PandaChainz
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2020
- Messages
- 2
How different are the two majors, and how is the lab experience at USAFA? On the admissions website, it seems like aeronautical engineering offers more career paths than astronautical.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Aeronautical vs Astronautical Engineering
- Thread starter PandaChainz
- Start date
BuckeyeDad20
Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2019
- Messages
- 317
Panda,
My DS who is a 2024 has the same discussion going on in his head. He recently got some clarification through talking with some of the department heads at USAFA during Majors Night and an Aero Open House. I'll relay some of the info he shared with me.
First off - whats the difference? There about 9 classes different between the two majors. Program highlights include: Astro has a higher level class where they spend a week at Johnson Space Center, go to the Astronaut simulators and talk to astronauts. Aero has a class where they go to Edwards and get a flight in a T-38 and record data. Here is a video about the Aero program they forwarded to him: USAFA Aero Majors talk about the Major
A lot of cadets are encouraging him to go Astro because Aero is "harder". They make comments about Aero guys doing homework and labs all the time. Engineering vs other could be like this, but I don't know if there is that much difference in the workload among Electrical, Mechanical, Aero, Astro, etc. so they may just be lumping in engineering, I don't really know.
A lot of cadets were asking "How do I become an Astronaut" on the Astro Meeting. The Astro Dept head said it doesn't really matter if you are Aero or Astro if your goal is Astronaut. But he recommends Astro in general. The Aero Head said a similar thing about astronaut training and recommends Aero. That is to be expected - both are proud of their programs so I would hope they would both recommend their own program.
As far as career paths in the USAF. I have no recent info, but I don't believe Aero vs Astro is going to impact your career much. Engineering vs Economics or Engineering vs MSS might, Aero vs Electrical probably doesn't change much to be honest. I was a EE and was put into space launch (this was 25 years ago so maybe something has changed). Given that Aero and Astro are so similar, I don't think you will see much of a difference career wise just as a result of the major. If someone has more recent experience that contradicts this, please share.
My DS is leaning towards a double major in Aerospace and Applied Math. His has his PPL and wants to be a test pilot so he thinks he will enjoy this more. You are not required to declare a major right away. The first year of academics is pretty standard for most of the Doolies so you have time to talk the departments and learn more when you get there, though my DS intends to declare in the next couple of weeks for a few reasons.
I would think about it if I were you. If you are applying, pick one as your choice knowing that you do not declare until later. When you get there, talk to upperclassman, talk to professors, and visit with them, then decide. He felt more confident about his decision after talking to the head of the Aero Dept who basically has the career that my DS wants - Fighter Pilot, Test Pilot, etc. That's one of the benefits of going to USAFA vs civilian college - you get access to people like that who can discuss these types of questions based on living it.
My DS who is a 2024 has the same discussion going on in his head. He recently got some clarification through talking with some of the department heads at USAFA during Majors Night and an Aero Open House. I'll relay some of the info he shared with me.
First off - whats the difference? There about 9 classes different between the two majors. Program highlights include: Astro has a higher level class where they spend a week at Johnson Space Center, go to the Astronaut simulators and talk to astronauts. Aero has a class where they go to Edwards and get a flight in a T-38 and record data. Here is a video about the Aero program they forwarded to him: USAFA Aero Majors talk about the Major
A lot of cadets are encouraging him to go Astro because Aero is "harder". They make comments about Aero guys doing homework and labs all the time. Engineering vs other could be like this, but I don't know if there is that much difference in the workload among Electrical, Mechanical, Aero, Astro, etc. so they may just be lumping in engineering, I don't really know.
A lot of cadets were asking "How do I become an Astronaut" on the Astro Meeting. The Astro Dept head said it doesn't really matter if you are Aero or Astro if your goal is Astronaut. But he recommends Astro in general. The Aero Head said a similar thing about astronaut training and recommends Aero. That is to be expected - both are proud of their programs so I would hope they would both recommend their own program.
As far as career paths in the USAF. I have no recent info, but I don't believe Aero vs Astro is going to impact your career much. Engineering vs Economics or Engineering vs MSS might, Aero vs Electrical probably doesn't change much to be honest. I was a EE and was put into space launch (this was 25 years ago so maybe something has changed). Given that Aero and Astro are so similar, I don't think you will see much of a difference career wise just as a result of the major. If someone has more recent experience that contradicts this, please share.
My DS is leaning towards a double major in Aerospace and Applied Math. His has his PPL and wants to be a test pilot so he thinks he will enjoy this more. You are not required to declare a major right away. The first year of academics is pretty standard for most of the Doolies so you have time to talk the departments and learn more when you get there, though my DS intends to declare in the next couple of weeks for a few reasons.
I would think about it if I were you. If you are applying, pick one as your choice knowing that you do not declare until later. When you get there, talk to upperclassman, talk to professors, and visit with them, then decide. He felt more confident about his decision after talking to the head of the Aero Dept who basically has the career that my DS wants - Fighter Pilot, Test Pilot, etc. That's one of the benefits of going to USAFA vs civilian college - you get access to people like that who can discuss these types of questions based on living it.
Plus one I will add to the good info from BuckeyDad20...my 2024 DS said that astro seems to have a heavy emphasis on satellites as opposed to say rocket propulsion. Aero has more of a propulsion track for jet engines. Just depends what you are more interested in. Good luck.
They’ll have plenty of time to feel it out when they get here and decide what major they want to pursue.
Can’t tell you how many kids I know here that said they were going to be a double-major, minor, IC, STO, fighter pilot and then failed Calc 1 or Physics 110.
Deadline to pick a major isn’t until October of your 3* year.
Can’t tell you how many kids I know here that said they were going to be a double-major, minor, IC, STO, fighter pilot and then failed Calc 1 or Physics 110.
Deadline to pick a major isn’t until October of your 3* year.
Quick question if I dual enrolled and passed my IB exams for certain STEM courses do I still need to take them for the major?They’ll have plenty of time to feel it out when they get here and decide what major they want to pursue.
Can’t tell you how many kids I know here that said they were going to be a double-major, minor, IC, STO, fighter pilot and then failed Calc 1 or Physics 110.
Deadline to pick a major isn’t until October of your 3* year.
BuckeyeDad20
Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2019
- Messages
- 317
JP51, My DS did AP not IB so I can't speak directly to IB. My DS did validate 7 or 8 classes though through AP and the Math Placement test. He is currently taking Calc 3. My casual understanding of IB is that it is akin to AP credit so you may be able to. I will say though that everyone except for two upperclassman warned him against validating classes because it is a more challenging route if you do. He had a couple C2C in his BCT cadre that validated classes and one was doing a double major so they talked to him and encouraged him to shoot for it so he did.
He validated Chem 100, and Calc I&II. His high school only offered Physics A and you need B &C or something like that so he is taking Physics 110. The other classes he validated were Foreign Language x 2, Behavioral Science, English and I think one other but can't remember. The math placement test is a requirement regardless of AP score, he did a math placement test before BCT at home and then they had him do another one during BCT to place him so regardless of your IB work, I assume you will have to take the placement test to determine your math.
Be aware though that validating several classes creates some logistical issues - they don't like putting Doolies in Sophomore classes so he is taking one less class this semester since they wouldn't put him in a class with C3C. So certain classes he couldn't take because of pre-reqs, the other classes he could take are normally C3C classes and the counselor wouldn't let him take any of them.
Obviously it is too early to say if it was the right choice for him, he is doing great, but the semester isn't even halfway through yet. Next semester will start showing the impact of his decision and we'll see how he responds. To add a Math double major requires 7 additional classes and since he validated 7, it is much more doable. So, by validating, he gave himself a better shot at the double major, but if he struggles, he can back off and adjust his schedule accordingly as needed. He quoted T.S. Elliot to me to express his perspective, "If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?"
He validated Chem 100, and Calc I&II. His high school only offered Physics A and you need B &C or something like that so he is taking Physics 110. The other classes he validated were Foreign Language x 2, Behavioral Science, English and I think one other but can't remember. The math placement test is a requirement regardless of AP score, he did a math placement test before BCT at home and then they had him do another one during BCT to place him so regardless of your IB work, I assume you will have to take the placement test to determine your math.
Be aware though that validating several classes creates some logistical issues - they don't like putting Doolies in Sophomore classes so he is taking one less class this semester since they wouldn't put him in a class with C3C. So certain classes he couldn't take because of pre-reqs, the other classes he could take are normally C3C classes and the counselor wouldn't let him take any of them.
Obviously it is too early to say if it was the right choice for him, he is doing great, but the semester isn't even halfway through yet. Next semester will start showing the impact of his decision and we'll see how he responds. To add a Math double major requires 7 additional classes and since he validated 7, it is much more doable. So, by validating, he gave himself a better shot at the double major, but if he struggles, he can back off and adjust his schedule accordingly as needed. He quoted T.S. Elliot to me to express his perspective, "If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?"
Thank you very much this is very helpful.JP51, My DS did AP not IB so I can't speak directly to IB. My DS did validate 7 or 8 classes though through AP and the Math Placement test. He is currently taking Calc 3. My casual understanding of IB is that it is akin to AP credit so you may be able to. I will say though that everyone except for two upperclassman warned him against validating classes because it is a more challenging route if you do. He had a couple C2C in his BCT cadre that validated classes and one was doing a double major so they talked to him and encouraged him to shoot for it so he did.
He validated Chem 100, and Calc I&II. His high school only offered Physics A and you need B &C or something like that so he is taking Physics 110. The other classes he validated were Foreign Language x 2, Behavioral Science, English and I think one other but can't remember. The math placement test is a requirement regardless of AP score, he did a math placement test before BCT at home and then they had him do another one during BCT to place him so regardless of your IB work, I assume you will have to take the placement test to determine your math.
Be aware though that validating several classes creates some logistical issues - they don't like putting Doolies in Sophomore classes so he is taking one less class this semester since they wouldn't put him in a class with C3C. So certain classes he couldn't take because of pre-reqs, the other classes he could take are normally C3C classes and the counselor wouldn't let him take any of them.
Obviously it is too early to say if it was the right choice for him, he is doing great, but the semester isn't even halfway through yet. Next semester will start showing the impact of his decision and we'll see how he responds. To add a Math double major requires 7 additional classes and since he validated 7, it is much more doable. So, by validating, he gave himself a better shot at the double major, but if he struggles, he can back off and adjust his schedule accordingly as needed. He quoted T.S. Elliot to me to express his perspective, "If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?"