Aerospace Engineering Educational Mission and Goals

Educational Mission of the Aerospace Engineering Program

The Aerospace Engineering program at UCI delivers an educational program of study that prepares its graduates to become intellectual leaders in industry, government, and academia. Graduates of our programs are grounded in scientific, mathematical, and technical knowledge through coursework that keeps pace with current relevant technologies; they have developed the ability to analyze, synthesize, and design engineering systems through their immersion in the problem-based activities of this research university; and, by means of general education courses, they have enhanced their ability to communicate and have acquired an understanding and appreciation for other areas of human intellectual achievement.

Undergraduate Major in Aerospace Engineering

Program Educational Objectives: graduates of the program will have the professional and scientific education that allows them to be successful as career engineers and in the most demanding graduate programs. Specifically, they will be able to (1) function in professional environments in industry, government, and academia applying and building upon engineering science knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication skills; (2) function as members of teams and in leadership roles applying ethical standards including the AIAA code of ethics within and beyond traditional Aerospace Engineering disciplines; and (3) remain current with technology and contemporary scientific and societal issues, and consequently improve skills and knowledge through a lifelong process of learning.

The undergraduate Aerospace Engineering curriculum includes a core of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Engineering courses in fundamental areas constitute much of the remaining curriculum. A few technical electives allow the undergraduate student to specialize somewhat or to pursue broader understanding. A senior capstone design experience culminates the curriculum.

Program Outcomes for undergraduate students in Aerospace Engineering:

  1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
  2. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
  3. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
  4. An ability to function in multi-disciplinary teams.
  5. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
  6. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
  7. An ability to communicate effectively.
  8. A broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
  9. A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
  10. A knowledge of contemporary issues.
  11. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
  12. An ability to execute a major design experience that incorporates engineering standards and realistic constraints (i.e., most of the following: economic, environmental, sustainability, manufacturability, ethical, health and safety, social, and political issues).

Aerospace Engineering graduates will, in particular, demonstrate:

  1. Aeronautical graduates - a knowledge of aerodynamics, aerospace materials, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics, and stability and control.
  2. Astronautical graduates - orbital mechanics, space environment, attitude determination and control, telecommunications, space structures, and rocket propulsion.
  3. Aeronautical and Astronautical combined - knowledge to cover one of the following areas - aeronautical engineering or astronautical engineering as described above - and, in addition, knowledge of some topics from the area not emphasized.
  4. Design competence which included integration of aeronautical or astronautical topics.