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What is Aeronautical Science?

Get a Master's in Aeronautical Science

The Aeronautical Science B.S.

Aeronautical science is the science of flight.

It encompasses the design, development and operation of aircraft and other flying machines, as well as the development and management of the systems and infrastructure that support today’s complex air transportation system.

The B.S. in aeronautical science provides a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, aeronautical sciences, aeronautical technology and the regulated international aviation industry—all tailored for technical aviation careers.

You’ll learn high-level software and programming skills and gain experience in aviation programs and applications used around the world.

With the support of expert instructors, real-world internship opportunities and an engaged alumni network, you will be positioned for success in your aeronautics career.

Top 11%
Private Universities
in America
Niche
AT-CTI
Approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative School
Federal Aviation Administration
Top 7%
Best Return on Investment
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Why Choose Florida Tech for Aeronautical Science?

Florida Tech’s aeronautical science degree program provides excellent preparation for technical jobs in the aviation industry and government regulatory agencies. You’ll gain a firm grounding in math, science and technology—along with the specialized aeronautics knowledge and experience you’d expect from one of the best universities for aeronautical science.

Florida Tech combines the benefits and resources of a larger school (think world-class faculty members, high-tech facilities and a high-quality curriculum) with a close-knit academic community, small class sizes and one-on-one time with professors.

Florida Tech’s faculty members are established experts in all aspects of aviation. They are pilots and experts in aviation law, safety, avionics and environmental science. We have faculty with expertise and experience in airport consulting, design and management, airline or general aviation management, aviation human factors, meteorology and air traffic control. If it’s about aeronautical science, our faculty know it, teach it and research it.

The programs in our College of Aeronautics take a multidisciplinary approach to research that spans fields including engineering, human factors, safety, psychology, computer science and biology. As an undergraduate, you'll have opportunities to tackle and present group research projects on topics from aviation management and human factors to safety, aviation environmental science and more.

We know that cutting-edge technology and facilities are an important part of what makes an aeronautical program successful. At Florida Tech, you’ll find facilities and resources that measure up to other top aviation universities.

As an aeronautical science major, you’ll primarily attend class and work in the College of Aeronautics’ Skurla Hall, home to a first-rate computer lab with many different applications and networking capabilities that allow hands-on learning in aviation topics, including airport design and planning.

Using computer-aided design (CAD) programs, you can complete projects in designing airports and airport terminals, and conduct experiments, such as noise studies. In the Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) Lab, you can fly desktop simulators under the supervision of a flight instructor and practice in air traffic control (ATC).

The 12,000 square-foot Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research is located just minutes away from campus, near the Melbourne Orlando International Airport. The center features rooms for weather/flight planning and simulators and is home to our fleet of aircraft, featuring Pipers with state-of-the art glass-cockpits.

Our 130-acre campus is located in a high-tech corridor on the Space Coast—NASA-Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral is just north of us—and many high-tech corporations and government and military organizations are located nearby. Our location provides an abundance of internship and employment opportunities for our students. You can’t find a better location for immersion in aeronautical science.

When it’s time to relax, Florida Tech is just over the causeway from the Atlantic Ocean, with its 72 miles of beautiful beaches. We are minutes from the Indian River Lagoon, a highly biodiverse estuary, and it’s a short trip to the Florida Keys and the Orlando theme parks. We also have a rich campus life that includes a wide range of intramural and collegiate sportsclubs and social activities.

Interested in air traffic control (ATC)? An air traffic control specialization is offered in conjunction with the B.S. in aeronautical science.

This specialization provides in-depth knowledge of ATC and the aviation industry and hands-on experience with industry-standard air traffic control programs to ensure graduates have the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed as air traffic controllers.

The ATC specialization meets the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program and is FAA-approved.

Graduates of the AT-CTI program may be eligible to bypass the Air Traffic Basics course covered during the first five weeks of qualification training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. You must successfully complete all required training at the FAA Academy for employment with the FAA.

Learn more about air traffic control at Florida Tech.

If you want to prepare for a career as a professional pilot, have a look at the B.S. in aeronautical science with flight.

Careers in Aeronautical Science

An aeronautical science degree gives you a set of skills applicable to many professions that place a premium on technical competencies. Our graduates are recruited by major airlines and companies, such as L3Harris Technologies Inc., Velocity, Inc., the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, FlightSafety International and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

Jobs in aeronautics include:

  • Aviation design
  • Aviation and aeronautic maintenance (repair and perform scheduled maintenance and conduct inspections as required by the FAA)
  • Air traffic controller
  • Research and development (e.g., spacesuits, jet fuels, space communication systems)

Looking ahead to your future career can be exciting! Keep in mind that certain roles may entail additional prerequisites, such as an advanced degree.

Florida Tech’s Career Services assists students, alumni and employers in their search for careers and employee candidates. We help students develop career plans and job-search skills. Explore our Career Toolbox to learn more about our services and access additional resources.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides information about specific jobs including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook. Check the handbook for information on the outlook for aeronautical science-related careers.

Advanced Degree Options

After receiving their aeronautical science degree, many of our students pursue graduate degrees in specialties such as aviation human factors, airport development and aviation law at Florida Tech or other prestigious universities.

Post-graduate programs our students choose include:

Explore the Aeronautical Science, B.S., Curriculum

The Aeronautical Science, B.S., Curriculum

The aeronautical science curriculum is exceptionally well rounded and career focused, providing a strong foundation in mathematics, science, aeronautical technology and the aviation industry.

You'll get right into aeronautics and experience the flight operations environment during your first year. In your second and third years, you'll delve deeper into aeronautical science and the details of aviation operations. Senior year, you will put your knowledge and skills to work as you plan, conduct and report on aviation research or scholarly activity.

Along the way, you’ll learn essential skills, from computer programming to professional communication, and become well versed in areas of special importance in an aeronautics career, such as aviation safety, security and law.

Classes include:

  • Aviation Fiscal Management
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Aviation Meteorology

Check the catalog for a description of all courses.

Download the Aeronautical Science, B.S. Curriculum now!

Internship Opportunities That Reach Sky-High

Representatives from multiple airlines speak with students at the aeronautics career fair.

At Florida Tech, internships play a crucial role in launching your career in aeronautics, providing invaluable hands-on experience that complements your academic studies.

Aeronautical science internships offer opportunities to apply what you've learned in the classroom to real-world settings, working alongside industry professionals at leading airlines and aviation organizations such as JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and Melbourne Orlando International Airport.

Through these internships, you’ll acquire specialized firsthand knowledge in airline operations, airport management and the business of aviation.

Florida Tech students typically engage in internships during the summer or across multiple semesters, allowing for flexible, immersive learning experiences. These opportunities not only expand your industry connections but can also open doors to potential job offers upon graduation, setting the stage for a successful career in aeronautics.

Learn more about Aeronautical Science at Florida Tech on the website.

Student Groups to Jumpstart Your Journey

Aeronautical science majors gain leadership and professional experience through participation in academic organizations and honor societiesstudent government and student organizations, including:

Check out other networking opportunities in groups such as the Florida Tech Flight Team, the Drone Club  and 200+ other campus student organizations.

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The Aeronautical Science and Aeronautical Science-Flight programs are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) through 2027. Visit the College of Aeronautics Accreditation and Memberships page to learn more about the following Student Achievement Data:

  • Program learning objectives/outcomes
  • Program assessment measures employed
  • Graduation rate
  • Rates and types of employment of graduates
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