Aerospace Engineering, B.S.

(120 units)

The curriculum is designed to supplement mathematics, science and basic engineering courses in order to give students the specialization needed in different areas of aerospace engineering. In addition to acquiring technical knowledge, graduates will have completed appropriate courses in communications and in humanistic social studies.

BSAE Program Educational Objectives

The goal of the undergraduate program in aerospace engineering is to produce well-rounded engineers prepared for careers in aerospace engineering or related disciplines, utilizing an excellent education in the fundamentals of engineering mathematics, sciences, and design in order to:

Create innovative solutions responsive to customer needs and meeting societal challenges;
Apply their knowledge to communicating and translating ideas and plans into working engineering systems;
Effectively function as a team member and/or leader in global, multi-disciplinary technical environments.

Student Learning Outcomes

The AE program Student Outcomes used to meet the Program Educational Objectives are listed below:

The students graduating in aerospace engineering will possess the skills in mathematics, physics and chemistry required to solve real-world problems.
The students will have a firm understanding of engineering science fundamentals that enables them to analyze real-world problems and propose an appropriate solution to these problems.
The students will have an ability to apply their knowledge in aerospace fundamental disciplines to the analysis and design of components. These aerospace fundamental disciplines include aerodynamics; aerospace materials and structures; propulsion; space environment and space systems; communications and avionics systems; orbital and flight mechanics; and stability & control.
The students will have the ability to work in teams and (1) carry out simplified design problems from the conceptual level to the realization of a manufacturing plan, or (2) design complex systems, such as aircraft or spacecraft, from a preliminary design point of view. Projects address economic and business aspects such as commercial viability.
The students will have the ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
The students will have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
The students will have the ability to build on their knowledge and will be trained to be lifelong learners, pursuing and interested in independent study, research and development.
The students will have good oral, written and graphical communication skills.
The students will be trained in the role of the engineer in society, and have an awareness of environmental concerns in the engineering profession.
The students will have knowledge of contemporary issues and current projects in aerospace engineering and of technical, design, and business challenges faced by the aerospace industry.

Major Declaration

Freshmen admission to engineering majors is to a ‘pre-major’ status (i.e., Pre-Aerospace Engineering). Continuation in the major will be subject to meeting specific lower division course and GPA requirements at CSULB that indicate the student’s ability to succeed and complete the major. Transfer applicants and CSULB students seeking admission into Aerospace Engineering must also meet similar major specific requirements. To become fully admitted into the Aerospace Engineering major, all prospective students (i.e., pre-majors, undeclared, major changes) must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and complete the following lower-division courses with a minimum grade of “C” prior to earning 60 units:

Core Lower Division Major Requirements:

General Education Foundations Courses:

Written and Oral Communication

Degree Progress

First-Time Engineering freshmen pre-major and transfer students must complete the Engineering Degree Progress Requirements within their first academic year. At the end of the second full semester, typically Spring, students who have not met the requirements must either declare another major or meet with an Academic Advisor from the Engineering Student Success Center (ESSC) to determine if the student’s performance in the courses merits an additional Semester to complete. Such students must submit a Degree Progress Extension Petition with the College of Engineering Dean’s Office.

First-Time Freshmen:

A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in the following within one academic year.

MATH 122 - Calculus I (4 units)

Transfer Students:

A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in the following within one academic year.

MATH 123 - Calculus II (4 units)
PHYS 151 - Mechanics and Heat (4 units)

All Engineering Majors

All Engineering majors are expected to make satisfactory degree progress by completing attempted units, limiting repeats/withdrawals, satisfying critical benchmark courses in a timely manner, and maintaining minimum 2.0 Overall and Major GPAs. Degree Progress is monitored for all undergraduate students each semester. Petitions to attempt a course for the third time are only considered in extenuating circumstances. Students who are not making satisfactory degree progress as described above will have a hold on their registration and are required to meet with their advisor to develop an academic plan. Failure to satisfy the academic progress requirements will result in the student being disqualified from the major.

Requirements

A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in all of the courses required for the major. A minimum of 120 units is required.

There are two emphases in the BSAE Program: (1) Aeronautics, and (2) Astronautics. Aeronautics focuses on aerospace engineering as it relates to flight in the atmosphere, while Astronautics addresses space flight.