Undergraduate Programs -
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can I learn more about the Department and the School of Engineering?
There are many several opportunities for prospective students and their families to learn about the department.
1) Engineering Information Sessions are given every Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in 1102 Martin Hall.
2) The department participates in the University’s Open Houses or Visit Maryland Days .
On these days, you and your family can:
- speak with department faculty and staff
- meet current students
- take tours of department research labs and campus services
- learn more about our academic and student services
3) Maryland Day takes place every year on the last Saturday in April. This campus open house will feature tours of several aerospace and other engineering research centers and labs. The Dean will give information sessions on the Clark School of Engineering, and faculty, students, and staff will be on hand to answer questions. In addition, our students participate in a design competition with other engineering students that visitors can participate in.
What makes the University of Maryland's aerospace program different from other schools?
The Department of Aerospace at Maryland is unique in several ways. Due to our large research budget, over half of our undergraduate students are employed in one of our research labs on campus. These research opportunities may begin as early as your freshman year, but most students begin their employment in their sophomore year. Our students are able to take the knowledge gained in the classroom and utilize it in a hands-on experience in a research lab or center.
We are located in a geographical area which is rich in Co-op, internships, summer and full-time job opportunities. The campus is less than five minutes from NASA Goddard and the College Park Metro Station which is part of the Washington, D.C. Metro System. Numerous industry and government posts can be obtained in and around the D.C. and Baltimore corridor.
The Department of Aerospace is a stand-alone department, meaning that we are not part of larger department, but instead are a separate and distinct discipline. On some campuses, aerospace is a division of the mechanical engineering department. At Maryland, we have approximately 17 professors who predominantly or solely teach aerospace courses to our undergraduate and graduate students.
Do we teach these professions?
Air Traffic Controller?
Aircraft Mechanic?
Airplane Pilot?
In short, no. Aerospace Engineering is the study of systems that move through a medium such as space or the atmosphere but can include such items as automotive and naval applications. Aerospace engineers begin with a mission profile and determine the necessary specifications for a system to perform the mission. They integrate concepts from propulsion, structures, controls, aerodynamics, dynamics into a working vehicle while performing tradeoffs among performance, utility, and cost. Please visit The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for more information. Individual links for each profession are provided above.
What should I take in high school to prepare for a degree in Aerospace?
Students interested in pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering should take courses in Chemistry, Physics and high-level math, such as Pre-calculus or Calculus. If you plan on taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams, make sure you are taking the right exam for the courses required for a bachelor’s degree in aerospace at Maryland. AP exam information can be found in the University of Maryland’s Undergraduate Catalog.
How long does it take to complete a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at Maryland?
Approximately 80% of our students graduate within four academic years of beginning their degree. The time it takes to complete the coursework depends on many factors including participation in Co-op or internships, the number of courses taken each semester, taking courses in the summer or winter terms, and which courses are taken and if they are applicable to a degree in aerospace. Many of our courses are only offered once per academic year and this must be taken into consideration when planning your schedule of classes each year.l
GENERAL ENGINEERING COLLEGE QUESTIONS
How many students apply to the Clark School?
Applications 1878
Admissions 1373 (73%)
Enrollments 537 (39.1% of admissions)
How many students are in the Clark School?
4408 total – 2782 undergraduates and 1626 graduates
What is the average SAT?
50% of the students fall in the range of 1250-1400
What is the average high school GPA?
4.009
What is the percentage of women?
19.2% female in the college, 17.2% of undergraduate and 22.7% of graduate students are female
What is the percentage of minority students?
13.6% minority (African-American, American Indian and Hispanic)
