Aerospace Engineering

A 2+2 Program offered with West Virginia University (Morgantown)

West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) and West Virginia University (WVU) have joined their resources to offer a 2+2 aerospace program, (two years each at Montgomery and Morgantown), leading to a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering degree. Under this arrangement, a student interested in a BSAE degree from WVU, can start as a freshman at WVU Tech in mechanical engineering, complete the appropriate courses in four semesters with a GPA of at least 2.0 at Montgomery and transfer to the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Department at Morgantown. Upon completion of the appropriate curriculum requirements, as indicated in the pattern sheet below and the WVU catalog during the following four semesters at Morgantown, he/she may receive a BSAE degree from WVU.

Air travel has fascinated humans for a long time. Recent technical advances in aerospace travel, space exploration, and flight of manned and unmanned vehicles have been phenomenal and continue to gain in significance. Aerospace engineering deals with the science and technology of airborne and space vehicles such as airplanes, rockets, missiles and spacecrafts. Aerospace technology has also been successfully adopted to improve the performance of many earth-bound vehicles such as hydrofoil ships, high-speed trains and automobiles.

The aerospace engineering program at WVU is designed to prepare the student for a career in the aerospace industry or in the government research and development centers and laboratories, as well as in military mission-oriented agencies. The undergraduate curriculum also allows the student to prepare for graduate studies in aerospace engineering and in other engineering as well as non-engineering fields.

The aerospace curriculum includes studies in the disciplines encountered in the design of aerospace vehicles, missiles, rockets and spacecraft. The undergraduate curriculum includes extensive study of the basic principles of fluid dynamics, solid mechanics and structures, stability and control, thermal sciences and propulsion.

The student is involved in both theoretical and experimental studies, and is trained to integrate basic knowledge of physical and engineering sciences with practical engineering design. With the breadth and depth of education in aerospace engineering, the student becomes a versatile engineer, competent to work in many areas. The curriculum may serve as a terminal program by incorporating design oriented courses for technical electives, or it may be used as a preparatory program for advanced study by the selection of science-oriented courses.

Students can also pursue simultaneously B.S. degrees in both aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering by completing additional courses. Information on this 158 credit hour option can be obtained from the Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering department at WVU.

The student should refer to the university catalog and relevant WVU publications for additional information on the graduation requirements.