Program Outcomes & Objectives

The Undergraduate Program Educational Objectives are that, within three to five years after graduation:

• Alumni of the program will use their breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in the fundamental disciplines of aerospace engineering to pursue successful professional careers;
• Alumni will feel that they received outstanding preparation for the next step in their careers, whether it be graduate school or work in industry, government or academia;
• Alumni of the program will be emerging leaders in engineering, science, academia, business and public service; and,
• Alumni of the program will be productive citizens with high professional and ethical standards.

The above program educational objectives are accomplished by a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes fundamentals in basic sciences, mathematics and the humanities and integrates classroom and laboratory experiences in the fundamental disciplines of Aerospace Engineering. More specifically, our curricular goals are to:

• Educate students in the fundamental disciplines of Aerospace Engineering, aerodynamics, materials, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, software, and stability and control;
• Educate students in the methodology and tools of design and the synthesis of fundamental aerospace disciplines necessary to carry out the design of an aerospace vehicle or system;
• Educate students in the basics of instrumentation and measurement, laboratory techniques and how to design and conduct experiments;
• Develop students’ ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams and provide them with teamwork experiences throughout their curriculum;
• Develop students’ ability to communicate effectively;
• Expose students to environmental, ethical and contemporary issues in Aerospace Engineering; and,
• Expose students to other disciplines of engineering beyond the aerospace field.

Undergraduate Program Outcomes

The corresponding, desired program outcomes are that UM Aerospace Engineering graduates demonstrate:

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering;
• An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data;
• An ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs;
• An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
• An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems;
• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
• An ability to communicate effectively;
• The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context;
• A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
• A knowledge of contemporary issues;
• An ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice;
• A knowledge of aerodynamics, aerospace materials, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, software, and stability and control; and,
• Competence in the integration of aerospace science and engineering topics and their application in aerospace vehicle design