Expert: Paul Soderman - 6/5/2010

Question
Dear sir ,
I am a student who finished my grade 12 and i wish to pursue a career in aviation...please tell me which one is more preffered and has a wider scope , aerospace or aeronautical engg. ?
Also if u could please tell me the detailed differences between them apart from their classification........hoping your reply soon

Answer
Aerospace engineering and aeronautical engineering are almost the same thing.  Aerospace refers to air and space.  Aeronautics refers to air.  So an aerospace study program might offer a few courses in orbital mechanics and rocket launch physics.  But 95% of the courses deal with the physics of flight in air and other science/math subjects, the same as aeronautical engineering programs.  So I would enter either program and be happy in my choice.  In fact, the school at which I studied (U. of Washington, Seattle) offered a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering (which is the same as Aerospace Engineering).  They decided to cover all bases, as we say, because they couldn't decide which was more important. So, don't worry about it.  Both are good.