The aerospace industry encompasses a broad spectrum of technological activity in aviation and space transportation. This includes manufacturing and support operations related to airframes, propulsion systems, controls and avionics.
The Aerospace Engineering program is very comprehensive and prepares students for careers in this dynamic industry. The program includes directly related studies in aerodynamics, stress analysis and structural design, flight mechanics, stability and control, and aircraft performance, together with courses in the fields of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
The first year of study covers mathematics, basic sciences, computer programming and introductory courses in engineering. Second and third years include a wide range of aerospace and mechanical engineering courses together with courses in communications, advanced mathematics, electronics and electrical engineering. There is a strong emphasis on design and much of the analytical work is reinforced by computer and hardware laboratories. Studies in the humanities and social sciences complement the engineering courses and provide a rounded perspective.
Students are required to choose one of three streams in the sixth semester: Aircraft, Avionics, or Spacecraft. Also included in the fourth year is a capstone design course, a course in professional practice and a course which examines the impact of technology on society.
TRANSITION PROGRAMS
First Year: The objective of the first year transition program is to provide students, who may need more time to adapt to the demanding university curriculum, with an immediate opportunity to upgrade their academic standing. In the second semester, Phase I of the transition program offers all first semester core courses: MTH 140, MTH 141, CHY 102, and PCS 211, in parallel with the second semester regular program courses. Students who have failed or are missing any one of these courses at the end of the first semester are required to upgrade their Academic Standing through enrolling in the transition program. During the condensed Spring term (May-July) Phase II of the transition program offers all second semester core courses: AER 222 (or MEC 222), BME 100, CHE 200, CHY 211, CPS 125, ELE 202, EES 512, MTH 240, MTL 200, and PCS 125. These courses represent a repeat of the second semester regular program courses that were not taken by students enrolled in Phase I of the transition program. Attention: Students are also given the opportunity to complete the following courses through The Chang School of Continuing Education during both the Spring and Summer terms: CECN 801, CCMN 432, and appropriate lower- and upper-level liberal studies courses. Only these Chang School courses will be counted towards the student's full-time Engineering degree program.
Second Year: The second year transition program is intended to help students who have failed or dropped the second year courses AER 320, EES 512 or MTH 410 to stay in-phase with their classmates and still have a chance to be promoted to third year in the following academic year. This is accomplished by allowing such students to enroll in any of AER 320, EES 512 or MTH 410 in a condensed Spring/Summer semester (May-July). These courses are offered in the Spring/Summer semester subject to adequate enrollment.
Early Intervention Program
Highly innovative and proactive retention strategies play an important role in helping students build the skills for success in a demanding engineering curriculum. Through the First-Year and Common Engineering Office, the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science has incorporated the Early Intervention Program into the first-year engineering experience. At the semester's mid-point, students who are failing courses in their core curriculum are identified and encouraged to attend an interview with a member of our academic support team (First-Year and Common Engineering Program Director/Academic Advisor and/or the Student Counsellor). Together, they discuss options to help reduce the chances of academic failure.