A Legacy of Learn by Doing
Since its founding in 1927 as the Aeronautical Engineering Department, Cal Poly Aerospace Engineering has emphasized hands-on learning. Originally focused on aircraft maintenance and repair, the program gave students practical experience dismantling, overhauling and rebuilding airplanes. Working with airframes, engines, propeller-balancing equipment and engine test stands, students developed their skills through direct application.
Today, the Aerospace Engineering Department builds on that foundation, preparing students to tackle challenges in aeronautics and astronautics. Through a four-year program that connects theory with application, students explore aerodynamics, propulsion, stability and controls, and aircraft and spacecraft structures. Advanced undergraduate and graduate opportunities allow students to deepen their expertise through specialized coursework, laboratory experiences and research projects.
Our Mission
As faculty, students, and staff, we collaborate with the aerospace industry to build partnerships that promote excellence and innovation to serve diverse communities. We work as a team to provide an excellent Learn-by-Doing, systems and design focused engineering education; graduates are Day One ready professionals.
Our Vision
We provide the aerospace industry the best aerospace engineering workforce possible with individuals who are capable leaders, experts at solving complex problems, and drivers of innovation in the areas of aeronautics and astronautics.
PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Students who graduate from our Aerospace Engineering program with a B.S. will:
- Be life-long learners who continue to pursue professional development.
- Participate and thrive in a multi-disciplinary, systems-oriented work environment.
- Contribute to the solution of complex technical problems that exist in the global aerospace industry.
- Understand their ethical role as a professional engineer and strive to promote a practice of integrity and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
STUDENT OUTCOMES
The Aerospace Engineering (BS) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Aerospace Engineering. The Aerospace Engineering has adopted the following ABET Student Outcomes.
All graduates of our program shall demonstrate an ability to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Visit Aerospace Engineering
Interested in seeing Cal Poly Aerospace Engineering firsthand? Explore department and College of Engineering tours to learn more about the program. University tours, campus maps, parking information and a floor plan of Building 41 are also available to help you plan your visit.
