Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs are designed to answer questions for prospective students, incoming freshmen, and transfer students. If you are a currently enrolled aerospace student, please refer to the FAQs on the Current Students tab.

Why CU Boulder?

  • Top 10 ranking for both undergraduate and graduate aerospace education among public universities by U.S. News & World Report.
  • CU Boulder is the #1 public university for NASA research funding
  • Boulder has one of the highest per-capita concentrations of highly educated workers, high-tech companies, and business startups.
  • We have a 180,000 sq. ft. dedicated aerospace building.
  • Our students develop in-depth technical knowledge, effective communication skills, and a systems engineering perspective through classroom and hands-on learning opportunities.
  • We have strong industry connections in a state that is a major hub for aerospace, home to significant operations for large companies, startups, academic institutions, and federal research labs.
  • Professors and students conducting research in an array of aerospace engineering sciences areas, including:
    • Orbital mechanics
    • Bioastronautics
    • Uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones)
    • Hypersonics
    • Autonomous systems
    • Remote sensing
    • Computational and fluid dynamics
  • Cubesats, Deep Space Probes, Full-Size Satellites - We are a top U.S. academic institution for the launch of small satellites and our students and professors are deeply involved in large-scale missions through direct research and partnerships with CU Boulder research institutes.
  • Spacebound Research - We design experimental and operational hardware for the International Space Station. In 2025, we launched 18 different payloads to the ISS.
  • Exploring Supercell Thunderstorms with Drones - We’re using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to study supercell thunderstorms that spawn tornadoes to improve advanced warning systems and enhance autonomous vehicle research.
  • Boosting Aerodynamic Performance for Hypersonic Vehicles - Leading a multi-university initiative conducting fundamental and experimental quantum materials research to mitigate turbulence and heat on hypersonic aircraft.
  • Home of the - LASP is the world’s only academic research institute to send instruments to all eight planets and Pluto. LASP more than 600 full time employees and 250+ students at the undergraduate and graduate level.

As an undergraduate, you will complete a curriculum of both aerospace-specific classes and courses critical to all engineers.

Broad coursework includes advanced mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Our dedicated aerospace offerings will teach you thermodynamics, space vehicles and aircraft, materials, propulsion, aero/fluid-dynamics, and orbital mechanics.

Technical electives offer you the chance to deepen your knowledge in specific areas, including: robotics, computing, remote sensing, human factors engineering, aerospace communications, and more.

You can find our full undergraduate requirements on our Curriculum page.

Our professors and students conduct research with local and national aerospace firms. Industry experts engage with students through internships, co-ops, and advise on student projects.Ìý

Recent industry mentors in our senior design program include: NASA JPL, Boeing, ULA, Northrop Grumman, RTX, General Atomics, and Lanteris Space Systems.

We host regular campus visits where national aerospace leaders meet with students. Over the last year, that has included astronauts, CEOs, and key civil space and military officials.

  • Colorado is the #1 state per capita for aerospace jobs.
  • The state is home to over according to research conducted by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
  • Large companies with significant operations in Colorado include: Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, General Atomics, Sierra Space, United Launch Alliance, and Arrow Electronics.
  • Colorado is home to multiple federal labs conducting aerospace-related research:
    • National Center for Atmospheric Research
    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    • National Laboratory of the Rockies
  • Many alumni are also able to build their career without leaving campus, securing full-time employment at CU Boulder's LASP is the world’s only academic research institute to send instruments to all eight planets and Pluto. It employs over 600 engineers, mission operators, data analysts, business administrators, and scientists.

Absolutely. Colorado is a major hub for aerospace with many large companies and space startups, There are over

Those employers include startups founded by Smead Aerospace graduates and current faculty members who have turned their research into products for industry.

If you want start your own business, CU Boulder has a dedicated Engineering Management program, with offerings at the undergraduate and graduate level, as well as programs to commercialize research developed on campus.

Undergraduate Admissions Questions

Questions about admissions are best answered by the Office of Admissions since the Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department doesn’t deal with any aspect of the undergraduate admissions process. Incoming freshmen from high school can find out more on the Office of Admissions website.Ìý

If you are coming from a community college or other university with 24 or more hours of record after high school graduation, you are considered a straight transfer student. More information about the process is available on the transfer students website. If you are pursuing a second undergraduate degree, you are also considered a transfer student.Ìý

International students can find more information about the admissions process on the International Admissions website.

Please begin by referring to the site, which includes general admission requirements as well as specific qualifications for admissions to the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Also, be sure to review the , which includes average GPA and test scores for incoming students.

Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences also recommends completion of the following courses:

  • Calculus-based Physics (AP Physics C - Mechanics, AP Physics C - Electricity & Magnetism)
  • Chemistry
  • Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, etc.
  • Calculus (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC) We recommend waiting until your junior or senior year so you don't forget the material.
  • Writing courses (students will be writing several papers and lab reports - writing skills are a must)

Please remember that these are courses we in the department recommend. However, you should work with the  to confirm you have taken all the courses required for admission to the university.Ìý

Please begin by referring to the Office of Admissions - Transfer Criteria ²õ¾±³Ù±ð. 

Our department also recommends the following courses to be eligible to take the sophomore-level ASEN courses:

  • Calculus-based Physics 1
  • Calculus 1 and 2
  • Programming (C, C++, Java, and/or MATLAB)
  • Chemistry (if not taken in high school)
  • Humanities courses (please check the  to find out what courses are considered humanities and social science)

MATLAB is the preferred language for Aerospace Engineering. To purchase a copy of MATLAB, please visit the  They have an excellent tutorial as well.

If you are attending a community college in Colorado, please review the community college transfers site, which includes full course requirements and transfer metrics.

If you are coming from an out-of-state institution, please check course equivalencies through Transferology. Remember these are courses we require for you to begin taking the sophomore-level aerospace courses. However, you should work with the  to confirm you have taken all the courses required for admission to the university.Ìý

All students must complete a programming course as it is one of the required courses. All ASEN courses use MATLAB programming extensively. However, if you are transferring from another university or college that does not offer MATLAB, we will accept a Programming 1 course in C, C++ or JAVA, but you will have to teach yourself how to program in MATLAB.Ìý

Evaluation of which courses transfer must be completed at the Office of Admissions.

They determine if a course will transfer and how it will transfer. University policy is that Transfer Credit Evaluation happens only after you have applied, been admitted, and have submitted your intent to enroll (and the enrollment deposit). However, you can visit the site for more information about what courses may transfer. If you are planning to transfer from a Colorado public institution, you may also want to refer to the for additional information.Ìý

If you are currently a CU Boulder student but your major is outside the College of Engineering & Applied Science, you will go through a process called Intra-University Transfer (IUT). The college has a lot of great information about the process on the . 

If you are already a student in the College of Engineering & Applied Science, you will complete the online Change of Major form.Ìý

Transferring in from another school typically adds about one year to your degree. This is because:

  1. Some CU Boulder aerospace classes are offered once a year and are prerequisites for each other.
  1. Not all credits from other universities will transfer into CU Engineering. Our courses are very specific, unique, and contain hands-on design & experimental labs in the context of a team environment. Some of the course content covered in the spring of the CU Boulder Aerospace sophomore year include topics that aren't covered in many other universities until junior or senior year.Ìý