Aerospace Engineering (Autonomous Vehicle Systems), BSE
Be part of the future of aerospace innovation with the expertise you'll build in this program. Learn the advanced engineering principles behind self-navigating aircraft, intelligent spacecraft and next-generation transportation systems operating across air and space.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Degree description
Emerging emphasis on autonomous aircraft technology and operations in military and civilian sectors signals a new era within the aeronautical community that is focused on autonomous vehicles and systems.
In the Bachelor of Science in Engineering program in aerospace engineering with a concentration in autonomous vehicle systems, you gain the knowledge and skills required for any career in aerospace engineering, plus those specific to unmanned aerial vehicles and systems.
The curriculum is structured to give you general exposure to the engineering of autonomous aircraft. In the autonomous vehicles concentration, you culminate your major study with a two-semester capstone design project that incorporates the multiple disciplines involved in the creation of autonomous vehicles. Capstone courses AEE 478 and AEE 479 are taken in consecutive semesters.
In the program, you are expected to attain the ability to:
- identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
- apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs, with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors
- communicate effectively with a variety of audiences
- recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must involve considering the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts
- function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives
- develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
All paths through this concentration satisfy accreditation criteria for aerospace engineering.
Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Aerospace Engineering Program Criteria.
Why specialize in autonomous vehicle systems at ASU?
You can start research long before graduate school through options like the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative and the Master's Opportunity for Research in Engineering, gaining early exposure to controls, robotics and autonomy work.
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering mechanical and aerospace faculty pursue cross-disciplinary questions spanning heat transfer and thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, structures and vibration, system dynamics and control, and design and manufacturing.
A two-semester integrated capstone paired with technical electives drawn from controls, signals and systems and machine learning gives you room to shape your own specialization within autonomous systems.
Additional details
Student organizations offer hands-on community and practice. The Sun Devil Robotics Club, which builds robotic arms and rovers for the University Rover Challenge through Design, Manufacturing, Control and Autonomous Navigation and Electrical Systems sub-teams, is a particularly strong match for this concentration, while the AIAA student chapter and Sun Devil Rocketry connect you to the broader aerospace scene.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| AEE 325 Aerospace Structures and Materials |
| AEE 360 Aerodynamics |
| AEE 361 Aerodynamics Laboratory |
| AEE 362 High-Speed Aerodynamics |
| EEE 202 Circuits I |
| FSE 100 Introduction to Engineering |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply principles of mathematics and science to solve complex engineering problems. (ABET Outcome)
- Apply engineering design to a student project with consideration of public welfare and other factors. (ABET Outcome)
- Develop and conduct engineering experiments, and analyze and interpret data. (ABET Outcome)
Apply principles of mathematics and science to solve complex engineering problems. (ABET Outcome)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
The admission standards for majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, shown below, are higher than minimum university admission standards. International students must meet the same admission standards, with the possible additional requirement of a minimum English language proficiency test score. If the university requires an English proficiency test score from the applicant, then admission to engineering requires requires a minimum total TOEFL iBT® score of 4 with a minimum section score of 3.5 (Reading: 3.5, Writing: 3.5, Listening: 3.5, Speaking: 3.5), or a score of 79 (taken at a testing center) if taken before Jan. 21, 2026; or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5; a minimum PTE score of 58; a minimum Duolingo English score of 105; or a minimum Cambridge English exam score of 176. First-year admission:
Transfer admission requirements:
Transfer students with fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours: Transfer students with 24 or more transferable college credit hours must meet EITHER the primary or the secondary criteria (not both): Primary criteria Secondary criteria
Admission requirements for many majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering are higher than university admission standards.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, aerospace engineering students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering recommends these programs for students majoring in aerospace engineering.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | 8.3% | $134,960 | Learn more |
| Energy Engineer | 3.7% | $122,930 | Learn more |
| Engineering Manager | 5.5% | $171,270 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Graduates are prepared for a career in the aerospace industry, focusing on unmanned vehicles.
The aerospace engineering program has the following program educational objectives:
Through activities such as volunteering, entrepreneurial endeavors, community service, and employment, graduates of the aerospace engineering program demonstrate commitment to the Sun Devil ideals of global engagement, social embeddedness, social transformation and sustainability.
Graduates of the program should have attained one or more of the following objectives within a few years of degree completion:
- employment in aerospace or other field in a position that capitalizes on the skills and abilities gained through the degree program in aerospace engineering, leading to positions of increasing responsibility and leadership within the organization
- admission to a graduate degree program in aerospace engineering or another technical field
- admission to a professional degree program, such as law or business, in accordance with the graduate's specific interests and abilities
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program
|
USE 138
semte@asu.edu
480-965-2335
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
