B.S. in Astronautical Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering prepares students for engineering careers in the space sector of the aerospace industry; for research and development in industry and government centers and laboratories; and for graduate study. The program provides a core in the fundamentals of aerospace engineering; specialized work in astronautics and space technology; and technical electives to broaden and/or deepen the course work.

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Degree Requirements

The general requirements for B.S. degrees in Engineering are given in the appropriate section of the USC Catalogue. In the event that information on this website conflicts with that in the Catalogue, the Catalogue must be considered to be authoritative.

This major requires completion of the following course of study. Each course is listed in the semester in which it is typically taken. The student may take the courses in a different order than that shown, as long as any prerequisites for each course are met. Note that many engineering courses are offered only once per academic year, so care must be taken when altering the schedule.

FIRST YEAR, FIRST SEMESTER		UNITS
ASTE 101L	Introduction to Astronautics	4
ENGR 102	Freshman Academy	2
CHEM 105aL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL	Advanced General Chemistry, or
MASC 110L	Materials Science	4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
General Education	Social Issues	4
		_____
		18

FIRST YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER		UNITS
ITP 168	Introduction to Matlab	2
MATH 126	Calculus II	4
PHYS 151L*	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics	4
WRIT 130	Analytical Writing	4
		_____
		14

SECOND YEAR, FIRST SEMESTER		UNITS
AME 201	Statics	3
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism	4
General Education		4
		_____
		15

SECOND YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER		UNITS
ASTE 280	Foundations of Astronautics	3
AME 204	Strength of Materials	3
MATH 245	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I	4
PHYS 153L	Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics	4
General Education		4
		_____
		18

THIRD YEAR, FIRST SEMESTER		UNITS
ASTE 301a	Thermal and Statistical Systems I	3
ASTE 331a	Spacecraft Systems Engineering I	3
AME 301	Dynamics	3
AME 341aL	Mechoptronics Laboratory I	3
General Education		4
		_____
		16

THIRD YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER		UNITS
ASTE 301b	Thermal and Statistical Systems II	3
ASTE 331b	Spacecraft Systems Engineering II	3
AME 308	Computer-Aided Analysis for Aero-Mechanical Design	3
AME 341bL	Mechoptronics Laboratory II	3
WRIT 340	Advanced Writing	4
		_____
		16

FOURTH YEAR, FIRST SEMESTER		UNITS
ASTE 470	Spacecraft Propulsion	3
AME 404	Computational Solutions to Engineering Problems	3
AME 441aL	Senior Projects Laboratory	3
Elective	Technical elective**	3
General Education		4
		_____
		16

FOURTH YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER		UNITS
ASTE 421	Space Mission Design	3
ASTE 480	Spacecraft Dynamics	3
Elective	Technical elective**	6
General Education		4
		_____
		16

Total units:

129