The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to the WPI requirements applicable to all students (see WPI Degree Requirements) students wishing to receive a Bachelor degree in “Aerospace Engineering”, must satisfy additional distribution requirements. These requirements apply to 10 units of study in the areas of mathematics, basic sciences, aerospace engineering science and design.
Program Distribution Requirements for the Aerospace Engineering Major
Mathematics and Basic Sciences (Minimum 10/3 Units)
Mathematics (Minimum 7/3 Units)
Must include a minimum of 7/3 Units of mathematics (prefix MA) with topics in: differential, integral, vector, multivariable calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and applied statistics.
Physics (Minimum 2/3 Units)
Must include a minimum of 2/3 Units in physics (prefix PH) with topics in: mechanics; electricity and magnetism.
Chemistry (Minimum 1/3 Unit)
Must include 1/3 Unit in chemistry (prefix CH).
Engineering Topics (Minimum 20/3 Units)
Must include 20/3 Units of Engineering Topics, distributed as follows:
Core Aerospace Engineering (Minimum 11/3 Units)
Fluid Dynamics (Minimum 2/3 Units)
2/3 Units of Fluid Dynamics, with topics in: incompressible fluid dynamics; compressible fluid dynamics.
Propulsion and Energy (Minimum 1/3 Unit)
1/3 Unit in Propulsion and Energy, with topics in: thermal engineering.
Materials and Structures (Minimum 4/3 Units)
4/3 Units in Materials and Structures, with topics in: materials; aerospace structures; structural dynamics.
Flight Dynamics and Controls (Minimum 2/3 Units)
2/3 Units in Flight Dynamics and Controls, with topics in: dynamics; controls.
General Engineering (Minimum 2/3 Units)
1/3 Unit in General Engineering, with topics in: Experimentation.
1/3 Unit in General Engineering, with topics in: space environments.
Aeronautics *OR* Astronautics Track (Minimum 9/3 Units)
Aeronautics Track
Fluid Dynamics (Minimum 1/3 Unit)
1/3 Unit in Fluid Dynamics with topics in: aerodynamics.
Propulsion and Energy (Minimum 1/3 Unit)
1/3 Unit in Propulsion and Energy, with topics in: air breathing propulsion.
Materials and Structures (Minimum 1/3 Unit)
1/3 Unit in Materials and Structures with topics in: composites.
Flight Dynamics and Controls (Minimum 1/3 Unit)
1/3 Unit in Flight Dynamics and Controls with topics in: aircraft dynamics and control.
Aerospace Design (Minimum 4/3 Units)
4/3 Units in Aerospace Design with topics in: 1/3 Unit in aircraft design; and 3/3 Units MQP.
Astronautics Elective (Minimum 1/3 Unit)
1/3 Unit in Astronautics Elective, with topics in: orbital mechanics or navigation and communications or rocket propulsion or spacecraft dynamics and control.
Astronautics Track
Propulsion and Energy (Minimum 1/3 Unit)
1/3 Unit in Propulsion and Energy, with topics in: rocket propulsion.
Flight Dynamics and Control (Minimum 3/3 Units)
3/3 Units in Flight Dynamics and Control, with topics in: orbital mechanics; navigation and communication; spacecraft flight dynamics and control.
Aerospace Design (Minimum 4/3 Units)
4/3 Units in Aerospace Design with topics in: 1/3 Unit spacecraft and mission design; and 3/3 Units MQP.
Aeronautics Elective (Minimum 1/3 Unit)
1/3 Unit in Aeronautics Elective, with topics in: aerodynamics or air breathing propulsion or composite materials or aircraft dynamics and control.
Note: Great Problem Seminar (GPS) courses can only be used to fulfill the HUA, SSPS or the Free Elective requirement.