Aerospace Engineering at USF
Take off with one of Florida’s newest and most exciting degree programs. The University of South Florida’s Aerospace Engineering program is opening doors to the next era of innovation in flight, space, and advanced air mobility.
Build the Skills Employers Want
At USF, you’ll gain the technical expertise and real-world experience to step directly into one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. From propulsion and aerodynamics to flight control and space exploration, our curriculum prepares you for the challenges and opportunities of aerospace engineering.
What You’ll Study
From day one, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of aerospace systems and explore advanced topics such as:
• Propulsion
• Flight stability and control
• Aerodynamics
• Space exploration
Launch your career and apply today!
Undergraduate Program Graduate Program
We’re here to help you launch your future. Contact us today!
Tyler Allen
jtallen16@usf.edu
Administrative Specialist (Undergraduate)
Diana Hamilton
dlhamilton@usf.edu
Administrative Specialist (Graduate)
Ahmad Vaselbehagh, PhD
vaselbehagh@usf.edu
Associate Professor and Aerospace Engineering Program Director
$19 Billion Florida Aerospace Industry
Why Choose Aerospace at USF?
• Direct Career Path: Florida is a $19 billion aerospace hub, employing 130,000+ professionals across aviation and space.
• Employer Connections: Tampa Bay alone is home to 300+ aerospace and defense companies, including Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, Airbus, and BAE Systems.
$1.8 Trillion Projected Space Economy by 2035 300+ Aerospace & Defencse Companies in Tampa Bay
• Florida is a Global Hub: Space launches from Florida nearly tripled between 2021 and 2024, with more spaceports and launch pads than any other U.S. state, anchored by Kennedy Space Center.
• Growth Industry: The space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.
• Statewide Commitment: Space Florida, established in 2006, unified the state’s spacerelated economic development under one streamlined entity. This investment has accelerated Florida’s leadership in aerospace and fueled a growing demand for highly skilled engineers.
Real-World Experiences
USF students don’t just learn in the classroom - they apply their knowledge in ways employers value:
• Faculty-led research sponsored by NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Space Force
• Advanced laboratories and technology
• Internship and co-op opportunities with aerospace and defense companies across Tampa Bay and beyond
Students contribute to pioneering projects in:
• Bio-inspired aerodynamics
• Alternative aviation fuels, including NASA’s CLEAN initiative
• Hypersonic flight
• Drone technologies and advanced air mobility (USF is home to the first full-scale, manned eVTOL vehicle at a U.S. public university)
“At USF, we are dedicated to advancing Florida’s aerospace legacy by cultivating the next generation of innovators and engineers. With the establishment of the aerospace program, we are poised to lead this mission and shape the future of the industry.”
Rajiv Dubey, PhD
Department Chair, USF Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
“Our program will actively involve undergraduates in cutting-edge research while also preparing them through structured internships and co-op opportunities. These experiences will allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom, build professional networks, and gain valuable insight from industry leaders.”
Ahmad Vaselbehagh, PhD
Associate Professor, USF Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Director, USF Aerospace Engineering Program
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Our faculty bring in more than $6 million annually in sponsored research funding. You’ll work alongside leading researchers who are shaping the future of aerospace engineering. And you’ll be part of the innovations that follow.
Your Future in Aerospace
With USF’s Aerospace Engineering degrees, you’ll graduate with the knowledge, connections, and experience to step directly into this rapidly expanding field. Graduates of USF’s Aerospace Engineering program are prepared for careers in:
• Aircraft and spacecraft design
• Space exploration and launch systems
• Advanced air mobility and drone technologies
• Defense systems engineering
• Research and development
With Florida’s global reputation in aerospace and USF’s industry partnerships, you’ll graduate ready to join the innovators shaping the future of flight.
Undergraduate Program
Dreaming of designing aircraft, exploring space, or solving the toughest engineering challenges? Our Aerospace Engineering Program is built to give you the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to take off! Here’s how your flight plan looks:
Freshman Year (28 credit hours)
Start strong with the foundations of math, science, and engineering! You’ll dive into Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering Fundamentals - all with labs that let you explore concepts firsthand. Along the way, sharpen your writing skills in Composition and explore the roots of our nation with courses in Government or History.
Sophomore Year (29 credit hours)
Take your learning to the next level with Calculus III, Physics II, Thermodynamics, Dynamics, and Mechanics of Solids. Build your problem-solving and decision-making skills with Statistics and Economics/Finance. You’ll also explore Modeling & Systems Analysis (or Differential Equations) while keeping your horizons broad with a Humanities elective.
Summer Boost (9 credit hours)
Summer isn’t just for the beach - it’s where you’ll level up your technical toolbox! Learn Programming Concepts, dive into CAD design, and explore the world of Materials Engineering.
Junior Year (27 credit hours)
Now it gets exciting! This year, you’ll soar into core aerospace courses: Aerodynamics, Fluid Systems, Compressible Flows, Flight, Vibrations, and Aerospace Labs. Plus, master Electrical Systems, Computational Methods, and Probability/Statistics - the tools real engineers use every day.
Senior Year (27 credit hours)
Your final approach! Take advanced courses in Propulsion, Controls, and Stability & Control. Then, tackle Capstone Design I & II, where you’ll work in a team to design, test, and present a real aerospace project. With Technical Electives, chosen from the following list, you can customize your journey toward space, aircraft, or emerging technologies:
• Introduction to Bioastronautics
• Aerostructures
• Orbital Mechanics
• Motion Planning and Control
• Space Systems
• Space Mission Design and Planning
• Space Exploration
• Unmanned Aerospace Systems
• Turbulence
• Supersonic and Hypersonic Flows
• Introduction to Composite Materials
• Applied Finite Element Analysis
By graduation, you won’t just have a degree, you’ll have the skills to innovate, design, and lead in one of the most exciting fields on Earth (and beyond!).
Leap. Engineer your future. Join Aerospace Engineering!
Foundations of Engineering and its laboratory
Physics 2 and its Laboratory
General Chemistry and its labratory Statistics
General Physics 1 and its laboratory Thermodynamics I
American National Government, or American History I, or American History 2
Analysis, or Microeconomics, or Personal Finance
and Analysis of Engineering Systems, or Differential equations
Education
M.S. Program
The Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering is a 30-credit-hour journey designed to elevate your expertise and accelerate your career.
You’ll build a strong foundation with nine credit hours of core and advanced math courses, including:
• Analysis in Mechanical Engineering
• Applied Elasticity
• Advanced Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
Dive deep into the field with nine credit hours of required Aerospace Engineering courses, featuring:
• Aerospace Systems
• Advanced Aerodynamics
• Advanced Aircraft Stability & Control
Then, customize your path with at least six credit hours of echnical electives, choosing from cutting-edge topics such as:
• Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics
• Turbulence
• Advanced Propulsion Systems
• Motion Planning
My students engage in a diverse range of projects aimed at advancing resilient autonomy in aerospace systems, with support from agencies such as the Air Force Research Laboratory. They play pivotal roles in these initiatives, contributing to both theoretical research, such as adaptive and distributed control, and hands-on experimentation using platforms like multirotor UAVs, autonomous ground vehicles, and full-scale Hexa eVTOL aircraft.
Current student-led efforts include control systems for hypersonic vehicles, swarm coordination for UAVs, and safety frameworks for urban air mobility. These experiences equip our students with the skills and insight to become future leaders in academia and industry.
Tansel Yucelen, PhD Professor, USF Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Ph.D. Program
Are you ready to push the boundaries of discovery and innovation? Our Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering is designed for ambitious thinkers who want to transform bold ideas into world-changing research. Whether your passion lies in advanced flight systems, aerodynamics, propulsion, or space exploration, this program will prepare you to lead in academia, industry, and government research.
Core & Math Foundation (nine credit hours)
Build a strong advanced toolkit with courses in Analysis in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Elasticity, and Advanced Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics.
Aerospace Engineering Core (nine credit hours)
Deepen your expertise through Aerospace Systems, Advanced Aerodynamics, and Advanced Aircraft Stability & Control.
Technical Electives (18+ credit hours)
Customize your path! Choose advanced electives tailored to your research interests—from propulsion and flight dynamics to cutting-edge computational methods, including Introduction to Bioastronautics, Aerostructures, Orbital Mechanics, Motion Planning and Control, Space Systems, Space Mission Design and Planning, Space Exploration, Unmanned Aerospace Systems, Turbulence, Supersonic and Hypersonic Flows, Introduction to Composite Materials, and Applied Finite Element Analysis.
Doctoral Dissertation (20+ credit hours)
The heart of the Ph.D. experience is conducting original research, making discoveries, and contributing to the future of aerospace engineering.
Additional Coursework (up to 16 credit hours)
Collaborate with your major professor and graduate program director to complement your program with courses that align precisely with your research objectives.
Do you already have a master’s degree?
Great news! Your M.S. coursework can be applied toward the Ph.D. credit-hour requirement, giving you a head start on your research journey. By the end of the program, you won’t just earn a degree—you’ll shape the future of aerospace engineering. From high-speed aerodynamics to next-gen space systems, your work will be at the forefront of discovery.
Beyond the Curriculum
At USF, aerospace engineering isn’t just about what happens in the classroom—it’s about taking your learning to new heights with experiences that go far beyond textbooks and lectures.
Industry Connections
We’re building a strong network with local aerospace companies to create internship and co-op opportunities for our students. These experiences let you learn directly from industry experts, apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, and grow a professional network that can help launch your career after graduation.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Want to work on the cutting edge of aerospace discovery? Join our faculty-led research labs and contribute to state-of-the-art projects sponsored by NASA, the Department of Defense, and industry partners. Undergraduate research allows you to gain hands-on experience, explore your passions, and prepare for graduate studies or future career paths. (See the Research section to learn more)
“Being a part of the Small Satellite Society at USF gives students the opportunity to take part in a real aerospace project that launches classroom knowledge into action. From designing, building, and testing hardware, you’ll gain hands-on experience that’s exciting, collaborative, and directly connected to the future of space exploration.”
Alecia Bechtold Vice President of the Small Satellite Student Club
Student Clubs and Competitions
Get involved with exciting student organizations like the Society of Aeronautics and Rocketry (SOAR), USF’s student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), or SmallSat.
These groups give you the chance to compete in national design competitions, build rockets, design satellites, and collaborate with peers - all while having fun and gaining hands-on engineering experience.
“USF’s Society of Aeronautics and Rocketry (SOAR) turns passion for engineering into hands-on experience, giving students the chance to design, build, and launch rockets while growing as engineers and leaders.
With SOAR, The Sky is Not the Limit.”
Kyle Shum
Senior Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Student and SOAR President
Research
At USF Aerospace Engineering, research isn’t just something we talk about - it’s something you’ll live. Our faculty and students are pushing the frontiers of discovery across air, space, and beyond. Whether you’re fascinated by hypersonic flight, rocket propulsion, or cutting-edge simulations, our program puts you at the forefront of aerospace discovery. Here, you won’t just learn about research - you’ll do it.
Systems & Control
Aero Propulsion
Space Propulsion
Space Mission Planning
Space Exploration & Orbital Mechanics
Aerodynamics
Supersonics & Hypersonics
Turbulence
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Aviation Human Factors
Flight Simulator Design
Dynamics & Vibrations
Composite Materials
Dr. Yucelen, Dr. Sargolzaei, Dr. Halder)
Dr. Vaselbehagh, Dr. Kim
Dr. D’Ambrosio
Dr. Liu
Dr. D’Ambrosio
Dr. Tiomkin, Dr. Murphey, Dr. Vaselbehagh
Dr. Pandey
Dr. Vaselbehagh, Dr. Murphey, Dr. Mao
Dr. Mao, Dr. Vaselbehagh
Dr. Carey, CP Jois
CP Jois
Dr. Hess, Dr. Shetty
Dr. Kaw
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Undergraduate Program Graduate Program
