Aerospace Engineering
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
309 Furnas Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716.645.2593
Fax: 716.645.3875
Web: www.mae.buffalo.edu/
D. Joseph Mook
Chair
Abani K. Patra
Director of Undergraduate Studies
About the Program
The four-year undergraduate program leading to the BS degree in aerospace engineering prepares students for careers in aerospace and related technologies. This includes the traditional aeronautics and astronautics applications (e.g.,subsonic and supersonic aircraft, satellites, space shuttle, space station), as well as aerospace-related component development (design of structures, devices, and instruments) and vehicle and propulsion system design.
Because of the rapid pace of development and the extreme diversity of the aerospace field, the undergraduate aerospace engineering program stresses knowledge of the profession's fundamentals- the foundation for lifelong learning. While many students enter industry directly after completing the BS program, a significant number elect to pursue graduate work in engineering or other fields.
The objective is to provide students with broad knowledge in applied mathematics, physics, and the engineering sciences during the first and second years. During the third and fourth years, students build upon this foundation by learning the specialized topics of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, vehicle design, and stability and control.
About Our Degrees
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in engineering courses.
Acceptance Information
Number of applicants (2003-2004): approximately 35
Number of accepted majors (2003-2004):
approximately 30
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 100
Degree Requirements
Please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Courses
The typical class size for:
Freshman/introductory courses is: 80-100
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 50-100
Upper level/advanced courses is: 20-40
In the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, what do teaching assistants (TA's) do?
Nearly all of our courses are taught by regular full-time faculty members and, in some cases, by practicing professionals from industry. Normally, graduate student teaching assistants grade homework and conduct laboratory and recitation sections of courses.
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
The faculty members in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering are nationally recognized for their technical skills. They are active participants in our instructional program and several have received awards for their teaching abilities, including five winners of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to their teaching duties, our faculty are active contributors to the world of technology in industry and research. Six of our faculty have received prestigious national research awards, including the coveted Presidential Faculty Fellow Award.
See a list of our undergraduate faculty.
Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities
Independent study, internships, and co-op experiences are all available in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Students are encouraged to participate in work experience classes and research opportunities as part of their undergraduate education.
Work experience is available through the Engineering Career Institute program in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, as well as departmental co-op and internship classes. The Engineering Career Institute (EAS 396, 1 academic credit) provides career-effectiveness skills and co-op placement assistance during the junior year. This may be followed by one to three co-op work experiences (EAS 496, 2 academic credit hours). Descriptions of co-op courses may be found at http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/academicprograms/ase.shtml.
Undergraduate research experiences are available for course credit (Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity or Independent Study) or as an assistant in the research laboratory of a faculty member. The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity serves as a clearing house for information regarding undergraduate research opportunities.
Extracurricular Activities
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA):
The AIAA is a national organization whose goal is to serve the technical needs and to promote the professional development of engineers in the aerospace field. The student chapter at UB serves the interests of both undergraduate and graduate students of aerospace engineering. The student section runs a variety of activities including field trips, guest speakers, and design projects.
American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME International):
ASME International organizes meetings of researchers and practitioners throughout the country and publishes numerous reports, conference proceedings, and journals, as well as the monthly magazine, Mechanical Engineering, which is received by members. Here at UB, the student chapter coordinates, plans and runs a variety of student activities, including invitation of guest speakers, organization of field trips, a department open house for the Buffalo community, student paper contests, an annual picnic and banquet, and participation in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Student Conference. Membership provides students with the privileges of the parent society.
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES):
BMES is a national organization with 2,000 members, approximately half of whom are students. Members include engineers as well as physiologists and other health scientists with interests in Biomedical Engineering. The annual BMES Fall Meeting features awards to undergraduate and graduate students. The Buffalo student section program includes guest lecturers, and field trips to research and manufacturing facilities.
Pi Tau Sigma:
Pi Tau Sigma is the National Honorary Society for Mechanical Engineering in the United States. This organization was established to recognize and honor those men and women in the field of Mechanical Engineering who have, through scholarship, integrity, and outstanding achievement, been a credit to their profession. Outstanding students may be nominated from among the juniors and seniors in the Mechanical Engineering Program.
Sigma Gamma Tau:
Sigma Gamma Tau is the National Honorary Society for Aeronautics, Astronautics, and Aerospace Engineering in the United States. Outstanding students are selected from among the juniors and seniors in the Aerospace Engineering program. A formal initiation coupled with a dinner takes place every spring.
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE):
The SAE student chapter is organized primarily to train students in hands-on engineering and design skills. To accomplish this, teams are formed to work on projects that will subsequently be entered in national competitions. Typical projects include: Mini-Baja, Supermileage Vehicle, Formula Car, and Go-Karts (an introductory experience to involve underclassmen). The UB SAE student chapter is large and well-motivated, and has performed well in recent competitions. The SAE has been named the UB Student Association's 'Club-of-the-Year’ - a rare honor for a technically oriented club.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE):
SWE provides a means of increasing awareness of issues associated with being part of a minority body within the field of engineering. SWE encourages participation of all students in several extra-curricular activities, including seminars, workshops, and regional meetings. UB has been selected as the site for regional meetings of the SWE, with participation of hundreds of students.
Tau Beta Pi (TBP):
Tau Beta Pi is the National Honorary Society for Engineering in the United States. This organization was established to recognize and honor those men and women in all fields of engineering who have, through scholarship, integrity, and outstanding achievement, been a credit to their profession. Outstanding students are selected from among the juniors and seniors in the engineering programs. A formal initiation coupled with a dinner takes place every spring.
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Majors that Complement Aerospace Engineering
Minors that Complement Aerospace Engineering
Courses Outside Aerospace Engineering that Could Improve Employment Opportunities
Career Information and Further Study
At the University at Buffalo, the four-year undergraduate program leading to the B.S. degree in aerospace engineering prepares students for a career in the aerospace engineering profession and the aerospace industry. This preparation includes traditional aeronautics and astronautics applications (such as subsonic and supersonic aircraft, satellites, space shuttle, and the space station) as well as aerospace-related component development (such as design of structures, and devices and instruments) and vehicle and propulsion system design. Because of the rapid pace of development and extreme diversity of the aerospace field, the undergraduate aerospace engineering program stresses knowledge of the fundamentals of the profession so as to provide a meaningful multidisciplinary foundation for the student’s entire career span. While many students enter industry directly after completing the B.S. program, about 50 percent of our aerospace graduates elect to pursue graduate work in engineering or other fields.
The future for the aerospace engineer is extremely exciting. Aerospace engineers find themselves on the leading edge of technology, solving problems existing high in the clouds or in the vast reaches of space just as often they consider problems closer to home.
A variety of industries require the talents of aerospace engineers. The automotive industry, for example, has recently seen increased interest in aerospace technologies such as aerodynamics, feedback control, propulsion, system dynamics, and lightweight structures. The aerospace engineering program is also intended to prepare students for service in aerospace-related government agencies, such as NASA; FAA; and the U.S. Air Force, Navy, or Marine flying services.
Example positions are:
- Aerodynamics
- Stress analyst
- Risk information manager
- Value engineer
- Flight test data acquisition technician
Salary Information
Salaries range greatly from one occupation, position, and work setting to another. However, according to the Fall 2005 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates, aerospace engineering starting salaries averaged $50,701.
Additional Resources
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Links to Further Information About This Program
- Undergraduate Catalog
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Graduate Admissions
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:02 EST