Aerospace Engineering for Propulsion: Is It Worth It?

[Marioqwe]

Should I get into Aerospace engineering if I am not interested in aircraft/ spacecraft design at all? I am interested in propulsion and I will probably get an advanced degree in plasma physics or nuclear engineering. I am not sure if a degree in aerospace will give me enough background.

Here is the curriculum of the school I'll be transferring to:

http://www.undergradcatalog.registrar.vt.edu/1011/eng/aoe.html

Also, is it worth joining associations such as the AIAA? why or why not?

Thanks.

 

[viscousflow]

I have a friend doing exactly the same thing as you want to do. He did his BSAE in propulsion and is doing his BS in EP to get the physics fundamentals, then will be off to do his masters in some advanced physics. Sure its feasible however, I don't know if anyone university really tailors to that kind of interest exactly.

But I took a look at that curriculum and honestly its paltry compared to the propulsion option at my university. We have 1 semester of aerospace propulsion preliminary work, and 2 semesters of propulsion design (both preliminary and detail). Whereas they have 1 semester of design and no propulsion prep courses.

Edit: Oops, they do have a propulsion prep course.

 

[Marioqwe]

What does EP stand for? Electrical Physics?

 

[viscousflow]

Engineering Physics.