Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Overview

Aerospace and ocean engineering offers students opportunities to blend, borrow, and build upon what these disciplines have in common: the design and analysis of vehicles, structures, and systems that operate in a fluid. Students apply aerospace and ocean tools to engineering analysis or design of vehicles and systems that operate in the atmosphere, space, and the ocean.

Curriculum

The Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering (BS AOE). Courses are focused on thin-walled structures, fluid dynamics, system dynamics and control, and computational methods. Students can select from two majors within the degree program. Review the University Catalog to see the required coursework. 

The degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET for engineering.

Majors

Aerospace Engineering (AE)
The aerospace engineering (AE) curriculum includes the areas of aerodynamics, flight dynamics and controls, propulsion, and aerospace structures. The program culminates in a nationally recognized senior-level sequence including analysis and design of aircraft, spacecraft, and their related technologies.

Ocean Engineering (OE)
Ocean engineering (OE) deals with the design of ships of all types. The field is often called naval architecture. It involves fluid mechanics, propulsion, structures, vehicle dynamics, and marine engineering. The curriculum culminates in an international award-winning design sequence in which students design a complete ship.

The AE and OE majors are closely related and share a major portion of their course requirements. A double major is available to students desiring the combination.

Interest Areas and Related Degrees/Minors

The undergraduate AE program provides courses and experiences related to the following areas within aerospace engineering: aero/hydrodynamics; dynamics, control, and estimation; energy and the environment; naval engineering; propulsion; space engineering; structures and materials; vehicle and system design. A short description of each area and related degrees and minors are provided below to enhance your major exploration experience.

Aero/hydrodynamics
Analysis and understanding of fluid flows about vehicles.
Related Engineering Degrees: Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Ocean Engineering
Related Degrees: Meteorology | Physics
Related Minors: Astronomy | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Mathematics | Meteorology | Naval Engineering | Physics

Dynamics, Control, and Estimation
Modeling and predicting the motion of a vehicle, and modulating that motion through proper control design.
Related Engineering Degrees: Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Ocean Engineering
Related Degrees: Physics
Related Minors: Astronomy | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Mathematics | Meteorology | Physics

Energy and the Environment
Understand the nature, scope, and challenges of environmental impact and the science behind energy and propulsion systems that minimize that impact.
Related Engineering Degrees: Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Ocean Engineering
Related Degrees: Physics
Related Minors: Astronomy | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Green Engineering | Mathematics | Meteorology | Physics

Naval Engineering
Understand naval missions, capability requirements, and the broad scope of engineering applications to naval missions.
Related Engineering Degrees: Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Ocean Engineering
Related Degrees:  Physics
Related Minors: Astronomy | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Mathematics | Meteorology | Naval Engineering | Nuclear Engineering | Physics

Propulsion
Understand the nature, scope, opportunities, and challenges of designing, specifying, and integrating propulsion technologies.
Related Engineering Degrees: Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Ocean Engineering 
Related Degrees: Physics
Related Minors: Astronomy | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Mathematics | Meteorology | Naval Engineering | Physics

Space Engineering
Analysis and understanding of the space environment, space payloads, and/or space mission design and operations.
Related Engineering Degrees: Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Ocean Engineering
Related Degrees: Physics
Related Minors: Astronomy | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Mathematics | Meteorology | Physics

Structures and Materials
Analysis and understanding of structural analysis and materials selection.
Related Engineering Degrees: Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Ocean Engineering
Related Degrees: Physics
Related Minors: Astronomy | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Mathematics | Meteorology | Naval Engineering | Physics

Vehicle and System Design
Understand the nature, scope, and challenges of designing innovative vehicles and systems.
Related Engineering Degrees: Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Ocean Engineering 
Related Degrees: Physics
Related Minors: Astronomy | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Mathematics | Meteorology | Naval Engineering | Physics

Getting Involved

Ambassadors
Design Teams
Honor Society – Sigma Gamma Tau
Study Abroad
Undergraduate Research

Professional Societies
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Society of Women in Aviation and Space Exploration (SWASE)
Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE)

Career Resources

Our Engineering Career Resource provides you with all of the most frequently used career information websites in one place for ease of access. This list includes links to VT First Destination Post Grad Report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Defense, and many more.