Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 University Catalog 
    
2022-2023 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, BSAAE


About the Program


The Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The field of aeronautical and astronautical engineering includes the challenging problems encountered in the design and operation of many types of aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles and puts a constant demand on research and development groups for an even better understanding of basic physical phenomena.

Aeronautical education has existed on at least a small scale at Purdue University since about 1920. Aeronautical Engineering degrees were first offered at Purdue by the School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering during WWII, and the first B.S. Degrees were awarded in 1943. The School of Aeronautics was established as a separate entity on July 1, 1945. (For a complete history visit the School’s history page.)

During the first sixty years of its existence, the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics has awarded 5,824 BS degrees, 1,439 MS degrees and 474 PhD degrees. These graduates have made significant contributions to the aerospace field, and have held positions of high responsibility in government and private industry. Twenty-three graduates of Purdue have become astronauts, and of these, fourteen have been graduates of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

The Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering curriculum concentrates on the fundamental subject areas necessary to the research, development, design, and operation of the aerospace industry. The curriculum is designed to emphasize the disciplines of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, dynamics, and control, and further provides design courses to integrate these disciplines into the design of flight vehicles that will perform the required mission. A strong background in mathematics and physics is required to pursue these disciplines, and extensive use of computers and programming skills is a necessity.

The future holds many interesting challenges. The record shows that our graduates have demonstrated their ability to provide technical leadership in a variety of successfully completed projects. A degree from Purdue University in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics promises to prepare our future graduates for the 21st century in the aerospace field.

School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Major Change (CODO) Requirements  

Degree Requirements


130 Credits Required

Other Program/Departmental Requirements (77-89)


First Year Engineering Requirements (29-39 credits)


Click here for First-Year Engineering   Requirements

If pursuing Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, CS 15900 - Prog Appl for Engineers is preferred, but not required to complete the First Year Engineering program.

  • Requirement #1 - Intro to Engineering I (2-4 credits)
  • Requirement #2 - Intro to Engineering II (2-4 credits)
  • Requirement #3 - Calculus I (4-5 credits) (satisfies Quantitative Reasoning for core) 
  • Requirement #4 - Calculus II (4-5 credits) (satisfies Quantitative Reasoning for core) 
  • Requirement #5 - Chemistry I (4-6 credits) (satisfies Science #1 for core)
  • Requirement #6 - Physics (4 credits) (satisfies Science #2 for core)
  • Requirement #7 - First-Year Engineering Selective (3-4 credits)
  • Requirement #8 - Written and Oral Communication (6 credits) (could satisfy Written Communication, Information Literacy or Oral Communication for core)

Other Departmental Requirements (30-35 credits)


General Education Requirements (18 credits)


(6 credits must be 30000-level or higher)

  • General Education I - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science for core)
  • General Education II - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Human Cultures: Humanities for core)
  • General Education III - Credit Hours: 1.00-3.00 (satisfies Science, Technology & Society for core)
  • General Education IV - Credit Hours: 3.00 (can be satisfied by Business Rule Course)
  • General Education V - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • General Education VI - Credit Hours: 0.00-2.00
  • AAE Communications Rule - Credit Hours: 3.00

Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Supplemental Information


Click here for Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Supplemental Information  

University Requirements


University Core Requirements


For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the Provost’s Website.
  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
  • Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
  • Information Literacy (IL)
  • Oral Communication (OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
  • Science #1 (SCI)
  • Science #2 (SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
  • Written Communication (WC)

Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement:


The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.

Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:

  • Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Earning a passing grade for one of these approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course)

For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.



Prerequisite Information:


For current pre-requisites for courses, click here.


First Year Engineering Program Requirements


Fall 1st Year


13-14 Credits


Spring 1st Year


16 Credits


Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Program Requirements


13-17 Credits


18-19 Credits


Fall 3rd Year


17-19 Credits


Spring 3rd Year


16-18 Credits


Fall 4th Year


  • AAE Engr Specialization - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • AAE Selectives - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Statistics Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Business Rule - Credit Hours: 3.00 (can satisfy Technical Elective or General Education Selective)
  • Technical  Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (depending on Business Rule course taken)
  • OR
  • General Education V - Credit Hours: 3.00 (depending on Business Rule course taken)

17 Credits


Spring 4th Year


18 Credits


Notes


  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Bachelor of Science degree.
  • Only General Education and Technical electives may be taken in the Pass/No Pass grade mode. All other courses within the AAE Plan of Study are required to be taken for a grade. 

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.  Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful.  These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”. 

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.