Aerospace Engineering
Study programs: Undergraduate study program, Graduate study program
Duration: six semesters (undergraduate), four semesters (graduate)
Number of ECTS credits: 180 (undergraduate), 120 (graduate)
The study program in Aeronautical Engineering was first introduced in the academic year 1995/1996. In 2022/2023, the new study program in Aerospace Engineering was launched.
Since the middle of the 20th century, aerospace engineering has been a field of technical sciences in which numerous new technologies were developed and then introduced and widely applied in other engineering fields and our daily lives. Accelerated digitalization and continuous technological progress, the need for environmentally friendly engineering solutions, as well as the development and application of artificial intelligence have a powerful impact on the sectors of aeronautical engineering and aerial robotics. Above all, the greatest momentum for the development of new technologies is most probably the growth of the space sector, the rapid development of which serves as a powerful catalyst for global scientific and technological advancement.
To respond to these challenges, the study program of Aerospace Engineering covers all key topics of the modern education of engineers. This includes materials science, technological processes, maintenance and design of mechanical structures and propulsion systems, atmospheric and orbital flight physics, and the design of aircraft and unmanned systems (e.g., popular drones). In addition to acquiring engineering knowledge, the study program particularly fosters creative and critical thinking, aiming for the successful integration of highly educated professionals into the contemporary job market in Croatia and abroad.
When designing the program, experiences gathered in consultation with professors teaching similar programs at universities in Delft, Milan, Stuttgart, Berlin, and Prague were also taken into account. The scientific field of Aeronautical Engineering, Rocket and Space Engineering was established within the Technical Sciences field of the Ministry of Science and Education, ensuring proper career advancement. Successful collaboration and coordination are maintained among faculties with related programs, particularly with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, the Faculty of Science in Zagreb, and the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences (pilot training).
The new Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program replaces the old Aeronautical Engineering undergraduate program. It is important to note that the new undergraduate program lasts three years, accumulating 180 ECTS credits. Additionally, a new graduate program in Aerospace Engineering is also introduced. This program lasts three years and equates to 120 ECTS credits.
The course modules of the undergraduate program have been carefully and thoroughly designed to systematically cover the targeted areas. Several specialized courses are run as the introduction to the curriculum revealing its engineering character. These courses, building on fundamental engineering subjects such as Mechanics, Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, etc., give the study program a distinctive character by focusing on aeronautical and aerospace topics:
- Aircraft structures
- Introduction to astronautics
- Jet and rocket engines
- Aircraft performance
- Orbital mechanics
- Non-destructive testing of aircraft structures
- Strength and reliability of aerospace structures.
Traditional academic teaching methods including lectures and practical classes are employed. In addition to regular practical classes that take place in classrooms, there also are laboratory classes and field trips, depending on the nature of each instructional module. The faculty is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories including laboratories for metrology, material analysis, advanced scientific computing, robotics, and artificial intelligence. These facilities are available to students during their studies and practical training.
In addition to classes at the faculty, students are required to do a four-week student training during their graduate studies. The student training entails working in a company or institution (in Croatia or abroad) that can provide an environment similar to that of an aerospace engineering workplace and under the supervision of authorized personnel from the company or institution.
The number of students that are enrolled in this study program meets the graduate recruitment needs of the industry. The faculty (all teachers) capacity and teaching facilities allow the students to work independently, have direct contact with assistants and professors during practical classes, tutorials, and mid-term and end-of-term tests, as well as utilize available software packages to master the course material to a level ensuring success in the exams.
Future Bachelors and Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering are prepared for employment in modern aerospace companies focusing on maintenance of aircraft structures and associated equipment, and modification and design of aircraft, unmanned, and space systems. They are also trained for positions in government and regulatory agencies as well as the military sector.
Given the broad range of the acquired knowledge, graduates can apply their professional competencies in high-tech companies collaborating in the aerospace sector and development of advanced technologies. The application of such skills extends beyond the realm of space engineering and conventional aviation, encompassing various areas of technological innovation.
