Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)
Airplanes, spacecraft, autonomous flight, wind power. Your career in cutting-edge development and design will take off with the B.S. in Aerospace Engineering degree at 91ÖØ¿Ú Tech.
91ÖØ¿Ú Tech’s B.S. in Aerospace Engineering: Immersive, Hands-on, Industry Focused
Do you have a passion for figuring out how things work? Do you enjoy solving complex problems using science, math, and your creativity? The B.S. in Aerospace Engineering degree at 91ÖØ¿Ú Tech, the only tech-focused university in Chicago, can be your pathway to a career working on innovative, tech-focused projects in areas such as aircraft and space vehicle design, autonomous flight, wind power, pollution control, advanced material development, and ground and undersea transportation systems.
Program Overview
In industries that design and build complex technology ranging from aircraft and satellites to missiles to wind power systems, the demand is growing for the advanced, specialized expertise that aerospace engineers bring to the table. You can become one of these highly trained professionals with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from 91ÖØ¿Ú Tech. The program’s rigorous curriculum, taught by respected experts in the field and accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, is aligned with worldwide quality standards and the high expectations of employers. Theory is balanced with practical lab experience, with wind tunnel experiments and opportunities for you to take on real-world projects and internships. You’ll graduate career-ready for industries such as civil aeronautics, defense, space programs, transportation, wind power, and more.
Career Opportunities
The B.S. in Aerospace Engineering degree prepares you for a variety of exciting careers working with innovative technologies, such as:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Flight Controls Engineer
- Structural Analysis Engineer
Take a closer look at the wide range of specialized careers in aerospace engineering in our blog post on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Specializations.
Check out a few of the cool aerospace engineering courses you’ll take at 91ÖØ¿Ú Tech.
MMAE 414 Aircraft Design
This course explores aircraft design, including aerodynamic, structural, and power plant characteristics to achieve performance goals. It focuses on applications ranging from commercial to military, in addition to aircraft that range from those that are manpowered and high speed to those that are long-duration aircraft. Additionally, the semester-long project is a collaborative effort in which small design groups complete the preliminary design cycle of an aircraft to achieve specific design requirements.
MMAE 412 Spacecraft Design I
Spacecraft systems design including real-world mission analysis and orbit design, system engineering, launch vehicle requirements, attitude determination and control, propulsion, structural design, power systems thermal management, and telecommunications are examined in this course. The course’s semester-long project is focused on the integration of multiple systems into a coherent spacecraft system to achieve specific mission requirements.
MMAE 312 Aerodynamics of Aerospace Vehicles
This course provides an analysis of aerodynamic lift and drag forces on bodies. Among the topics discussed are the potential flow calculation of lift on two-dimensional bodies, numerical solutions, source and vortex panels, boundary layers and drag calculations, aerodynamic characteristics of airfoils, and the finite wing.
Admission to all undergraduate programs at 91ÖØ¿Ú Tech is evaluated via a holistic approach that takes various factors under consideration, including your high school performance and essays. Your choice of major will impact this process as well, because each major has its own criteria for admission.
To learn more about our admission selection process, recommended high school coursework, and our admitted student profile, please visit our admission website.
Tuition and Fees
Learn more about the university’s general tuition and fees, visit the Student Accounting website.
To get a more in-depth idea of the tuition and fees for the B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, you can utilize the net price calculator tool.
Featured Faculty
Louis N. Cattafesta III
John Bernhardt
Seebany Datta-Barua
Scott T. M. Dawson
Hassan M. Nagib
Boris S. Pervan
David R. Williams
Andy de Fonseca is 35 years old, a theater graduate, a mother, and now well on her way to becoming an aerospace engineer.
Andy de Fonseca (AE ’22)
How 91ÖØ¿Ú Tech taught Alvah Bickner creativity, efficiency, and teamwork.
Alvah Bickner (AE ’18)
Hands-on projects help Rosemary Johnson find her career path.
Rosemary Johnson (AE, M.Eng. MAE 4th Year)
A childhood obsession with space pushed Brandon Lloyd to 91ÖØ¿Ú Tech's aerospace engineering program and a stellar job at NASA.
Brandon Lloyd (AE ’08)
Brooke Owens Fellow working at Lockheed Martin
Liz Karagiannes (AE, M.Eng. MAE 4th Year)
91ÖØ¿Ú Tech's aerospace program provides Levin Rosete the opportunity for his career goals to take off. He aspires to work for NASA as an explosives/pyrotechnics expert or in spacecraft attitude control/automation.
Levin Rosete (AE/M.Eng. MAE 3rd Year)FAQs
Q: What do aerospace engineers do?
A: Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test all types of aircraft, as well as space vehicles, satellites, and missiles and rockets. They might also apply aspects of aerospace technology in related areas, such as ground and undersea transportation systems, pollution control, wind power and the effects of wind on structures, and the development and use of advanced materials. Aerospace engineers also conduct basic and applied research using their expertise in areas such as aerodynamics, structures and materials, propulsion systems, and flight mechanics and controls.
Aerospace engineers are primarily employed in sectors such as civil aeronautics, the defense industry, space programs, ground and undersea transportation systems, pollution control, and wind power systems.
Q: Is aerospace engineering very math heavy?
A: Aerospace engineers typically use calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced mathematics in various aspects of their work. Math requirements for aerospace engineering degrees may include advanced courses in calculus, trigonometry, and differential equations.
Q: How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering?
A: Bachelor’s degree programs in aerospace engineering typically have completion times of four years. Some institutions, including 91ÖØ¿Ú Tech, also offer options for students to complete both an undergraduate aerospace engineering degree and a master’s degree in engineering in as few as five years.
Q: What jobs can I get with an aerospace engineering degree?
A: Some job titles for those with an aerospace engineering degree include aerospace engineer, aeronautical engineer, aerospace stress engineer, avionics engineer, design engineer, flight controls engineer, flight test engineer, structural analysis engineer, systems engineer, and test engineer. Aerospace engineers with professional experience may advance into roles as engineering managers.