Aerospace Engineering, B.S.E.

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

Admission requirements and processes for freshman, transfer students, and former students seeking readmission are managed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Transfer applicants from regionally accredited colleges and universities must have a cumulative 2.75 GPA on a 4.00 scale to enter the College of Engineering and Computing.  In addition, transfer applicants for the Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering majors must also have completed a four semester-hour calculus course equivalent to MATH 141 with a grade of “C” or better.  

Current University of South Carolina students who wish to enter the College of Engineering and Computing, and former students seeking readmission, must have an institutional GPA of 2.50 or better on at least 15 hours earned at USC.   In addition, such applicants for the Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering majors must also have completed a four semester-hour calculus course equivalent to MATH 141 with a grade of “C” or better.  

Degree Requirements (125-137 hours)

See College of Engineering and Computing for progression requirements and special academic opportunities.

Program of Study

Requirements Credit Hours
1. Carolina Core 34-46
2. College Requirements 0
3. Program Requirements 46
4. Major Requirements 45

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

1. Carolina Core Requirements (34-46 hours)

CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)- 

ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (8 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

SCI – Scientific Literacy (8 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language  (0-6 hours)

Score two or better on foreign language placement test; or complete the 109 and 110 courses in FREN, GERM, LATN or SPAN; or complete the 121 course in another foreign language.

GHS – ​Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours) 

GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)

AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)

CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component1 (0-3 hours)

INF – Information Literacy1 (0-3 hours)

VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility1 (0-3 hours)

1

Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours for this program must add up to a minimum of 34 hours.

2. College Requirements (0 hours)

No college-required courses for this program.

3. Program Requirements (46 hours)

Supporting Courses (46 hours)

Course Title Credits
Foundational Courses
CHEM 112General Chemistry II3
CHEM 112LGeneral Chemistry II Lab1
ELCT 220Electrical Engineering for Non-Majors3
or ELCT 221 Circuits
MATH 241Vector Calculus3
MATH 242Elementary Differential Equations3
MATH 344Applied Linear Algebra3
STAT 509Statistics for Engineers3
Lower Division Engineering
AESP 101Introduction into Aerospace Engineering3
or ENCP 101 Introduction to Engineering
EMCH 111Introduction to Computer-Aided Design3
or ENCP 102 Introduction to Computer-Aided Design
EMCH 200Statics (must be passed with a grade of C or higher)3
or ENCP 200 Statics
EMCH 201Introduction to Applied Numerical Methods3
or ENCP 201 Introduction to Applied Numerical Methods
EMCH 260Solid Mechanics3
or ENCP 260 Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids
EMCH 290Thermodynamics3
or ENCP 290 Thermodynamic Fundamentals
Aerospace Engineering Electives
Select nine hour from the following:9
Special Problems: Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace Propulsion
Circuits
Signals and Systems
Digital Signal Processing
Control Systems
Electromagnetics
Electronics
Digital Control Systems
Wireless Communications
RF Circuit Design for Wireless Communications
Power Electronics
Kinematics
Heat Transfer
Manufacturing
Control Theory in Mechanical Engineering
Introduction to Engineering Optimization
Intermediate Dynamics
Robotics in Mechanical Engineering
Compressible Fluid Flow
Intermediate Heat Transfer
Intermediate Fluid Mechanics
Introduction to Aerodynamics
Introduction to Composite Materials
Introduction to Combustion
Total Credit Hours46

4. Major Requirements (45 hours)

Course Title Credits
AESP 265Aerodynamics I Incompressible Flow3
AESP 314Energy Power and Propulsion3
AESP 350Aerospace Systems3
AESP 361Aerospace Laboratory I3
AESP 362Aerospace Laboratory II3
AESP 365Aerodynamics II: Compressible Flow3
AESP 415Aircraft Design Part I Basics3
AESP 420Flight and Orbital Mechanics3
AESP 428Design I3
AESP 466Flight Dynamics and Control3
EMCH 308Introduction to Finite Element Stress Analysis3
EMCH 310Dynamics3
or ENCP 210 Dynamics
EMCH 330Mechanical Vibrations3
or ENCP 330 Introduction to Vibrations
EMCH 371Materials3
EMCH 577Aerospace Structures I3
Total Credit Hours45

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Aerospace Engineering, B.S.E.