<p>I don't see an overlap nearly as large as what is usually implied. First couple years, sure, but beyond that they frankly look as similar as any other pair of engineering programs.</p>
<p>Yea it doesn’t seem like they are as closely related as people say. They might be slightly more similar than something like mechanical and civil. I would think those 2 majors would differ by a few more classes in the first couple years. But I guess they aren’t that much more similar than any two other engineering programs.</p>
<p>I think it just depends on the school curriculum. At my school, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering is very similar to one another. I’m an Aerospace Engineer myself and many of our classes are shared with the Mechanical Engineers. There are some differences naturally but the first 2-3 years are pretty much the same curriculum. I think it differs a bit once you specialize in something more specific that is geared towards your interests within your degree. Also, to be a double major at my school, you only need an extra 6-7 courses from the department, which isn’t terribly too much. The common overlaps engineering-wise at my school are Aero/Mech, Electrical/Computer, Materials/Chemical, and Environmental/Civil.</p>
<p>There will be noticeable difference in coursework between AE and ME during the last 2-3 semesters.</p>
<p>I don’t recommend “mech undergrad, aero grad”. Choose the school with Aero undergrad if that’s the path you take. You will miss a lot of the aero theory taught in undergrad, which will be terrible if you have no background in aero.</p>
<p>ex. finish mech undergrad and don’t know what an airfoil is, then apply for aero grad</p>
<p>I think there is more commonality than appears at first glance in those course listings. Controls can have an ME bent or an Aero bent…but the theory is really all the same stuff especially at the undergrad level. That is true for structural analysis and dynamics as well. The common recommendation of ME for undergrad assumes that you will take your electives from the aero areas that don’t have common roots. By doing so, you will have more employment opportunities if you don’t go to grad school.</p>
<p>While there are certainly differences in the undergraduate programs, I think that the differences are more pronounced in the graduate programs, especially where research areas are concerned.</p>
<p>I think that the reason that some people think that they are very similar is because at some universities the aerospace departments seem to be affiliated with the mechanical departments. That could for various reasons: in the early days aerospace may have origionally been listed as a branch of mechanical engineering; some faculty might teach in both departments; both faculties might share research interests and facilities, etc. However, they are certainly two distinct disciplines today.</p>
<p>I think the Junior and Senior year can vary vastly between the two, dependent upon the school. I’m an AE, and at my school, ME’s aren’t required to take closely similar classes to AE classes in Theoretical Aerodynamics, Highspeed Aerodynamics, Aerospace Engineering Lab I & II, Aerospace Vehicle Design I & II (senior aircraft design course), and elective classes like Aerospace Propulsion, Space Technology, Flight Test Engineering, Cockpit Systems and Display, Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control, etc. ME’s may have aspects similar to classes like these, and granted they take some classes that AE’s don’t have to take, but the degree plan is not the same… it’s just similar. </p>
<p>I believe the main reason people around here preach “ME undergrad, AE grad” is due to the job market for ME’s being more broad, and the fact that ME undergrads are qualified to do work in the aerospace sector. Here’s something many don’t realize: AE’s are qualified to do some ME jobs too! I believe if you really want to do aerospace, then major in aerospace.</p>