Curriculum and Requirements

Curriculum and Requirements

The comprehensive curriculum of the Cal Poly Pomona Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program is meticulously designed to nurture aspiring aerospace engineers with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience necessary for success in this dynamic field.

Curricular Elements and Graduation Requirements:

All students embarking on this exciting journey must navigate through the carefully structured curricular elements. To graduate, completion of the full 127-unit program is essential. Each element of our curriculum contributes to your holistic aerospace education, preparing you for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Aerospace Engineering Core Curriculum:

At the heart of our program lies the Aerospace Engineering Core Curriculum. This foundation encompasses essential technical courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, seamlessly weaving these fundamentals with specialized aerospace engineering courses. As students progress, they explore the intricacies of aerospace structures, aerothermofluiddynamics, flight dynamics and controls, astronautics, systems engineering, and aerospace design. Discover a detailed breakdown of our Aerospace Engineering courses in the dedicated section of the University catalog.

Laboratory Experiences:

Practical learning is a cornerstone of our program, and the Aerospace Engineering curriculum includes ten indispensable lab courses. From introductory labs during the freshman year to advanced experiences in the senior year, these hands-on endeavors empower students with real-world skills and insights. For an in-depth overview of the lab courses, refer to the Aerospace Engineering section of the University catalog.

Emphasis Areas:

In their junior year, students make a pivotal choice between two distinct emphasis areas: Aeronautics or Astronautics. These emphasis areas shape the trajectory of their learning journey, impacting two core aerospace engineering courses, the senior design sequence, and aerospace engineering elective courses.

Senior Design and Senior Project:

Senior Design and Senior Project mark the pinnacle of the academic journey. In the Senior Design classes, spanning two semesters, students engage in immersive design challenges. Choices between Air Vehicle Design, Space Vehicle Design, or Launch Vehicle Design sequences allow them to explore their interests. Simultaneously, the Senior Project presents an opportunity to work collaboratively with an advisor, pursuing innovative ideas that culminate in a comprehensive final report and presentation at the Cal Poly Pomona Project Showcase.

Aerospace Engineering Technical Elective:

Each year, the Department offers a selection of 5-6 technical elective courses. These offerings respond to student demand and emerging trends in the aerospace industry, providing students the chance to delve deeper into specialized areas.

General Education (GE):

We believe in a well-rounded education, which is why our curriculum incorporates General Education (GE) requirements. Some aerospace engineering courses also satisfy GE requirements, including GE Area B1, B3, B4, B5, and C3. Additionally, aerospace engineering students are exempted from GE Area A3.

We invite you to explore our curriculum documents for a comprehensive overview of course requirements, emphasis area specifics, and the seamless integration of aerospace education and hands-on exploration that defines our program. For further guidance, don't forget to visit our Advising Page.