Aerospace Engineering
What this engineering major studies in college, how to prepare in high school, the licensing exams, and careers open with a bachelor’s degree. Every fact below names its source.
Last checked:
What it is
Aerospace engineering emphasizes the analysis, design and operation of aircraft and spacecraft. [1]
Students learn aeronautics, astronautics, aerodynamics and fluid dynamics, aerospace materials and structures, dynamics and automatic control, and air-breathing and rocket propulsion, among other subjects. [1]
Typical college courses
ABET-accredited programs in this major must include modeling, simulation, computing and testing applied to the design and analysis of aerospace systems, and aerospace programs must include content from both aeronautical and astronautical engineering topics. [2]
The B.S. requires Dynamics, Introduction to Thermal Science, Aerospace Structures, Aerodynamics I, Aeronautics and Astronautics, among other courses. [1]
The rows below show one named program as an example: the Penn State bachelor of science in this major, 2026–2027 bulletin. Course descriptions are in our own words. Course names and numbers differ at every college; confirm each college’s own list.
| Course | Status | What it covers (example: Penn State bulletin) | Comes after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamics | Required in this example program[1] | Dynamics (EMCH 212) covers the motion of a particle, relative motion, translation, rotation and plane motion, work-energy and impulse-momentum. [3] | It comes after EMCH 211 (or EMCH 210) and MATH 141. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Describing motion: position, velocity and acceleration · Circular motion · Momentum and its conservation · Work and power · Conservation of energy: modeling energy in a system · Derivatives in context: motion and rates | |||
| Introduction to Thermal Science | Required in this example program[1] | Introduction to Thermal Science (ME 201) applies the basic concepts of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and heat transfer to engineering problems. [4] | It comes after CHEM 110. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Heat flow and thermal equilibrium · Thermodynamics: the laws and heat engines · Conservation of energy: modeling energy in a system · Energy in chemical reactions · Calorimetry and specific heat · Entropy, free energy and why reactions happen · Gas laws | |||
| Aerospace Structures | Required in this example program[1] | Aerospace Structures (AERSP 301) covers aerospace structural design concepts and flight safety. [5] | It comes after EMCH 210 or EMCH 213, MATH 220, MATH 230 (or MATH 231 and MATH 232), and MATH 250 or MATH 251. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Newton's first law and forces · Torque, rotation and equilibrium · Spheres and surface area · Sine, cosine and tangent | |||
| Aerodynamics I | Required in this example program[1] | Aerodynamics I (AERSP 311) covers fluid statics and kinematics, the fluid dynamics of inviscid and viscous flows, the Navier-Stokes equations and an introduction to boundary layers. [5] | AERSP 311 and AERSP 309 each come after EMCH 212, MATH 220 and MATH 230 (or MATH 231 and MATH 232), among other prerequisites. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Fluids: pressure, buoyancy and flow · Momentum and its conservation · Conservation of energy: modeling energy in a system · The derivative as a limit · The definite integral | |||
| Aeronautics | Required in this example program[1] | Aeronautics (AERSP 306) covers the lift and drag of aircraft, propulsion systems, airplane performance and an introduction to stability and control. [5] | It comes after AERSP 311 and AERSP 313. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Fluids: pressure, buoyancy and flow · Newton's second law: net force, mass and acceleration · Newton's first law and forces · Designing energy-conversion devices: power and efficiency · Vectors: components and operations | |||
| Astronautics | Required in this example program[1] | Astronautics (AERSP 309) introduces space and space flight, the laws of particle mechanics, orbits and trajectories, and space vehicles and propulsion. [5] | AERSP 311 and AERSP 309 each come after EMCH 212, MATH 220 and MATH 230 (or MATH 231 and MATH 232), among other prerequisites. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Gravity and electric forces: inverse-square laws · Orbits and satellites · Momentum and its conservation · Orbits and Kepler's laws · Ellipses and hyperbolas | |||
Typical high school preparation
- In addition to university requirements, its applicants need 4 units of high school math, including Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry, and pre-calculus/trigonometry or calculus, and 3 units of high school science that must include physics and chemistry, and they must also meet one of its ACT or GPA standards. [6]
- If the minimum admission has not been met, a student may be admitted based on an individual review. [6]
This is one university’s admission list for its engineering college, not a rule for every college. Confirm each college’s own list.
Other engineering majors
Each card opens that major’s page. Compare the courses before you choose, and confirm each college’s own list.
Engineering: the first-year core
First-year courses, ABET accreditation and licensing, with sources.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines, and it is divided into two broad areas: mechanical systems and thermal systems. [7]
Materials Engineering
Materials such as ceramics, metals, polymers and composites are critical to many industries and key to most engineering disciplines. [8]
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is the application of electronics, electrical science and technology, and computer systems to the needs of society. [9]
Where this degree can lead with a bachelor’s
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
Examples from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other careers may need more study after the bachelor’s degree.
Aerospace engineers
Aerospace engineers design, develop and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. [10]
The median annual wage for aerospace engineers was $134,960 in May 2025. [10]
Employment of aerospace engineers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [10]
Aerospace engineers must have a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field to enter the occupation, and those who work on projects related to national defense may need a security clearance. [10]
Architectural and engineering managers
Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering. [11]
The median annual wage for architectural and engineering managers was $171,270 in May 2025. [11]
Employment of architectural and engineering managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. [11]
Architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer. [11]
Getting licensed: the FE and PE exams
Overview only. For dates, registration, rules and scoring, see each test maker's own site.
The FE exam
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is generally the first step in the process of becoming a licensed professional engineer (PE). [12]
The FE exam is designed for recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. [12]
The PE exam
The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam tests for a minimum level of competency in a particular engineering discipline and is designed for engineers who have gained a minimum of four years of post-college work experience. [13]
The path to a PE license
To use the PE seal, engineers must earn a four-year degree in engineering from an accredited engineering program, pass the FE exam, complete four years of progressive engineering experience under a PE, and pass the PE exam. [14]
Exam names are trademarks of their owners. NCEES and NSPE are not affiliated with and do not endorse UpOnly Learning.
Questions people search
Chosen from our search-question research. Every answer is cited.
What can you do with an aerospace engineering degree?
Aerospace engineers must have a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field to enter the occupation, and those who work on projects related to national defense may need a security clearance. [10]
Architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer. [11]
How to become an aerospace engineer
Aerospace engineers must have a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field to enter the occupation, and those who work on projects related to national defense may need a security clearance. [10]
The FE exam is designed for recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. [12]
Your next step
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Sources
- The Pennsylvania State University. Aerospace Engineering, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/aerospace-engineering-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- ABET. Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs, 2026–2027. https://www.abet.org/2026-2027_eac_criteria. 2026–2027 review cycle (Engineering Accreditation Commission). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Engineering Mechanics (EMCH) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/emch/. current University Bulletins (the MATH and EDSGN course pages show the 2026–27 edition). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Mechanical Engineering (ME) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/me/. current University Bulletins (the MATH and EDSGN course pages show the 2026–27 edition). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Aerospace Engineering (AERSP) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/aersp/. current University Bulletins (the MATH and EDSGN course pages show the 2026–27 edition). Checked .
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln, College of Engineering. Admission Requirements. https://engineering.unl.edu/undergraduate-programs/admission-requirements. no edition stated (page footer © 2025). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Mechanical Engineering, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/mechanical-engineering-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Materials Science and Engineering, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/earth-mineral-sciences/materials-science-engineering-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Electrical Engineering, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/electrical-engineering-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Aerospace Engineers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Architectural and Engineering Managers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). FE exam. https://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/. no edition stated. Checked .
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). PE exam. https://ncees.org/exams/pe-exam/. no edition stated. Checked .
- National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). What is a PE? https://www.nspe.org/about/about-professional-engineering/what-pe. no edition stated. Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.