Aerospace Engineering - Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

The aerospace engineering program prepares students for a range of professional engineering careers in aerospace and related professions. The aerospace engineering curriculum covers the important classical areas of low and high speed aerodynamics, propulsion, orbital mechanics, flight mechanics and control, aerospace structures and laboratory practice. In addition, the principles of systems engineering and design that are necessary to conceive, design, analyze and troubleshoot complex engineering systems are covered extensively and are considered to be especially important in the overall educational experience. Students will also be encouraged to participate in significant non-classroom experiences, including:

  • co-ops and internships;
  • industrial and laboratory field trips;
  • guest speakers from outside NMSU;
  • the New Mexico Space Grant Program;
  • special seminar programs on current topics in aerospace.

Aerospace engineers find employment in areas of launch vehicles, space vehicles and missions, aircraft systems design, land and sea vehicle design, robotics and automated manufacturing, safety and other areas. The aerospace engineering background also allows graduates to pursue careers in non-aerospace fields of engineering. Graduates of the aerospace engineering program will be prepared to apply the following skills to problems of interest either in the industry or research and development:

  • engineering sciences,
  • mathematics,
  • computational methods,
  • modern experimental methods,
  • effective communication skills and
  • systems engineering principles.

The aerospace engineering program is also intended to prepare students to pursue graduate study, which can be of significant benefit in the aerospace profession. The general goals of the aerospace engineering program, as well as the program educational objectives, are the same as those stated above for the mechanical engineering program.

Requirements (122 Credits)

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 122 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.

In addition to the NMSU and College of Engineering requirements for graduation, a student must obtain a minimum grade of C- in all math, science, and engineering courses applied toward their B.S. in AE and/or ME minor.

Prefix Title Credits
General Education
Area I: Communications
English Composition - Level 1
ENGL 1110GComposition I4
English Composition - Level 2 13
Oral Communication 13
Area II: Mathematics
MATH 1511GCalculus and Analytic Geometry I 24
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences & Social/Behavioral Sciences
CHEM 1215GGeneral Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
PHYS 1310G
PHYS 1310L
Calculus -Based Physics I
and Calculus -Based Physics I Lab
4
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences 13
Areas V: Humanities 13
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 13
General Education Elective
MATH 1521GCalculus and Analytic Geometry II4
Viewing a Wider World
Viewing a Wider World Elective 33
Select one Viewing A Wider World course from the following:3
Great Theorems in Mathematics3
Energy and Society in the New Millennium3
The Search for Water in the Solar System3
Departmental/College Requirements
Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 110Introduction to Engineering Design3
ENGR 233Engineering Mechanics I3
ENGR 234Engineering Mechanics II3
M E 210Electronics and System Engineering3
ENGR 217Manufacturing Processes3
ENGR 217 LManufacturing Processes Lab1
M E 228Engineering Analysis I3
M E 240Thermodynamics3
M E 261Mechanical Engineering Problem Solving3
M E 328Engineering Analysis II3
M E 341Heat Transfer3
M E 345Experimental Methods I3
M E 349MAE Career Seminar1
Aerospace Engineering 4
A E 339Aerodynamics I3
A E 362Orbital Mechanics3
A E 363Aerospace Structures3
A E 364Flight Dynamics and Controls3
A E 419Propulsion3
A E 439Aerodynamics II3
A E 424Aerospace Systems Engineering3
A E 428Aerospace Capstone Design3
A E 447Aerofluids Laboratory3
One Aerospace engineering senior elective listed below3
Special Topics3
Aircraft Design3
Advanced Flight Dynamics and Controls3
Control System Design3
Experimental Modal Analysis3
Applied Finite Elements3
Mechatronics3
Non- Departmental Requirements
Mathematics
MATH 2530GCalculus III3
Natural Science
PHYS 1320GCalculus -Based Physics II3
Engineering
ENGR 190Introduction to Engineering Mathematics4
C E 301Mechanics of Materials3
CHME 361Engineering Materials3
Second Language: (not required)
Electives to bring the total credits to 1220
Total Credits122
1

See General Education section in this catalog for a full list of courses.

2

MATH 1511G Calculus and Analytic Geometry I is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1511G first.

3

See the Viewing a Wider World section in this catalog for a full list of courses.

4

Courses subject to once per year rotation.

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students

This roadmap assumes student  placement in MATH 1511G Calculus and Analytic Geometry I and ENGL 1110G Composition I. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallCredits
MATH 1511G Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 1 4
ENGR 190 Introduction to Engineering Mathematics 4
CHEM 1215G General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors 4
ENGL 1110G Composition I 4
 Credits16
Spring
MATH 1521G Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 4
PHYS 1310G
PHYS 1310L
Calculus -Based Physics I
and Calculus -Based Physics I Lab
4
ENGR 110 Introduction to Engineering Design 3
English Composition - Level 2 2 3
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences 2 3
 Credits17
Sophomore
Fall
MATH 2530G Calculus III 3
PHYS 1320G Calculus -Based Physics II 3
ENGR 233 Engineering Mechanics I 3
M E 210 Electronics and System Engineering 3
ENGR 217 Manufacturing Processes 3
ENGR 217 L Manufacturing Processes Lab 1
 Credits16
Spring
M E 228 Engineering Analysis I 3
ENGR 234 Engineering Mechanics II 3
M E 261 Mechanical Engineering Problem Solving 3
M E 240 Thermodynamics 3
Oral Communications Elective 2 3
 Credits15
Junior
Fall
M E 328 Engineering Analysis II 3
A E 339 Aerodynamics I 3
A E 362 Orbital Mechanics 3
A E 364 Flight Dynamics and Controls 3
C E 301 Mechanics of Materials 3
M E 349 MAE Career Seminar 1
 Credits16
Spring
A E 424 Aerospace Systems Engineering 3
A E 439 Aerodynamics II 3
A E 363 Aerospace Structures 3
M E 345 Experimental Methods I 3
M E 341 Heat Transfer 3
 Credits15
Senior
Fall
CHME 361 Engineering Materials 3
A E 419 Propulsion 3
A E 447 Aerofluids Laboratory 3
Area V: Humanities 2 3
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 2 3
 Credits15
Spring
A E 428 Aerospace Capstone Design 3
Aerospace engineering senior elective 3
Viewing a Wider World 3 3
Viewing a Wider World 3 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits122
1

MATH 1511G Calculus and Analytic Geometry I is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1511G first.

2

See the General Education section in this catalog for a full list of courses.

3

See the Viewing a Wider World section in this catalog for a full list of courses.