Aerospace Engineering BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California Los Angeles

Program Overview

UCLA's Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering program, offered through the Samueli School of Engineering, provides a comprehensive curriculum that blends foundational engineering principles with specialized aerospace topics. Students explore areas such as aerodynamics, propulsion, flight dynamics, and aerospace structures, preparing them for dynamic careers in the aerospace sector.

Curriculum Breakdown

The program spans four years, integrating core engineering courses with aerospace-specific subjects. Here's a typical progression:

Year 1: Foundations

Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A – Chemical Structure, English Composition 3 – English Composition, Rhetoric, and Language, Mathematics 31A – Differential and Integral Calculus, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 1 – Undergraduate Seminar, Mathematics 31B – Integration and Infinite Series, Physics 1A – Mechanics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 82 – Computer Programming with MATLAB, Mathematics 32A – Calculus of Several Variables, Physics 1B – Oscillations, Waves, Electric and Magnetic Fields and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 94 – Introduction to Aerospace Engineering

Year 2: Core Engineering Concepts

Mathematics 32B – Calculus of Several Variables, Physics 1C – Electrodynamics, Optics, and Special Relativity, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 101 – Statics and Strength of Materials, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 102 – Dynamics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 103 – Thermodynamics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 105A – Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 105D – Transport Phenomena, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 107 – Introduction to Modeling and Analysis of Dynamic Systems

Year 3: Specialized Aerospace Topics

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 150A – Intermediate Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 150B – Aerodynamics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 161A – Introduction to Astronautics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 161B – Introduction to Space Technology, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 166A – Analysis of Aerospace Structures, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 171A – Introduction to Feedback and Control Systems

Year 4: Advanced Applications and Design

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 157A – Aerospace Design Project I, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 157B – Aerospace Design Project II, Technical Electives in Aerospace Engineering, General Education Electives

Accreditation

The Aerospace Engineering program at UCLA is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, ensuring it meets the quality standards necessary to prepare graduates for the engineering profession.

Campus Location

UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California, offering a vibrant campus life with state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced laboratories and research centers dedicated to aerospace engineering.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) combines rigorous engineering theory with extensive laboratory-based learning, design experiences, and research opportunities. Throughout the program, students develop practical skills by conducting aerospace experiments, using industry-standard engineering software, participating in capstone design projects, and working in modern instructional laboratories that support aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, heat transfer, and computer-aided engineering. Undergraduate students also have opportunities to engage in faculty-led research and gain real-world experience through internships in Southern California's aerospace industry.

Students strengthen their practical experience through a wide range of facilities, laboratories, software, and project opportunities, including:

Instructional laboratories : Perform hands-on experiments in the Basic Aerospace Engineering Laboratory covering fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, structural behavior, instrumentation, computer-based data acquisition, signal processing, and engineering data analysis.
Aerodynamics laboratory : Conduct wind tunnel and fluid mechanics experiments while learning modern aerodynamic testing techniques and experimental methods used in aerospace engineering.
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer Laboratory : Complete experiments involving convection, boiling, heat exchangers, cooling towers, and heat pipe technologies used in aerospace thermal systems.
CAD/CAM Laboratory : Design aerospace components using professional engineering software including SolidWorks, Autodesk, COSMOSWorks, MATLAB, C/C++, Java, and finite element analysis tools for modeling, simulation, and product development.
Capstone design project : Work in multidisciplinary teams during the senior capstone sequence to develop aircraft or spacecraft concepts and produce structural designs for real-world aerospace engineering challenges.
Research laboratories : Access numerous Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering research centers, including laboratories focused on advanced space systems, active materials, propulsion, robotics, controls, fluid mechanics, and aerospace structures.
Faculty-led undergraduate research : Participate in research projects with UCLA faculty through undergraduate research opportunities available across the Samueli School of Engineering.
Internship opportunities : Benefit from UCLA's location in Los Angeles, providing access to internships with aerospace, defense, technology, and engineering companies through the UCLA Career Center.
Student engineering organizations : Join technical project teams such as UAV and aerospace design organizations to gain additional hands-on experience in aircraft, drones, autonomous systems, and engineering competitions.
Engineering libraries and academic resources : Utilize UCLA's engineering library collections, digital databases, technical journals, computing resources, and collaborative learning spaces to support coursework, research, and design projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the UCLA BS in Aerospace Engineering are well prepared to pursue careers in the aerospace, defense, aviation, and advanced technology sectors or continue into graduate and professional study. Through an ABET-accredited curriculum, hands-on capstone design experience, and UCLA's strong engineering reputation, students develop the technical and professional skills sought by leading employers.

Typical job roles : Aerospace Engineer, Flight Systems Engineer, Propulsion Engineer, Spacecraft Design Engineer.

Career development and graduate success :

University career services : The UCLA Career Center supports students through one-to-one career counseling, Handshake job and internship listings, employer information sessions, career fairs, networking events, alumni connections, resume reviews, and interview preparation.
Employment statistics and salary figures : UCLA reports a 93% six-year graduation rate for undergraduate students. The university does not publish an official Aerospace Engineering graduate employment rate or starting salary for this program.
University–industry partnerships : UCLA Career Center partners with major employers that recruit UCLA students, including organizations such as Lockheed Martin, while the university's Southern California location provides access to numerous aerospace, defense, and technology companies for internships and employment opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value : The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, providing graduates with a globally recognized engineering qualification that supports professional licensure pathways and employer confidence.
Graduation outcomes : Graduates are equipped to design aerospace systems, solve complex engineering problems, work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and communicate technical solutions, preparing them for professional engineering careers or advanced academic study.

Further Academic Progression : After completing the BS in Aerospace Engineering, graduates can continue with a Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Aerospace Engineering or specialize in fields such as propulsion, aerodynamics, autonomous systems, space systems, robotics, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, or computational engineering. The strong analytical and research foundation of the program also supports progression into interdisciplinary graduate programs as well as professional degrees in business, medicine, or law.