德克薩斯大學奧斯汀分校

The field of aerospace engineering developed because of humanity’s desire for aircraft systems for military, commercial, and civilian purposes; it was first called aeronautical engineering or aeronautics. When the space age began, it was natural for aeronautical engineers to participate in the development of spacecraft systems for space exploration. This branch of engineering became known as astronautically engineering or astronautics, and the combined field is called aerospace engineering or aeronautics and astronautics. Because of the diverse nature of the work, the aerospace engineer must have a basic knowledge of physics, mathematics, digital computation, and the various disciplines of aerospace engineering: aerodynamics and propulsion, structural mechanics, flight mechanics and orbital mechanics, and control. Because of their extensive education in fundamental disciplines, aerospace engineers can work in areas other than aerospace engineering and are employed in a wide range of careers.

The objectives of the aerospace engineering degree program are to prepare students for professional practice in aerospace engineering and related engineering and scientific fields; to prepare students for such post baccalaureate study as their aptitudes and professional goals may dictate; to instill in students a commitment to lifelong education and to ethical behavior throughout their professional careers; and to make students aware of the global and societal effects of technology. To meet these objectives, the faculty has designed a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes fundamentals in the basic sciences, mathematics, and the humanities, and integrates classroom and laboratory experiences in the engineering disciplines of aerodynamics and propulsion, structural mechanics, mechanics of materials, flight and orbital mechanics, controls, computation, electromechanical systems, design, and technical communication. The curriculum requires students to use modern engineering tools, to work individually, and to practice teamwork.

The first two years of the aerospace engineering curriculum emphasize fundamental material along with engineering sciences, while the third year introduces concepts in the areas of fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, system dynamics and control, and experimentation. The fourth year provides further depth in aerospace engineering, with emphasis on design and laboratory courses. During the junior year, the student elects to pursue one of two technical areas, atmospheric flight or space flight. Both area options are complemented by general education courses and courses offered in other engineering disciplines. In addition, the student may choose technical electives that increase the breadth of the program or that provide additional depth within one or more sub disciplines within the department. All of the following sub disciplines are also represented in the required courses for both technical area options.