The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Fresno State will offer a minor in aerospace engineering beginning in fall 2025.
The minor is designed for students who are interested in aerospace applications of engineering theory related to subsonic and supersonic aerodynamics, flight vehicle stability and control, satellite dynamics, aerospace propulsion and aerospace structure and materials.
“Many of our students are getting recruited by aerospace companies, and we think it is time to have this minor program to equip them with the academics and knowledge regarding aerospace engineering,” said Dr. Deify Law, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “We see strong potential for student success, and we are preparing them for opportunities both locally and globally.”
To obtain the minor, students must complete 12 upper-division units. Eligible courses include “Advanced Mechanics of Materials,” “Aerodynamics,” “Orbital Mechanics,” “Aerospace Propulsion,” and “Flight Control Systems.”
Through these courses, students will explore a range of topics such as the aerodynamics and propulsion of the flight vehicles, satellite mechanics around the orbits of the Earth, mechanics of aerospace materials, and control systems of flight vehicles.
Students who complete a minor in aerospace engineering may pursue careers as flight test engineers, aeronautical engineers, astronautical engineers, aircraft structural engineers, system test engineers and more.
“A minor in aerospace engineering not only can do a part in preparing students to enter the aerospace and defense industry, but also could be good groundwork to become a major in the future,” Law said.
The minor was established in response to strong interest from faculty and students, including Russell Gee, a 2023 graduate of the Lyles College and currently a weapons integration engineer at Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Gee emphasized that a minor in aerospace engineering can significantly enhance a student’s professional prospects within the industry.
“It provides foundational knowledge in aerodynamics, propulsion and materials science, which are essential for designing and optimizing aircraft and spacecraft,” Gee said. “Additionally, coursework in aerospace systems and engineering principles helps students develop problem-solving skills critical for innovation in the field. This specialized knowledge complements majors like mechanical engineering or physics, making graduates more competitive in aviation, defense and space exploration roles.”
Francisco Licea, a 2022 Fresno State graduate and current flight test engineer at Northrop Grumman, echoed the value of the new minor.
“I believe the addition of the aerospace minor for Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering is proof of the college’s desire to continue to grow and provide students with a breadth of relevant curriculum for the workforce,” Licea said. “This gives Fresno State students the ability to explore and excel in an industry that is known for the most rapid and advanced innovation.”
