Aerospace Engineering Syllabus

Semester 1

• Calculus
• Engineering Physics
• Engineering Chemistry
• Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
• Basic Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Graphics
• Communication Skills
• Physics Laboratory
• Basic Engineering Workshop

Semester 2

• Vector Calculus and Differential Equations
• Computer Programming
• Materials Science and Metallurgy
• Basic Electronics
• Engineering Mechanics
• Chemistry Laboratory
• Electrical and Electronics Laboratory
• Programming Laboratory

Semester 3

• Linear Algebra and Complex Analysis
• Engineering Thermodynamics
• Mechanics of Solids
• Fluid Mechanics
• Manufacturing Technology
• Machine Elements and Drawing
• Strength of Materials Laboratory
• Manufacturing Workshop

Semester 4

• Numerical Methods
• Aerodynamics
• Heat Transfer
• Applied Dynamics
• Mechanical Vibrations
• Aerospace Structural Mechanics
• Thermal and Fluid Laboratory
• Materials or Metrology Laboratory

Semester 5

• Compressible Flow
• Aircraft Structures
• Aerospace Propulsion
• Flight Mechanics
• Control Theory
• Experimental Aerodynamics
• Structures Laboratory
• Propulsion Laboratory

Semester 6

• Flight Stability and Control
• Spaceflight Mechanics
• Rocket Propulsion
• Aerospace Sensors and Measurements
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Engineering Design Optimisation
• Flight Simulation Laboratory
• Computational Laboratory

Semester 7

• Aircraft Design
• Spacecraft Technology
• Avionics
• Aerospace Manufacturing
• Heat Transfer
• Department Elective
• Seminar
• Internship or Mini Project

Semester 8

• Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity
• Space Mission Design
• Department Elective
• Major Project
• Comprehensive Viva Voce
• Project Presentation

This is a representative curriculum and must be labelled accordingly. Students should consult the official syllabus for the institution and academic year.

Core subjects

Engineering Mathematics: Aerospace students use calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, vectors, probability, statistics, Fourier analysis and numerical methods.

Engineering Physics: Physics provides the foundation for motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity and material behaviour.

Fluid Mechanics: Fluid Mechanics examines the motion of liquids and gases. It introduces conservation laws, viscosity, pressure, boundary layers and turbulence.

Aerodynamics: Aerodynamics applies fluid principles to bodies moving through air. Topics include airfoils, wings, lift, drag, pressure distribution, flow separation and shock waves.

Compressible Flow: At high speed, air-density changes become important. Students study Mach number, nozzles, shock waves and expansion waves.

Thermodynamics: Thermodynamics studies energy, heat and work and supports engine and propulsion analysis.

Heat Transfer: Heat Transfer includes conduction, convection and radiation. Aerospace applications include engines, high-speed vehicles and spacecraft thermal control.

Aerospace Propulsion: Propulsion study may cover piston engines, propellers, gas turbines, turbojets, turbofans, ramjets and rockets.

Solid Mechanics: Solid Mechanics covers stress, strain, bending, torsion and deformation.

Aerospace Structures: Aerospace Structures deals with lightweight load-bearing components. Important concepts include buckling, fatigue, fracture and structural idealisation.

Flight Mechanics: Flight Mechanics examines aircraft performance during take-off, climb, cruise, turning, descent and landing.

Stability and Control: This subject studies aircraft response to disturbances and control inputs.

Control Theory: Control Theory introduces feedback, dynamic systems, stability and controller design.

Avionics: Avionics covers sensors, instruments, communication, navigation, embedded systems and flight computers.

Orbital Mechanics: Orbital Mechanics examines spacecraft motion under gravitational forces.

Spacecraft Technology: Students learn spacecraft configuration, power, thermal control, communication, attitude control and mission operation.

Aerospace Materials: The course can cover aluminium alloys, titanium, steels, superalloys, composites, ceramics and polymers.

Manufacturing Technology: Manufacturing subjects can include machining, forming, joining, composite production, additive manufacturing and inspection.

Computational Fluid Dynamics: CFD uses numerical methods to model fluid flow. Students must learn meshing, boundary conditions, convergence, verification and validation.

Finite-Element Analysis: FEA is used for structural, vibration and thermal analysis.

Aircraft Design: Aircraft Design integrates aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, performance, control, systems and manufacturing.

Rocket Propulsion: Rocket Propulsion covers propellants, combustion, nozzles, engine performance and staging.

Aeroelasticity: Aeroelasticity studies interactions between aerodynamic forces, structural deformation and motion.

Common electives

• Applied Aerodynamics
• Aeroacoustics
• Advanced Aerospace Structures
• Advanced Propulsion Systems
• Hypersonic Aerodynamics
• Rotorcraft Aerodynamics
• Composite Structures
• Experimental Aerodynamics
• Space Mission Design
• Satellite Technology
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Guidance and Navigation
• Computational Structural Mechanics
• Fracture Mechanics
• Gas-Turbine Engineering
• Aircraft Maintenance
• Aviation Safety
• Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

Postgraduate syllabus

A representative M.Tech structure may include:

Semester 1

• Mathematical Methods for Engineers
• Flight Vehicle Aerodynamics
• Aerospace Structural Mechanics
• Advanced Propulsion
• Finite-Element Methods
• Technical Elective
• Simulation Laboratory

Semester 2

• Composite Structures
• Aircraft Control and Simulation
• Aerospace Sensors
• Computational Aerospace Design
• Rocket and Missile Technology
• Technical Electives
• Propulsion or Structures Laboratory

Semester 3

• Seminar
• Mini Project
• Research Methodology
• Dissertation Phase I
• Technical Elective

Semester 4

• Dissertation Phase II
• Seminar
• Project Review
• Thesis and Viva Voce

Laboratory work

A good programme can include:

• Wind-tunnel testing
• Flow visualisation
• Pressure measurement
• Airfoil experiments
• Jet experiments
• Propulsion demonstrations
• Structural testing
• Material testing
• Vibration measurement
• Flight simulation
• Control-system experiments
• Avionics experiments
• CAD and numerical analysis
• Rocket or UAV project work

Students should learn to estimate experimental uncertainty and compare observations with theoretical predictions.

Project ideas

• Design of an unmanned aerial vehicle
• Airfoil performance analysis
• Winglet optimisation
• Drone flight controller
• Composite wing analysis
• Aircraft landing-gear study
• Rocket-nozzle simulation
• Satellite attitude-control model
• Propeller performance study
• Flight-path optimisation
• Structural health monitoring
• Wind-tunnel instrumentation
• Spacecraft thermal analysis
• Aircraft noise-reduction study
• Additive-manufactured aerospace component
• Reusable launch-vehicle concept
• Electric aircraft performance analysis

A final-year project should define its objective, assumptions, method, validation and limitations.