Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Program Objectives and Outcomes

The mission statement for the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the program educational objectives for the Aerospace Engineering program are described below. Program educational objectives describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first few years after graduation. Program outcomes are statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that student acquire in their matriculation through the program.

Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is the education of professionals in mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering, the dissemination of knowledge and technology, and the development of innovative solutions to problems in these fields.

Program Objectives

The Program Educational Objectives of the Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering program are to matriculate graduates who conduct themselves in a responsible, professional and ethical manner (citizenship), and who upon the years following graduation, are engaged in:

1. Discovery

a. actively embracing leadership roles in the practice of engineering in industry and government organizations (including both traditional and emerging technical areas)

b. research and development across disciplines (via graduate study or industry) to advance technology and foster innovation in order to compete successfully in the global economy.

c. applying their engineering problem solving skills to less traditional career paths (e.g., law, medicine, business, start-up ventures, and public policy, etc.).

2. Learning

a. actively participating in professional development opportunities (conferences, workshops, short courses, graduate education, etc.).

b. updating and adapting their core knowledge and abilities to compete in the ever changing global enterprise.

c. developing new knowledge and skills to pursue new career opportunities.

3. Engagement

a. serving as mentors for the engineering profession, helping others develop a passion for engineering.

b. exchanging and applying knowledge to create new opportunities that advance our society and solve a variety of technical and social problems.

c. entrepreneurial ventures and fostering activities that support sustainable economic development that enhance the quality of life of people in the State, across the country, and around the world.

Program Outcomes

Our program outcomes are categorized into two groups, listed below:

1) Program Course Learning Outcomes (PCLO)

a. Fundamentals: development and acquisition of strong physical insight into the fundamentals of air and space transportation systems

b. Problem Solving: utilization of analytical and computational methods for applying core knowledge in aerodynamics, structures, propulsion and power, and dynamics and control to formulate and solve problems in engineering, including the use of current experimental and data analysis techniques

c. Communication: ability to work collaboratively and creatively, and to communicate effectively, in applying discipline-specific knowledge in basic sciences and aerospace engineering

d. Professional, Ethical and Societal Responsibility: ability to behave professionally and ethically, and to aid in the solution of societal problems using the aerospace engineering discipline

2) Broad ABET Educational Outcomes (AEO)

a. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
b. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
c. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
d. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
e. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
f. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
g. an ability to communicate effectively
h. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in global and societal context
i. a recognition of the needs for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
j. a knowledge of contemporary issues
k. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice