Aerospace Engineering BS

Overview

The Aerospace Engineering program is concerned with the design and construction of various types of fixed-wing and rotary-wing (helicopters) aircraft used for air transportation and national defense. It is also concerned with the design and construction of spacecraft, the exploration and utilization of space, and related technological fields.Aerospace engineering is … For more content click the Read More button below.

Aerospace engineering is characterized by a very high level of technology. The aerospace engineer is likely to operate at the forefront of scientific discoveries, often stimulating these discoveries and providing the inspiration for the creation of new scientific concepts. Meeting these demands requires the imaginative use of many disciplines, including fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, structural mechanics, materials and aeroelasticity, dynamics, control and guidance, propulsion, and energy conversion.

The aerospace engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The Aerospace Engineering major is a designated capstone major. Within their capstone courses, Aerospace Engineering students are exposed to the conceptual and design phases for aircraft development and produce a structural design of a component, such as a lightweight aircraft wing. Graduates should be able to apply their knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering in technical systems; design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs; function as productive members of a team; identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Requirements

Preparation for the Major

The Major

Required: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 1, 101, 102, 103, 105A, 105D, 107, 150A, 157, 166A, 171A; two departmental breadth courses (Electrical and Computer Engineering 100 and Materials Science and Engineering 104—if one or both of these courses are taken as part of the technical breadth requirement, students must select a replacement upper-division course or courses from the department—except for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 156A—or, by petition, from outside the department); one of the following two tracks (16 units): aeronautics (150B, C150P, 154A, 154S) or space (C150R, 161A, 161B, 161C); three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs; one capstone design course (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 157A); one major field elective course (4 units) from the track not chosen (150B or C150P; C150R or 161A) and one major field elective course (4 units) from Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 150B, C150R, 154S, 161A, 161B, 161C (unless taken as a required course), or from 94, 131A, C131G, 133A, 135, C136, C137, C138, CM140, 150C, C150G, 154B, 155, C156B, 162A, C162B, C163A, C163B, C163C, 166C, M168, 169A, 171B, 172, 174, C175A, 181A, 182B, 182C, 183A, M183B, C183C, 185, C186, C187L.

For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see the UCLA Samueli section of College and Schools.