should check in the AE Department Office to find out which courses are available for each semester. If students have any questions concerning a particular course they should talk to their advisor or the course coordinator.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Course Numbering System

100-299     Courses designed for freshman and sophomores.
300-499     Courses designed for juniors and seniors.
500-699     Courses designed primarily for juniors and seniors, but can also be taken by graduate students who have fewer than 30 hours of graduate credit.

Course Topic Designations

_0_     Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials
_1_     Advanced Mathematics
_2_     Design
_3_     Instrumentation and Testing
_4_     Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics
_5_     Dynamics and Control
_6_     Astronautics
_7_     Propulsion

Graduate Course Descriptions

Purpose

The purpose of the Technical Elective courses is to allow the student to select advanced courses in one or more areas that are of special interest. Each student must take at least six hours of Technical Electives of which a minimum of three hours must be Aerospace Engineering courses. The satisfaction of this requirement can be accomplished by several methods as listed below.

Area of Focus

Students in the University of Kansas School of Engineering cannot select elective courses to form a formal minor. The Department recognizes, however, that some students would like to focus their technical electives on one aspect of aerospace engineering. To help students select their technical electives, the department has compiled a lists of appropriate courses that would form focus areas. Recommended Focus Area Courses contains recommended courses for focus area in Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structures, Flight Dynamics and Control, Vehicle Design, Astronautics, and Manufacturing. It is also possible for a student, working with their advisor, to create other focus areas.

Course Substitution Petition

If a student wants to take a course not listed in Approved Technical Electives, the student needs the approval of their advisor and must document this by filing a Course Substitution Petition with the Department secretary, signed by their advisor. This form will be filed in the student’s academic folder.

Reserves Officer's Training Corps (ROTC)

A student enrolled in one of the ROTC programs can receive three hours of Technical Electives if the ROTC program is completed. If the student does not complete the ROTC program, no Technical Elective credits are awarded. Students in ROTC may not use flight training courses (AE 241, AE 441, or AE 592) to satisfy Technical Elective requirements.

The focus of the BS program in Aerospace Engineering is the design of aerospace vehicles and components. This is accomplished in a four year academic program that consists in the first year of basic sciences, mathematics, and communication courses. These courses form the key foundation for the rest of the program. Also, you will take an Introduction to Aerospace Engineering course that will give you an overview of the BS program. In the second year you will continue to take basic mathematics and science as well as engineering science courses. The engineering science courses apply the principles you have mastered in the basic sciences and mathematics to the solution of engineering problems. In the third year you learn the unique nature of aerospace problems. These courses cover the major subdivisions of Aerospace Engineering - fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and flight dynamics. You will also have courses in complementary topics including computer graphics and instrumentation. Inyour fourth year, you have the opportunity to see how all the individual specialized technologies are used to design a vehicle.

Statement:

The aerospace engineer is concerned with the design, production, operation, and support of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineers conduct research to solve problems and improve processes for the aerospace industry. The curriculum includes traditional courses in aerodynamics, flight dynamics and control, propulsion, structures, manufacturing, instrumentation, and spacecraft systems. Capstone design courses are offered in aircraft, propulsion, and spacecraft design.

Mission:

KUAE fosters a world-class community of choice for students, educators, researchers and industry partners by strategically aligning our teaching, research and service missions to prepare students for successful professional careers by providing them with foundational knowledge in and experience with aerospace engineering disciplines and interdisciplinary systems integration, while advancing the state-of-the-art.  A world-class graduate and undergraduate education focused on designing, simulating, building, testing, and flying aerospace vehicles is provided.  The department invests in research infrastructure and chooses outstanding students, faculty, and staff to conduct basic and applied research of relevance to aerospace vehicles and systems.  The department supports the aerospace profession by educating the public, by maintaining the KU aerospace short-course program, and by advising policy-makers in government, industry, and disciplinary professional organizations.

Objectives:

The Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program objective is that our graduates contribute to the aerospace profession, related fields and other disciplines through skilled professional practice in industry, government and/or graduate study.  Within a few years after graduation we expect that:

  • Graduates are meaningfully employed or pursuing graduate study in aerospace or other high technology fields, with the majority retained in aerospace and closely related engineering
  • Graduates have a positive professional career path including promotions, leadership and/or continued education
  • Graduates recognize the value of their educational preparation for their current and future professional endeavors.

Educational Outcomes:

Achievement is measured through assessment of the performance of graduates three to six years after graduation.  Graduates must demonstrate the following measurable learning 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.

The Aerospace Engineering Bachelor of Science program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Listed below are detailed descriptions of the undergraduate courses. These listings include the prerequisites, current textbooks, course topics, and faculty coordinator. Students should check in the AE Department Office to find out which courses are available for each semester. If students have any questions concerning a particular course they should talk to their advisor or the course coordinator.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Course Numbering System

100-299     Courses designed for freshman and sophomores.
300-499     Courses designed for juniors and seniors.
500-699     Courses designed primarily for juniors and seniors, but can also be taken by graduate students who have fewer than 30 hours of graduate credit.

Course Topic Designations

_0_     Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials
_1_     Advanced Mathematics
_2_     Design
_3_     Instrumentation and Testing
_4_     Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics
_5_     Dynamics and Control
_6_     Astronautics
_7_     Propulsion

Graduate Course Descriptions

Purpose

The purpose of the Technical Elective courses is to allow the student to select advanced courses in one or more areas that are of special interest. Each student must take at least six hours of Technical Electives of which a minimum of three hours must be Aerospace Engineering courses. The satisfaction of this requirement can be accomplished by several methods as listed below.

Area of Focus

Students in the University of Kansas School of Engineering cannot select elective courses to form a formal minor. The Department recognizes, however, that some students would like to focus their technical electives on one aspect of aerospace engineering. To help students select their technical electives, the department has compiled a lists of appropriate courses that would form focus areas. Recommended Focus Area Courses contains recommended courses for focus area in Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structures, Flight Dynamics and Control, Vehicle Design, Astronautics, and Manufacturing. It is also possible for a student, working with their advisor, to create other focus areas.

Course Substitution Petition

If a student wants to take a course not listed in Approved Technical Electives, the student needs the approval of their advisor and must document this by filing a Course Substitution Petition with the Department secretary, signed by their advisor. This form will be filed in the student’s academic folder.

Reserves Officer's Training Corps (ROTC)

A student enrolled in one of the ROTC programs can receive three hours of Technical Electives if the ROTC program is completed. If the student does not complete the ROTC program, no Technical Elective credits are awarded. Students in ROTC may not use flight training courses (AE 241, AE 441, or AE 592) to satisfy Technical Elective requirements.