Expert: Paul Soderman - 9/14/2005

Question
I am helping my son begin a search for colleges on the West Coast-Rocky Mountain region that offer a bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering.

Can you provide me with a list of major universities on the West Coast and Rocky Mountain region we should check out or where can I go on the internet to find specific listings of universities offering the degrees.

Thank you

Answer
Hi Lee

The only school that I am sure offers a BS in Aeronautical Engineering (aero) is my alma mater U. of Washington.  It is an excellent school  that I recommend.  There may be others such as Cal Poly in Southern California or Texas A&M.  However, many universities such as Stanford, Cal Poly, and others offer a MS in aeronautical engineering.   In any case, all engineering schools offer Mechanical Engineering (ME), whch is very close to Aeronautical Engineering especially if the student take all the courses in fluid mechanics.  Many of my colleagues at NASA studied ME and were able to work very well as aero engineers.  Many others got a bachelor's degree in ME and then went to a graduate school that offered an MS in aero.  So, it would be quite reasonable for a student to find a good engineering school near you that offers ME, specialize in fluid mechanics, and then get a job in aero engineering or find a graduate progam in that subject.  I would be more concerned about the quality of the faculty and school then about the specific courses offered.  I hope this is clear.

Good luck.

Paul