The aerospace engineering undergraduate curriculum at Florida Tech presents the fundamentals underlying modern aerospace engineering and prepares the student for a lifetime of continued learning. During the freshman and sophomore years, emphasis is placed on mathematics and physics, while aerospace engineering is introduced through a sequence of three courses. The sophomore and junior years direct the student toward the engineering sciences, including materials science, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. During the junior and senior years, the study becomes progressively centered about the specific issues facing practicing aerospace engineers. The student uses the basic tools imparted during the first two years and applies them in studies of aerodynamics, propulsion systems, aerospace structures and design projects. Other courses taken during the last two years expand the student's knowledge in the fields of mechanics of solids, electric circuits, flight stability and control, and mission analysis. Technical electives taken during the junior and senior years allow the student to direct the program toward specific areas of personal interest, such as flight training and human factors engineering, space science, mathematics, computer science or other engineering disciplines.
Laboratory experiences are essential to the education of engineers, and these are provided in chemistry, physics, computers, materials, fluids, structures and experimental aerodynamics. The capstone of the educational process is embodied in the aerospace engineering design project, which synthesizes and focuses elements from the various disciplines into a design activity of current aerospace engineering interest. The aerospace engineering faculty serve jointly in the supervision and consultation for these projects.
Students are encouraged to define career objectives early in the program, so that, in consultation with faculty advisors, electives can be selected that are best suited to the achievement of specific goals. Students may also choose to benefit from the experience gained through the cooperative education program.
The aerospace engineering graduate is prepared to pursue a career in either industry or government as a practicing engineer, or to enter graduate study in engineering, engineering management, or related fields of science. In some cases, aerospace engineering graduates enter graduate programs of study in medicine, law, or business.
Educational Objectives
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