Aerospace Engineering

The goal of our Aerospace Engineering Program is to educate engineering students to identify and solve aerospace-related problems in the fields of structures, propulsion and aerodynamics.

Aerospace Engineering can be defined as the combination of aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. Aeronautical Engineering deals with the whole field of analysis, design, manufacturing, maintenance, testing, and use of aircraft. It involves the knowledge of aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics, avionics, and other related areas. Astronautical engineering is closely allied to aeronautics, but is concerned with the flight of vehicles in space, beyond the earth’s atmosphere, and includes the study and development of rocket engines, artificial satellites, and spacecraft for the exploration of outer space.  As there is a certain degree of technology overlap between the two fields, the term Aerospace is often used to describe them both. Hence, Aerospace Engineering can be defined as the analysis, design, manufacturing, and use of aircraft and/or spacecraft. Aerospace Engineering is a very diverse field with a multitude of commercial, industrial and government applications.

Typical Aerospace Engineering programs are designed for students who desire to learn about flight, whether in the atmosphere or in space. Programs typically begin with basic study of engineering principles, such as structures, thermodynamics, statics, and design and as the programs progress, students move on to the study of propulsion, control systems, and aerodynamics. Graduates gain a high level of technical expertise that will serve them well in various engineering occupations, such as those within industry and government.

 

Sequence Overview

Program Focus	The Aerospace program educates engineering students to identify and solve aerospace-related problems in the fields of structures, propulsion and aerodynamics.
Contact	aerospace@me.uprm.edu
Curriculum	INME 4705 Applied Aerodynamics (03 credits) INME 4707 Gas Turbine Thermodynamics and Propulsion (03 credits) INME 4709 Aircraft Performance (03 credits) INME 4717 Aircraft Structural Analysis and Design (03 credits) INME 5707 Gas Turbine System Operation (03 credits) INME 5717 Advanced Aircraft Structural Design (03 credits) Participate in(choose one): (i) an Internship, (ii) Co-op, (iii) Enrolled in Aero Design full year, (iv) undergraduate research (present a poster) The CSAE is designed to provide students with the opportunity to have a hands-on experience which makes this sequence unique. The courses have been designed to cover main areas in CSAE. Students should have an overall concept of aircraft design and about the effects they endure during flight, including aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, and flight performance. These courses can be described as follows: 1. INME 4705 has the purpose of introducing the topics of aerodynamics. 2. INME 4707 and 5707 have the purpose introducing the basics of gas turbine analysis. 3. INME 4709 has the purpose of teaching preliminary aircraft design and aircraft performance analysis. 4. INME 4717 and 5717 have the purpose of introducing aircraft structural analysis and design.
Course Syllabus	Online Course descriptions
Hands-on Experience	A internship or coop in a aerospace-related company/industry can satisfy the CSAE hands-on experience. The CSAE wants to provide each student with a hands-on experience in an internship or coop, but this internship cannot be guaranteed. If this occurs, then the internship requirement may be substituted with an undergraduate engineering project or an undergraduate research topic; the main topic of this effort must be in the aerospace related disciplines.
Credit hours required	Pass the above mentioned courses (total of 18 credits). Students from other majors, besides Mechanical Engineering (ME), will have to take the pre-requisites or equivalents. Students are required to take 2 technical electives, 2 design electives, and 4 free electives within the ME Curriculum. Hence, only one additional course above the total number of credits for a BS in ME will be required as part of CSAE. Each BS curricular sequence within the College of Engineering has a set of concentration electives and a set of free electives. In order to successfully complete the CSAE, it is important to note that students will be required to use, at least, six of their free electives in aerospace courses.
Students Enrolled	80
How To Apply	In order to apply to the CSAE, the student: 1. Must be an engineering student, in good standing, at UPRM. Students in good standing are those in accord with the definition as enunciated by the UPRM undergraduate catalogue at the time of application. 2. Fill the application for the CSAE, which will be available online (http://www.me.uprm.edu). 3. Be at least a junior (third year student). Academic admission requirements for the CSAE will be according to the university policies. In addition: 1. Language: All applicants should have a working knowledge of both English and Spanish. 2. Application deadlines: - During Spring Semester: February 1 to May 1 - During Fall Semester: September 1 to December 1. - Once students have enrolled, they will have the option of withdrawing from the program at any time. If a student withdraws from the program, he or she must request readmission to the CSAE by submitting a written statement of consideration to enter the program once again. - Students who have completed a degree, but would like to complete the CSAE, must request readmission to the CSAE by submitting a written statement of consideration to complete the program. UPRM rules and policies will apply to all cases. At the time of graduation, the student must complete 18 credit-hours of the CSAE, as specified in section 8.1. Students must hold a GPA of least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in aerospace courses with a minimum grade of “C”. Students will be allowed to repeat courses according to the university policies.