Courses Choosing Between Aerospace and Control Engineering

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the decision between specializing in Aerospace Engineering versus Control Engineering for a Mechanical Engineering student. The student expresses a strong interest in aerodynamics and propulsion, highlighting the appeal of a Master's program in aeronautics and potential employment in the aerospace sector. However, concerns arise regarding employability outside aerospace and the necessary knowledge in electronics for Control Engineering. It is concluded that a focus on control laws in aerospace applications can mitigate the need for extensive electrical engineering knowledge.

PREREQUISITES
  • Aerospace Engineering fundamentals
  • Control Theory principles
  • Basic knowledge of Electronics
  • Understanding of Feedback and Stability in systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Master's programs in Aeronautics
  • Explore Control Engineering applications in aerospace
  • Study the fundamentals of Control Theory
  • Investigate the integration of digital computing in modern flight control systems
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical Engineering students, aspiring aerospace engineers, and individuals interested in the intersection of aerospace and control systems engineering.

vinicius0197
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Hey everyone. I'm a student of Mechanical Engineering right now and even if I'm still a few years ahead to choose a field to major in, I like to have something in mind to focus on.

First of all, I really appreciate the aerospace field. Airplanes and spacecraft were my main motivation in choosing mechanical engineering. Where I live, there is the opportunity of getting enrolled in a Msc program in aeronautics and the possibility of being employed by a major aerospace company. I really like aerodynamics and propulsion, so I think this would be a great master's degree. However, it's very specific, and I've been thinking about my employability outside the aerospace industry too.

I do like control theory, besides. I've been searching for control engineering and systems, and it looks like a promising field. Beyond that, it has a lot of applications in aerospace. What worries me is that looks like control engineering requires a lot of insight in electrics and electronics, and I'm not sure I will get those by being a mechanical engineer.

My question is: how much electrics and electronics I would need to specialize myself in controls engineering? And what kind of major should I do to become one control engineer? Could you please tell me some important disciplines in the field?
 
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The only reason there are so many EE in control laws is that both study feedback and stability of systems. If you like those subjects, you might as well study it in an Aero control law class. You wouldn't need to know much EE that is not control law oriented. Flight controls used to be electronic circuits, but modern ones calculate their surface commands on digital computers.
 
Thread closed at request of @vinicius0197 who prefers to have no answers rather than wait more than a day.
 
TL;DR: How can I begin to gain an understanding of astronomy? Hello there, and thank you in advance to anyone that might answer this. I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to post a question like this, as I am new to this website and also very nervous about making a post that others might see/reply to. I am a freshman in high school and I am interested in astronomy. I want to learn about space, but I am not quite sure where to begin. Is there anything that I can do to seriously expand my...

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