Aerospace engineering is a broad and dynamic field that centers on the design, construction, and science behind aircraft and spacecraft. Intended for undergraduate electrical engineering majors, the aerospace concentration offers students an electrical engineering degree foundation and specialized training in the aerospace discipline. Coursework will focus on applications of key electrical engineering principles in the areas of deep-space communications, robotics, embedded systems, flight avionics, and more. These courses will enable and encourage students to solve complex engineering problems in aerospace such as improved satellite communications, electric propulsion technologies, and remote sensing methods. Electrical engineering students concentrating in aerospace will experience first-hand the necessity of their major in innovating new solutions to support humanity’s ascent to the stars.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  1. Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. Apply the engineering design process to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration for public health and safety, welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. 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.
  5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Effective Fall 2023

In order to maintain professional standards required of practicing engineers, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 in ECE courses as a graduation requirement. It is the responsibility of any student who fails to maintain a 2.000 average to work with their advisor to correct grade point deficiencies. In addition, ECE courses required for the major at the 100, 200, and 300 level must be passed with a minimum grade of C (2.000); grades below a C will require the student to retake the course.  ECE courses designated as an elective are exempt from the C or higher minimum grade requirement. 

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
ECE 102Digital Circuit Logic 4
ECE 103DC Circuit Analysis 3
MATH 160Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)1B4
MATH 161Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)1B4
PH 141Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)3A5
Select one group from the following:1 7
Group A:
  
Culture and Coding: Python (GT-AH3)3B 
CS1--Computational Thinking with Java  
Group B:
  
Python for STEM  
CS1--Introduction to Java Programming  
3B 
Group C:
  
CS1---No Prior Programming Experience  
3B 
 Total Credits 30
Sophomore
 
CHEM 111General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)3A4
ECE 202Circuit Theory Applications 4
ECE 232Introduction to Project Practices 1
ECE 251Introduction to Microcontrollers and IoT 4
ECE 303/STAT 303Introduction to Communications Principles 3
MATH 261Calculus for Physical Scientists III 4
MATH 340Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations 4
PH 142Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)3A5
Science/Math/Engineering Electives (See list below) 3
 Total Credits 32
Junior
 
ECE 311Linear System Analysis I 3
ECE 312Linear System Analysis II 3
ECE 331Electronics Principles I 4
ECE 332Electronics Principles II4A4
ECE 341Electromagnetic Fields and Devices I 3
ECE 342Electromagnetic Fields and Devices II 3
Select one course from the following: 3
Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)2 
Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)2 
Science/Math/Engineering Electives (See list below) 5
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion1C3
 Total Credits 31
Senior
 
ECE 401Senior Design Project I4A,4B3
ECE 402Senior Design Project II4C3
ECON 202Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)3C3
Aerospace Technical Electives (See list below) 12
Electrical Engineering Technical Electives (See list below) 6
Arts and Humanities3B3
Historical Perspectives3D3
 Total Credits 33
 Program Total Credits: 126

 Science/Math/Engineering Electives 

BC 351Principles of Biochemistry4
BIOM 100Overview of Biomedical Engineering1
BIOM 200Fundamentals of Biomedical Engineering2
BMS 300Principles of Human Physiology4
BMS 301Human Gross Anatomy5
BMS 325Cellular Neurobiology3
BMS 345Functional Neuroanatomy4
BZ 310Cell Biology4
CBE 101Introduction to Chemical and Biological Engr3
CBE 101AIntroduction to Chemical and Biological Engr: Lecture2
CBE 101BIntroduction to Chemical and Biological Engr: Laboratory1
CHEM 112General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1)1
CHEM 245Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry4
CHEM 246Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory1
CIVE 102Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engr3
CIVE 260Engineering Mechanics-Statics3
CIVE 371Study Abroad--Peru: Grand Challenges in Engineering in Peru3
CS 165CS2--Data Structures4
CS 220Discrete Structures and their Applications4
CS 253Software Development with C++4
CS 310H/IDEA 310HDesign Thinking Toolbox: Mixed Reality Design3
DSCI 320Optimization Methods in Data Science3
DSCI 369Linear Algebra for Data Science (credit not allowed for both DSCI 369 and MATH 369)3-4
or MATH 369 Linear Algebra I
ECE 101Foundations in ECE1
Select any course from the following: 2Var.
Independent Study
Independent Study: Open Option Project
Independent Study : Vertically Integrated Project
ENGR 3003D Printing Lab for Engineers1
ENGR 478Applied Engineering Data Analytics3
HES 307Biomechanical Principles of Human Movement3
LIFE 103Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants (GT-SC1)4
MATH 151Mathematical Algorithms in Matlab I1
MATH 229Matrices and Linear Equations2
MATH 235Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning2
MATH 317Advanced Calculus of One Variable3
MATH 332Partial Differential Equations3
MATH 360Mathematics of Information Security3
MATH 366Introduction to Abstract Algebra3
MECH 103Introduction to Mechanical Engineering3
MECH 104AStudy Abroad--Germany: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering3
MECH 200Introduction to Manufacturing Processes3
MECH 201Engineering Design I2
MECH 237Introduction to Thermal Sciences3-4
or MECH 337 Thermodynamics
MIP 300General Microbiology3
PH 314Introduction to Modern Physics4
PH 341Mechanics4
PH 353Optics and Waves4
PSY 253Human Factors and Engineering Psychology3
STAT 158Introduction to R Programming1

 Aerospace Technical Electives 

ECE 404Experiments in Optical Electronics2
ECE 411Control Systems3
ECE 412Digital Control and Digital Filters3
ECE 415Semiconductor Physics and Junctions2
ECE 421Telecommunications I3
ECE 441Optical Electronics3
ECE 444Antennas and Radiation3
ECE 452Computer Organization and Architecture3
ECE 455Introduction to Robot Programming/Simulation3
ECE 456Computer Networks4
ECE 461Power Systems4
ECE 512Digital Signal Processing3
ECE 514Applications of Random Processes3
ECE 516Information Theory3
ECE 520Optimization Methods--Control and Comm.3
ECE 521Satellite Communication3
ECE 528/CS 528Embedded Systems and Machine Learning4
ECE 536RF Integrated Circuit Design3
ECE 540Computational Electromagnetics3
ECE 541Applied Electromagnetics3
ECE 545FPGA Signal Processing/Software-Defined Radio3
ECE 548Microwave Theory and Component Design3
ECE 549Radar Systems and Design3
ECE 554Computer Architecture3
ECE 556AI for Radar and Remote Sensing3
ECE 561/CS 561Hardware/Software Design of Embedded Systems4
ECE 562Power Electronics I3
ECE 565/ENGR 565Electrical Power Engineering3
ECE 572Semiconductor Transistors1
ECE 578Satellite Data Analysis3
ECE 579Global Navigation Satellite Systems3
ENGR 570Coupled Electromechanical Systems3
MECH 518Orbital Mechanics3
MECH 519Aerospace Vehicles Trajectory and Performance3

Electrical Engineering Technical Electives 

CS 314Software Engineering3
CS 320Algorithms--Theory and Practice3
CS 345Machine Learning Foundations and Practice3
CS 356Systems Security3
CS 370Operating Systems3
CS 4** Any CS Course at the 400-level, excluding CS 457 and CS 470
CS 5** Any CS Course at the 500-level
DSCI 475Topological Data Analysis2
ECE 4** Any ECE Course at the 400-level
Select any course from the following: 2Var.
Independent Study
Independent Study: Open Option Project
Independent Study: Vertically Integrated Projects
ECE 5** Any ECE Course at the 500-level
ENGR 570Coupled Electromechanical Systems3
MATH 417Advanced Calculus I3
MATH 418Advanced Calculus II3
MATH 419Introduction to Complex Variables3
MATH 450Introduction to Numerical Analysis I3
MATH 451Introduction to Numerical Analysis II3
MATH 460Information and Coding Theory3
MATH 463Post-Quantum Cryptography3
MATH 466Abstract Algebra I3
MATH 469Linear Algebra II3
MATH 474Introduction to Differential Geometry3
MECH 421Fundamentals of Wind Energy3
MECH 518Orbital Mechanics3
MECH 519Aerospace Vehicles Trajectory and Performance3
MECH 564Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls3
PH 315Modern Physics Laboratory2
PH 425Advanced Physics Laboratory2
PH 451Introductory Quantum Mechanics I3
PH 452Introductory Quantum Mechanics II3
PH 462Statistical Physics3
STAT 421Introduction to Stochastic Processes3
1

Recommended sequence for most incoming students is Group A: CS 150B to CS 164.

2

A total of 6 credits of Independent Study may apply toward degree requirements. This includes credit for ECE 395A, ECE 395B, ECE 395C and ECE 495A, ECE 495B, and ECE 495C combined.

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER:  The curriculum for this major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus.   

In order to maintain professional standards required of practicing engineers, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 in electrical engineering courses as a graduation requirement. It is the responsibility of any student who fails to maintain a 2.000 average to work with their advisor to correct grade point deficiencies. ECE courses required for the major at the 100, 200, and 300 level must be passed with a minimum grade of C (2.000); grades below a C will require the student to retake the course.  ECE courses designated as an elective are exempt from the C or higher minimum grade requirement. 

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2) X1A3
ECE 102 or 103Digital Circuit Logic
DC Circuit Analysis
X  3-4
MATH 160Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)X 1B4
First course from Group A, B, or C (See options in Program Requirements Tab)X 3B3
 Total Credits   14
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 103 or 102DC Circuit Analysis
Digital Circuit Logic
X  3-4
MATH 161Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)X 1B4
PH 141Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)X 3A5
Remaining course(s) from Group A, B, or C (See options in Program Requirements Tab)X  4
 Total Credits   16
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 251Introduction to Microcontrollers and IoTX  4
MATH 261Calculus for Physical Scientists IIIX  4
PH 142Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)X 3A5
Science/Math/Engineering Electives (See List on Program Requirements Tab) X 3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 111General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) X3A4
ECE 202Circuit Theory ApplicationsX  4
ECE 232Introduction to Project PracticesX  1
ECE 303/STAT 303Introduction to Communications PrinciplesX  3
MATH 340Intro to Ordinary Differential EquationsX  4
 Total Credits   16
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 311Linear System Analysis IX  3
ECE 331Electronics Principles IX  4
ECE 341Electromagnetic Fields and Devices IX  3
Select one course from the following:   3
Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3) X2 
Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3) X2 
Science/Math/Engineering Electives (See List on Program Requirements Tab) X 2
 Total Credits   15
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 312Linear System Analysis IIX  3
ECE 332Electronics Principles IIX 4A4
ECE 342Electromagnetic Fields and Devices IIX  3
Science/Math/Engineering Electives (See List on Program Requirements Tab) X 3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion X1C3
 Total Credits   16
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 401Senior Design Project IX 4A,4B3
Technical Electives (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  9
Arts and Humanities X3B3
Historical Perspectives  X3D3
 Total Credits   18
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 402Senior Design Project IIX 4C3
ECON 202Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)X 3C3
Technical Electives (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  9
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   15
 Program Total Credits:   126