ase & em | F.A.Q.

Why Choose Aerospace?

Aerospace Engineering is the use of advanced sciences and technology in the design and development of flight vehicles. This includes the analysis and design of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles and rockets.

The broad scope of Aerospace Engineering encompasses the study of the physics of fluid and gas flow; heat transfer; combustion processes and their effects on the atmosphere; performance, dynamics and control of vehicles and other general systems; the analysis and design of complex structures; and the principles of jet, rocket and other propulsion systems. This knowledge is used to analyze, design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and rockets.

As an aerospace engineer, you will develop new technologies in control, navigation, and propulsion that will lead to future milestones in the history of flight.

Why Choose UC?

• Our co-op program provides work experience in the aerospace industry, money during college, and, frequently, employment immediately after graduation.
• Extensive state-of-the-art facilities:
• Laboratories in fluid mechanics, propulsion, structures, controls, and electronics for hands-on training.
• Computer facilities for computer-aided-design, analysis, and numerical simulations.
• Second oldest degree program of its kind in the United States and certified by national Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
• 10 of our faculty have been named Fellows of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and/or by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in recognition for outstanding work in their fields. Several have also won University and College of Engineering teaching and research awards.
• Most of the faculty are consultants to industry and government because they are involved in advanced research. Their teaching often includes the very latest developments in the field.
• Our students have received national awards for aircraft, spacecraft, and engine design competitions, as well as awards for technical papers presented at student conferences.
• The student branch of AIAA is very active, organizing visits to nearby aerospace facilities and sponsoring regional student competitions.

Where do aerospace engineers work?

Aerospace Engineers are typically employed by industry (aircraft, spacecraft, and aero engine manufacturers); government agencies (NASA & Air Force); consulting/research firms that serve the aerospace industry; and non-aerospace industries requiring innovative approaches to solve engineering problems.

Typical starting salaries for our graduates have ranged from $36,500 to $52,000 over the past several years. Many students receive permanent job offers from or through their co-op employers.

What is "co-op?"

The cooperative education ("co-op") program gives students the opportunity to gain professional discipline-related experience at one of 1,300 participating businesses, industries, research organizations, and governmental agencies located throughout the United States. Co-op alternates on-the-job experience with classroom curriculum on a quarterly basis, beginning with the sophomore (2nd) year and continuing through the junior (4th) year.

A typical co-op year consists of:

• 26 weeks of industrial/professional experience (2 13-week work quarters)
• 22 weeks of academic study (2 11-week academic quarters)
• 4 weeks vacation

All undergraduate students at UC participate in the program. UC has one of the largest "co-op" programs in the country. The co-op program allows students to earn income that can help them with tuition while gaining the solid experience that employers want.

Belcan; GE Aircraft Engines; Boeing; Lockheed Martin; NASA; Wright-Patterson AFB.

What does the curriculum look like?

The undergraduate curriculum course structure has been arranged to develop the student's background in traditional areas of mathematics,physics and engineering sciences during the first three years. In the fourth and fifth years, the student continues to develop advanced applied mathematical skills with an emphasis on the analysis and design of current aerospace systems. An sample curriculum is shown below.

• Freshman Year:
• Intro to Engineering (Aerospace/Aircraft/Spacecraft)
• Calculus I, II, III & Lab
• Chemistry I
• Physics I, II & Lab
• Mechanics I
• Computer Language
• Professional Development I
• Graphics Fundamentals
• Freshman English
• Breadth of Knowledge option
• Second (Sophomore) Year:
• Calculus IV
• Physics III & Lab
• Mechanics II
• Basic Integrated Engineering
• Differential Equations
• Matrix Methods
• Basic Fluid Mechanics
• Probabilistic Engineering
• Professional Practice (Co-op)
• Breadth of Knowledge option
• Third (Pre-Junior) Year:
• Nature and Properties of Materials (NAPOM)
• Mechanics III
• Fundamentals of Aerodynamics
• Basic Strength of Materials
• Modeling and Simulation of Physical Systems
• Numerical Method Engineering Design
• Basic Thermodynamics
• Aerospace Vehicle Performance
• Engineering Measurements
• Integrated Aircraft Engineering
• Vibrations
• Professional Practice (Co-op)
• Fourth (Junior) Year:
• Fundamentals of Control Theory
• Matrix Structural Analysis
• Gas Dynamics
• Integrated Spacecraft Engineering
• Basic Heat Transfer
• Solids Lab
• Flight Mechanics
• Applied Aerodynamics
• Airbreathing Propulsion
• Professional Development II
• Professional Practice (Co-op)
• Breadth of Knowledge option
• Fifth (Senior) Year:
• Aircraft, Spacecraft, or Engine Design I, II
• Fluids/Aerodynamics Lab
• Rocket Propulsion
• Propulsion/Gas Dynamics Lab
• Composites
• AsE Technical Options
• Professional Practice (last co-op: summer before beginning senior year)
• Breadth of Knowledge option

Why do I need a laptop? Doesn't the university have computer labs?

Since the 1998-1999 academic year (class of 2003), the College of Engineering has required entering freshmen to own a personal computer (PC) before the end of their freshmen year. The goal of this program has been and continues to be to provide the best possible engineering education for our students competitive with any engineering program. This goal requires that students in the College of Engineering provide the basic computing environment that they will need for their academic program. This basic computing environment includes word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, network access/browse capabilities as well as limited engineering computing capabilities (language compilers, math packages, etc.).

It was determined that laptop computers would fulfill the above requirements as well as enable the students to collaborate more effectively, have more flexibility in their study and work habits, and would, practically speaking, allow almost unlimited time for research and study independent of general computer availability or computer lab hours. Therefore all incoming engineering students are required to have a laptop computer equipped with a wireless card. The College of Engineering is one of only three colleges at the university with a wireless network available throughout its main buldings, laboratories, classrooms, and offices. See the College of Engineering's Student-Owned Computing Policy for more details, or call the AsE department office at 513.556.3573. All necessary software is available from individual departments or from the campus computer store at significant student/academic discounts, including operating systems and popular office suites.

For more information

• UC's online admissions application
  UC accepts applications on a rolling basis; however, if you wish to be considered for a Cincinnatus scholarship, please apply by January 15th of your senior year.
• The Division of Professional Practice at UC
• The College of Engineering at UC