Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Aviation and Aerospace Science (ASC) Major, B.S.


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Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science  

College of Aerospace, Computing, Engineering, and Design   

 
  Available Program Format(s): In-Person  

About the Program


All students must complete 33 semester hours of General Studies. Some General Studies courses are required by the major, so students would benefit from taking those courses for their General Studies courses. The Aviation and Aerospace Science curriculum guide, available in the AVS Department office, SS 102, lists recommended General Studies courses, each degree program with a recommended course sequence, and AVS policies and procedures. Students should schedule an advising session with an AVS faculty member early in their first semester in the department and each semester thereafter.

Student Outcomes


  • Demonstrate comprehension of the flight environment, including weather for VFR and IFR ops, airspace operations, navigation and positional awareness, and the variety of digital and physical flight resources and publications.  
  • Describe and explain aircraft performance, with respect to atmospheric conditions, aircraft capabilities, and resource and risk management including human factors, decision making, and situational awareness.  
  • Summarize aviation security strategies and implementations applied to airport and airline operations.  
  • Identify and summarize domain-accepted principles and practices, procedural methods, and industry standards germane to establishing a professional flight foundation. 

General Degree Requirements


To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements. 

Program Requirements


  • A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation. 
  • A grade of D- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required. 
  • A minor is not required for this program.  
  • A grade of “C-” or better is required in all upper division courses listed as part of the major, whether or not they are AES prefixed courses, including electives. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required. This requirement does not apply to General Studies classes.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits


Students should consult the General Studies Requirements  for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.  

  • Written Communication (6 credits) 
  • Oral Communication (3 credits) 
  • Quantitative Literacy (3 credits) 
  • Arts and Humanities (6 credits) 
  • Historical (3 credits) 
  • Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)

 

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences. 

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits


  • Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement  for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.  
  • Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement. 

Aerospace Operations Concentration (ASC1): 62 credits


This concentration is designed for those seeking career opportunities in aviation or aerospace operations, systems integration, or logistical planning. This degree also supports careers that integrate commercial venues of aerospace with aviation.

ASC1 Senior Experience: 3 credits


Professional Flight Officer Concentration (ASC2): 78 credits


Professional Flight Officer (ASC2): This concentration is designed for those planning a career as a professional pilot. A student choosing this concentration must have an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument Rating, and single-engine and multi-engine land rating, OR FAA Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI) OR the FAA Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) and Instrument Ground Instructor Certificates (IGI) before graduation. (For Lighter-than-Air category, a student must have the Advanced Ground Instructor Certificate.) Before enrolling in this concentration, ensure that you can obtain the appropriate FAA medical certificate. For a list of FAA medical examiners, see http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/.

Required Courses: 75 credits


ASC2 Senior Experience: 3 credits


Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Concentration (ASC3): 69 credits


Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (FAA AT-CTI) (ASC3):  The Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative concentration (ASC3), also known as the AT-CTI program, has been designed through a partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to provide a foundation for students interested in becoming FAA air traffic control specialists. MSU Denver is one of only 36 higher education institutions across the country designated by the FAA as part of its Collegiate Training Initiative and is an FAA-approved AT-CTI program. Weather, airspace, teamwork in aviation, navigation, and search and rescue are among the fundamentals covered in this course of study.

Summary of Requirements


Aerospace Operations Concentration (ASC1)

General Studies Requirements 33 credits
ESSJ Requirement 0-3 credits
Required Courses 59 credits
Senior Experience 3 credits
Unrestricted Electives 22-25 credits

Professional Flight Officer Concentration (ASC2)

General Studies 33 credits
ESSJ Requirement 0-3 credits
Required Courses 75 credits
Senior Experience 3 credits
Unrestricted Electives 6-9 credits

Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Concentration (ASC3)

General Studies Requirements 33 credits
ESSJ Requirement 0-3 credits
Required Courses 39 credits
AES Electives 27 credits
Senior Experience 3 credits
Unrestricted Electives 18-21 credits
Total for the Aviation and Aerospace Science Major, B.S. 120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

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