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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
San Jose State UniversityThe Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering at San José State University is a four-year, on-campus program that delivers a rigorous education in the science and engineering of flight. This program is perfect for students who want to design, build, and test aircraft and spacecraft—preparing you for careers in the aerospace industry or for graduate study in engineering and related fields.
Curriculum structure:
Year 1: You’ll start with a strong foundation in mathematics, science, and introductory engineering. Required modules include MATH 30 – Calculus I, MATH 31 – Calculus II, PHYS 50 – General Physics I, and CHEM 1A – General Chemistry. You’ll also take AE 15 – Introduction to Aerospace Engineering to get an overview of the field and its career paths.
Year 2: You’ll build on your fundamentals with courses like MATH 32 – Calculus III, MATH 33A – Ordinary Differential Equations, PHYS 51 – General Physics II, and AE 30 – Aerospace Engineering Fundamentals. You’ll also complete ENGR 10 – Introduction to Engineering and ENGR 100W – Engineering Reports to develop your technical writing and communication skills.
Year 3: You’ll move into core aerospace topics, including AE 112 – Aerospace Structural Analysis I, AE 114 – Aerospace Structural Analysis II, AE 138 – Vector-Based Dynamics for Aerospace Applications, AE 160 – Aerodynamics I, and AE 167 – Aerospace Propulsion. Laboratory courses and hands-on projects in aerodynamics, structures, and flight mechanics are emphasized.
Year 4: Your final year focuses on advanced topics and design experience. You’ll take AE 164 – Aerothermodynamics, AE 168 – Aerospace Vehicle Dynamics & Control, and complete a major capstone sequence with AE 171A/B – Aerospace Engineering Design I & II, where you’ll work in teams to design, build, and test an aircraft or spacecraft system. Technical electives are available in areas like controls, materials, or management, and top students may participate in national design competitions or research projects.
Focus areas: Aerodynamics, propulsion, flight mechanics, aerospace structures, spacecraft and aircraft design, dynamics and control, computational modelling, and laboratory experimentation.
Learning outcomes: Graduates master the principles of aerospace engineering, develop strong problem-solving and teamwork skills, gain hands-on experience in design and testing, and are prepared for professional engineering roles or graduate study.
Professional alignment (accreditation): The program is accredited by ABET and delivered by SJSU’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, ensuring industry relevance and professional standards.
Reputation (employability rankings): San José State University is highly regarded for engineering in Silicon Valley and beyond, with strong industry connections and a record of graduate employability in aerospace, defense, and high-tech sectors.
San José State University’s BS in Aerospace Engineering program offers students a robust, hands-on education supported by specialised laboratories and direct access to advanced engineering equipment and environments.
Here’s how San José State supports your hands-on learning experience:
Aerodynamics Laboratory (ENGR 107): Features an AEROLAB educational wind tunnel system capable of airspeeds from 10 mph to over 145 mph, with data acquisition systems, force/moment balances, and flow visualisation tools. Students conduct experiments on pressure distributions, lift and drag, boundary layers, and stability using models like a 1:48 scale F-16 and various airfoil and drag shapes. Lab courses include subsonic and, soon, supersonic wind tunnel experiments, with the latter offering Mach numbers up to 4 and advanced instrumentation for shock and expansion wave visualisation.
Aerospace Dynamics & Control Lab: Supports hands-on learning in flight control systems and dynamics, using real-time data acquisition and control hardware. Students work on projects involving aircraft stability, control surfaces, and flight simulation.
Aerospace Structures Lab: Provides facilities for structural analysis and testing, including experiments on material strength, deformation, and failure relevant to aircraft and spacecraft components. Students use industry-standard equipment to analyze and test aerospace materials and assemblies.
Rocketry Lab: Allows students to design, build, and test model rockets, gaining experience in propulsion, aerodynamics, and flight testing under faculty supervision.
Space Systems Engineering Lab: Focuses on satellite and space mission design, offering resources for systems engineering, integration, and testing of space hardware and software. Students engage in projects related to satellite subsystems, mission planning, and systems integration.
Collaborative and Technology-Enabled Spaces: The Interdisciplinary Science Building (in progress) will provide flexible learning spaces, smart laboratories, high-performance computing areas, and student collaborative zones designed for cross-disciplinary engineering work.
Proximity to Silicon Valley Industry: SJSU’s location enables frequent collaboration with leading aerospace and technology companies, offering students opportunities for internships, industry-sponsored projects, and exposure to real-world engineering challenges.
Graduates of San José State University’s BS in Aerospace Engineering are ready to launch dynamic careers as aerospace engineers, systems designers, research analysts, and test engineers at top companies like NASA, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and SpaceX. Many alumni also pursue advanced study, building on the program’s strong foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering.
Here’s how SJSU helps you reach your career goals:
Personalised Career Support: SJSU’s Department of Aerospace Engineering provides dedicated academic advising and connects students with professional societies such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Sigma Gamma Tau. You’ll have access to a 4-Year Roadmap and must maintain a “C” or better in all major courses to ensure academic and professional readiness.
Outstanding Employment Outcomes: SJSU boasts an 88% undergraduate placement rate, with graduates earning an average starting salary of $70,386 per year. Top employers include Apple, Cisco, Google, Amazon, Intel, Meta, and NVIDIA, reflecting the university’s strong industry reputation and Silicon Valley connections.
Industry & Research Partnerships: Students gain hands-on experience through national design-build-fly aircraft competitions and design-build-launch spacecraft projects, often mentored by NASA engineers and industry experts. SJSU’s location in Silicon Valley provides unique internship and job opportunities with leading aerospace and tech companies.
Accreditation & Lasting Value: The BS in Aerospace Engineering is fully accredited and recognized nationally and internationally, ensuring your degree is respected by employers and graduate schools worldwide.
Graduate Outcomes: The curriculum covers Aerospace Structural Analysis, Vector-Based Dynamics, Rigid Body Dynamics, Automatic Control Systems Design, and Aerodynamics. You’ll develop advanced skills in aerodynamics, flight mechanics, structures, control systems, and spacecraft design, supported by modern labs and computational facilities.
Further Academic Progression: After completing your BS in Aerospace Engineering at SJSU, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering at SJSU or other leading institutions. The program’s rigorous preparation and strong industry ties also support continued professional development and certification, setting you up for leadership roles in research, design, or management.
Official transcripts from Grade 9 to Grade 11th. For 12th Grade your school counselor should send the predictedLetters of Recommendation are optionalInternational Freshman applicants are encouraged to submit SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and math) or ACT composite scores to be eligible for admissionEarn the equivalent of a U.S. 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or an average of “B” gradesSuccessfully complete three years of college preparatory mathematics with a minimum grade of “C-” or betterYou may be granted college credit if you have taken "O" level examinations, A” Level or “AS” Level Examinations, CBSE class XII examinations or IB Higher Level examsHighlight research experience, science competitions, or unique extracurriculars in your applicationPortfolio, project links, or YouTube channel to enhance your application (optional)Appli via the Cal State Applicant PortalAerospace EngineerFlight Test EngineerStructural AnalystSystems EngineerPropulsion EngineerAvionics EngineerMission PlannerSatellite Systems EngineerAerodynamics SpecialistResearch and Development Engineer
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