Astronautical Engineering

Return to: USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Robert Glenn Rapp Engineering Research Building (RRB)
(213) 821-5817
FAX: (213) 821-5819
Email: aste@usc.edu
astronautics.usc.edu
Chair: Mike Gruntman, PhD

Faculty

Professors: Daniel A. Erwin, PhD* (Aerospace Engineering); Mike Gruntman, PhD (Aerospace Engineering, Systems Architecting and Engineering); Joseph A. Kunc, PhD (Physics and Astronomy, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Architecting and Engineering); Azad Madni, PhD (Systems Architecting and Engineering)

Associate Professor: Joseph Wang, PhD

Professor of Engineering Practice: George Friedman, PhD (Systems Architecting and Engineering)

Adjunct Professors: Gerald Hintz, PhD; William Tobiska, PhD; James Wertz, PhD

Adjunct Associate Professors: Michael Kezirian, PhD; Ryan Park, PhD

Research Professors: David Barnhart; Herbert Schorr, PhD (Computer Science), Vice Dean for Engineering, Executive Director Emeritus, Information Sciences Institute

Adjunct Research Associate Professors: Sergey Gimelshein, PhD; Anita Sengupta, PhD

Adjunct Research Assistant Professor: James Humann, PhD

*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.

Aerospace Engineering Honor Society: Sigma Gamma Tau

Degree Requirements

Undergraduate Program Educational Objectives

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Astronautical Engineering has the following objectives:

Within a few years of graduation, graduates will:

Establish themselves as practicing professionals, or undertake advanced study, in astronautical engineering or a related field;
Demonstrate their ability to perform successfully as members of a team and function effectively as responsible professionals.

Undergraduate Program Criteria

The program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering prepares graduates to have knowledge of orbital mechanics, space environment, attitude determination and control, telecommunications, space structures and rocket propulsion. The program also prepares graduates to have design competence that includes integration of astronautical topics.

Engineer in Astronautical Engineering

Requirements for the Engineer degree in Astronautical Engineering are the same as set forth in the general requirements. See the general requirements for Viterbi graduate degrees.

Credit for classes may be applied toward the MS, Engineer or PhD in Astronautical Engineering, should the student decide later to pursue an advanced degree. In order to be admitted to the MS program, the student should maintain a B average or higher in courses for the certificate and must satisfy all normal admission requirements. All courses for the certificate must be taken at USC. It is anticipated that other classes on emerging space technologies will be added to the list of the offered classes in the future.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

• Astronautical Engineering (BS)

Minor

• Astronautical Engineering Minor

Master’s Degree

• Astronautical Engineering (MS)

University Certificate

• Astronautical Engineering Certificate

Doctoral Degree

• Astronautical Engineering (PhD)

Courses

Astronautics and Space Technology