The TU Delft Aerospace Engineering Curriculum is a comprehensive educational pathway that propels students into the core of aerospace innovation. The curriculum, spread across three crucial years, encompasses a blend of fundamental sciences, professional skills, and a deep dive into aerospace engineering specialties. Here’s an exploration of what to expect as you navigate through the bachelor programme.
First Year: Laying the Foundation
The first year is about acquainting you with the basics of engineering design alongside a strong emphasis on mathematics and physics. From day one, lectures commence in English, ensuring a global standard of education. The theoretical knowledge imparted is facilitated through various teaching methods, guided by both professors and senior students. A typical lecture day begins at 08:45 and concludes at 17:30, averaging a 30-hour week at the faculty, exclusive of independent study hours12.
In this initial phase, you're not just confined to the classrooms; practical exposure begins early. You'll find yourself testing aerodynamics in wind tunnels, calculating satellite orbits, and even venturing into materials testing in laboratories. This hands-on experience is further enriched by unique student projects that promote interdisciplinary collaboration3.
Here’s an intricate exploration of the first-year curriculum, preparing you for the academic voyage ahead.
Aerospace Materials
The Aerospace Materials course at TU Delft explores material properties and their performance, particularly focusing on their integral role in basic structural behaviour in aerospace engineering. Students delve into key material-related concepts like elasticity, plasticity, and thermal properties, understanding their origins and applications in structural elements under various stresses—tensile, shear, or bending. The curriculum emphasizes the crucial aspect of durability by discussing corrosion resistance and other degradation considerations. Moreover, it links material properties to design choices, underlining the environmental impact of materials production and use. By engaging with material indices for design selection and understanding materials behaviour at high temperatures, students are steered towards making environmentally conscious and strategic material selection for aerospace design, encapsulating a holistic and sustainable approach to material understanding in aerospace engineering.
Aerospace Mechanics of Materials
Building upon the foundation laid in the Aerospace Materials course, this segment delves deeper into understanding the nuances of material properties and their performance, especially in relation to basic structural behavior within aerospace contexts. Students will engage with the underlying reasons for certain material properties and learn strategies to modify them. The course illuminates key concepts of stress and strain under tensile, shear, or bending forces, and how they are manifested in basic structural elements. Discussions will extend to thermal properties, their origins, and implications on material durability—an essential factor in aerospace structures. By exploring corrosion resistance and other degradation considerations, students will be equipped with a comprehensive understanding vital for designing robust aerospace structures. This module also fosters an advanced understanding of material selection for design, aligning with environmental considerations, and the broader impact of materials production and usage, thereby promoting a sustainable and strategic approach to aerospace design.
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering I
Embark on your journey into the aerospace domain through this course, which meticulously covers the basics of aerodynamics and flight mechanics. Far from being just theoretical, the course promotes a hands-on understanding by deriving and applying equations crucial for aircraft performance. Beginning with a panoramic view of the aeronautics domain from various perspectives, the course introduces fundamental principles essential for flight. As you delve deeper, basic aerodynamics are unraveled, followed by an exploration of flight mechanics. The study goals encompass acquiring a general knowledge of aircraft, their systems like avionics and propulsion, and the historical evolution of these flying machines. You'll be adept at deriving and applying atmospheric calculations, understanding and applying forces on an aircraft including lift, drag, and thrust, and deriving equations for moments, stability, and aircraft configuration. Additionally, delve into the structure and materials, understanding stress, dimensions, and the intricacies of non-unidirectional composites. The course also teaches control volume approaches, explains flow regimes, and enables you to derive and apply equations of motion to ascertain aircraft performance in various flight conditions. By the end of this segment, you'll be able to derive aircraft performance diagrams and flight envelopes, linking them to aircraft morphology, lift-drag polar, and engine performance.
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering II
Transitioning from aeronautics to the expanse of space, this segment delves into the disciplines of spaceflight, alongside structures and materials, elucidating their relevance in both aircraft and space missions. The course aims to provide a detailed understanding of the reasons for venturing into space, the principles governing rockets, their trajectories, and the selection of spacecraft configurations based on mission objectives. You'll identify the main elements of a satellite and the features of the space environment, understanding their implications for space activities. The course enables you to determine elementary satellite orbits, transfer orbits, and maneuvers, alongside working with fundamental space propulsion aspects including launch, velocity budget, and the rocket equation. Furthermore, it explores the characteristics of typical aerospace materials and structures, describing their meaning and relevance. You'll identify the main structural elements and components of an aerospace vehicle, understanding their functions and performance. The course equips you with the ability to perform elementary calculations to determine structural strength, stiffness, and fatigue properties, fostering a robust foundation for both aircraft and space mission design and analysis.
Exploring Aerospace Engineering
Immerse yourself in an exhilarating Martian mission project where you, alongside a group of about 10 individuals, will delve into the design of a flying wing tailored for Martian expeditions. This hands-on project is a harmonious blend of aerodynamics, flight, and orbital mechanics. Throughout this venture, you'll engage in assignments touching on the design intricacies of the wing, conducting small-scale aerodynamics experiments, and exploring flight mechanics. The journey doesn't stop at theoretical analysis; you'll design, build, and test-fly a model of the flying wing. As a collaborative endeavor, this project not only refines your aerospace knowledge but also nurtures teamwork and reflective skills. Each session culminates in a report summarizing your findings, while a scientific poster will encapsulate the project's outcomes. This project is a practical extension of the knowledge acquired in the Introduction to Aerospace Engineering courses (AE1110), aiming to instill a deeper understanding of aerospace vehicle design, the application of relevant course knowledge, and fostering a collaborative and reflective working environment.
Engineering Drawing
Transition from abstract imagination to tangible design as you delve into the realm of engineering drawing. This course is meticulously crafted to instill precise sketching techniques essential for documenting engineering solutions effectively. Through engaging assignments, you'll master professional sketching techniques, acquaint yourself with internationally recognized technical drawing conventions, and transition to creating computer-based 3D models and drawings of aerospace-related parts and assemblies. The skills acquired here are not confined to this course but extend to your educational journey, aiding in projects and assignments demanding precise geometric documentation of designs. By the end of this course, you'll be proficient in sketching, understanding and applying drawing conventions, and utilizing 3DEXPERIENCE software for creating detailed parametric surface, solid models, and assembly drawings. The course also emphasizes enhancing the communicative value of sketches through various additions, ensuring you're well-equipped to convey your design ideas effectively and professionally.
Statics
Dive into the foundational realm of Statics, the branch of mechanics concerned with the forces and moments leading to equilibrium states. This course offers a deep exploration into forces and the equilibrium of particles and rigid bodies in both 2D and 3D contexts. Uncover the mysteries behind the decomposition and summation of forces through analytical and graphical approaches, and dive into the world of structural analysis, evaluating forces in trusses, frames, and machines. Internal forces such as normal force, shear force, bending moment, and torsional moment in a bar aren’t left behind. The journey extends to 3D analysis of trusses, frames, and machines, and embraces modeling approximations, simplifying complex bodies to their basic geometric and mass properties. The finale explores the principle of virtual work, a powerful tool for calculating both external and internal loads. With a blend of theoretical and practical exercises, you'll emerge with a solid grasp of static equilibrium, ready to tackle real-world problems, from calculating centroids and moments of inertia to deriving internal and external forces and moments in structures and systems.
Dynamics
Embark on a thrilling exploration of Dynamics, the art and science of studying motion and the forces causing them. This course serves as your gateway to understanding the core principles of kinematics and kinetics, pivotal for analyzing and designing dynamic systems like aircraft, automobiles, or satellites. Delve into the kinetics of particles, exploring the realms of force and acceleration, work and energy, along with impulse and momentum. The adventure doesn't stop at particles; extend your understanding to the planar kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies. Through a blend of theoretical analysis and practical exercises, you'll learn to quantify motion using different coordinate systems, analyze dependent and relative motion among particles and rigid bodies, and master the art of drawing free-body and kinetic diagrams. The course unravels the equations of motion and derived methods of analysis, such as the work-energy relation and linear/angular impulse-momentum relations. By the end, you’ll be adept at solving dynamic problems, applying principles of work, energy, and momentum to both particles and rigid body systems, preparing you for advanced studies and real-world challenges in the dynamic field of aerospace engineering.
Programming & Scientific Computing in Python
Programming & Scientific Computing in Python sets the stage for your journey into the realms of both general-purpose programming and scientific computation. Across two engaging 4-hour sessions each week, this course meticulously unravels the art of solving complex engineering problems using Python. Each session is a blend of instruction, hands-on examples, challenging assignments, and a wrap-up of solutions, enriched with competitive elements through challenges and contests. The course unfolds in four captivating parts: General Purpose Programming, Scientific Computation & Plotting using NumPy and Matplotlib, Visualization & Animation with PyGame including game programming, and a conclusive Contest segment coupled with Diagnostic tests & a Test Exam. Your quest will see you mastering the translation of problems into algorithms, acquiring basic programming skills, delving into numerical analysis, and embracing modeling. Additionally, you'll become adept at plotting, and creating visualizations and animations, empowering you with a comprehensive toolkit for your engineering endeavors.
Design & Construction
Design & Construction embodies a rich collaborative journey into the heart of structural design, alongside nurturing your technical writing and research acumen. Engage in a team setting of 8-10 students, mimicking a real-world structural design squad. The adventure unfolds through three meticulous project assignments. Initially, delve into material properties exploration and draft a preliminary design. Progressing, tackle a structured design challenge with specified dimensions, aiming to sustain a certain load while trimming structural weight, amidst limited design variables. Lastly, amalgamate insights from prior assignments to navigate a nuanced structural design scenario with a broader variables spectrum. Concurrently, immerse in a Technical Writing (TW) course, spanning five sessions, orchestrated by TPM faculty, aimed at honing your technical report crafting prowess. Furthermore, a Technical Writing Information Literacy (TWIL) course, facilitated by TU Delft library staff, unveils the art of effective literature scouting to bolster your Design Reports. All course logistics, pertinent deadlines, and project assignments are communicated via the Brightspace course page. As the project culminates, anticipate mastering a full design cycle of an AE (sub)system independently, executing a complex team project under external guidance, reflecting on its outcome, and articulating an impactful design report. This course is not merely a learning expedition but a realm where theory meets practice, nurturing adept future engineers.
Aerospace Design & Systems Engineering Elements
Aerospace Design & Systems Engineering Elements unveils the blueprint to crafting aerospace systems, delving from conceptual sketches to preliminary sizing of aircraft and spacecraft. Encompassing a broad spectrum: aerospace, airplane, spacecraft, and launch vehicle design, each with unique attributes and requirements. The journey begins with a general design process, inching towards specific airplane design, tackling weight estimation, wing area, engine power, and intricate configurations. Transitioning to spacecraft design, explore preliminary sizing across vital subsystems like structures, thermal control, and propulsion among others. The realm of launch vehicle design unveils missions, concepts, and preliminary sizing of rocket stages. As the course culminates, apply acquired knowledge in thematic projects and Design Synthesis Exercise in subsequent academic years. By the end, adeptly navigate through aerospace architectural frameworks, perform functional analysis, generate precise requirements, conceptualize aircraft design, and size key spacecraft and launch vehicle subsystems, paving your pathway towards mastering aerospace design and systems engineering.
Physics
Traverse through the realms of waves, exploring harmonic motion, wave motion nuances, and the science of sound. Transition into thermodynamics, delving into temperature theories, kinetic gas theories, energy transfer dynamics, and the profound laws governing thermodynamics. The voyage extends into electromagnetism, unraveling the mysteries of electrostatics, electric currents, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, and the profound Maxwell’s equations leading to the understanding of electromagnetic waves. This course is a gateway to not only understanding the core principles of physics but also appreciating the interconnectedness of thermodynamic, wave, and electromagnetic phenomena.
Calculus I & II
Embark on a structured journey through the realms of calculus tailored for aerospace engineering and advanced engineering mathematics. Calculus I lays the groundwork, focusing on vector arithmetic, differentiation, integration techniques for single-variable functions, and delves into first and second-order differential equations. Transition into Calculus II, expanding your comprehension to multivariable calculus. Explore techniques for partial and directional derivatives, integrations of multi-variable functions, and delve into line and surface integrals. Each course is meticulously designed to transition from comprehension to application, enabling you to dissect mathematical problems, devise solutions strategies, and critically evaluate mathematical propositions, fostering a robust understanding of calculus and its myriad applications in engineering.
Linear Algebra
This course unveils the fundamental concepts and applications of matrices and vectors, instrumental in solving various linear equations and understanding linear transformations. Delve into the realm of projections, least squares solutions, and systems of linear differential equations. As you navigate through, you'll learn to solve linear equations systems, assess their solvability and uniqueness of solutions, and explore the harmony between vector equations, matrix equations, and systems of linear equations. Delve deeper into geometric descriptions, linear independence of vectors, and matrix operations. Explore the intricacies of invertible matrices, subspaces, determinants, inner products, and orthogonal projections. The course also covers the Gram-Schmidt process, least-squares method, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and diagonalization of matrices. Towards the end, engage in solving systems of linear differential equations and analysing matrices with complex eigenvalues and eigenvectors, equipping you with robust knowledge and skills essential for tackling linear algebraic challenges in advanced mathematical and engineering domains.
Second Year: Aerospace Specialization
As you transition into the second year, the focus shifts towards aerospace-specific courses. The foundational knowledge acquired in the first year is now expanded and applied in more specialized contexts. This year is characterized by an increase in projects and practical tutorials, where you'll learn system design and how to interpret and process measurement data2.
Third Year and Beyond: Finalizing Your Degree
The third year kicks off with a minor of your choice, allowing you to tailor your education towards areas of interest within or outside aerospace engineering. This year epitomizes the culmination of your academic journey with a focus on design process verification and validation. A highlight of this year is the opportunity to fly in the TU Delft's Cessna Citation II business jet for a practical course on flight dynamics. The year concludes with a Design Synthesis Exercise (DSE), where, along with nine fellow students, you’ll work on a real-world design assignment delivered to industry professionals, research institutes, or fellow scientists2.
Minor Opportunities
Apart from the core curriculum, you have the flexibility to choose a minor either at TU Delft or a partner university abroad. If you opt for a minor at TU Delft, choices include Offshore Wind Energy and Airport of the Future. Alternatively, a Minor Study Abroad program allows you to experience a global learning environment2.
Performance Expectations
TU Delft emphasizes performance right from the first year. To continue into the second year, you’re required to obtain at least 75% of your credits (i.e., 45 of the 60 ECTS) in the first year. This binding recommendation on the continuation of studies ensures that you are on the right track towards achieving your aerospace engineering aspirations2.
In conclusion, the TU Delft Aerospace Engineering Curriculum is not just an academic program, but a journey that molds you into a competent aerospace engineer ready to contribute to a more sustainable aerospace future4.
