Academics

Students who come to Penn State to study aerospace engineering, whether as undergraduates or graduate students, literally have a world of resources at their fingertips — from world-class faculty to first-rate research facilities and labs.

The department is consistently recognized as one of the top aerospace engineering departments in the nation and is built upon the fundamentals of academic integrity, innovation in research, and commitment to the advancement of industry. Through an innovative curriculum and world-class instruction that reflects current industry practice and embraces future trends, Penn State Aerospace Engineering students develop professional excellence, engineering thinking, and gain deep technical knowledge in the core disciplines and integrative systems of aerospace engineering.

Undergraduate students obtain a solid understanding of the foundations of aerospace systems: aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, dynamics and controls, and software. They also gain valuable fundamental knowledge about emerging fields such as unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), nano-materials, autonomous systems, and wind energy and manufacturing.

Our students are consistently among the most highly recruited by industry, government, and graduate schools nationwide. In 2016, Penn State topped the list of preferred suppliers of engineering talent to the aerospace and defense industry according to Aviation Week 2016 Workforce Study.

We have a number of professional organizations and societies for aerospace engineering students that allow for sthem to explore aerospace engineering outside the classroom. Students have access to speakers, career fairs, conferences, competitions, professional contacts, leadership opportunities, and social events.

Whether you come to Penn State as an undergraduate or graduate student, you'll emerge as a broadly educated, technically sound aerospace engineer who will be prepared to become a future leader in a critical industry, and who can go on to develop the most innovative technologies and systems that provide solutions to societal challenges and that contribute to programs of national importance.