Dec 11, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Aerospace Engineering, BS


The Aerospace Engineering BS, offered by the Department of Aerospace Engineering , is based on a strong core of mathematics, science, and engineering science and is designed to prepare students for professional careers in aerospace engineering fields, such as aircraft and space systems research, design, development, testing, and integration. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate study. The Aerospace Engineering Bachelor of Science degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Program Criteria and the Aerospace and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 21
Major Preparation 36
Major Requirements 63
Total 120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

Students in this major must complete all courses in Required in the Major (All courses in Preparation, Core, and Concentration/Specialization) with a “C or better” to graduate.

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Note Abbreviations ).

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements  apply to this major. 

Core Lower Division General Education (15 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 24 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below and General Education waivers . Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.

Of the 39 units, the following 15 units are not satisfied in the major:

  • GE Area A1 3 unit(s)
  • GE Area A2 3 unit(s)
  • GE Area C1 3 unit(s)
  • GE Area C2 3 unit(s)
  • GE Area F 3 unit(s)

Upper Division General Education


Of the 9 units required by the university, 9 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with a major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)


Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement  with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 10 /AMS 11 ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education


The Physical Education Requirement is waived for this major. See the Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a  grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. For this major, the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  is satisfied by a course in the major.

Major Preparation (36 units)


To qualify for a baccalaureate degree in Aerospace Engineering, a student must receive a grade of “C” or better in all courses in preparation for the major.

Major Requirements (63 units)


To qualify for a baccalaureate degree in Aerospace Engineering, a student must receive a grade of “C” or better in all courses required for the major.

Capstone (8 units)


Complete one of the following options:

Technical Electives (3 units)


A technical elective may be chosen from the following list:

Non-AE courses from any of the topical lists below are also eligible


Total Units Required (120 units)