An Aerospace Engineering student who chooses to take specific electives will be awarded with a specialization that will appear on their transcript and diploma.
Note:
- Specializations are optional and students are only eligible for one specialization. (Students on a pre-FA23 academic plan will be automatically updated to the FA23 academic plan when they request to switch to a new AE major with specialization.)
- In order to declare or drop a specialization, please submit a request through the Triton Student System. (Search under Aerospace Engineering, followed by the name of the specialization) Requests MUST be made at least 1 academic quarter before graduation.
Due to the fact that some specialization courses may only be offered once a year, students are HIGHLY encouraged to begin planning their specialization at least 2 years before graduation. It is recommended to complete at least 2 specialization courses before your final year. If you choose to wait until your final year, it may be impossible to complete all the requirements.
IMPORTANT: If students cannot complete the requirements within four years or three years for transfer students, they must return to the major without a specialization.
Students Admitted Directly into an AE Major w/Specialization
Students will follow either the freshman 4-year AE plan or the transfer 3-year AE plan and will take 4 out of their required 5 technical electives (TEs) from the list of approved specialization courses below.
As for the 5th and final TE, students have the choice to take another course from the list of approved specialization courses or choose a TE from the general list of approved TEs here.
Note: The schedule of TEs varies from year to year. Students are recommended to check the course offerings webpage at the beginning of each academic year to see which TEs will be offered and then plan accordingly.
- Astrodynamics and Space Applications (MAE-BS-012)
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The specialization in astrodynamics and space applications is designed for students who are interested in the fundamentals of astronautical engineering and its applications to space flight, mission analysis, navigation, and human space exploration.
Students must complete all the aerospace engineering requirements described above and four of the five technical electives must include MAE-180, Orbital Mechanics, and three courses selected from the list below:
- MAE-108. Probability and Statistical Methods for Engineering
- MAE-114. Space Propulsion
- MAE-181. Space Mission Analysis and Design
- MAE-182. Spacecraft Guidance and Navigation
- MAE-184. Flight Simulation Techniques
- MAE-240. Space Flight Mechanics
- Aerothermodynamics (MAE-BS-013)
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The specialization in aerothermodynamics is designed for students who are interested in the fundamentals of fluid mechanics and heat transfer, including compressibility effects, and their applications to the design of propulsion and aerodynamic components and systems.
Students must complete all the aerospace engineering requirements described above and four of the five technical electives must include MAE-101C, Heat Transfer, and three courses selected from the list below:
- MAE-101D. Intermediate Heat Transfer
- MAE-110. Thermodynamic Systems
- MAE-114. Space Propulsion
- MAE-184. Flight Simulation Techniques
- MAE-185. Computational Fluid Dynamics
- MAE-201. Mechanics of Fluids
- MAE-202. Thermal Processes
- MAE-212. Introductory Compressible Flow
- Flight Dynamics and Controls (MAE-BS-011)
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The specialization in flight dynamics and controls is designed for students who want to understand the fundamentals of flight mechanics and controls, including optimization, and their applications to the design of flight simulation systems and autonomous aerial vehicles.
Students must complete all the aerospace engineering requirements described above and four of the five technical electives must include MAE-184, Flight Simulation Techniques, and three courses selected from the list below:
- MAE-108. Probability and Statistical Methods for Engineering
- MAE-130. Advanced Vibrations
- MAE-144. Embedded Control and Robotics
- MAE-145. Introduction to Robotic Planning and Estimation
- MAE-146. Introduction to Machine Learning Algorithms with Python
- MAE-148. Introduction to Autonomous Vehicles
- MAE-200. Controls