Associate of Science (AS) Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering

Are you a problem solver with a strong curiosity about math and science? Do you systems design and data modeling? Do you often wonder how things work? If so, engineering may be the career path for you! This pathway is designed to meet Associate in Science ... More

Are you a problem solver with a strong curiosity about math and science? Do you systems design and data modeling? Do you often wonder how things work? If so, engineering may be the career path for you! This pathway is designed to meet Associate in Science Track 2 degree requirements with an emphasis in mechanical, industrial, & aeronautical engineering. This pre-major pathway is designed to prepare you to transfer at the junior-level into a related engineering program at a four-year college or university.

Mechanical engineering is the study of maintaining, analyzing, designing and manufacturing machinery. The scale of mechanical engineering projects can range from designing the tiny parts of machines, as well as the handling of large-scale machinery. Mechanical engineers train to become experts in material science; they understand the chemical and mechanical properties of each material and how they interact. Industrial engineering is the branch of engineering that involves figuring out how to make products or complete tasks more safely and efficiently with less wasted material and energy. Industrial engineers are concerned with reducing production costs, evaluating lifecycle costs and sustainability, increasing efficiency, improving the quality of products and services, ensuring worker health and safety, protecting the environment and complying with government regulations.

Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems and equipment. The field has traditionally focused on problems related to atmospheric and space flight, with two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. While many who work in the Aerospace Industry have general mechanical engineering degrees, some students choose to specialize in aerospace engineering with a major or minor. In this program, you’ll complete the requirements of the freshman and sophomore years of most mechanical, industrial and/or aerospace engineering programs at a four-year college or university. You’ll study areas such as calculus, physics, engineering, and chemistry, but you’ll also take courses in English, social sciences and humanities. Along the way, you’ll get an opportunity to join South’s rocket club as well as design, develop and test challenging projects with peers outside of class in our MakerSpace. If you’re interested in troubleshooting, designing, and developing solutions to the some of the world’s most complex problems in manufacturing, industry, and/or aerospace, this might be the right career path for you!