Future Students

Academics

Aerospace Engineering

College of Engineering and Architecture


 

QUICK JUMP
  Aerospace Engineering
  Requirements and Core Courses
  Careers in Aerospace Engineering
  Salaries
  Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
  Contact Information

Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering applies aspects of engineering that relate to travel and transportation around and outside of the earth's atmosphere. The work may relate to all aspects of flight and space travel, including topics ranging from aerodynamics to satellites to propulsion mechanisms. Courses relevant to aerospace engineering are offered at Washington State University as a specialization area within mechanical engineering. Many engineers working in aerospace have a degree in mechanical engineering.

• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science, minor, master of science, and doctorate available in mechanical engineering. Students interested in aerospace engineering at WSU should major in mechanical engineering.
• Available at: Pullman (mechanical engineering), Tri-Cities (B.S. and M.S. in mechanical engineering)

Requirements and Core Courses

Although Washington State University does not offer a degree in aerospace engineering, students interested in the field can major in mechanical engineering in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.

The following elective courses are suggested for students interested in aerospace engineering:
ME 407—Computational Fluid Dynamics
ME 424—Flow of Compressible Fluids
ME 439—Applied Aerodynamics
ME 472—Finite Element Methods in Design

For more information on requirements and core courses for mechanical engineering, see the online mechanical engineering field of study page.

Careers in Aerospace Engineering

With a mechanical engineering degree, graduates who are interested in aerospace can work for employers in the aerospace industry. WSU mechanical engineering graduates are also employed as engineers, technical supervisors, and managers. Employment opportunities for graduates exist in the areas of mechanical design, systems design, equipment development, manufacturing, CAD/CAM, project engineering, production management, applied research, and sales and service.

Pacific Northwest employers in the aerospace industry who have hired former WSU students include the Boeing Company and Dowty Aerospace. As career opportunities in aerospace grow in the Pacific Northwest, demand for mechanical engineers increases.

Salaries

Average starting salaries for WSU's mechanical engineering graduates are in the $45,000 range.

Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Materials science engineering
• Mechanical engineering

Contact Information
Mechanical Engineering Program
Student Services
School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Washington State University
P.O. Box 642920
Pullman, WA 99164-2920
Telephone: 509-335-2727 or 800-401-1755
newcoug@mme.wsu.edu
 

Strengths of the Program

  • Courses in mechanical engineering through WSU’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering help students acquire the foundation needed for a career in the aerospace engineering field.
  • A mechanical engineering degree from WSU prepares students to become aerospace engineers, while offering maximum career flexibility.
  • WSU’s mechanical engineering program teaches problem-solving approaches that have practical applications in aerospace engineering careers.
  • Join other science, math, and engineering students in Gannon-Goldsworthy residence hall—share courses with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s own computer lab.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us