College of Engineering

Degree Programs III

Major in Aerospace Engineering

(This program is only available to students who matriculated prior to January 2009.) Few technological achievements have captivated the imagination of the public as much as the realization of air and space flight. Aerospace engineering focuses on the technology and sciences associated with these unique transportation systems, as well as those involving transport across the ocean and over the ground. Aerospace engineers are concerned with aerodynamic and structural design, vehicle control and stability, and propulsion systems such as jet engines and rocket motors. Our program strives to give our students the basic skills, understanding, and knowledge they will need in order to become successful engineers in this exciting field.

Students completing the undergraduate program in aerospace engineering will have developed competence or acquired knowledge in the following areas:

• Engineering tools, including a strong background in engineering science and mathematics, experience with engineering computations using current software tools, and hands-on experience with measurement and instrumentation systems.

• Professional tools, including communication skills such as writing and public speaking, and team dynamics skills.

• Modeling, including modeling and formulation of engineering problems, finding the required solutions using appropriate combinations of analytical, numerical, and experimental tools, and utilizing physical insight to check for realistic results.

• Design, including both the design of individual components and a major design of a multicomponent system, incorporating realistic constraints.

• Professional Practice, including self-study skills; professional ethics; and an awareness of contemporary issues, business practices, and the impact of engineering solutions in a societal context.

• Aerospace Systems, including the ability to design or model both aeronautic and astronautic systems.

In order to achieve the above outcomes, students in the Aerospace Engineering Program receive a strong background in the fundamentals of aerospace science and substantial exposure to engineering applications and design as well as intensive training in two other areas indispensable to modern engineering practice: laboratory experimentation and computer usage.

The aerospace engineering curriculum is closely related to the mechanical engineering curriculum, with additional emphasis on fluid dynamics, propulsion, and autonomous control. Students begin aerospace courses in their sophomore year with introductory courses in aircraft and spacecraft performance. During the sophomore and junior years, students take two first-level courses in the fluid and thermal sciences, an advanced-level course in aerodynamics, and four first-level courses concentrating on structures and mechanics. In the senior year, students take advanced courses in compressible flow and propulsion, and flight mechanics. They also choose two upper division technical electives.

The curriculum allows students to gain design experience starting in their sophomore year, during which one engineering science course per semester requires a design project. In the junior year, the design expectations increase, and students take two special courses that introduce them to formal design methodologies, the use of CAD systems, and the professional aspects of engineering, including safety considerations and professional ethics. The design experience continues in the context of aerospace engineering, with required design projects in both structures- and mechanics-related courses as well as within the senior instrumentation course; it culminates in the two-semester senior design course, ENG ME 409/410 Flight Vehicle Design, in which students work in small groups to design an aerospace vehicle. As part of the design experience, communication is emphasized in the form of several written and oral reports.

Students in the Aerospace Engineering Program also gain experience in laboratory experimentation from experiments associated with all of the natural science courses (in the freshman and sophomore years) and with many engineering science courses (in the sophomore and junior years). Laboratory experience culminates in the senior year, with an intensive mechanical measurements and instrumentation course.

Aerospace engineering students begin working with computers in the freshman introductory computer course. Computer usage is then mandated throughout the curriculum, being required for some homework, projects, and laboratories in most engineering courses. Students gain experience programming in MATLAB; using commercial software packages for CAD, aerodynamics analysis, spreadsheet analysis, finite element analysis, and technical computing in general; and using menu- and graphical-interface-driven laboratory systems for data acquisition, data analysis, and instrument control.

A total of 136 credits is required for graduation.

Curriculum

Freshman

First Semester (16 credits)

CAS CH 131 Principles of General Chemistry 4 cr

CAS MA 123 Calculus I 4 cr

CAS WR 100 Writing Seminar 4 cr

ENG EK 100 Freshman Advising Seminar

ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation 4 cr

Second Semester (16 credits)

CAS MA 124 Calculus II 4 cr

CAS PY 211 Physics I 4 cr

CAS WR 150 Writing and Research Seminar 4 cr

ENG EK 130/131/132 Introduction to Engineering 4 cr

Sophomore

First Semester (18 credits)

CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus 4 cr

CAS PY 212 Physics II 4 cr

ENG ME 201 Introduction to Aircraft Performance 2 cr

ENG EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I 4 cr

Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr

Second Semester (18 credits)

CAS MA 226 Differential Equations 4 cr

ENG ME 202 Introduction to Spacecraft Performance 2 cr

ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory 4 cr

Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr

Natural science elective 4 cr

Junior

First Semester (18 credits)

ENG ME 311 Engineering Design Using CAD 2 cr

ENG ME 400 Engineering Mathematics 4 cr

ENG ME 303 Fluid Mechanics 4 cr

ENG ME 305 Mechanics of Materials 4 cr

Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr

Second Semester (18 credits)

ENG ME 307 Flight Structures 4 cr

ENG ME 312 Fundamentals of Engineering Design 2 cr

ENG ME 421 Aerodynamics 4 cr

ENG ME 302 Engineering Mechanics II 4 cr

ENG ME 304 Energy and Thermodynamics 4 cr

Senior

First Semester (16 credits)

ENG ME 409 Flight Vehicle Design I 4 cr

ENG ME 403 Atmospheric Flight Mechanics 4 cr

ENG ME 425 Compressible Flow and Propulsion 4 cr

Technical elective 4 cr

Second Semester (16 credits)

ENG ME 310 Instrumentation and Theory of Experiments 4 cr

ENG ME 410 Flight Vehicle Design II 4 cr

General education elective 4 cr

Technical elective 4 cr

Technical Elective

This elective is intended to provide additional depth or breadth in either aerospace engineering science or another advanced-level technical or professional subject. Students must select two courses that are on the list of acceptable courses found on the student’s program planning sheet.

Major in Manufacturing Engineering

(This program is only available to students who matriculated prior to January 2009.) Today’s manufacturing industries are under urgent pressure to use new technologies more rapidly and to employ people and computers more profitably within the context of social, economic, and cultural change. Nowhere is acceleration and innovation more evident than in manufacturing engineering.

A component of the manufacturing engineer’s job is to make the process of technological change as orderly, profitable, and socially acceptable as possible. Solutions must address multiple issues, including economics, ethics, safety, and societal concerns. The Manufacturing Engineering curriculum provides students with the breadth of knowledge and experience needed to solve such problems.

Manufacturing Engineering courses build from fundamental engineering principles to conventional and innovative professional practice. The curriculum is comprised of multiple subthemes within an integrated package. In the common core, students learn the basics in science, mathematics, and engineering science. Additional engineering science and application-specific technologies are introduced during the junior year. Hands-on laboratory experiences demonstrate practical applications in areas such as robotics, numerical control, and materials processing. Technical focus and competence are established through systems, manufacturing, and technical electives that allow students to specialize in diverse areas such as design, materials, green manufacturing, and management science. The entire educational experience culminates in the senior capstone design project, where our students work on site in real companies to solve real problems, providing the ultimate opportunity to develop communication, leadership, and team-building skills essential to professional practice. In addition, Manufacturing Engineering offers a Four Year Co-op Program, affording our undergraduates the exciting opportunity to work in industry for eight months and still graduate on time, further strengthening the link between academia and industry, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

A total of 134 credits is required for graduation.

Curriculum

Freshman

First Semester (16 credits)

CAS CH 131 Principles of General Chemistry 4 cr

CAS MA 123 Calculus I 4 cr

CAS WR 100 Writing Seminar 4 cr

ENG EK 100 Freshman Advising Seminar

ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation 4 cr

Second Semester (16 credits)

CAS MA 124 Calculus II 4 cr

CAS PY 211 Physics I 4 cr

CAS WR 150 Writing and Research Seminar 4 cr

ENG EK 130/131/132 Introduction to Engineering 4 cr

Sophomore

First Semester (18 credits)

CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus 4 cr

CAS PY 212 Physics II 4 cr

ENG EK 156 Design and Manufacture 2 cr

ENG EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I 4 cr

Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr

Second Semester (18 credits)

CAS MA 226 Differential Equations 4 cr

ENG ME 266 Manufacturing Operations Management 2 cr

ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory 4 cr

Natural science elective 4 cr

Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr

Junior

First Semester (18 credits)

ENG EK 102 Introduction to Linear Algebra for Engineers (or CAS MA 142) 2 cr

ENG ME 305 Mechanics of Materials 4 cr

ENG ME 306 Materials Science 4 cr

ENG EK 409 Engineering Economy 4 cr

ENG ME 345 Automation and Manufacturing Methods 4 cr

Second Semester (16 credits)

ENG ME 304 Energy and Thermodynamics (or ENG EK 424) 4 cr

ENG ME 407 Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (or ENG ME 472) 4 cr

ENG ME 308 Statistics and Quality Engineering 4 cr

Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr

Senior

First Semester (16 credits)

ENG ME 415 Product Design 4 cr

Systems elective 4 cr

Manufacturing elective 4 cr

Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr

Second Semester (16 credits)

ENG ME 495 Senior Design Capstone 4 cr

ENG ME 465 Materials Processing 4 cr

ENG ME 420 Supply Chain Engineering (or ENG ME 550) 4 cr

Advanced elective 4 cr

Electives

Electives are intended to provide additional technical and professional depth in areas of special interest to individual students. Students must take one systems elective, one manufacturing elective in which students focus their studies on a particular discipline within manufacturing engineering, and one advanced elective in any engineering discipline. Specific courses to fulfill these requirements can be found on the student’s program planning sheets.

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Interdisciplinary Engineering

The interdisciplinary engineering degree program offers students an opportunity to design a program of study in conjunction with a faculty advisor to address specializations that cross disciplinary or departmental lines or involve the drawing together of a unique combination of courses to meet particular career goals. Each individual program must include the College requirements, an engineering track, a specialization sequence and program electives, and must also meet tests of coherence and relevance. A minimum of 132 credits is required for graduation. Students should note that interdisciplinary engineering is not an ABET-accredited program.

Students must apply and be accepted into the interdisciplinary engineering program. Applications for this program are available in the Undergraduate Programs Office, ERB 107. Students must meet with a faculty advisor before applying. Students may apply to the program during the first semester of their sophomore year, but no later than the first semester of their junior year. Applications must include a preliminary program proposal that lists the elective and concentration courses, as well as a statement of rationale and goals related to the proposed program. Applications are reviewed by the Undergraduate Committee. Examples of concentration areas are environmental science and music technology. Students who are interested in pursuing the interdisciplinary engineering degree should contact the Undergraduate Programs Office for more information.

Pre-Med


Students who are interested in applying to medical school after earning their engineering degrees need to be aware of the minimum requirements for admission to most medical schools. As early as possible in their undergraduate careers, premedical engineering students should visit the Pre-professional Advising Office, located at 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Room B-2, 617-353-4866. Premedical students may also be interested in the ENGMEDIC program.

Premedical students should note that Advanced Placement (AP) credit in a core science course usually will not satisfy premedical requirements, since medical schools prefer that you take your science requirements while you are in college. If you do utilize Advanced Placement credit for one of these courses, be sure to take another course at a higher level in the same discipline.

The minimum requirements for most medical programs are: one year of biology with laboratory; one year of general chemistry with laboratory; one year of organic chemistry with laboratory; one year of physics with laboratory; one year of mathematics. The College of Engineering general education requirements usually satisfy medical school requirements in these areas. Many medical schools require one year of English at the college level—composition or literature or a combination of both. For more information, contact the Pre-professional Advising Office, B-2, 725 Commonwealth Avenue.

Study Abroad for Engineering Students

The College of Engineering offers a number of study abroad opportunities for engineering undergraduates. Engineering students can study abroad in the second semester of the sophomore year in Dresden, Germany; Guadalajara, Mexico; and Tel Aviv, Israel. These programs are structured to replicate the sophomore semester at Boston University. All majors can participate.

In Dresden, the program is offered in conjunction with the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD). There is no prior language requirement. Students start with an eight-week intensive German-language course and a cultural-immersion course which includes field trips to research institutions, technical museums, and companies. Engineering students take three of the following five technical courses: CAS MA 226 Differential Equations, CAS PY 313 Modern Physics, ENG BE 209 Principles of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory, and ENG EK 304 Thermodynamics. These courses are all taught in English and appear as Boston University courses on the Boston University transcript.

The programs in Mexico and Israel are structured in a similar fashion. The program in Tel Aviv is based at Tel Aviv University. Students study intensive Hebrew prior to the start of the semester and then take three technical courses, a social science or humanities course, and a continuing Hebrew course. In Guadalajara, the program is offered at the Guadalajara branch of the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM). Here students study Spanish, social science, and three technical courses throughout the semester. Approximately 20 percent of College of Engineering students study in one of these programs during the sophomore year.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

16 October 2009
Boston University
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