Aerospace Engineering
Program Chart
Department Web Site
Director: N. A. Gatsonis
Professors: N.A. Gatsonis, F. Looft, R. Sisson
Associate Profesors: J. Blandino, M. Demetriou, D. Olinger, M. Richman
Assistant Profesor: I. Hussein
Profesor of Practice: R. Labonte
Mission Statement
The Aerospace Program at WPI aims to graduate students with a comprehensive education that will enable them to establish productive careers in the aerospace industry, government, or academia.
Program Educational Objectives
The aerospace engineering program seeks to impart to our students strong technical competence in fundamental engineering principles along with specialized competence in aeronautical and astronautical topics. At the same time the program seeks to nourish a student’s creative talents through research opportunities, with the goal to develop a personal high standard of excellence and professionalism. Finally, the program seeks to provide an appreciation of the role of the aerospace engineer in society.
Program Outcomes
Graduating students should demonstrate that they attain the following:
- an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
- 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
- an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- an ability to communicate effectively
- the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
- a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning
- a knowledge of contemporary issues
- an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
- knowledge covering one of the areas - aeronautical engineering or astronautical engineering - and, in addition, knowledge of some topics from the area not emphasized
- design competence that includes integration of aeronautical or astronautical topics Program Distribution
Requirements for the Aerospace Engineering Major
The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to the WPI requirements applicable to all students (see page 9) students wishing to receive a Bachelor degree in “Aerospace Engineering”, must satisfy additional distribution requirements. These requirements apply to 10 units of study in the areas of mathematics, basic sciences, aerospace engineering science and design.
| Requirements | Minimum Units |
|---|---|
| 1. Mathematical and Basic Sciences (Notes 1, 2, and 3) | 4 |
| 2. Engineering Science and Design (Includes MQP) (Notes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) | 6 |
Notes:
- Must include a minimum of 5/3 units of mathematics including differential and integral calculus, and differential equations.
- Must include a minimum of 3/3 units in physics including introductory electricity and magnetism, and intermediate mechanics.
- Must include 2/3 units in chemistry including topics in thermodynamics.
- Must include 6/3 units in fluids and propulsion with topics in heat transfer, incompressible and compressible fluid dynamics, subsonic and supersonic aerodynamics, airbreathing and rocket propulsion.
- Must include 4/3 units in materials and structures, with topics in materials science, stress analysis, and aerospace structures.
- Must include 4/3 units in dynamics and control with topics in orbital mechanics, control theory, guidance, navigation, communications, and aircraft or spacecraft dynamics and control.
- Must include 1/3 units in aerospace systems design that integrates either aeronautical or astronautical engineering topics.
- Must include 1/3 Unit of Capstone Design Experience.
Major Qualifying Projects
The Aerospace Engineering Program provides opportunities, resources and organization for MQPs in aeronautics or astronautics. MQPs are conducted in the research laboratories of the Aerospace Engineering program, in conjunction with industry or government research centers. MQPs are often conducted in collaboration with graduate students and serve as a vehicle for integration of undergraduate studies with research in state of the art technologies. Students are encouraged and often supported to participate in the AIAA Northeast Student Conference, other professional meetings organized by AIAA as well as national design competitions.
Aeronautics
These project opportunities are for students interested in aircraft and/or aircraft systems design. Central activity in these projects is the design, construction, and testing of remotely piloted aircraft and micro aerial vehicles. Other projects may include topics in aerodynamics, controls, wake flows, and gas dynamics.
Astronautics
These project opportunities are for students interested in space science and engineering. Topics include electric propulsion, micro-propulsion, and control of space structures.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: June 03, 2008 13:37:11