Aerospace Engineering

The Pigman College of Engineering offers multiple pathways to undergraduate admission -- both as an incoming freshman or transfer student.

Admission requirements for incoming freshmen can be accessed here.

Admission requirements for transfer students can be accessed here.

Engineering Standing

All incoming freshmen and transfer students admitted to the Pigman College of Engineering have their major listed as "Pre-Aerospace Engineering", "Pre-Biomedical Engineering", etc. on their admission letter and in our academic system, myUK. Engineering Standing will be achieved, and the pre- designation will be dropped from the major name, once the student achieves a minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum GPA in select courses. You may view the select courses in the University Bulletin.

Student organizations are an outgrowth of student interest and serve the needs of a variety of students. Many provide programs that supplement the classroom experience and extend into areas of service for the community. All provide learning and leadership training for participating students. Student organizations that are typical of interest to Aerospace Engineering students include the student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, which focuses on promoting aerospace involvement on campus, preparing for a career in aerospace and collaborating on projects that build hands-on skills while reinforcing classroom education; and SpaceLex, which builds large sounding rockets from scratch that compete internationally at the annual Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition. Significant participation also occurs regionally and nationally with the professional societies through attendance and active participation at professional meetings that are held across the United States.

Aerospace plays a significant role in Kentucky’s economy. Kentucky’s aerospace exports are the top export in the state and number three in the United States, behind only California and Washington. According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Kentucky exported more than $14.6 billion in aerospace products and parts in 2019. Kentucky is home to 79 aerospace-related facilities that employ over 19,000 people, including General Electric, Lockheed Martin, Belcan Corp., Raytheon, General Dynamics Group, and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.  The aerospace program will support Kentucky’s aerospace industry and promote economic development by training proficient aerospace engineers. 

At the national level, aerospace is one of the healthiest industrial segments of the US economy. The US accounts for approximately half of the world’s global aerospace production. Aerospace & Defense is the largest US deficit-reducing industry, effectively cutting the federal trade deficit by 10% (“2019 Facts & Figures: U.S. Aerospace & Defense”, Aerospace Industries Association). Employment of aerospace engineers in the US is projected to grow 6% from 2018 to 2028, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are also many emerging aerospace employment opportunities. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market is projected to grow at a rate of 10% from 2016 to 2024. Investment in space companies (e.g., SpaceX, OneWeb, and Telesat) reached a record high in 2018; and Morgan Stanley projects that the global space industry could generate revenue of more than $1 trillion by 2040, up from $350 billion currently.