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AA-BS - Aeronautics and Astronautics (BS)

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Aeronautics and AstronauticsUndergraduate MatriculatedBS - Bachelor of Science

Program Overview

The mission of the undergraduate program in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering is to provide students with the fundamental principles and techniques necessary for success and leadership in the conception, design, implementation, and operation of aerospace and related engineering systems.

Courses in the major introduce students to engineering principles. Students learn to apply this fundamental knowledge to conduct laboratory experiments and aerospace system design problems. Courses in the major include engineering fundamentals, mathematics, and the sciences, as well as in-depth courses in aeronautics and astronautics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, autonomous systems, computational engineering, embedded programming, fluids engineering, and heat transfer.

The major prepares students for careers in aircraft and spacecraft engineering, autonomy, robotics, uncrewed aerial vehicles, drones, space exploration, air and space-based telecommunication industries, computational engineering, teaching, research, military service, and other related technology-intensive fields.

Completing the undergraduate program in Aeronautics and Astronautics leads to the conferral of the Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics.

See the Handbook for Undergraduate Engineering and the Aeronautics and Astronautics Undergraduate Program Sheet for additional information and sample programs.

Minimum Units in the Program

101

Minimum University Units

180
Completion requirement

Complete a total of 24 units from the courses listed below.

Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1172271
  • 1172291
  • 1172301
  • 2023541
    OR
    2023542
    OR
    1172571
  • 1043151
    OR
    1043152
    OR
    1172611
  • 2016572
    OR
    2085281
    OR
    2016571
    OR
    1253961
    OR
    2254081
AND
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1034531
  • 1035351
  • 1043162
    OR
    1172591
  • 1056641
    OR
    1056642
  • 2140171
  • 2085321
  • 1038311
  • 1042773
    OR
    2193643
  • 2155763
  • 1172581
    OR
    2183491
  • 1172601
    OR
    2183501
  • 1172621
    OR
    2183511
  • 1172891
  • 1172901
  • 1172931
  • 1172941
  • 1172961
  • 1173031
  • 1173071
  • 1173091
  • 2089871
  • 1173351
  • 1045201
  • 1045211
  • 2160851
  • 1253981
  • 1237822

Complete a total of 17 units from the courses listed below.

Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1122461
  • 1226171
    OR
    2208011
  • 1226191
  • 1226241
AND
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2121351
  • 1118501
  • 1118511
  • 2181841
  • 2193621
  • 2193661
  • 2193651
  • 2193671
  • 2193681
  • 2193751
  • 1119251
  • 1034381
  • 1034401
  • 1034411
  • 2042511
  • 2042531
  • 1122501
  • 1122531
  • 1122731
  • 2225792
  • 1290821
  • 2095052
  • 2114241
  • 1226371
  • 1226251

Complete 3-5 units from the courses listed below.

Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
  • 1032041
  • 2213101
  • 2046082
  • 2120991
  • 2161132
  • 1034551
  • 2247752
  • 2145761
  • 2023101
  • 2041791
  • 2253931
  • 2216301
  • 1055861
    OR
    2111611
  • 2213951
    OR
    2213961
  • 2241661
  • 2205711
  • 2243447
  • 2185951
  • 2198901
  • 1043131
  • 2206851
  • 2117255
    AND
    2038935
  • 2055941
  • 2194211
  • 1045334
  • 1230891
  • 2234232
  • 2151001
  • 2137911
  • 2199191

Complete 2 courses for a total of at least 8 units from the list below.

Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2195081
  • 1056441
    OR
    1056451
AND
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 2229961
  • 1042501
  • 1042551
  • 1042561
  • 1042571
  • 2152291
  • 1042731
  • 2109951
  • 2063461
  • 2234642
  • 1042773
    AND
    2193643
  • 2155752
  • 2221541
  • 2068962
  • 1034412
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1042551
  • 1042561
  • 1042961
  • 2196661
  • 1047891
  • 1030931
  • 2204801
    OR
    2258401
  • 2195111
  • 2204861
  • 2185452
  • 1048541

All courses taken for the major must be taken for a letter grade if the instructor offers that option.

The minimum combined GPA for all courses in engineering topics (Engineering Fundamentals and Depth courses) is 2.0.

Completion requirement
Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
  • 2204041
  • 2203201
  • 2226381
  • 2224704
  • 2266501
  • 2210641
  • 2204211
  • 2204451
  • 2245791
  • 2234531
  • 2215461
  • 2215363
    OR
    2215361
    OR
    2215362
  • 2258401
  • 1031091
  • 2240521
  • 1031121
  • 2268531
  • 2211391
  • 1032171
  • 1032311
  • 2031051
  • 2031061
  • 1038311

Independent Study Unit Limit Rule

Students may only take three units of independent study research courses course or course unless pursuing an AA honors degree.

Select either the Spacecraft or Aircraft course sequence to satisfy WIM requirement.

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1031732
    AND
    1031742
  • 2215491
    AND
    2215501
Completion requirement

Select either the Spacecraft or Aircraft course sequence.

Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1031732
  • 1031742
OR
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 2215491
  • 2215501
Completion requirement

The Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics honors program is designed to allow undergraduates with strong records and enthusiasm for independent research to engage in a significant project leading to a degree with departmental honors. 

Students who meet the eligibility criteria and wish to be considered for the honors program should apply to the program by the end of their junior year. All applications are subject to review and final approval by the Aero/Astro Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.

Application Requirements:

  • A one-page written statement describing the research topic and a signed advisor form

  • GPA of 3.5 or higher in the major

  • Unofficial Stanford transcript (from Axess)

  • Signature of the thesis advisor

  • A maintained 3.5 GPA is required for admission to the honors program.

  • Arrangement with an Aero/Astro faculty member who agrees to serve as the thesis advisor. The advisor must be a member of the Academic Council.

  • Under the direction of the thesis advisor, complete at least two to three quarters of research with a minimum of eight to nine units of course or course.

  • Submit an honors thesis (20-30 pages) to the department. The faculty advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Simone D’Amico must sign the thesis.

  • Submit final draft of the thesis to both your faculty advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Simone D’Amico the first week of Spring quarter. All thesis revisions must be completed with required faculty approvals obtained by April 30, 2026.

  • The signature and title pages of the finished thesis should be emailed to the School of Engineering Dean's Office by the end of May.

  • Honors students should present their thesis during spring quarter, after the thesis has been completed and approved by both the faculty advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Simone D’Amico. To schedule your presentation, please contact Student Services Administrator Jenny Scholes. Alternatively, you may present in another suitable public forum with the approval of your faculty advisor and the Department.

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1031091
  • 1031121