Aerospace Engineering

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
309 Furnas Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
(716) 645-2593
Fax: (716) 645-3875
Web: Aerospace Engineering
Dale B. Taulbee, Chair
Abani K. Patra, Director of Undergraduate Studies

The Program
The four-year undergraduate program leading to the B.S. degree in aerospace engineering is designed to prepare students for a career in aerospace and related technologies. This includes the traditional aeronautics and astronautics applications (subsonic and supersonic aircraft, satellites, space shuttle, space station, etc.), as well as aerospace-related component development (design of structures, devices, and instruments) and vehicle and propulsion system design.

A variety of industries require the talents of aerospace engineers. The automotive industry, for example, has recently seen increased interest in aerospace technologies, such as aerodynamics, feedback control, propulsion, system dynamics, and lightweight structures. The aerospace engineering program is also intended to prepare students for service in aerospace-related government agencies, such as NASA; the FAA; and the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine flying services.

Because of the rapid pace of development and extreme diversity of the aerospace field, the undergraduate aerospace engineering program stresses knowledge of the fundamentals of the profession that provide a foundation for lifelong learning. While many students enter industry directly after completing the B.S. program, a significant number elect to pursue graduate work in engineering or other fields.

The objective is to provide students with a broad knowledge in applied mathematics, physics, and the engineering sciences during the first and second years. During the third and fourth years, students will build upon this foundation by learning the specialized topics of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, vehicle design, and stability and control.

Note: Please see the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences entry in this catalog for preengineering requirements.

Aerospace Engineering (MAE)

Required Courses

177 Introduction to Engineering Drawing and CAD (2) (Sp)
A first exposure to mechanical design for mechanical and aerospace engineers including the nature and visual representation of mechanical components, and the principles of engineering drawing and sketching for mechanical design. Applies up-to-date computer-aided design software (such as AutoCad) in developing mechanical drawings and mechanical designs. LEC/LAB

277 Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Practice (3) (F)
Prerequisites: EAS140, MAE177
Overview of engineering in industry; introduces engineering design concepts, reverse engineering, case studies including a hands-on project, basics of manufacturing processes, elementary modeling of engineering systems, and introduction to technical communications. LEC

334 Introduction to Instrumentation and Computers (3) (F)
Prerequisite: EAS209
Corequisite: EAS200
Introduces data acquisition using A/D converters; fundamentals of transducers; static and dynamic response; amplifiers; theory of A/D and D/A converters; error analysis; elementary statistics. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly. LEC/LAB

335 Fluid Mechanics (3) (F)
Prerequisite: EAS209
Corequisite: EAS204
Hydro- and aerostatics; substantial derivatives; Reynolds transport equation; control volume approach for conservation of mass, linear momentum, moment of momentum, and the first law of thermodynamics; dimensional analysis and similitude; laminar and turbulent pipe flow of liquids; boundary-layer theory; one-dimensional, compressible flow; potential flow. LEC

336 Heat Transfer (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: MAE335
Introduces the transport of heat by conduction, convection, and radiation. Topics discussed include transient and steady-state, one- and multidimensional heat conduction (treated both analytically and numerically); single-phase, laminar and turbulent, forced and natural convection both within ducts and on external surfaces (dimensional analysis and empirical correlations); two-phase transport (boiling and condensation); radiative properties of materials and analysis of radiative heat transfer in enclosures; analysis of heat exchangers. LEC

338 Fluid and Heat Transfer Laboratory (1) (F)
Prerequisite: MAE335, MAE336
Complements coursework in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. LAB

340 Systems Analysis (4) (Sp)
Prerequisites: EAS200, EAS208, EAS230
System dynamics; characterization of electrical, mechanical hydraulic system components; use of matrix notation in component modeling; formulation methods for systems containing multiterminal components; formulation of state equations; digital computer simulation techniques, analog computer concepts. Three lectures and one three-hour lab per week. LEC/LAB

376 Numerical Methods (3) (F)
Prerequisites: MTH242 or 306, EAS230
Solution of engineering problems using computational methods. Topics include linear algebra, sets of linear and nonlinear equations, an introduction to Matlab, ordinary differential equations and matrix eigenvalues. Also topics in statistics (particularly with normal distributions) and engineering applications involving error analysis. Considers interpolation, splines and nonlinear curve fitting as time permits. LEC

377 Product Design in a CAD Environment (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisites: MAE177 or equivalent and EAS209
Mechanical design of functional, pragmatic products from inception through implementation. Topics in computer-aided-design (CAD). Discusses the design process in the context of product redesign assignments using CAD. Includes a final design project with professional documentation including sketches, detailed and assembly CAD drawings, a comprehensive written design analysis and cost breakdown. LEC

381 Engineering Materials (3) (F)
Prerequisites: CHE107, EAS209
Classification of solids based on bonding mechanisms; crystal structures and imperfections; physical properties of materials (thermal, electrical, mechanical, magnetic); diffusion; phase transformation. LEC

385 Engineering Materials Laboratory (1) (Sp)
Prerequisite: MAE381
Static, dynamic, cyclic, thermal, and deformation effects on properties of engineering materials; engineering testing methods, codes, and standards. LAB

415 Analysis of Structures (3) (F)
Prerequisites: MTH242 or MTH306, EAS209
Theory of elastic structural components; elastic stress analysis; equilibrium, strain displacement, compatibility; yield criteria; beam bending, shear stress, shear center, composite beams; axisymmetric elements; thin axisymmetric cylinders; energy methods; torsion of thin-walled single and multicell tubes; beam buckling. LEC

416 Aerospace Structures (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: MAE415
Theory of light structures; plate theory; shearflow, warping stresses, and secondary warping; deformation and elastic stability of struts, plates, frames, and trusses; stress analysis of connections; composite structures and sandwich construction; finite element analysis and numerical methods; computer implementation with applications to aircraft and aerospace structures. LEC

422 Gas Dynamics (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: MAE335
Fundamentals of gas dynamics and compressible aerodynamics; one-dimensional isentropic flow, one-dimensional flow with friction and with heating or cooling, and normal shocks. Multidimensional flows; Prandtl-Meyer flow, oblique shocks, small perturbation theory, supersonic airfoil theory. LEC

423 Introduction to Propulsion (3) (F)
Prerequisite: MAE335
Combustion thermodynamics; flow in nozzle, diffuser, and constant area duct with shock; analysis and performance of air breathing and chemical rocket propulsion systems; performance of rocket vehicles. LEC

424 Aerodynamics (4) (F)
Prerequisite: MAE335
Flow over airfoils and wings; ideal flow theory, singularity solutions, superposition, source, and vortex panel methods; method of source panels; 2-D airfoil theory, pressure distributions, and lift; effects of compressibility; finite wings; viscous aerodynamics; boundary-layer theory; friction drag. An aerodynamics laboratory experience, including airfoil characteristics, boundary-layer measurements, and jet flow. LEC/LAB

434 Aircraft Design (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: MAE415, MAE416, MAE436
Conceptual aircraft design for specific mission profiles is facilitated by course-licensed software; practice predicting performance of existing designs with comparison to actual performance; analysis of performance of new, student-designed aircraft. LEC

436 Flight Dynamics (3) (F)
Prerequisites: EAS208, MAE340
Reviews practical aerodynamics of wings and bodies. Performance of aircraft and missiles in the atmosphere. Longitudinal, lateral, and directional static stability, control effectiveness, and control forces. Basic equations of motion of flight vehicles. Aerodynamics, thrust and gravity forces, and stability derivatives. Analysis of aircraft and missile dynamic stability, typical model responses to control inputs. Autopilots, stability augmentation, and analysis of the pilot as a control-system element. LEC

451 Design Process and Methods (3) (F)
Prerequisite: senior standing in mechanical or aerospace engineering
Discusses the fundamental concepts and activities of design processes. Investigates domain-independent topics of design processes. These topics include idea conception, teamwork, quality, experimental design, optimization, and technical communication. In addition, discusses fundamental methods of design, including decision making, conceptual design, cost evaluation, ethics issues, and intellectual property issues, which are investigated through interactive lectures and individual and group exercises. LEC

Note: Additional course descriptions for aerospace engineering may be found under mechanical engineering. Course descriptions for EAS may be found under engineering and applied sciences.

Technical Electives
Note: For course descriptions pertaining to non-required technical electives, see the technical electives section under mechanical engineering

Aerospace Engineering - B.S.

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in technical and engineering courses

Required Courses
CHE107 General Chemistry for Engineers
EAS140 Engineering Solutions
EAS200 EE Concepts/Nonmajors
EAS204 Thermodynamics
EAS207 Statics
EAS208 Dynamics
EAS209 Mechanics of Solids
EAS230 Higher Level Language
MAE177 Introduction to Engineering Drawing and CAD
MAE277 Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Practice
MAE334 Introduction to Instrumentation and Computers
MAE335 Fluid Mechanics
MAE336 Heat Transfer
MAE338 Fluid and Heat Transfer Laboratory
MAE340 Systems Analysis
MAE376 Numerical Methods
MAE377 Product Design in a CAD Environment
MAE381 Engineering Materials
MAE385 Engineering Materials Laboratory
MAE415 Analysis of Structures
MAE416 Aerospace Structures
MAE422 Gas Dynamics
MAE423 Introduction to Propulsion
MAE424 Aerodynamics
MAE434 Aircraft Design
MAE436 Flight Dynamics
MAE451 Design Process and Methods
MTH141 College Calculus I
MTH142 College Calculus II
MTH241 College Calculus III
MTH306 Introduction to Differential Equations
PHY107 General Physics I
PHY108/158 General Physics II/Lab
One applied math elective
One science elective
One technical elective

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements

First Year
Fall-CHE107, MTH141, EAS140
Spring-MTH142, PHY107, MAE177, EAS230

Second Year
Fall-MTH241, PHY108/158, EAS204, EAS207, MAE277
Spring-MTH306, EAS200, EAS208, EAS209, one science elective

Third Year
Fall-MAE334, MAE335, MAE376, MAE377, MAE381
Spring-MAE336, MAE340, MAE385, MAE422, one applied math elective

Fourth Year
Fall-MAE338, MAE415, MAE423, MAE424, MAE436, MAE451
Spring-MAE416, MAE434, one technical elective

Applied Math Electives
EAS305 Applied Probability or EAS308 Engineering Statistics
EAS451 Modern Methods of Engineering Computations
MAE428 Analytical Methods or MTH418 Survey of Partial Differential Equations
MTH309 Introductory Linear Algebra
MTH417 Survey of Multivariable Calculus

Summary
Required courses - 107 cr
Electives - 9 cr
General education - 15 cr
Writing skills requirement - 0-6 cr
(contingent upon placement test results)
Total required credit hours - 128-134

Aerospace Engineering/Business Administration - B.S./M.B.A.

Acceptance Criteria
Good standing as an aerospace engineering undergraduate and acceptance as a graduate student by the School of Management.

Required Courses
CHE107 General Chemistry for Engineers
EAS140 Engineering Solutions
EAS200 EE Concepts/Nonmajors
EAS204 Thermodynamics
EAS207 Statics
EAS208 Dynamics
EAS209 Mechanics of Solids
EAS230 Higher-Level Language
EAS308 Statistics
MAE177 Introduction to Engineering Drawing and CAD
MAE277 Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Practice
MAE311 Machines and Mechanisms I
MAE334 Introduction to Instrumentation and Computers
MAE335 Fluid Mechanics
MAE336 Heat Transfer
MAE338 Fluid and Heat Transfer Laboratory
MAE340 Systems Analysis
MAE376 Applied Math for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers
MAE377 Product Design in a CAD Environment
MAE381 Engineering Materials
MAE385 Engineering Materials Laboratory
MAE415 Analysis of Structures
MAE416 Aerospace Structures
MAE422 Gas Dynamics
MAE423 Introduction to Propulsion
MAE424 Aerodynamics
MAE434 Aircraft Design
MAE436 Flight Dynamics
MAE451 Design Process and Methods
MGA604 Introduction to Financial Accounting
MGB601 Behavioral and Organizational Concepts for Management
MGE601 Economics for Managers
MGF631 Financial Management
MGM625 Marketing Management
MGS630 Operations and Service Management
MGS641 Strategic Management
MTH141 College Calculus I
MTH142 College Calculus II
MTH241 College Calculus III
MTH306 Introduction to Differential Equations
PHY107 General Physics I
PHY108/158 General Physics II/Lab
One applied math elective
Eight M.B.A. electives
Two M.B.A. flex core courses

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements

First-Third Years
Follow the standard course program as listed in the aerospace engineering-B.S. chart

Fourth Year
Fall-MGA604, MGB601, MGE601, MAE436, MAE423, MAE424, MAE338
Spring-MGF631, MGM625, MGS630, two M.B.A. flex core courses, one M.B.A. elective

Fifth Year
Fall-MAE451, MAE415, four M.B.A. electives
Spring-MGS641, MAE416, MAE434, three M.B.A. electives

Contact the School of Management for flex core courses and electives options.

Refer to the graduate school's policies and procedures manual for master's candidates requirements.

Upon completion of undergraduate program requirements and all management requirements, the combined degree will be conferred at the end of the fifth year.

Academic Affairs

Phone: (716) 645-6003

Fax: (716) 645-2549

Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:16 EST