What Education Is Needed to Become an Aeronautical Engineer?
- Aerospace engineers need to have at least a bachelor's degree in aerospace or aeronautical engineering or a related technical field. This is a very challenging university program involving a lot of math and science courses and usually takes four or five years to complete. Unlike civil and nuclear engineers, aerospace engineers do not have to be licensed by a professional association to practice.
- To prepare for your university engineering program, you should take a wide range of science and math classes in high school. Most university engineering programs are quite selective with their admissions, and having a strong technical academic background including calculus, second-year chemistry and physics will help you gain admittance.
- Aerospace engineering programs almost always start with an advanced geometry and calculus class, an engineering software course, as well as an organic or physical chemistry class. Many students also take an English, history or social science elective their first year as well. Sophomores often take engineering mechanics, statics and dynamics, and/or thermodynamics as well as more English or humanities classes. Upperclassmen usually enroll in classes such as structural analysis, materials and metallurgy, analytical mechanics, electromagnetic fields and an aero/astro-research program. Upper-division coursework covers the concepts of fluid mechanics, heat transfer and electrical circuits.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, aerospace engineers have a favorable job outlook. Aerospace engineering positions are expected to grow by about 10 percent between 2008 and 2018, driven largely by increased globalization and travel as well as growing private investment in astronautics and space travel.
