Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace travel, space exploration, and flight of manned or unmanned vehicles continue to gain significance.  Aerospace engineering is involved with the science and technology of advanced vehicles, including aircraft, rockets, missiles, and spacecraft.  Although a specialized branch of engineering, it is also diverse.  Aerospace technology has expanded to include design and development of earthbound vehicles such as ground-effect machines, hydrofoil ships, and high-speed rail-type systems.

The curriculum consists of a judicious combination of fundamentals, including mathematics and sciences, and practical laboratory experience which provides access to modern engineering tools.  Aeronautical engineering subjects are to be the focus of the discipline along with significant exposure to space-related topics.  Graduates will be able to critically analyze aerospace engineering problems and execute practical solutions.  In addition to being able to function independently, it is expected that graduates will be able to function with effective written and oral communication within multidisciplinary teams and be prepared to address several issues such as environmental, social, and economic considerations, due to a thorough education in the humanities, social sciences, ethics, safety, and professionalism.

The aerospace engineering curriculum includes studies in the disciplines encountered in the design of aerospace vehicles, missiles, rockets, and spacecraft.  Undergraduate students extensively study the basic principles of aerodynamics, solid mechanics and structures, stability and control, thermal sciences, and propulsion.  The senior year includes a capstone flight vehicle design course providing an experiential learning opportunity.

Students are involved in both theoretical and experimental studies and trained to integrate knowledge with practical engineering design.  With the breadth and depth of education in aerospace engineering, students become versatile engineers, competent to work in many areas.  The curriculum may serve as a terminal degree program by incorporating design-oriented courses for technical electives or it may be used as a preparatory program for advanced study by the selection of science-oriented courses.

While the undergraduate curriculum is sufficiently broad to permit graduates to select from a wide variety of employment opportunities, it contains sufficient depth to prepare students to enter graduate school to pursue advanced degrees.  As modern science and engineering become more complex, the desirability of graduate-level preparation is being recognized by most advanced industries and government agencies.

Students can simultaneously pursue B.S. degrees in both aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering by completing additional courses.  Information on this 158 credit-hour, four-and-one-half-year option can be seen at the end of this department description.

Students who plan a career in medicine, dentistry, or related areas, but who desire an aerospace engineering degree before entering the appropriate professional school, may substitute eight hours (from a combination of biology and organic chemistry courses) for the required six hours of technical electives.  This selection will help students satisfy admission requirements to the professional schools in the health sciences.

The aerospace engineering program at WVU is administered by the faculty of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Program Educational Objectives

It is expected that, within a few years of graduation (3 to 5 years), graduates will attain the following Program Educational Objectives (PEO's):

PEO-1. Proficiency in practicing one or more areas of aerospace engineering.

It is expected that after a few years of graduating (3 to 5 years), graduates will have consolidated professional proficiency as practitioners in at least one technical area of aerospace engineering, as reflected by the responsibilities and accomplishments of their professional practice.

PEO-2. Success in adapting to the demands of the workforce in the dynamic technological arena.

It is expected that, within a few years of graduation (3 to 5 years), graduates will have successfully adapted to the demands of the workforce in a dynamic technological arena through a professional practice that reflects high credentials or development of new technical skills and acumen for administrative functions.

PEO-3. Progress in their personal career development through professional service, continuing education and/or graduate studies.

It is expected that, within a few years of graduation (3 to 5 years), graduates will have made meaningful progress in their professional career, either by promotions to positions of higher responsibility with their employers, by participation in professional service activities, or by technical self-improvement through continuing education or graduate degree programs.

PEO-4. Meaningful involvement in a team that tangibly contributes to industry and/or society through the engineering discipline.

It is expected that, within a few years of graduation (3 to 5 years), graduates will have the experience of being or having been members in a team of professionals successfully making tangible technical contributions to industry or society through an engineering discipline.

Spring Semester Study Abroad Opportunity in Rome, Italy

Primarily For Junior Year ME and AE Undergraduate Students

All MAE undergraduates are invited to consider spending the spring semester of their junior year studying abroad at the University of Rome Tor Vergata ("UTV", for short). This very successful program is taught fully in English at UTV to both Italian undergraduate engineering students and students from other countries all over the world.  Through this program WVU students have the opportunity to earn credits towards their WVU BSME or dual BSME/BSAE degrees for a full semester of equivalent WVU engineering courses towards their degrees. Please see the following link for the UTV description of this program:

https://engineering-sciences.uniroma2.it/course-structure/

In order to ensure that, upon successfully passing the UTV class examinations, the credits earned at UTV will transfer back to WVU for the equivalent courses within the MAE degree programs, it is recommended that students should select from the following list of UTV courses only those courses that are regularly taught during their spring semester:

Upon graduation, all Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering students will have:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

The primary learning goal of the BSAE program is to implement state-of-the-art instructional materials, methods and technologies in order to prepare engineers who are highly proficient in their field of specialty and ready to contribute to the well-being of society through competent practice of the engineering profession, leading to economic development and innovative technological advancements.

The graduates of the BSAE program are well prepared to engage in the long-life pursuit of successful engineering careers by quickly adapting to the changing demands of the workforce in a dynamic global environment, by enhancing continuously their professional abilities or skills, and by contributing effectively in multidisciplinary teams to the advancement of existing or anticipated industrial, economical and societal needs.

• Must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale for general admission.
• Must meet English Proficiency or request conditional admission and admission to the Intensive English Program (IEP).
• Please be advised that some Engineering majors may reach capacity and therefore will be restricted from entry.
• For direct admission to some colleges and majors, SAT or ACT scores are required and must be sent to WVU directly from the respective testing services. Please review the program requirements. For all other majors, international students are encouraged but not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, if available. SAT/ACT scores are useful for determining scholarship eligibility.
• WVU welcomes applications from students with IGCSE and O-Level Certificates from an approved UK exam board for admissions consideration. We require a minimum of five subject passes, of which two must be English and Mathematics. The average of the grades must be at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). A passing grade in the subject of English will be accepted as evidence of sufficient English ability.

1. Review the admissions requirements, English Language Proficiency requirements (scores are for undergraduate levels only) and our undergraduate application deadlines.
2. To apply for an on-campus program, complete either the WVU Application or the Common App and include the nonrefundable fee of $65.
   
   WVU Application The Common App

   To apply for an online program, use the steps for WVU Online Campus applicants.

3. Have your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic or Duolingo English Test scores sent to WVU.
4. Send the following information to WVU:
   • Copies of all official academic records/transcripts in original language of issue (transcripts from U.S. institutions must be sent to WVU directly from the institutions).
   • Copies of all academic certificates or diplomas in original language of issue.
   Note: Original or certified copies of official records/transcripts must be submitted after admission or upon arrival.
   • English translations of academic records/transcripts and certificates/diplomas.