Undergraduate Information (2024)

College of Engineering home page

This is an extra guide for students pursuing a Baccalaureate Degree from the Department of Aerospace Engineering. Much of the information below can be found in the University's Baccalaureate Degree Programs Bulletin (bluebook) and in the department's Undergraduate Curriculum Guide (see link below).

Frequently-referenced material:

Program Educational Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes

Computers

• Computer Recommendation (for those interested in purchasing a computer, the College of Engineering has provided these guidelines for hardware and software)
• Reporting a problem with computers in the Aerospace Labs (Rms. 51 and 131)
• How to map the U: drive to your computer

OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY DESCRIPTION--AEROSPACE ENGINEERING (AERSP)

• This major field of study is designed primarily for those students who are interested in the analysis, design, and operation of aircraft and space vehicles. Depending upon the technical course selections made in the senior year, a student may emphasize aeronautics or astronautics, and specific technical areas within these fields, including aerodynamics, structural mechanics, flight mechanics, propulsion, and controls.
• If E MCH 012, CMPSC 201, MATH 220, 230, and 250 are not completed by the start of the junior year, it is doubtful that graduation requirements can be met in the following two years; i.e., more than four years will be required to complete the program. Otherwise, the first two years of study are similar to those of other engineering majors and provide the student with a basic education for the engineering profession. Because engineering practice changes rapidly, emphasis is placed upon those physical and scientific principles and methods that form the soundest and broadest base for future work in aerospace engineering.
• Six of the 9 required technical credits taken in the senior year must be aerospace engineering courses.

• The study of Aerospace Engineering prepares students for the design, analysis, and testing of aerospace products--including satellites, space stations, and launch vehicles, as well as propeller-driven and jet-powered airplanes and helicopters. Students take courses in aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and controls as applied to aircraft and spacecraft. They also have a liberal choice of technical electives to expand their knowledge in these areas as well as in more specialized aerospace subjects, such as V/STOL aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, aeronautics, automatic controls, composites, numerical methods, orbital mechanics, and rocket propulsion.
• The Aerospace Engineering major leads to the bachelor of science degree. Like other Engineering majors, students in this major are introduced to the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry, solid mechanics, and general engineering.
• Students enrolled in this major who qualify can be admitted to the Schreyer Honors College and graduate with honors in Aerospace Engineering.
• Baccalaureate majors in the College of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

For the B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, a minimum of 131 credits is required.

• 
  

  Year	PRESCRIBED COURSES
  1	CHEM 012 (3), MATH 140 (4), PHYS 211 (4),MATH 141 (4),
  	E MCH 210 (5) [or E MCH 11 (3) and E MCH 13 (3)], ED&G 100 (3), PHYS 212 (4)
  2	MATH 230 (4), PHYS 214 (2), CMPSC 201C or 201F (3) [201C is preferred]
  	MATH 220(2), 250 (3), EMCH 012 (3), E MCH 215 (2), 216 (1), ME 23 (3)[or ME 30 (3) if ME 23 not available at a particular campus location]
  3	AERSP 301 (3), 309 (3), 311 (3), 313 (3)
  	AERSP 304 (3), 305W(3), 306 (3), 312 (3)
  4	AERSP 410 (3), ENGL 202C (3), E E 305 (3)
  	*boldface italicized courses require a grade of C or better for admission to any engineering major. *boldface courses require a grade of C or better for graduation.
  Year	ADDITIONAL COURSES -- REQUIRED
  1	ECON 002 , 004 , or 014 (3)
  4	AERSP 401A, 401B (5); or AERSP 402A, 402B (5),
  	AERSP 413 or 450 (3)
  Year	SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS -- REQUIRED
  4	Select 9 credits of technical courses from department list Select 3 credits of Limited Elective courses from department list (Students may apply 3 credits of ROTC upon completion of the ROTC program to the Limited Elective)

• SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: A minimum of 131 credits is required for the bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering, including General Education and specific requirements for the major. This major is highly technical: 75 percent of the required credits are in math, science, and engineering.

• Prof. Robert G. Melton, or Prof. George Lesieutre, 229 Hammond Bldg, (814) 865-2569

Entrance into the major begins at the student's junior year, beginning with AERSP 301. (Please note that AERSP 055 is a General Education course offered to non-majors. This course is not intended for majors in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.) Additional ENGR courses are offered in conjunction with the departmental Co-Op Program. The 500-level courses are found on the Graduate Information Page. These are available to seniors with a GPA of 3.50 or higher or by consent of the associate dean of the Office of Graduate Student Programs.

AEROSPACE UNDERGRADUATE COURSES (AERSP)

indicates courses generally offered in the Fall.

indicates courses generally offered in the Spring.

indicates courses offered at various times.

		AERSP 001S. AEROSPACE EXPLORER (1:1:0) First-Year Seminar explores aerodynamics, structural mechanics, flight mechanics, rotorcraft systems, high performance computers, air/space propulsion and space systems. Offered both semesters.
		AERSP 097S Hands-On Helicopters This seminar will introduce first year students to engineering by studying the fascinating world of vertical flight. Students will visit a helicopter hanger, see a radio-controlled helicopter demonstration, and participate in several activities to learn about the basic properties of helicopters. Each meeting period (8 periods total) will include a 75-minute instruction period followed by a 90-minute lab session.
	AERSP 055. SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (3:3:0) The science and technology of space exploration and exploitation; physical principles; research and development; history, space policy and social implications. Prerequisites: none.
	AERSP 204H. FLIGHT VEHICLE DESIGN AND FABRICATION (2:1:2)-- Sailplane Integrated project management, design, fabrication, testing, and flight evaluation of an advanced composite flight vehicle. Intended for University Scholars (freshmen and sophom*ores). [credit substitutions using AERSP 204H/404H]
	AERSP 301. AEROSPACE STRUCTURES I (3:3:0) Analysis of thin-walled beams subjected to combined loads, including bending, torsion, and shear; elastic stability; work and energy principles. Prerequisite: E MCH 013. Prerequisite or concurrent: AERSP 313.
	AERSP 302. AEROSPACE STRUCTURES II (3:3:0) Design and analysis of aerospace structures. Mechanics of advanced materials; advanced design concepts; numerical methods; structural dynamics. Prerequisite: AERSP 301. Prerequisite or concurrent: AERSP 304, E MCH 215.
	AERSP 304. DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF AEROSPACE SYSTEMS (3:3:0) Vibrations of single, multiple, and infinite degree-of-freedom systems; operational methods applied to aerospace vehicles; design of controllers. Prerequisites: AERSP 313, E MCH 012.
	AERSP 306. AERONAUTICS (3:3:0) Lift and drag characteristics of aircraft; propulsion systems; airplane performance; introduction to stability and control. Prerequisite: AERSP 311, 313.
	AERSP 308H. MECHANICS OF FLUIDS (3:3:0) Kinetics and dynamics of fluids; perfect fluid theory using complex variables; introduction to viscous flow theory; fundamentals of compressible flow. Prerequisites: E MCH 012 or 112H; MATH 251.
	AERSP 309. ASTRONAUTICS (3:3:0) Introduction to space and space flight; laws of particle mechanics; orbits and trajectories; space vehicles and propulsion. Prerequisites: E MCH 012, MATH 251, CMPSC 201.
	AERSP 311. AERODYNAMICS I (4:4:0) Fluid statics and kinematics; fluid mechanics of inviscid and viscous flows. Prerequisites: E MCH 012, MATH 251, CMPSC 201.
	AERSP 312. AERODYNAMICS II (4:4:0) Fluid mechanics of viscous and compressible flows, laminar boundary layers, turbulent flows, isentropic flows, shock waves, supersonic life and drag. Prerequisite: AERSP 311, 313, M E 030.
	AERSP 313. AEROSPACE ANALYSIS (3:3:0) Mathematical methods applied to aerospace engineering: Fourier series, ordinary and partial differential equations, complex variables, numerical methods. Prerequisites: CMPSC 201, MATH 220, 230, 251.
	AERSP 401A. SPACECRAFT DESIGN-PRELIMINARY (2:0:4) Formulation of conceptual and preliminary design to satisfy a given set of specifications for a spacecraft. Prerequisites: AERSP 309. Prerequisite or concurrent: AERSP 450.
	AERSP 401B. SPACECRAFT DESIGN-DETAILED (2:0:4) Design of primary and secondary structural components and other details of a spacecraft. Prerequisite: AERSP 302, 401A.
	AERSP 402A. AIRCRAFT DESIGN-PRELIMINARY (2:0:4) Formulation of conceptual and preliminary design to satisfy a given set of specifications for an aircraft. Prerequisites: AERSP 306. Prerequisite or concurrent: 413.
	AERSP 402B. AIRCRAFT DESIGN-DETAILED (2:0:4) Design of primary and secondary structural components and other details of an aircraft. Prerequisites: AERSP 307, 402A.
	AERSP 403. DESIGN OF AIR TRANSPORT SYSTEMS (3:3:0) Air transportation; vehicle technology; vehicle-airport-route design interface; ATC, energy, environmental, human, and regulatory considerations in design. Prerequisite: AERSP 306.
	AERSP 404H. FLIGHT VEHICLE DESIGN AND FABRICATION (3:1:4)-- Sailplane Integrated project management, design, fabrication, aerodynamic and structural testing, and flight evaluation of an advanced composite flight vehicle. Prerequisite: AERSP 204H. [credit substitutions using 204H/404H]
	AERSP 405W. AERODYNAMICS LABORATORY (2:0:4) Experiments in fluid mechanics, measurement systems, subsonic wind tunnel testing, supersonic wind tunnel testing. Prerequisite: AERSP 312. Prerequisite or concurrent: ENGL 202C.
	AERSP 406W. STRUCTURES AND DYNAMICS LABORATORY (2:0:4) Experiments in static deformations and stresses, vibrations, and control of aerospace structures. Prerequisite or concurrent: AERSP 302, ENGL 202C.
	AERSP 407. AERODYNAMICS OF V/STOL AIRCRAFT (3:3:0) Rotary wing aircraft; VTOL and STOL performance; propeller-wing combinations; jet flap; high lift devices. Prerequisite: AERSP 312.
	AERSP 410. AEROSPACE PROPULSION (3:3:0) Analysis and performance characteristics of reciprocating engine, turbo-jet, turbo-prop, turbo-fan, ram-jets, and chemical rockets. Aerothermodynamics of inlets, combustors, and turbo-machinery. Prerequisite: AERSP 312.
	AERSP 412. TURBULENT FLOW (3:3:0) hom*ogeneous turbulence; spectral transfer of energy, viscous dissipation; turbulent shear flow: mixing-length theory, eddy viscosity, scaling laws, energy budget. Prerequisite: one course in fluid mechanics.
	AERSP 413. STABILITY AND CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT (3:3:0) Static and dynamic stability and control of aircraft; open and closed loop systems. Prerequisites: AERSP 304, 306.
	AERSP 420. PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT TESTING (3:2:4) In-flight and analytical studies of airplane performance, stability, and control; reduction of data; instrumentation; flight test techniques. Prerequisites: AERSP 306.
	AERSP 423. INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUID DYNAMICS (3:3:0) Finite difference methods applied to solving viscid/inviscid fluid dynamics problems, error control, numerical stability. Prerequisites: AERSP 312 or M E 033; CMPSC 201; MATH 250 or 251.
	AERSP 424. (previously Aersp 497B) INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL METHODS ON PARALLEL COMPUTERS (3:3:0) This course discusses how to solve a variety of engineering and scientific problems on parallel computers. The latest scientific languages are also introduced, such as Fortran-90, High Performance Fortran, Message Passing Interface, and more. Prerequisites: Math 250 or 251, Math 220, CMPSC 201.
	AERSP 425. THEORY OF FLIGHT (3:3:0) Advanced wing and airfoil theory, conformal mapping, slender body theory. Prerequisite: AERSP 312.
	AERSP 430. SPACE PROPULSION AND POWER SYSTEMS (3:3:0) Analysis and performance of chemical and nuclear rockets, electric propulsion systems. Introduction to solar, chemical, thermoelectric, and nuclear power sources. Prerequisite: AERSP 410 or M E 403.
	AERSP 450. ORBIT AND ATTITUDE CONTROL OF SPACECRAFT (3:3:0) Principles of mechanics and vector analysis applied to basic concepts of satellite motion and control, rocket ballistics, and gyroscopic instruments. Prerequisites: AERSP 304, 309.
	AERSP 473 (E MCH 473). COMPOSITES PROCESSING (3:2:2) An introduction to the principles of mechanics governing manufacturing, computer- aided design, and testing of composite materials and structures. Prerequisite: E MCH 471.
	AERSP 490 (E E 490, NUC E 490). INTRODUCTION TO PLASMAS (3:3:3) Plasma oscillations; collisional phenomena; transport properties; orbit theory; typical electric discharge phenomena. Prerequisite: E E 361 or PHYS 400.
	AERSP 492 (ASTRO 492, E E 492). SPACE ASTRONOMY AND INTRODUCTION TO SPACE SCIENCE (3:3:0) The physical nature of the objects in the solar system; the earth's atmosphere, ionosphere, radiation belts, magnetosphere, and orbital mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 400 or E E 361.
	AERSP 494. AEROSPACE UNDERGRADUATE THESIS (1-3 per semester, maximum of 6) Individual problem investigations reported in written thesis and seminar lectures. Cooperative research with faculty guidance on topics of current interest. Prerequisite: seventh- semester standing.
	AERSP 496. INDEPENDENT STUDIES (1-18)
	AERSP 497. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9)
	AERSP 497B. OBJECT ORIENTED PROGRAMMING (3:3:0) This course will introduce the students to object oriented programming. This will be done using primarily Java, which is quite similar to C++, but we will also discuss the OOP features of C++. Prerequisites: Programming (e.g. c or Fortran)
	AERSP 497F. ADVANCED AEROSPACE STRUCTURES (3:3:0) Introduction to composite materials, anisotropic elasticity, behavior of composite structures, energy methods. Prerequisites: Aersp 302, 313.
	AERSP 497G. CLASSICAL AND MODERN CONTROLS(3:3:0) Introduction to analysis and design of feedback control systems; Laplace transforms, Bode plots, stability, Nyquist criterion, state-space methods. Prerequisite: Aersp 304 or equivalent.

GENERAL ENGINEERING (ENGR)

• ENGR 002. ENGINEERING ORIENTATION (1:0:2)

• Introduction to efficient methods for analyzing and solving engineering problems.

  ENGR 005. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS FOR ENGINEERS (1:0:2)

  
  Introduction to experimental methods used in engineering. Applications of basic experimental and computational concepts through student involvement in laboratory experiments.
• ENGR 295. ENGINEERING CO-OP WORK EXPERIENCE I (1-3)
• 
  A supervised work experience where the student is employed in an engineering position in industry or government. To be offered only for SA/UN grading. Prerequisite: acceptance into the College of Engineering co-op program.
• ENGR 297. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9)
• ENGR 395. ENGINEERING CO-OP WORK EXPERIENCE II (1-3)
• 
  A supervised work experience where the student is employed in an engineering position in industry or government. To be offered only for SA/UN grading. Prerequisite: ENGR 295.
• ENGR 495. ENGINEERING CO-OP WORK EXPERIENCE III (1-3)
• 
  A supervised work experience where the student is employed in an engineering position in industry or government. To be offered only for SA/UN grading. Prerequisite: ENGR 395.
• ENGR 497. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9)

Coop Course Schedule html Excel

The Department of Aerospace Engineering participates in the cooperative education program offered by the College of Engineering.

• This program provides one FULL YEAR of work experience divided into THREE SEGMENTS: a fall semester, a spring semester and a summer session. These work periods alternate with periods in school. A student should enter the program at the end of the sophom*ore year and schedule courses that summer. The first work experience begins in the following Fall or Spring semester of the junior year depending on whether the student opts for the Group A or Group B schedule. Thereafter, work and school alternate until three work segments are completed. In this program, the student graduates in December of the first half of the fifth school year instead of May at the end of the fourth school year, thus completing the degree program in four and one-half years. For students admitted into the major and electing the cooperative education program, the curriculum plans for the last two and one-half years are shown on the following pages. Note that the student is either in school or at work for three summer sessions beginning the summer after the end of the sophom*ore year.
• Students who elect to participate in the cooperative education program will interview employers participating in this program late in their sophom*ore year. The interviewing process is like that for permanent employment; both employer and student must agree as to terms. Application is made by submission to the Department Co-Op Coordinator of a special resume form, located on the IBM PC's in all the CAC (Center for Academic Computing) student labs. Instructions for completing this form can be picked up at the co-op office (205 Hammond) or the Aerospace Engineering office (229 Hammond). Students selected will register for 1 to 3 credits of Engr 295, Engr 395, and Engr 495, successively, for each of the three work sessions. Six of these credits can be used toward technical elective requirements. At the end of each session, a report evaluating the experience will be submitted to the Department Co-Op Coordinator. This report will serve as a basis for a grade in the respective course. The Department Coordinator will also serve as the academic advisor to Aerospace students in the cooperative education program.
• Benefits of such a program are several. The student gets to work in a real world environment and gets a sampling of what real aerospace engineers do on the job. This experience should serve to enlighten the student more on what areas to pursue in future studies and what skills are most essential to develop. It also provides a means for earning some money prior to graduation while working in one's professional field. A Certificate is provided by the University upon completion of the entire formal Co-Op Program.

• Dr. Edward C. Smith

The University, the College of Engineering, and the Department of Aerospace Engineering annually award a number of scholarships. Students are automatically considered for all of these. Some scholarships require a demonstrated financial need; to qualify, a student must complete the FAFSA form each year.

For departmental scholarships, a committee reviews the relevant information on all eligible students, and makes recommendations to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies in Engineering, who notifies the awardees by mid-July. Some scholarship endowments permit multiple awards each year, but the number and amount will vary depending upon available funds.

Additional scholarships are offered by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Vertical Flight Foundation, with application due dates mentioned below.

AERO PIONEERS CLASS OF 1944 SCHOLARSHIPS

These scholarships are presented annually to one or more students with sophom*ore standing who are entering the junior year and intending to major in Aersp. Engr. A student must have a 3.0 grade point average, a record of active participation in student organizations such as AIAA, AHS or similar associationss, a good moral character, a sense of responsibility and a strong interest in the study and practice of aerospace engineering.

In 1942 a group of Mechanical Engineering students were recruited as “Aero Option” students into a new aeronautical engineering curriculum established by Dr. David J. Peery. The Aero Option students, Class of 1944, pioneered aeronautical engineering at Penn State University. During these years, Dr. David J. Peery established and headed the department now known as the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

With the establishment of this scholarship in 1999, the members of the Aero Pioneers (17 classmates) wished to honor Dr. Peery and the impact he had on their lives and on aeronautical engineering education.

BOEING SCHOLARSHIPS

Boeing has traditionally provided scholarships to students in several engineering disciplines, including Aerospace. Currently they are offering a total of 17 scholarships to students with an interest in the aerospace industry. Students must actually apply for these by completing a letter of application, and including their resume and one letter of recommendation. Deadlines are announced each year, early in the fall semester.

LOU BORGES SCHOLARSHIPS IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

The Lou Borges Scholarships are awarded annually to students enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, Aerospace Engineering with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and who have a proven financial need. The scholarships are administered from a fund established by Louis J. Borges, a member of the Aero Pioneer Class of 1944.. Mr. Borges served in the U.S. Navy (1944-46), and as a flight test engineer for the U.S. Army as Chief of the Aeronautics Branch R & D Group in Europe, and as Chief of the Airworthiness Branch of the R & D Directorate of the US Army Material Command. He received the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award in 2000.

JOHN PIERRE HEMLER SCHOLARSHIP

This new scholarship will be presented annually to an outstanding woman student enrolled in the College of Engineering, with first preference going to students enrolled or planning to enroll in Aerospace Engineering. Bob Hemler established this scholarship with his brother, John G. Hemler, in memory of John’s son (Aerospace Engineering student) who was tragically killed in a bicycle accident. Bob is a 1970 Electrical Engineering graduate. John is a 1977 graduate with a BS in Social Science from Capital College. After graduating from High School, Bob went to the Air Force and attended Penn State on the GI Bill. After graduation from Penn State he went to work for GE for 20 years. He then spent ten years working at ABB. Most recently, Bob joined Burns and Roe Enterprises, Inc. in New Jersey where he serves at Chief Operating Officer.

MARY ILGEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is presented annually to an outstanding student enrolled or planning to enroll in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and who has demonstrated need for funds to meet necessary college expenses. Ms. Ilgen was one of the first women to graduate in Aeronautical Engineering from Penn State in 1948. Subsequent to her graduation, Mary secured a job with Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Santa Monica, CA. She continued with Douglas through the merger with McDonnell Corporation and retired after 46 outstanding years of engineering work with the corporation. During her career, she made major contributions to the design, development, and worldwide certification of all Douglas Aircraft models from the DC-6 through the MD-11. Most of her career was devoted to the performance groups in aerodynamics and test flights. She was a representative to the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board, and received many outstanding awards and honors for her work. The College of Engineering recognized her with the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award in 1988. Ms. Ilgen passed away on October 8, 1997. Her family was presented with an award from the Ameilia Earhart Society memorializing her as Honorary Pioneer Woman in Aircraft Performance Engineering.

RICHARD W. LEONHARD SCHOLARSHIPS

The Richard W. Leonhard Scholarships are awarded annually to students with superior academic records (minimum GPA of 3.50). Students must also be citizens of the U.S. Once selected, a scholar must maintain this minimum GPA. Recipients who choose to pursue graduate study in the Department of Aerospace Engineering immediately following graduation will be eligible for a continuation of the scholarship. Funding for this scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Mr. Richard Leonhard and his parents Mr. and Mrs. William E. Leonhard.

Mr. Richard Leonhard received his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Penn State in 1966, his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from New York University in 1969, and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1973. From 1966 to 1971, he worked for Sikorsky Aircraft as an aeronautical engineer; presently, he is Chairman and President of Southwestern Industries, Inc. Mr. Leonhard resides in Palos Verdes Estates, California.

Mr. William Leonhard received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1936 from Penn State, and his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from MIT. He served for 14 years in the U.S. Army Air Corps and the Air Force, and worked for Parsons Corporation for 24 years. Mr. Leonhard founded the Penn State College of Engineering Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education. He and his wife Wyllis currently reside in State College, Pennsylvania.

JOHN AND BRENDA MYERS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

This scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student who is planning to enroll in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and who manifests promise of satisfactory academic success. The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of John and Brenda Myers. Mr. Myers received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1960 from Penn State, subsequently working for General Electric Corp., as an engineer in the Aircraft Systems Group. In 1980 he became President of Lycoming Division of Textron, Inc., and in 1992, President and COO of Thiokol (now Cordent Technology, Inc.). In 1993, Mr. Myers became Chairman of the Board at Garrett Aviation Service, from which he has since retired.. He is a past national chairman of American Defense Preparedness Organization. In 1994, the College of Engineering recognized Mr.Myers with the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award.

JAMES R. NORRIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The James R. Norris Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to an aerospace engineering major. The primary consideration is financial need, but the student shoudl also show promise of merit. James R. Norris received his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Penn State in 1948 and was a member of the Air Force ROTC unit. He worked for Pratt and Whitney for most of his career. His widow, Mrs. Betty Norris, who resides in Bolten, Connecticutt, established this scholarship in his memory.

DAVID J. PEERY SCHOLARSHIP

The David J. Peery Scholarship is presented annually to the outstanding junior in Aerospace Engineering in recognition of his/her academic excellence and extracurricular activities. The minimum grade-point average required for this scholarship is a 3.0. A student should have a record of participation in either AIAA, Sigma Gamma Tau or AHS, possess good moral character, and have a strong interest in the study and practice of Aerospace Engineering. This scholarship is given as a memorial to Dr. Peery, who.established the Department of Aeronautical Engineering in 1942/43 and served as its head until 1954. He was truly a pioneer of this field and had a tremendous impact on aeronautical engineering education at Penn State. Employed by Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. until his death on November 9, 1979, Dr. Peery is best remembered for his popular textbook Aircraft Structures, published in 1950 and in print until 1980.

CARL A. SHOLLENBERGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Carl A. Shollenberger Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to a junior or senior in Aerospace Engineering who has at least a 3.6 GPA and is committed to pursuing a career in Aerospace Engineering. Dr. Schollenberger received his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Penn State in 1967, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology. From 1971 to 1985, he was Senior Engineer for the McDonnell Douglas Corp. Dr. Schollenberger died November 17, 1985 while serving as a flying instructor aboard an airplane that crashed near Bakersfield, CA. A sister, many colleagues, and friends created this scholarship in his memory.

DONALD G. AND JAYNE L. STEVA SCHOLARSHIP

The Steva Scholarship is presented annually to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in the Department of Aerospace Engineering who has exhibited exemplary academic achievement. This scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Mr. Donald G. Steva and Mrs. Jayne L. Steva. Mr. Steva received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with the Aeronautical Option and is a member of the Aero Pioneers Class of 1944. He served in the U.S. Air Force (1942-45) and worked for the Steva Welding Company until his retirement in 1988. Mr. and Mrs. Steva currently reside in Erie, Pennsylvania.

AIAA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The national AIAA Foundation Scholarship Program provides $2000 yearly awards to deserving undergraduate students. Selection criteria include scholarship (3.0 cum. avg.), ability to apply concepts of science and engineering, personal assessment of career goals (a 500-1000 word essay), and recommendations. Applications must be received at AIAA Headquarters in Reston, VA by January 31 each year.

Further information and application forms may be obtained from AIAA/scholarships, or from the advisor to the Penn State Student Branch of the AIAA (Prof. Robert G. Melton, 229 Hammond), or by writing directly to

Scholarship Program
Director of Student Programs
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
1801 Alexander Bell Dr.
Suite 500
Reston, VA 20191-4344.

The Vertical Flight Foundation (VFF) is the philanthropic arm of the American Helicopter Society (AHS). The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees and functions as an independent charitable trust for the support of scientific and educational activities related to Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) flight. Each year, the VFF awards eight to ten scholarships, each at a value up to $2,000, to undergraduate or graduate students interested in pursuing engineering careers in the helicopter or vertical flight industry. Applications for the VFF scholarship may be obtained from the AHS faculty advisor, Prof. Edward C. Smith, 231D Hammond Bldg.

AMERICAN HELICOPTER SOCIETY PSU Student Chapter National

The American Helicopter Society (AHS) student chapter is the Department's newest organization, having received its charter from the parent organization in July 1980. The Penn State AHS student chapter is now one of the largest and most active chapters in the country. Interested students in joining the AHS may contact either Prof. Edward C. Smith (231D Hammond Bldg.), the faculty advisor to the Student Branch.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the largest American technical society devoted to science and engineering in the fields of space, technology, rocket systems, aerodynamics and marine systems. Students are encouraged to join the Penn State Chapter of the AIAA. Membership applications and information on the benefits of belonging to this organization may be obtained from the AIAA faculty advisor. Meetings and social events (including picnics) are held regularly during the academic year. Members can also attend the annual student conference for the Mid-Atlantic Region each April. Prof. Robert G. Melton (229 Hammond Bldg.) is the faculty advisor to the Student Branch of the AIAA.

• Sigma Gamma Tau is the National Honor Society in Aerospace Engineering. The Sigma Gamma Tau Society is established to recognize and honor those individuals in the field of aeronautics who have through scholarship, integrity, and outstanding achievement been a credit to their profession. The Society seeks to foster a high standard of ethics and professional practices and to create a spirit of loyalty and fellowship, particularly among students of Aerospace Engineering.
• The students eligible for membership include undergraduate aerospace engineering students in the upper one-quarter of their junior class and the upper one-third of their senior class. Each Spring Semester qualified students will be notified of their eligibility to join Sigma Gamma Tau.
• The faculty advisor of Sigma Gamma Tau is Prof. Ken Brentner (229 Hammond Bldg.).

Tau Beta Pi is an engineering honor society, highly regarded in the field. The Pennsylvania Beta Chapter of Tan Beta Pi was founded at the Pennsylvania State University on May 4, 1912, as the twenty-sixth collegiate chapter. The National Organization was founded in 1885 at Lehigh University. It has since grown to include over 200 collegiate chapters, and nearly 60 alumnus chapters.

• The Penn State Soaring Club is an organization open to all members of the University community. It exists to promote the sport of soaring and to give its members an opportunity to fly inexpensively on a regular basis.
• The club currently operates one club sailplane, an L-13 Blanik. the soaring season begins in the Spring when the weather begins to clear and generally runs through the end of December, or until snow covers the ground. The club operates on a three semester per year basis (Spring, Summer and Fall). Club dues for each semester are due at the beginning of each term. The club flies out of Keystone Gliderport, located in Julian, PA (about 20 minutes from campus).
• Prof. Mark Maughmer (233F Hammond Bldg.) is the Soaring Club's advisor and can be contacted for more information.