College of Engineering to Launch New Aerospace Engineering Concentration and Minor in Fall 2027

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette's College of Engineering will launch two new aerospace-focused academic offerings in Fall 2027: an Aerospace Engineering concentration within the bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and an Aerospace and Autonomous Systems minor for engineering majors. The new programs are part of the College's broader effort to prepare students for careers in aerospace and help position Louisiana as a center for aerospace innovation and technology.

With unprecedented aerospace investment and new opportunities emerging in Louisiana, demand is growing for engineers with specialized knowledge and skills in aerospace systems. The College’s new Aerospace Engineering concentration and Aerospace and Autonomous Systems minor will equip students with the advanced technical expertise needed to meet industry needs, advance aerospace technologies, and contribute to Louisiana’s expanding aerospace sector.

The new academic offerings are central components of the College of Engineering's Aerospace Ecosystem Initiative, a comprehensive effort to expand aerospace education, workforce development, research, and innovation. By bringing together academic programs, industry partnerships, and hands-on learning opportunities, the initiative will equip students with the knowledge and skills to advance aerospace technologies, strengthen Louisiana's aerospace workforce, and help position the state for continued growth in this rapidly evolving industry.

"Louisiana is entering an exciting new era of opportunity in aerospace, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is committed to helping lead that progress," said Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. "Our responsibility as a university is not simply to respond to economic growth, but to position our students, our faculty, and our state to take full advantage of it. Through this initiative, we are bringing together our academic strengths, research capabilities, and industry partnerships to prepare students for careers in an industry that will play an increasingly important role in Louisiana's future. We want our graduates to be ready to contribute to aerospace innovation and help drive the state's continued economic growth."

The Aerospace Engineering concentration is part of a broader academic vision that also includes a new undergraduate minor in Aerospace and Autonomous Systems. Together, these programs will provide students across disciplines with additional pathways to pursue aerospace-related coursework and develop expertise in emerging technologies. The College is also expanding professional training and workforce development opportunities through industry partnerships and its Continuing Engineering Education Program.

"The launch of these new academic offerings reflects the University's commitment to aligning academic programs with the needs and opportunities emerging across Louisiana," said Dr. Dianne Olivier, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. "As the aerospace industry expands, we must ensure that our students have access to the specialized education and practical skills that will prepare them for the careers of tomorrow. The College of Engineering's Aerospace Ecosystem Initiative provides a framework for connecting academic programs, research, and workforce development in ways that will benefit our students, our industry partners, and the state for years to come."

The concentration builds on the strong engineering foundation of the Mechanical Engineering curriculum, allowing students to pursue advanced coursework in gas dynamics and propulsion, spacecraft dynamics and control, aerospace structures and design, aircraft dynamics and performance, orbital mechanics, and aerospace power systems. Students can focus their technical electives on either thermal-fluids-energy systems or mechanics and control, giving them flexibility to pursue their areas of interest within aerospace engineering.

“The Aerospace Engineering concentration and Aerospace and Autonomous Systems minor are part of our broader efforts to address the growing skills gap by continuously aligning engineering education with rapidly evolving technologies and workforce needs,” said Dr. Ahmed Khattab, dean of the College of Engineering. “We are building on the College’s existing strengths to create new academic pathways and opportunities for our students while expanding our capabilities in aerospace education, research, and innovation.”

Beyond its academic programs, the College of Engineering’s Aerospace Ecosystem Initiative will expand multidisciplinary research and technology development in areas critical to aerospace systems, including autonomous systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, communications, controls, advanced manufacturing, materials, propulsion, and thermal systems. These capabilities will support the development and testing of technologies for aircraft, spacecraft, autonomous vehicles, and other aerospace applications while creating opportunities for faculty and students to collaborate with industry and research partners. By connecting engineering education, research, and workforce development, the initiative will help develop the engineering talent and technological capabilities needed to support aerospace manufacturing, mission development, space systems, and other aerospace activities in Louisiana.

For more information about the Aerospace Engineering concentration, visit mechanical.louisiana.edu.