On the East Coast, the aeronautical program at Penn State University is considered to be one of the top 12 aerospace engineering departments in the country, and the only aerospace engineering department in Pennsylvania. Some of the courses included in this program are aeroacoustics, computational fluid dynamics, space propulsion and turbomachinery. There are graduate and undergraduate studies in the program. Graduates are able to find employment in a wide range of research laboratories, governmental organizations and software companies. Financial aid is available.
On the West Coast, the California Institute of Technology, also known as Caltech, offers education for aeronautical and aerospace sciences, with emphasis on research, analysis and experimental methods. Some of the undergraduate courses include fluid dynamics, space propulsion, combustion fundamentals, engineering and physics of remote aensing. Through the graduate program, master of science degrees in aeronautics and aerospace engineering are available. Financial aid is available and Caltech also offers several fellowships each year for graduate students that include a full tuition.
In the Midwest, Purdue University bases its aeronautical program on the basics of engineering science, design and technology of flight vehicles. Some of the undergraduate courses include aerodynamics, dynamics and control, design, propulsion, structure and material. The graduate program for aeronautics and astronautics is recognized as one of the top in the country. Graduates of Purdue go on to have careers working for governmental agencies such as NASA, research and development organizations, consulting firms and commercial airlines. Financial aid is available, and exceptional students are encouraged to apply for scholarships.
In the South, Texas A&M is a school with a well-known aerospace program. The goal of the aeronautical and aerospace programs are to provide a comprehensive engineering education that develops the skills necessary for the analysis, design and research of aircraft, spacecraft and other flight systems. The programs include advanced studies in courses such as Aerospace, Aerodynamics, Physics, Calculus and Propulsion. Scholarships and financial aid is available to undergraduate students, and a number of fellowships are offered to graduate students.