Introduction to Teaching Scheme for Undergraduate Student in School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Shanghai Jiao Tong University established China’s first collegiate aeronautics program. Currently, aerospace engineering undergraduate curriculum covers all the four second-tier subject areas dictated by a national guideline: aircraft/spacecraft design, aerospace propulsion theory and engineering, aerospace manufacturing, and human-machine-environment system engineering. Motivated by the need to be more compatible with international engineering-education, the program adopts a teaching guideline of “Focusing on the fundamentals, Intensifying practices, System-oriented, and Developing skills.” This approach is aimed at preparing students with a comprehensive knowledge base and the necessary skills at the undergraduate level.

The undergraduate curriculum is organized into five technical categories: Dynamics and Control, Fluids, Material and Structure, Thermal Sciences and Propulsion, and Aerospace Systems. It prepares students with a solid theoretical background, strong analytical skills, and skills necessary for the R&D, control, operation, and management of aerospace systems. Bilingual- and English-teaching of technical courses are strongly advocated and are practiced more and more. Special attention is given to the cultivation of innovation spirit and practical skills for the students. The teaching has evolved from instructor-centered to a students-centered mode.

Program Goals

This program educates students with the goals of a coordinated development in ethics, knowledge, physical education, and aesthetics, and of a comprehensive advancement of students’ knowledge, capacity, and inner quality. The program educates students to have a broad and composite knowledge base, to be open-minded, and to be creative. The program prepares students for a successful career in the major fields of aeronautics and astronautics.

Main Courses

Flight Mechanics and Orbital Dynamics, Principles of Automatic Control, Aircraft Control, Fluid Mechanics, Aerodynamics, Aircraft Material and Structure, Engineering Thermodynamics, Propulsion Principles and Structure, Aircraft Design, and Avionics, etc.

Aerospace industry is often regarded as the crown of all industries. It is the symbol of the highest achievement that integrates many high technologies. It is also the most important strategic high-tech field in China, whereas the next twenty years being the most opportune time period for aerospace development. This in turn provides the best opportunities for young people to realize their dream and ambition for “soaring in the sky, discovering the universe.”

The number of annual graduates of this program is small (say, 1:10) compared with the demand. Many of our graduates have entered such major companies and research institutions as Shanghai Space Technology Academy, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, No.5 Space Technology Institute, China Eastern Airlines, Ltd., etc. Our graduates can fulfill their ambition and play significant roles in key nationwide projects such as “Jumbo Jet,” “Manned Space Exploration,” and “Exploring the Moon,” etc. About a quarter of our graduates go abroad for further advanced study each year.