Astronautical Engineering

[chrono13]

Hi everyone,

After much soul searching I chanced upon this term and yes - now I'm pretty sure that I want to do Astronautical Engineering. I ran around uni websites, so far I only found U of Southampton in UK that has this exact course. In the US there's Caltech (dreaming) Georgia Tech, Purdue, Texas A&M, Texas-Austin, Illinois Urbana Champaign and Maryland College Park.

That was quite a selection, so I need your help to recommend which one is good and realistic to apply to. I'm currently in Edexcel A-Levels in MCKL, doing double maths, physics and chemistry (Cinapek standard fare).

thanks a million in advance!

[AlternateF4]

Hi everyone,

After much soul searching I chanced upon this term and yes - now I'm pretty sure that I want to do Astronautical Engineering. I ran around uni websites, so far I only found U of Southampton in UK that has this exact course. In the US there's Caltech (dreaming) Georgia Tech, Purdue, Texas A&M, Texas-Austin, Illinois Urbana Champaign and Maryland College Park.

That was quite a selection, so I need your help to recommend which one is good and realistic to apply to. I'm currently in Edexcel A-Levels in MCKL, doing double maths, physics and chemistry (Cinapek standard fare).

thanks a million in advance!

If you don't mind widening your scope of studies, you can take Aerospatial instead of just astronautical engineering. That way, you will more choice. Aerospatial is both aeronautical and astronautical.

oh btw, you need to be real smart. ever did an IQ test? :P

[iKoMetaga]

To provide some background information:

"Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering behind the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft.[1] It is broken into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. The former deals with craft that stay within Earth's atmosphere, and the latter deals with craft that operate outside of Earth's atmosphere." (Wikipedia)

That being said, I think most engineering schools lump everything into Aerospace Engineering. My guess is that the the difference between both branches are implicitly implied within the overall course syllabus eg. degree program at UT-Austin http://www.ae.utexas.edu/students/0810GeneralChart.pdf
Notice from the syllabus that the space-related classes are contained in the Electives section, meaning its optional.
Major branch-offs might occur at graduate level, but again that is just my guess.

I am not taking Aerospace Engineering so I can't really tell you more beyond what you already found out on your own. But here are some bits of information you might find helpful.

Georgia Tech is amazing for undergraduate engineering in general (and also relatively easy to get it). Keep in mind that US College rankings are usually based off graduate programs, so don't be thrown off by its lower overall ranking.

Between UT Austin and Texas A@<hidden>: Both are good engineering schools, but Texas A@<hidden> has the slight edge in undergraduate programs. But student life varies greatly between both places (google College Station and Austin). Fees in A@<hidden> are half that of UT-Austin.

The Universities you provided are familiar with international students coming from a UK examination background so A-Levels (and your subjects) will be fine. Another plus is that you'll probably receive a hugeass amount of course credit from A-levels. (Possibly 28 of your total 120-ish required hours). So finish in 3 three years and save a bunch of money.

[KenT13]

I wanted to be an aerospace engineer too. NTU has this course also(close to home) = )

[chrono13]

What that matters to me currently is the availability of jobs after, say, I get that Astronautical Engineering. With the space travel programs and all happening in the US, I think the Land of Opportunities is a better bet. I knew that aero graduates can also work in other fields like chocolate manufacturing, but I'm really interested in space and if possible I wanna be actively involved in this field.

Astrospatial... another new term, have to look it up later. I never did an actual IQ test before though, do the unis look at your IQ when you apply?

@<hidden>, yeah i noticed that most other unis provides astronautics too under the name of aerospace. The list is based on me assuming that those unis who took the effort to make this specific course are genuinely concerned about this field.

btw, why I quoted "chocolate manufacturing" - 'coz this is one of the favourite quotes of a level physics to (i think) attract more of their people to do physics. :D

[KenT13]

Actually almost 50% people that worked with NASA have electical and electronic background. One does not really need to study specific course like aerospace engineering to get into this field, but what you said about job prospect is correct. Malaysia has limited jobs in this field but if you're really good in it, i think offers simply pour in. =( Some local Unis offer aerospace engineering too, but i doubt the quality of its education.

[chrono13]

That's good to know, but actually in physics as a whole, I'm not very interested in the electronics part. Alternative from aerospace I want to do materials, or my previous aim of physics degree. Problem is the physics degree is too wide a scope though.

But my dream is to be involved in space missions such as space probes and manned orbits, so astronautical/aerospace is my way to go. :)

[KenT13]

You mean you wanted to contribute to space exploration in a sense that you help to make those machine, equipments and plan those trips right? not going into space right? Lol

[chrono13]

Haha of course i want too, but i know my athletic limits.....

I already signed up for the MACEE appointment to ask them about astronautical engineering, which U (for my financial situation), any good scholarships for this field, etc. You have any other questions? I can help in asking them too.

[KenT13]

Yea, ask the person what should i do now to achieve my dream of going to US and work with NASA. I'm currently studying Form 6 now. . .Lower 6 in exact. Thank you very much. and also ask about scholarships that are available