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Program Overview

home_outline/Undergraduate/Program Overview
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The undergraduate program at the University of Michigan provides a clear understanding of the fields most pertinent to aerospace engineering. By emphasizing real-life issues, the program enables students to learn the most up-to-date applications of classic engineering theories.

At U-M, students in aerospace engineering begin with a set of courses that provide a background in all the fundamental aspects of the field. These span the entire spectrum of aerospace technologies, from aerodynamics and propulsion (collectively referred to as “gas dynamics”), to structural mechanics, flight dynamics and controls.

Courses in gas dynamics look at how fluid and gas flow around bodies and through turbojet engines and rocket nozzles. They also study large- and small-scale air motion in the atmosphere and its relationship to environmental and noise problems.

Structural mechanics courses emphasize lightweight structures and are studied not only from the strength point of view but also in their elastic dynamic behavior.

Flight dynamics and control systems deal with the dynamic behavior of vehicles and systems, their stability and controllability, by pilots and autonomous systems. These courses cover everything from the fundamentals to the design and construction of aircraft, spacecraft and other vehicular systems and subsystems.

In their senior year, students take a design course to learn how all the areas of engineering they have studied work together for the proper function of an overall system. Students can choose between either aircraft or spacecraft systems for their senior design course.

Where can an aerospace engineering career take you?

See What Aerospace Engineers Do

Undergraduate Program OBJECTIVES

The undergraduate program educational objectives 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. 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

U-M aerospace engineering graduates demonstrate:

  • An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics;
  • An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors;
  • An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  • An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts;
  • An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives;
  • An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions;
  • An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Undergraduate Frequent Advising Questions

Can I get credit for a Pilot’s License?

For students getting their pilot’s license we can provide some credit in the form of Tech electives for this endeavor. Students should talk to Professor Carlos Cesnik regarding what credit will be provided.

I am more interested in the Aircraft side of things, which classes should I take?

Aero 341

Aero 481

(rather than 343 and 483)

I am more interested in the Spacecraft side of things, which classes should I take?

Aero 343 

Aero 483

(rather than 341 and 481)

What are the Design, Build, Test, and Fly (DBTF) courses?

Aero 205 or Aero 288 will satisfy the DBTF requirement. 

Also Pete’s Engin 100(section 7) class, but it also requires you take an additional technical elective

I am one credit short on tech electives, what can I take?

We usually suggest Aero 585.  It’s a 1=credit seminar, counts as tech elec

Can a 300 level or above Economics course count as a Tech ELective as it is math heavy?

Unfortunately, Economics is considered a Social Science and cannot be used as a Tech Elective.

My Audit says I need to take Aero 285, but I can’t find that course.

Aero 285 no longer exists and was replaced with Aero 200. For those still with audit sheets requesting 285, take Aero 200. For those needing Aero 200 credit on their audit and have taken Aero 285, we will direct that course there.

Can I use MDP for credit towards my Aerospace degree?

Yes. We count that credit as tech electives. Each project is worth a different amount of credits and is set by MDP, so be sure to check with MDP regarding how many credits you will earn in your desired project.

Can I Pass/Fail a course?

The college allows you to pass/fail up to 14 credits in your degree (not including Covid course grades that may have been covered). However, you cannot pass/fail any of your major required courses. This means you will most likely be utilizing pass/fail for your intellectual breadth, which includes the 300 level HU requirement. A course that is denoted as pass/fail will not impact your GPA. In order to receive a passing grade (P), you must earn at least a C- in the course. 

If you use any “covered” grades to count towards SUGS, they must have originally been a B or better grade that was covered. They can remain covered on your transcript but Rackham will confirm what grade you had earned in the course in order to verify whether it can be double-counted or transferred to SUGS.

When is the add/drop deadline?

The add/drop deadline is always 3 weeks from the first day of classes each semester. This deadline denotes the last day you can drop a course without a “W” appearing on your transcript as well as the last day to add a class without additional professor permission. 

It is easier to drop a course than it is to add a course (seats are limited and many faculty members will prevent you from joining if you have not been waitlisted and attending the course). Therefore, we recommend registering for all the courses you are considering taking and dropping courses you no longer want to take within this 3-week period. If you drop a course after the add/drop deadline it is called a late drop and will result in a “W” appearing on your transcript and you will not be reimbursed for the class cost. A late drop requires permission from the instructor and advisor approval. 

*Please note, the add/drop deadline for mini courses is earlier than this date due to the accelerated time frame. Please consult your professor for that date if you think you may want to drop the course.

How do I process a late drop?

From the Student Center, click Backpack/Registration, then click the Drop tab. Select the course and click Drop Selected Classes. On the confirmation screen, verify you selected the correct class and click the Finish Dropping button. If you are eligible to submit the Late Drop request form electronically, a Request for Late Drop button displays. Click the button to access the form.

What does it mean to withdraw and earn a “W” on my transcript?

A “W” on your transcript denotes that you started a course and did not complete it. Typically, this will not harm you unless you have multiple as it can show a pattern of over committing and not managing your time well. Keep in mind, a “W’ is often better than failing a class which would harm your GPA. Whereas a “W” does not affect your GPA.

What is an incomplete and how does that work?

In the event that you have an extenuating circumstance and cannot complete your coursework in the allotted timeframe, you can work with your professor to arrange additional time to finish. This will then be denoted on your transcript as an “i” for incomplete and will remain that way until the coursework is completed. Please note, there is a timeframe in which  the remaining coursework will need to be submitted by.

What does this mean on my transcript:

NC- No Credit

I- Incomplete

W- WithdrawP- Pass
F- Fail
NG- No Grade Reported
T- Transfer Credit

What happens if I fail a class?

It is not uncommon to face unforeseen or difficult experiences during your studies. Although we often recommend withdrawing from a course rather than failing it and impacting your GPA, these situations do occur. If the failed course is required for your major, you will need to retake it. If it is not required, feel free to take other courses and work to bring your GPA back up.

What is academic probation?

Academic probation occurs when a student’s grade point average for a term is less than a 2.0. A student in this category will need to meet with their academic advisor to create a plan for improvement. Failure to do so will result in an academic hold on his or her account, preventing enrollment in future terms. Probation is a warning that there is a need to improve scholastic performance or further enrollment may be jeopardized.. Below are the classifications a student can hold:

  • Good Standing: 2.00 GPA or better for both the term and the cumulative average.
  • Probation: a deficiency of up to 10 MHP for the term or cumulative average.
  • Enrollment Withheld: a deficiency of 10 MHP* or above for the term or cumulative average; or the third or greater incidence of probation. Students will have to petition for reinstatement in order to continue taking courses.
  • Reinstated on Probation: Students who have been reinstated after being placed on Enrollment Withheld or Mandatory Leave. Enrollment Withheld Continued: Reinstated student who was given two or more semesters to meet conditions. Enrollment Withheld Continued will show on transcript until all conditions have been fulfilled.
  • Mandatory Leave: SSC decision requiring a leave from the College of Engineering based upon unsatisfactory academic performance.  Students will have to petition for reinstatement to return after their required leave has been fulfilled.

Dismissal: SSC decision based upon failure to meet the conditions of reinstatement. Student is no longer eligible to enroll in the College of Engineering or petition the Scholastic Standing Committee for reinstatement.

When do I register for courses?

Selecting courses is often referred to as “backpacking” and allows students to plan out their classes before their official enrollment date. This process typically occurs in late October and early November to select courses for the Winter term and in March and April for the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

How many credits can and should I take?

Most students will be taking a full-time course load (12 credits) as financial aid and scholarships tend to require one to be a full-time student in order to maintain funding. A student can take up to 18 credits in a semester without petitioning to take more credits, but it is most common that students take 14-16 credits each semester.

What is a technical elective? 

Technical electives are any Natural Science or Math courses at the 300 Level or higher. Some examples include Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, EECS, Stats, etc.

What is the intellectual breadth requirement?

The Intellectual Breadth requirement is composed of 16 credits- 3 credits of a 300 level or higher Humanities course and 13 additional credits of any level Social Science or Humanities course. To search for these courses, please use the Wolverine Access course catalog and look for HU and SS courses.

What are General Electives and how many do I need?

General Electives allow you to take any course that you are interested in. Your Undergraduate degree is made up of 128 credits and students often need to take additional credits outside of the listed required courses for their major in order to meet the minimum 128 required credits.  Please note that your AP credits and Dual Enrollment credits can count in this area as well.

Are there courses that I should avoid taking together?

Everyone’s skills and interests are different, so a course that may be challenging for one person could be easier for another. We recommend discussing the courses with your classmates and assessing your enjoyment/skills in that type of coursework/content. Please be aware of enforced prerequisites as well as advisory prerequisites when selecting courses

What is the difference between an enforced prerequisite and an advisory prerequisite?

Enforced prerequisites will prevent you from registering for a course if you have not taken them. Whereas an advisory prerequisite is a recommended course or concept that will enable you to be more successful in the class.  If you have not taken the courses listed as advisory prerequisites, you will still be able to take the class.

If I don’t qualify for SUGS, can I apply to the regular Masters program?

Yes

GET YOUR MASTER FASTER

The Rackham Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (SUGS) program allows current U-M students to complete an undergraduate and Master’s degree in five years.

Learn More
diverse student tests a composite motor blade with dual active flops (helicopter propeller) in lab
Aerospace Engineering student Devesh Kumar tests a composite motor blade with dual active flops (helicopter propeller) in the lab of Prof. Carlos Cesnik during a Day In the Life of the University of Michigan on April 17, 2012.

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