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College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture

BS in Aerospace Engineering

At a Glance

Students pursuing the aerospace engineering program will develop in-demand skills in the fundamental science and technologies to create, develop, and improve aircraft and spacecraft.

Full Time
Rolling Admission

Degrees Offered

Total Credits

Bachelor of Science

131

Minor

18

Overview

The only program of its kind in Connecticut, the aerospace engineering program offers students the opportunity to learn technical concepts relevant to aerospace engineering and design.

CETA's project-based curriculum will prepare you to master specialized skills that are essential to creating, developing, and improving aircraft and spacecraft.

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Apply today.

Questions?
Contact Program Director Paul Slaboch for more information.

About the Major

student working in lab

The aerospace engineering program exposes students to different aspects of the aerospace industry. Students will have the opportunity to explore which part of engineering complements their passions, interests, and skillset.

On the aeronautics side, the coursework focuses on aeroacoustics and noise problems, vertical take-off, landing systems (drones or helicopters), and aircraft engine research. Students will finish the semester with a design-build-fly (DBF) capstone project that requires them to build their own remotely piloted vehicles.

By graduation, students will be able to apply the fundamentals of engineering analysis and design to the formulation and solution of emerging technical problems within their discipline of choice.

Why UHart?

Our program offers industry-standard equipment and collaborative spaces for students to engage in hands-on learning. These resources include:

  • Pratt & Whitney Turbomachinery Laboratory: Equipped with wind tunnels for testing speed, movement, and airflow.

    • Large-scale turbomachinery cascade tunnel

    • Boundary layer tunnel

    • Low-speed tunnel with 6-axis force balance

    • Water table

  • Materials and structures testing equipment

  • Controls instrumentation

  • Thermal/fluids experimental setups 

UHart also shares close ties with Pratt & Whitney, and NASA. Many of our distinguished faculty have conducted research projects at NASA research centers.

About the Minor

Aerospace engineering turbomachinery wind tunnel equipment for students to conduct hands-on learning.

The minor in aerospace engineering provides students matriculating into other degree programs at the University of Hartford with an introduction to the discipline of aerospace engineering. The minor in aerospace engineering consists of three required courses and three courses from the list below for a total of 18 credits.

Degree Requirements

For more information, and to see a complete list of degree requirements, visit the Course Catalog.

Core Classes

  • ME 343 | Aerodynamics
  • ME 230 | Flight Mechanics
  • ME 420 | Gas Dynamics
  • ME 421 | Gas Turbine Analysis
  • ME 423 | Aerospace Dynamics, Stability, and Control
  • ME 424 | Aerospace Structures
  • ME 425 | Orbital Mechanics

Professional Electives

  • ME 422 | Fundamentals of Turbomachinery
  • ME 423 | Aerospace Dynamics, Stability, & Control
  • ME 455 | Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • ME 500 | Convective Heat and Momentum Transfer
  • ME 506 | Principles of Combustion
  • ME 533 | Turbomachinery Noise Control
  • ME 554 | Advanced Fluid Mechanics
  • ME 564 | Aerodynamic Design of Turbines and Compressors

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

The Aerospace Engineering program seeks to prepare our graduates for productive, rewarding careers in the engineering profession. During their careers, our alumni

1. will become successful practicing engineers in a wide range of aerospace engineering fields and will advance professionally by accepting responsibilities and, potentially, pursuing leadership roles (PEO1);

2. will advance their knowledge of engineering, both formally and informally, by engaging in lifelong learning experiences (PEO2); and

3. will, as contributing members of multidisciplinary engineering teams, successfully apply the fundamentals of engineering analysis and engineering design to the formulation and solution of emerging technical problems (PEO3).

Student Outcomes

The student learning outcomes of the aerospace engineering program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering degree will prepare graduates of the program to attain the program's educational objectives.

Student outcomes (1) through (7) are articulated as follows:

(1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

(2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

(3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

(4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

(5) an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

(6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

(7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Student Enrollment & Graduation Statistics

Academic Year Enrollment Year Total
Undergrad
Total
Grad
Degrees Awarded
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorates
Current Year (2022–23) FT 14 6 4 4 28 4
PT 1 0 0 1 2
1 year prior to current year (2021–22) FT 6 2 0 1 9 0
PT 0 0 0 0 0
2 years prior to current year (2020–21) FT 0 0
PT 0
3 years prior to current year (2019–20) FT 0 0
PT 0
4 years prior to current year (2018–19) FT 0 0
PT 0

Career Outlook

student working in lab

Connecticut ranks fourth nationally in terms of Aerospace & Defense (A&D) workers, offering an overwhelmingly positive career outlook for aerospace students. Numerous industry leaders such as Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky, Kaman Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon Technologies, and more are within 50 miles of Hartford, CT, providing a solid industry network for UHart graduates to pursue.

Alba Marcelin

BS in Aerospace Engineering, 2023

Alba Marcelin ’23, an aerospace engineering major, became interested in airports and planes at an early age. As she got older, she realized she could make a career out of this interest.

My ultimate dream is to become a commercial airline pilot. A degree in aerospace engineering is a great way to bridge and open doors to many possibilities in the aerospace industry in particular. Being able to work with airplanes and/or improving their systems for the environment is my main career goal.

Take an Inside Look

Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering Faculty

Claudio Campana
Applied Assistant Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Howard Canistraro
Associate Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Robert D. Celmer
Program Director, Acoustical Engineering Program; Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Edward Diehl
Director, Mechanical Engineering Program; Associate Professor; PE
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Suhash Ghosh
Associate Director, Center for Manufacturing and Metrology; Associate Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Christopher Jasinski
Assistant Professor; Honors Program Coordinator
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Ivana Milanovic
Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Enrico Obst
Visiting Assistant Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Mark Orelup
Adjunct Faculty
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Allan Penda
Adjunct Faculty
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Chittaranjan Sahay
Vernon D. Roosa Distinguished Professor; Director, Center for Manufacturing and Metrology
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Sicheng Kevin Li
Assistant Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Paul Slaboch
Department Chair; Director, Aerospace Engineering Program; Associate Professor; PE
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Akin Tatoglu
Associate Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Cy Yavuzturk
Director, Clean Energy Institute; Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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