Aerospace Engineering

Program Chart (.pdf, 441 kb)
Department Website

DIRECTOR: N.A. GATSONIS,
PROFESSORS: M. Demetriou, N. A. Gatsonis, F. Looft, R. Sisson
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: J. Blandino, D. Olinger, M. Richman
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: I. Hussein, S. Evans, D. Lados

Mission Statement

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 engineering topics. The Program also seeks to foster a student's creative talents with the goal of developing a personal high standard of excellence and professionalism. Finally, the Aerospace Engineering Program seeks to provide to our students an appreciation of the role of the aerospace engineer in society.

Program Educational Objectives

1. The graduates of the Aerospace Engineering Program will be successful as:
   1. Aerospace or related engineering professionals in industry or government, and/or
   2. Recipients of graduate degrees in aerospace and related engineering areas or in other professional areas.
2. The graduates of the Aerospace Engineering Program will:
   1. Become successful engineers as a result of their mastery of the fundamentals in mathematics and basic sciences, and as a result of their sound understanding of the technical concepts relevant to aerospace engineering and design.
   2. Become leaders in business and society due to their broad preparation in the effective uses of technology, communication, and teamwork, and due to their appreciation of the importance of globalization, professional ethics, and impact of technology on 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 WPI Degree Requirements) 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. Mathematics and Basic Sciences (Notes 1,2,3,4)	4
2. Engineering Science and Design (Includes MQP) (Notes 5,6)	6

Notes:

1. Must include a minimum of 5/3 units of mathematics including differential and integral calculus, and differential equations.
2. Must include a minimum of 3/3 units in physics including introductory electricity and magnetism, and intermediate mechanics.
3. Must include 1/3 unit in chemistry.
4. Must include 1/3 units in thermodynamics (can be satisfied with CH 3510 as a Mathematics and Basic Science Elective, or other equivalent course with approval of the AE Program Committee)
5. Must include 18/3 units in Engineering Science and Design, distributed as follows:
   1. 12/3 units in Aeronautical Engineering
      1. 3/3 units in Aerodynamics with topics in: incompressible fluid dynamics, compressible fluid dynamics, subsonic and supersonic aerodynamics.
      2. 2/3 units in Aerospace Materials with topics in: materials science, and aerospace materials.
      3. 2/3 units in Structures, with topics in: stress analysis, and aerospace structures.
      4. 2/3 units in Propulsion, with topics in: introductory fluid dynamics, and gas turbine propulsion.
      5. 2/3 units in Flight Mechanics, and Stability and Control, with topics in: control theory, and aircraft dynamics and controls.
      6. 1/3 units in Major Design of a system, component, or process to meet desired needs incorporating appropriate engineering standards and multiple realistic constraints, including the integration of aeronautical topics (fulfilled by ME 4770 Aircraft Design).
   2. 2/3 units in Astronautical Engineering
      1. 1/3 unit in Orbital Mechanics and Space Environments (fulfilled by ME 2713 Astronautics).
      2. 1/3 units in Telecommunications (fulfilled by ME 4733 Guidance, Navigation and Communication).
   3. 4/3 units in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
      1. 1/3 unit in Experimentation (fulfilled by ME 3901 Engineering Experimentation).
      2. 3/3 units in Aerospace Design that involves the design of a system, component, or process to meet desired needs that includes integration of aeronautical and/or astronautical topics (fulfilled by the MQP).

or

1. 12/3 units in Astronautical Engineering
   1. 1/3 unit in Orbital Mechanics, Space Environments (fulfilled by ME 2713 Astronautics)
   2. 2/3 units in Attitude Determination and Control, with topics in: control theory and spacecraft dynamics and controls.
   3. 1/3 units in Telecommunications (fulfilled by ME 4733 Guidance, Navigation and Communication).
   4. 3/3 units in Space Structures, with topics in: materials, stress analysis, and aerospace structures.
   5. 4/3 units in Rocket Propulsion, with topics in: introductory fluid dynamics, incompressible fluid dynamics, compressible fluid dynamics and, rocket propulsion.
   6. 1/3 unit in Major Design of a system, component, or process to meet desired needs incorporating appropriate engineering standards and multiple realistic constraints, including the integration of astronautical topics (fulfilled by ME 4771 Spacecraft and Mission Design).
2. 2/3 units in Aeronautical Engineering
   1. 1/3 units in Aerodynamics (fulfilled by ME 3711 Aerodynamics).
   2. 1/3 units in Aerospace Materials (fulfilled by ME 4718 Advanced Materials with Aerospace Applications).
3. 4/3 units in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
   1. 1/3 units in Experimentation (fulfilled by ME 3901 Engineering Experimentation).
   2. 3/3 units in Aerospace Design that involves the design of a system, component, or process to meet desired needs that includes integration of aeronautical and/or astronautical topics (fulfilled by the MQP).

6. Must include a 1/3 Capstone design activity (fulfilled by ME 4770, ME 4771 or MQP).

Major Qualifying Projects

The Aerospace Engineering Program provides opportunities, resources and organization for Major Qualifying Projects (MQPs). The MQPs involve the design of an aerospace system, component, or process to meet a set of requirements and include the integration of aeronautical and/or astronautical engineering topics. MQPs are conducted in the research laboratories of the Aerospace Engineering Program and serve as a vehicle for integration of undergraduate studies with current research activities. Some MQPs are also conducted in collaboration with industry or government research centers. All students present their MQP in a conference held at WPI on Project Presentation Day. Students are also encouraged and often supported to participate in student and professional conferences, as well as national design competitions.