Aerospace Engineering
Designing aircraft, spacecraft, and the systems that fly them.
Aerospace engineering focuses on the physics and design of vehicles that move through air or space, aircraft, rockets, satellites, drones. It builds on core mechanical-engineering topics (statics, dynamics, thermodynamics) and adds specialized study in aerodynamics, propulsion, and orbital mechanics.
Most programs let students specialize in aeronautics (atmospheric flight) or astronautics (spaceflight) in later years, with design projects that often involve wind-tunnel testing or simulation software used in the industry.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Statics & Dynamics
- ✓Aerodynamics
- ✓Propulsion Systems
- ✓Orbital Mechanics
- ✓Aircraft/Spacecraft Structures
- ✓Control Systems
- ✓Thermodynamics
- ✓Senior Design Project
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Statics & Dynamics
- +General education requirement
- ✓Aerodynamics
- +General education requirement
- ✓Propulsion Systems
- +General education requirement
- ✓Orbital Mechanics
- +Free elective
- ✓Aircraft/Spacecraft Structures
- +Free elective
- ✓Control Systems
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Thermodynamics
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Senior Design Project
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Fascinated by flight, spaceflight, or vehicle design
- ★Very strong in physics and calculus
- ★Comfortable with long, multi-step technical problems
- ★Interested in extreme engineering constraints (weight, heat, pressure)
Common minors & double-major pairings
Physics · Computer Science · Mathematics
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Aerospace Engineering major?
Designing aircraft, spacecraft, and the systems that fly them.
What courses do Aerospace Engineering majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Statics & Dynamics, Aerodynamics, Propulsion Systems, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Aerospace Engineering program?
Aerospace Engineering coursework typically builds skills like Applying fluid dynamics and aerodynamics, Structural design under extreme conditions, Systems and controls engineering, Simulation and modeling software.
Is Aerospace Engineering a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Fascinated by flight, spaceflight, or vehicle design" or "Very strong in physics and calculus" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Aerospace Engineering degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Aerospace Engineer. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Aerospace Engineering?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics.
How is Aerospace Engineering different from Mechanical Engineering?
They're related but distinct. Aerospace Engineering: Designing aircraft, spacecraft, and the systems that fly them. Mechanical Engineering: Designing machines and physical systems, from engines to robots. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Aerospace Engineering degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/aerospace-engineering