These FAQs are designed to answer questions for prospective students, incoming freshmen, and transfer students. If you are a currently enrolled AES student, please refer to the FAQs on the Current Students tab.

Is there someone in the Aerospace Engineering Sciences department I can talk with about admission?

Questions about admissions are best answered by the Office of Admissions since the Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department doesn’t deal with any aspect of the admissions process. Incoming freshmen from high school can go find out more on the Office of Admissions website. Students coming from a community college or university with 24 or more hours of record after high school graduation are considered straight transfer students; please click here for more information. Students pursuing a second undergraduate degree are considered transfer students. International students can find more information by clicking here.

What courses should I take in high school to ensure a smooth transition to your program?

Please begin by referring to the Office of Admissions - Freshman Criteria for Admission site. Also, be sure to review the Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS).

Our department also recommends the following courses:

  • Calculus-based Physics (AP Physics C - Mechanics, AP Physics C - Electricity & Magnetism)
  • Chemistry (Completion of a high school-level chemistry course is a pre-requisite for ASEN 1022 - Materials Science for Aerospace Engineers)
  • Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, etc.
  • Calculus (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC) We recommend waiting until your junior or senior year so you don't forget the material.
  • Foreign language (MAPS requires students have at least 3 years of the same foreign language or 2 years of 2 different languages)
  • Writing courses (students will be writing several papers and lab reports - writing skills are a must)

Please remember that these are courses we in the department recommend. However, you should work with the Office of Admissions to confirm you have taken all of the courses required for admission to the university.

What courses should I take at a community college or university if I plan to transfer?

Please begin by referring to the Office of Admissions - Transfer Criteria for Admission site. Also, be sure to review the Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS).

Our department also recommends the following courses to be eligible to take the sophomore-level ASEN courses:

  • Calculus-based Physics 1
  • Calculus 1 and 2
  • Programming (C, C++, Java, and/or MATLAB)
  • Chemistry (if not taken in high school)
  • Foreign Language (if students have not taken at least 3 years of the same foreign language or 2 years of 2 different languages in high school)
  • Humanities courses (please check the College of Engineering & Applied Science website to find out what courses are considered humanities and social science)

All students MUST be proficient in MATLAB prior to taking ASEN 2001, 2002 & 2012. To purchase a copy of MATLAB, please visit the Mathworks website for the Student Version. They have an excellent tutorial as well.

If you are attending a public institution in Colorado, please refer to the this page for additional information. If you are coming from an out-of-state institution, please check course equivalencies through Transferology. Remember these are courses we in the department require in order for you to begin taking the sophomore-level ASEN courses. However, you should work with the Office of Admissions to confirm you have taken all of the courses required for admission to the university.

Do I have to take a MATLAB programming course or can I take a programming course in a different programming language?

All students must complete a programming course as it is one of the required prerequisites for ASEN 2001, 2002 & 2012. All ASEN courses use MATLAB programming extensively. However, if your university/college does not offer MATLAB, we will accept a Programming 1 course in C, C++ or JAVA, but you will have to teach yourself how to program in MATLAB.

Can you tell me what classes will transfer to your program? Can I send you my transcript and will you tell me what classes will transfer into the Aerospace Program?

Evaluation of which courses transfer must be completed at the Office of Admissions.

They determine if a course will transfer and how it will transfer. The official Transfer Credit Policy states that Transfer Credit Evaluation happens only after you have applied, been admitted, and have submitted your intent to enroll (and the enrollment deposit). However, you can visit the Transfer student site for more information about what courses may transfer. If you are planning to transfer from a Colorado public institution, you may also want to refer to the this page for additional information.

I am currently a CU Boulder student, but I am not currently in Aerospace Engineering or the College of Engineering & Applied Science. How do I change my major to AES?

Students who are CU Boulder students, but are not currently in the College of Engineering & Applied Science will go through a process called Intra-University Transfer (IUT). The college has a lot of great information about the process on the IUT site. If you’re currently in the College of Engineering & Applied Science, you’ll fill out the Change of Major form and obtain the required signatures before turning it into the Dean’s Office.

I'm transferring from another engineering program. How much longer will it take for me to graduate and why?

Transferring in from another school typically adds about one year to your degree. This is because:

  1. Many CU Boulder aerospace classes are offered once a year and are prerequisites for each other.
  2. Not all credits from other universities will transfer into CU Engineering. Our courses are very specific, unique, and contain hands-on design & experimental labs in the context of a team environment. Some of the course content covered in the spring of the CU Boulder Aerospace sophomore year include topics that aren't covered in many other universities until junior or senior year.