Does Dartmouth offer an aerospace engineering major or program?
I'm currently a junior looking at schools with strong engineering programs, and I'm especially interested in aerospace engineering. I know that not every college has a specific aerospace major, so I wanted to check if Dartmouth has anything in this area.
If they don't have a dedicated aerospace engineering degree, do they offer courses or research opportunities related to aerospace? Like maybe through internships, clubs, or special projects? I'm also curious if there are any alumni working in the aerospace industry, or if it's easy to do interdisciplinary projects and focus my studies that way.
I started looking at their Thayer School of Engineering website but got a little overwhelmed with all the info. Can anyone currently at Dartmouth (or someone who looked into this for their own apps) help clarify what options there are for someone interested in aerospace?
If they don't have a dedicated aerospace engineering degree, do they offer courses or research opportunities related to aerospace? Like maybe through internships, clubs, or special projects? I'm also curious if there are any alumni working in the aerospace industry, or if it's easy to do interdisciplinary projects and focus my studies that way.
I started looking at their Thayer School of Engineering website but got a little overwhelmed with all the info. Can anyone currently at Dartmouth (or someone who looked into this for their own apps) help clarify what options there are for someone interested in aerospace?
4 months ago
•
152 views
Grayce Gibbs
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Dartmouth does not offer a dedicated undergraduate major in aerospace engineering. Instead, the Thayer School of Engineering provides a flexible, interdisciplinary general engineering program where you earn a Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Engineering Sciences, or, if you stay an extra year, a Bachelor of Engineering (BE). There isn't a predefined aerospace concentration, but you can tailor your course load and projects towards aerospace themes.
While you won’t find a strict 'aerospace engineering' track like you would at places such as MIT or Georgia Tech, Dartmouth provides opportunities to get involved in aerospace through electives, research, clubs, and connections. For example, you can focus your engineering projects or research on aerospace topics—some students have worked on drones with faculty, or gotten involved with rocketry and UAV development through clubs like the Dartmouth Rocket Society and Dartmouth Aerospace Engineering Club. These student groups are active with design competitions and hands-on builds, offering a way to gain related experience even without a formal major.
For research, Thayer faculty sometimes collaborate with national labs or aerospace companies, and there are opportunities to do independent or thesis-style research related to flight, propulsion, or robotics. You could reach out to professors like Professor Laura Ray (who has worked on autonomous vehicles and mechatronics) to ask about ongoing projects. Many Dartmouth engineering students also intern at aerospace companies (like Boeing, Raytheon, or SpaceX) during their undergrad summers. The Career Services office and Thayer's professional advisors are pretty supportive in helping match students to opportunities in the aerospace sector — a few alumni work at NASA, Blue Origin, and other big aerospace players.
A big strength at Dartmouth is the flexibility to combine engineering with other fields (like computer science, physics, or even entrepreneurship) because many projects and courses are interdisciplinary. If you’re someone who likes tailoring your own path and working closely with faculty and small teams, this system works well, but if you want a super specialized curriculum in aerospace from day one, it might not be the ideal fit. If you want to make the most of Dartmouth for aerospace, it helps to be proactive about seeking out research, joining clubs, and planning your courses early.
While you won’t find a strict 'aerospace engineering' track like you would at places such as MIT or Georgia Tech, Dartmouth provides opportunities to get involved in aerospace through electives, research, clubs, and connections. For example, you can focus your engineering projects or research on aerospace topics—some students have worked on drones with faculty, or gotten involved with rocketry and UAV development through clubs like the Dartmouth Rocket Society and Dartmouth Aerospace Engineering Club. These student groups are active with design competitions and hands-on builds, offering a way to gain related experience even without a formal major.
For research, Thayer faculty sometimes collaborate with national labs or aerospace companies, and there are opportunities to do independent or thesis-style research related to flight, propulsion, or robotics. You could reach out to professors like Professor Laura Ray (who has worked on autonomous vehicles and mechatronics) to ask about ongoing projects. Many Dartmouth engineering students also intern at aerospace companies (like Boeing, Raytheon, or SpaceX) during their undergrad summers. The Career Services office and Thayer's professional advisors are pretty supportive in helping match students to opportunities in the aerospace sector — a few alumni work at NASA, Blue Origin, and other big aerospace players.
A big strength at Dartmouth is the flexibility to combine engineering with other fields (like computer science, physics, or even entrepreneurship) because many projects and courses are interdisciplinary. If you’re someone who likes tailoring your own path and working closely with faculty and small teams, this system works well, but if you want a super specialized curriculum in aerospace from day one, it might not be the ideal fit. If you want to make the most of Dartmouth for aerospace, it helps to be proactive about seeking out research, joining clubs, and planning your courses early.
Grayce Gibbs
Denver, CO
Dartmouth College (AB); Colorado School of Mines (MS)
Experience
4 years