A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE AEROSPACE ENGINEERING CURRICULUM AT
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
E. A. Falk∗ and A. S. Arena†
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
Abstract
Oklahoma State University has enjoyed a long and storied affiliation with the aeronautical and
space related engineering professions for almost 75 years. Historically, this affiliation has been
bolstered by a strong industrial base in the State of Oklahoma related to aviation and the
aerospace sciences, as well as through the activities of many nationally recognized native
Oklahomans in aviation and space exploration. Even so, the development and success of the
Aerospace Engineering program at the Oklahoma State cannot be strictly attributed to locale, but
rather must be credited to the highest quality instruction, research, and extension. This paper
focuses specifically on the history and development of the Aerospace Engineering curriculum at
Oklahoma State. Topics discussed herein describe the birth, growth, and maturity of the
Aerospace Engineering program, including its unique history, its close association with
Mechanical Engineering, and developing national prominence.
Emergence of Engineering
The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the Territory of Oklahoma was established as a
land-grant educational institution by the first territorial legislature of Oklahoma on December 24,
1890; merely eight months after the May 2 inauguration of the Territory that same year. Payne
County was stipulated as the location for the new college, with Stillwater, the county seat,
elected as the final construction site in the summer of 1891. Classes at the college commenced
on December 14, 1891, with forty-five students (22 male, 23 female) and five faculty members
meeting at various churches around Stillwater. At that time, each student enrolled in an identical
curriculum, leading to a four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Required courses consisted
of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, chemistry, physics, drawing, surveying, civil engineering,
and mechanics; forming the early bases of a burgeoning engineering curriculum.
The Board of Regents made the first clear distinction between agricultural and engineering
curricula at Oklahoma A & M College (as it was referred to then) when it ordered a mechanic
arts department to be initiated during the 1898-1899 academic year. Richard E. Chandler was
appointed the first full-time faculty member in the engineering division, and for one year he
single-handedly taught all courses related to engineering and physics. Engineering courses under
his direction included Blacksmith Shop, Machine Shop, Pipe Fitting, Mechanical Drawing,
Statics, Hydrostatics, Moments of Inertia, Hydraulics, Kinematics, Theory of Structures, Steam
Engines and Boilers, Thermodynamics, Machine Design, and Electrical Engineering. The title of
Professor of Mechanical and Mining Engineering and Physics was formally given to Mr.
Chandler in 1902. By this time, however, as many as three other engineers were assisting him in
his teaching efforts; each engineer having a specific area of expertise, such as electrical
engineering or civil engineering. Professor Chandler became Dean of the Engineering Division
∗
†
Assistant Professor; School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; 218 Engineering North
Maciula Professor in Engineering, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 218 Engineering North
in 1910. He also founded the Oklahoma Society of Engineers, a precursor to the present day
Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers.
After 1898, engineering courses at the college were conducted in a separate “mechanical hall”,
apart from the agricultural and science departments, housing a 100 horsepower boiler with an
attached 80 ft smokestack (thought to be the tallest structure in the Oklahoma Territory at the
time). Engineering faculty and students played an important role in the construction of the
mechanical hall, as well as many other physical improvements to the campus, including boiler,
sewer, water, electricity, and pavement installation. Student laborers gained more than
experience for their efforts toward campus improvement; often using the meager wage they
earned to offset the $8.00/month room and board. Room and board expenses were a common
source of student attrition from the college during its early years.
Despite having courses separately listed for Mechanical Engineering related topics, all
engineering instruction prior to 1906 was offered as a single course of study. In 1906, however,
engineering instruction above the junior level was separated into independent curricula for Civil
Engineering and Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Mechanical Engineering and Electrical
Engineering were further separated into individual departments in 1909, with Electrical
Engineering tasked to continue all physics-related instruction. A Master of Science degree was
first offered for engineering in 1911. By 1914, all engineering disciplines had adopted the
semester system and shared a common two-year general engineering program. After completing
their first two years of study at the college, engineering students branched into a second two-year
course plan, or Professional School (as it is now termed), in one of the stipulated engineering
disciplines. The semester and Professional School concepts remain integral to today’s
engineering instruction at the University (despite a brief reversion to the quarter system after
World War I). An engineering student in 1914 was required to complete 144 semester credit
hours, not including military science or physical training, in order to graduate. Despite these
rigorous requirements, nearly one-half of all graduates of the college studied engineering over
the time period spanning from 1908-1911, with 211 BS degrees granted. By 1923, however,
engineering enrollment had dropped relative to other programs in the college, accounting for
only 15% of the total degrees granted over a two-year span.
Despite the early success of the engineering division at Oklahoma A & M College, few
engineering graduates remained to work in Oklahoma. In fact, of the 29 men who graduated
with engineering degrees prior to 1902, not one was employed in Oklahoma. The 1908
engineering class was unusual in that six of the nine graduates remained to work in the Territory.
Of those graduates that remained in Oklahoma, most entered the public education system, or
later on, worked in the expanding petroleum industry.
In the fall of 1919 engineering students from Oklahoma A & M College met with students from
several other western academic institutions to form a new national engineering organization
known as the “Guard of St. Patrick”. Although never explicitly stated, the affiliation between the
engineering profession and St. Patrick was initially attributed to the celebration and exhibition of
engineering activities during the week of March 17. However, a second explanation suggests
that the activities of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who reportedly drove all the snakes out
of Ireland, formed the first known “worm drive” and thereby established a connection with
engineering. Regardless of the affiliation, after 1919 the college newspaper at Oklahoma A & M
frequently referred to engineering students as “The Irish”, a moniker that remained for many
decades. In fact, to this day the top five graduating seniors in engineering at the University are
selected to receive the “St. Patrick’s Award” from the College of Engineering, Architecture, and
Technology.
Mechanical Engineering Expands
While elements of mechanical engineering were firmly ensconced at Oklahoma A & M College
as early at 1898, it was not until the appointment of Robert Lee Rhoades as the first official Head
of the Department Mechanical Engineering in 1923 that the discipline began to fully settle in at
the college. Ellis C. Baker replaced Rhoades in 1928, and subsequently built a solid group of
Mechanical Engineering faculty. In particular, V. W. Young from Purdue University, R. E.
Venn from Kansas State College, and V. L. Maleev from the Imperial Technical College were
each hired by Baker prior to 1930. Baker also oversaw the establishment of several degree
options associated with the Mechanical Engineering program. For example, along with several
other engineering disciplines that began to offer options of specialization in their respective
fields in 1929, Mechanical Engineering formally offered degree options in Aeronautical
Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Refrigeration Engineering.
The Aeronautical
Engineering and Petroleum Engineering degree options were both two-year programs, beginning
in the junior year. The first four-year curriculum for Mechanical Engineering with an
Aeronautical Engineering degree option, as listed in the Course Bulletin of 1928-1929, is
provided in Table 1.
The Aeronautical Engineering program grew rapidly during its early years. In fact, the program
gained wide popularity due in part to a growing national and regional interests in aviation,
spurred on by the celebrity of aviators such a Charles Lindberg and Oklahoman Wiley Post.
Lindberg even visited Oklahoma in 1928, just one year after his historic transatlantic flight. He
personally selected Waynoka as the site for the first transcontinental airport in Oklahoma.
Similarly, Post's famous solo flight around the world occurred in 1933, just four years after the
Aeronautical Engineering degree option became available at Oklahoma A & M. Other aviation
developments in Oklahoma, such as the growth of the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa
after 1928, and the selection of Oklahoma City in 1941 as a major aircraft and supply depot for
the U. S. military (known today as Tinker AFB), continued to spur student interest in aeronautics
and aviation through the 1940’s.
The early Aeronautical Engineering degree option in Mechanical Engineering was nurtured
through the efforts of Oklahoma A & M faculty members such as Professor V. W. Young.
Professor Young initiated a local student chapter of the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences in
1943. He also greatly assisted in the development of a flight school at the college, beginning a
civilian flight-training program under the guise of the Civil Aeronautics Authority in the fall of
1939. Many graduates from this flight program eventually became military pilots during World
War II. The Civil Aeronautics Authority reported in 1942 that more pilots from Oklahoma A &
M College had entered into military service than from any other U. S. school, and that not a
single one of these pilots had “washed out” of the Army Air Corps pilot training program prior to
that time. After World War II, a degree curriculum followed naturally from the Civil
Aeronautics Administration flight-training program. The School of Flight was official formed in
1946, headed by Mechanical Engineering faculty member G. L. Rucker, but offering no separate
degree from the Aeronautical Engineering degree option for Mechanical Engineering.
The advent of World War II significantly impacted both the college as a whole and the
Department of Mechanical Engineering. For example, during World War II the Department of
Mechanical Engineering provided a compressed degree program through which a four-year
engineering education could be earned in six 12-week terms. The U. S. entrance into the war
also significantly impacted the makeup of the Mechanical Engineering faculty. Prior to 1940,
the faculty had consisted of a number of seasoned professors, as indicated previously; however,
due to vacancies created by conscription at colleges throughout the States, twelve of the existing
Mechanical Engineering faculty members departed from 1940-1945. Replacements were hired
both during and after the war, including W. H. Easton, J. H. Boggs, R. E. Chapel, L. J. Fila, E. C.
Fitch, M. A. Nobles, J. D. Parker, and G. H. Fila. Professor G. H. Fila was the first female
Mechanical Engineering faculty member, hired in 1940; her tenure at the college lasted only one
year. The position of Head of the Mechanical Engineering department also changed shortly after
the war, as R. E. Venn succeeded E. C. Baker after his unexpected death in 1949.
Not surprisingly, many of the new faculty members hired during World War II were specifically
engaged in the aeronautical engineering field, such as Professors L. J. Fila and R. E. Chapel, both
of who were quite successful in soliciting research grants related to the aircraft industry.
Professor Fitch also earned the first industrial research contract related to fluid power
engineering in 1956. The subsequent Fluid Power Laboratory (FPL) would become enormously
successful, productive, and nationally renowned. In fact, research productivity at the laboratory
would eventually require a separate building and administrative staff apart from the Department
of Mechanical Engineering. From the FPL, Prof. Fitch formally organized the Fluid Power
Research Center (FPRC) in 1970, becoming the oldest research center in the college. The FPRC
is responsible for establishing over one hundred industrial standards, patenting mechanical
devices, and attracting external funding from over seventy-five industrial organizations in three
continents. Professor C. M. Leonard, who was elected national President of Pi Tau Sigma, the
Mechanical Engineering honor society, in 1956, also typified the success of the department
during these years. Through his association, the student chapter of Pi Tau Sigma at the college
hosted the National Convention of the society in Stillwater in 1957.
By the late 1950's, the exploration of space was becoming a reality as evidenced by successful
orbital rocket programs, and the establishment of National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA). Oklahomans played a significant role in the growth of space
exploration and development of space technology. Col. L Gordon Cooper, a native of Shawnee,
OK, was one of the first men selected for the U.S. astronaut program, orbiting the Earth in both
Mercury 9 and Gemini V flights. Similarly, Lt Gen. Thomas P. Strafford, a native of
Weatherford, OK, became the pilot of Gemini VI, the commander of Gemini IX, and the
commander of Apollo 10. In total, Oklahoma claims eight astronauts, including several
participants in the Space Shuttle program. Two of Oklahoma’s astronautics, Col. William R.
Pogue and Col. Stuart A. Roosa, attended OSU, although neither graduated with degrees in
Mechanical Engineering.
The Aeronautical Engineering degree option was fully accredited as a standalone curriculum,
separate from the Mechanical Engineering degree program, in 1960. To reflect the broadening
of the aeronautics field and the increasing importance of space-related engineering in Oklahoma,
the name of the Aeronautical Engineering degree option at the college was officially changed to
Aerospace Engineering in 1965. A sample of the curriculum for the Aerospace Engineering
degree option in Mechanical Engineering at the time of the name change is included in Table 2.
The School of Mechanical Engineering was officially renamed the School of Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering (MAE) in 1968, in order to provide greater visibility to the Aerospace
Engineering degree option. The nomenclature change followed suit with college, which was
officially titled Oklahoma State University of Agriculture and Applied Science on May 15, 1957;
this name was subsequently shortened to Oklahoma State University (OSU) in the years
immediately following. Along with the name change, the position of MAE department Head
was given to J. H. Boggs in 1958. Boggs served as Head until 1965, when E. L. Harrisberger
replaced him.
During the 1960’s and 1970’s fields of specialization among the faculty of the MAE department
successfully expanded into several new areas, particularly due to the appointment of several new
faculty members such as G. W. Zumwalt, R. L. Lowery, D. K. McLaughlin, and P. M. Moretti.
These energetic faculty members joined R. E. Chapel and L. J. Fila in augmenting departmental
expertise in the areas of sonics, gas dynamics, vibrations, and instrumentation. Bolstered by the
influx of faculty members, the School of Mechanical Engineering experienced a tremendous
growth of sponsored research by 1961, such that nearly one-half of the research grants for the
entire College of Engineering stemmed from the Mechanical Engineering department at that
time.
During the 1960’s a gradual shift occurred throughout the university in faculty expertise related
to the area of fluid mechanics, moving from its traditional location in the School of Civil
Engineering to the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This shift was in large
part due to the success of Professor Fitch’s work in fluid power, but also bolstered by the hiring
of J. E. Bose, K. N. Reid, W. G. Tiedermann, W. B. Brooks, and D. E. Boyd, each of who added
unique expertise in various elements of fluid mechanics to the MAE faculty. Professor Zumwalt
particularly championed teaching and research effort related to the Aerospace Engineering
degree option, having designed and installed new wind tunnels in the mechanical engineering
laboratory prior to his departure in 1968. A photo of the installed Zumwalt tunnel is shown in
Fig. 1. He was also the first American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) faculty
advisor for the OSU student chapter of the society, after a merger of the two antecedent societies,
ARS and IAS. Professor Zumwalt was designated by the AIAA the as one of the nation’s most
outstanding advisors of a student chapter in 1965. Under his direction, the OSU student chapter
of the AIAA received the Bendix Award, the highest honor that may be bestowed upon a student
chapter.
Karl N. Reid succeeded E. Lee Harrisberger as the MAE department Head in 1972, and
continued in that capacity until he was appointed to his present position of Dean of the College
of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (CEAT) in 1986. Lawrence L. Hoberock replaced
Dean Reid as MAE department Head in 1986, and continues in that capacity to the present day.
Prof. R. L. Swaim also joined the faculty in a full-time capacity in 1987, having previously
served as Associate Dean for CEAT since 1978. Prof. Swaim played integral part in the
development of several programs in both CEAT and MAE during the 1980s and early 1990s.
For example, the cooperative education program in CEAT was nearly non-existent until Prof.
Swaim’s arrival from Purdue University in 1978. Prof. Swaim pushed for and successfully
revived the cooperative education program, initiating what grew into a very successful program
that until the mid 1980s boasted over 60 student participants per year from engineering and
engineering technology. On December 12, 1989 Prof. Swaim also successfully initiated the
Oklahoma State chapter of the National Aerospace Engineering Honor Society, Sigma Gamma
Tau. The chapter inducted its first nine members on April 10, 1990. Since that time three people
from the chapter have been nominated for the society’s Honor Undergraduate Student Award,
one of who won the award for the Southwest Region and competed nationally for the Ammon S.
Andes National Award for Aerospace Engineering. The chapter had been recently inactive; it
was reactivated as of 2001. Since 1990 the chapter has inducted well over 70 new members.
During the 80’s and 90’s, MAE experienced a growth in faculty. A list of MAE faculty as well
as department heads from the 1890’s to today may be seen in Table 4.
Aerospace Engineering in the New Century
As described above, Oklahoma State University has had a thriving program in aeronautical and
aerospace engineering for almost 75 years. Although accredited separately, the “option”
terminology was used to reflect the commonality, and close working relationship, with the
Mechanical Engineering curriculum. On June 30, 2000 the Oklahoma State University Board of
Regents approved a degree designation from Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
with an Aerospace Engineering option, to Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
(BSAE). A degree designation change was necessary in order to eliminate confusion since the
designation of “option” had become almost universally recognized as a non-accredited emphasis
area within a discipline of engineering. At the time of the change, OSU was the only remaining
university in the United States that used the title “Aerospace Engineering Option” instead of
“Aerospace Engineering” for a fully accredited aerospace engineering program. The curriculum
itself did not change with the new designation. The first BSAE degree was awarded to Aaron
McClung in August of 2000. The current BSAE degree plan is provided in Table 3.
As illustrated in Table 3, the BSAE curriculum exposes the student to a broad range of
fundamental science and engineering topics including: physics, chemistry, statics and dynamics,
thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, materials, computational methods, and electrical
and electronic circuits. In the junior and senior years, students are introduced to more specific
topics including aerodynamics, propulsion systems, aircraft and spacecraft stability and control,
aerospace structures, and aerospace vehicle design. Electives allow students to broaden, or
specialize as desired.
The Aerospace Engineering curriculum has always demonstrated a commitment to hands-on and
practical engineering and design experience. Early examples include multiple shop and design
courses, as well as experimental labs. An example from the 1928-1929 curriculum, given in
Table 1, is the Aero 423 course that provided training in design, construction, and testing of
airplane engines from a theoretical and practical standpoint. Also, Aero 433 was a course in
commercial application of aircraft, including the study of passengers and freight lines, local
operating companies, and special uses of flying equipment with consideration of unit costs, and
revenue, equipment regulation, etc. In recent history, a flight-test component was added to the
required Aerospace Engineering curriculum. Twelve students enrolled in the first offering of the
course in 1980, with Prof. F. Eckhart serving as both pilot and instructor. Typical flight test
experiments during Prof. Eckhart’s tenure were conducted in aircraft such as a Piper Twin
Cherokee, the Cessna 172, and the Beechcraft Dutchess. A photograph of Prof. Eckhart, and the
original 12 students in that course is shown in Fig. 2. Prof. Eckhart retired in 1999 at which time
Prof. P. H. O’Donnell was hired as pilot and instructor for the course. Students now fly a series
of 3-4 test flights making measurements in university aircraft. Figure 3 is a photograph of Prof.
O’Donnell with his class of 2003 in front of one of the flight-test aircraft. Since 1997, all senior
BSAE students have been required to participate in the AIAA Design-Build-Fly competition
annually sponsored by the AIAA, Cessna, and the Office of Naval Research. The seniors form
two teams that each design and build aircraft for the international contest. Oklahoma State
students have enjoyed a marked level of recent success in the competition, including a 2nd place
finish in 1999, 2nd and 5th place finishes in 2000, and 1st and 3rd place finishes in 2001. Figure 4
is a photo of both OSU teams placing in the 2001 competition, with aircraft and trophies.
It is also important to note that, due to its historically close association with the Mechanical
Engineering program, OSU Aerospace Engineering students following the suggested curriculum
need only complete two additional MAE courses to fulfill both BSAE and BSME degrees
requirements for graduation. Some students also take advantage of the Department of Education
Aviation and Space program and receive minors in Professional Pilot or Aviation Management.
Historical enrollment and graduation data for the OSU MAE department is illustrated in Figs. 5
and 6. Figure 5 shows the total undergraduate enrollment for Mechanical Engineering (BSME),
Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace Engineering Option (BSMEAERS), and Aerospace
Engineering (BSAE) from 1985-2002. Despite a drop in enrollment in the mid 1990s,
enrollment for the BSAE degree (previously BSMEAERS) at OSU has remained nearly constant
at 180 students for almost two decades. Figure 6 shows the undergraduate graduation numbers
for Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace Engineering
Option (BSMEAERS), and Aerospace Engineering (BSAE) from 1976-2002. BSAE graduates
have numbered below 20 per year during the reported time period; however, 2002 provided a
record number of BSAE student graduates. Combined, the enrollment and graduation data
indicate the recent growth, increased retention rate, and popularity of the Aerospace Engineering
program. The popularity of the BSAE degree at OSU may be attributed to several factors, one of
which is the significance of the aerospace industry in the Oklahoma economy.
Graduates of the BSAE program at OSU are primarily employed in Oklahoma and its
neighboring states. Figure 7 illustrates the approximate geographic distribution of reporting
MAE students graduating with Bachelor of Science degrees over the period of 1999-2002.
About 70% of MAE graduates are, at least initially, employed in either Oklahoma or Texas;
however, graduates have reported employment across 17 U. S. states, as well as several
international countries. For those MAE students employed in Oklahoma and Texas, a large
percentage are employed in the energy industry, including companies such as Conoco, Phillips
Petroleum, Halliburton Energy Systems, and Exxon-Mobile. Aerospace Engineering graduates
at OSU are typically employed by local Oklahoma and Texas companies such as The Nordam
Group, Lockheed-Martin, NASA Johnson Space Flight Center, American Airlines, Raytheon,
Aeromet, and the U. S. Air Force, located at Tinker AFB. Several Kansas-based companies also
employ a large number of OSU BSAE graduates, including Cessna, Raytheon Aircraft, and The
Boeing Company. The mean starting salary for MAE graduates reporting their employment
plans upon graduation over the period of 1999-2002 was approximately $46,800, with a mean
sign-on bonus of $2,800 for those receiving bonuses. Geographic distribution, mean salary, and
sign-on bonus data specifically related to Aerospace Engineering graduates were not collected
from 1999-2002; however, trends can be assumed to be equivalent to that of the nominal MAE
graduate.
Aerospace Engineering Related Facilities at OSU
The MAE department at OSU has an extensive number of laboratories to support the
experimental and hands-on design emphases of the undergraduate curriculum. A segment of the
laboratories used by MAE undergraduates in Aerospace Engineering are detailed below.
1. Subsonic/sonic Wind Tunnel Laboratory
Low turbulence, open return wind tunnel has a 15:1 contraction followed by an
interchangeable test section with a 3 ft × 3 ft cross section. A 125 hp motor with a
variable speed drive powers the centrifugal blower that drives the flow. The tunnel has an
operating velocity range of approximately 0 – 185 ft/sec.
2. Zumwalt Wind Tunnel
Open return wind tunnel has a 5.7:1 contraction followed by a test section with a 0.41 m
× 0.61 m cross section. A 29.8 kW motor powers the centrifugal blower that drives the
flow. The tunnel has an operating velocity range extending from approximately 11 – 49
m/s.
3. Aerospace Composites Laboratory
Complete composites lay-up and curing equipment and facilities including clean room,
and 8 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft, and an 8 ft × 8 ft × 6 ft curing ovens.
4. Aerospace Assembly Laboratory
Large design and fabrication space to facilitate hands-on projects. Facilities and tools for
construction of remotely piloted vehicles.
5. L. Andrew Maciula Aerospace Design Studios
Design studios to facilitate group communication and cooperation in the design of
aircraft. Studios include computers with design and analysis software, white boards, and
reconfigurable furniture.
6. Aerospace Engineering Laboratory
Used to conduct a wide range of aerospace related experiments including wind tunnel
studies, rocket and jet propulsion. Approximately 40% of experiments are performed in
the air in university aircraft
7. Aerospace Propulsion Laboratory
Axial-flow low-speed compression stage with 1 m diameter. Compressor consists of 1.5
stages (inlet-guide vane, rotor, and stator stages) driven by variable speed 50-hp electric
motor with a maximum speed of 1800 RPM. A slip-ring assembly allows for rotatingframe measurements forward, between, and aft of the rotor blades. An auxiliary fan and
terminating throttle provide both flow augmentation and restriction to operating at a
variety of stage flow coefficients, including stall.
8. Aeroservoelasticity Laboratory
High-end computer workstations and software for computational studies of aerodynamics
and vehicle flow/structure interactions.
9. Materials Science Laboratory
Wide variety of equipment for studying properties of materials, including computerbased metallograph, grinding, polishing, tensile testing, heat-treating ovens, microscopes.
References
1. Parcher, J. V., 1988, A History of the Oklahoma State University College of Engineering,
Architecture, and Technology, Centennial Histories Series, Oklahoma State University,
Stillwater, OK.
2. Oklahoma Aeronautics and Space Commission
3. Oklahoma Department of Commerce
4. Governor's office of Oklahoma
5. State of Oklahoma
6. Aerospace Department Chair Association
7. Aerospace Industries Association of America.
8. OSU Special Collections and Archives
FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester
Algebra
English Composition
Trigonometry
General Chem.
Descriptive Geometry
Military Science
Eng. Orientation
Total
Credits
4.0
3.0
2.0
4.0
4.0
1.0
0.0
18
Spring Semester
Engineering Drawing
Analytical Geometry
English
General Chem.
Surveying
Military Science
Eng. Orientation
Total
Credits
2.0
4.0
3.0
4.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester
Calculus
Physics
Pattern Making (Shop)
Foundry (Shop)
Kinematics
Military Science
Total
Credits
5
5
1
1
5
1
18
Spring Semester
Calculus
Physics
Statics
Machine Shop (Shop)
Machine Design
Chemistry
Military Science
Total
Credits
3
5
2
1
1
4
1
17
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
Power Plants
Machine Design
Strength of Materials
Forge (Shop)
Adv. Eng. Shop (Shop)
Elective
Total
Credits
5
3
5
1
1
3
18
Spring Semester
Power Plants
Machine Design
Kinetics
Hydraulics
Adv. Eng. Shop (Shop)
Manufacturing Processes
Elective
Total
Credits
4
4
2
3
1
2
2
18
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
Electrical Engineering
Thermodynamics
Economics
Speech
Plant Structures
Tech. Elective
Total
Credits
5
2
3
2
3
3
18
Spring Semester
Electrical Engineering
Thermodynamics
Engineering Economics
Spec. & Contr.
Tech. Elective
Elective
Inspection Trip
Total
Credits
5
3
3
2
2
2
0
17
Additional Aeronautical Option Course Requirements:
Math 343: Theoretical Aeronautics
Aero 413: Aeronautics – General theory of the design of airplanes, including calculations of stresses and
performance and the study of stability and control
Aero 423: Airplane Engine Design-Lecture/Lab-The study of the design and construction of modern aeronautical
engines and parts from a theoretical and practical standpoint
Aero 433:
Aero 473
Aero 483
Commercial Aeronautics- A general course in commercial application of aircraft, taking up the study
of passengers and freight lines, local operating companies, and special uses of flying equipment with
consideration of unit costs, and revenue, equipment regulation, etc.
Airplanes-An elementary course in air action as applied to airplanes
Airplanes-An elementary course in airplane types, structures and motors.
Total units: 152
Table 1. First Aeronautical Option in Mechanical Engineering curriculum, 1928-1929
FRESHMAN YEAR
Course
Analytics (Math)
Engineering Drawing
General Chemistry
Orientation
English Composition
Credits
3
2
4
1
5
Course
Military or Air Science
Beginning Analysis I (Math)
Design Layout and Graphics
General Physics
Challenges in American Dem. Life
Total Freshman Year
Credits
4
5
2
4
4
34
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Course
Beginning Analysis II (Math)
General Physics
Mechanics-Statics and Strength
Industrial Processes
Military or Air Science
Credits
5
4
5
2
4
Course
Differential Equations
Fundamentals of Elec. Engineering I
Mechanics-Dynamics
Intro to Engineering Design
Challenges in American Dem. Life
Total Sophomore Year
Credits
3
5
3
3
4
38
JUNIOR YEAR
Course
Thermodynamics I
Fundamentals of Elec. Engineering II
Dynamic Analysis
Introduction to Metal Behavior
Mechanics-Fluids
Introductory Modern Physics
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
3
Course
Thermodynamics II
Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics
Design Stress Analysis
Measurements and Instrumentation
Seminar
Aerospace Structures I
Total Junior Year
Credits
3
5
3
2
1
3
35
SENIOR YEAR
Course
Humanities in Western Culture
Mechanical Engineering Lab
Mechanical Metallurgy
Aerospace Structures II
Aerodynamics I
Humanities in Western Culture
Credits
4
1
3
3
3
4
Course
Experimental Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics II
Power Systems I
Tech Elective
Tech Elective
Eng. Economy, or Report Writing
Total
Credits
2
3
3
3
3
3
35
Total Units 142
Table 2. Aerospace Option in Mechanical Engineering curriculum, 1965-1966
FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester
Introduction to Engineering
General Chemistry
American History
Calculus I
Freshman Composition I
Total
Credits
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
15.0
Spring Semester
Fortran
Engineering Design
General Physics
Calculus II
Social Science Elective
American Government
Total
Credits
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
18.0
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester
Statics
Thermodynamics I
General Physics
Calculus II
Differential Equations
Credits
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
Total
15.0
Spring Semester
Material Sciences
Dynamics
Strength of Materials
Fluid Mechanics
Electrical Science
Science Elective
Total
Credits
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
18.0
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
Dynamics Systems
Engineering Economic Analysis
Comp. Methods in Analysis & Design
Compressible Fluid Flow
Engineering Statistics
Total
Credits
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
15.0
Spring Semester
Mechanical Design I
Measurements and Instrumentation
Engineering Design
Mech./Aero. Engineering Elective
Applied Aero. and Performance
Total
Credits
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
15.0
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
Social Science Elective
Aerospace Structures I
Gas Power Systems
Aerospace Vehicle Stability and Control
Advanced Social Science Elective
Total
Total units: 127
Credits
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
15.0
Spring Semester
Social Science Elective
Mech./Aero. Engineering Elective
Aerospace Vehicle Design
Aerospace Engineering Laboratory
Technical Writing
Total
Table 3. Aerospace Engineering curriculum, 2002-2003
Credits
3.0
3.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
16.0
Figure 1. Original Zumwalt Wind Tunnel.
Figure 2. Aerospace Engineering students participate in new flight test program included
in 1980 curriculum. Prof. F. Eckhart was pilot and instructor.
Figure 3. Aerospace Engineering students participate in 2003 flight test program. Prof. P.
H. O’Donnell is the pilot and instructor.
Figure 4. Aerospace Engineering students participate in 2001 AIAA Design-Build-Fly
competition. Teams finished in 1st and 3rd place.
600
No. of Students
500
400
300
200
100
0
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
Year
BSME
BSMEAERS
BSAE
Figure 5. OSU undergraduate Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Mechanical Engineering
with Aerospace Engineering Option (BSMEAERS) and Aerospace Engineering (BSAE)
enrollment, 1985 – 2002.
100
90
No. of Students
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
20
02
20
00
19
98
19
96
19
94
19
92
19
90
19
88
19
86
19
84
19
82
19
80
19
78
19
76
0
Year
BSME
BSMEAERS
BSAE
Figure 6. OSU undergraduate Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Mechanical Engineering
with Aerospace Engineering Option (BSMEAERS) and Aerospace Engineering (BSAE)
graduates, 1976 – 2002.
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
AY 2002
AY 2001
C
O
N
M
,IA
,M
O
,A
TN
R
,M
A
,V
A
,G
A
U
T,
C
A
,H
I,A
K
IL
K
S
TX
In
te
rn
at
io
na
l
O
K
AY 2000
AY 1999
Lo c a t io n
Figure 7. Geographic distribution of BSME and BSAE graduates from OSU, 1999-2002.
Appendix
HEADS
Name
Robert L. Rhoades
Ellis C. Baker
Rollo E. Venn
James H. Boggs
Appointed
1923
1928
1949
1958
Resigned
1928
1949
1957
1965
Name
Henry J. Absher
Benjamin M. Aldrich
James J. Allen
Andrew S. Arena, Jr.
Glen L. Aupperle
Ellis C. Baker
Joseph H. Bell
Carl A. Bessey
Bruce A. Blackman
Thomas E. Blejwas
James H. Boggs
Samuel J. Boller
James E. Bose
Robert E. Bose
Donald E. Boyd
Frank R. Bradley
Merle C. Brady
Stanley O. Brauser
Martin Bretz
Edgar E. Brewer
William B. Brooks
Robert Brun
Wayne Buerer
Olden L. Burchett
O’Neill J. Burchett
Brigitte Busch
Frank W. Chambers
Richard E. Chandler
Young Bae Chang
Raymond E. Chapel
Wilson R. Cherry
John C. Cluff
Alva G. Comer
Howard E. Conlon
Nicolae Constantin
Thomas A. Cook
Everett L. Cook
Neal A. Cook
David Cornell
Glen L. Corrigan
Jimmy E. Cox
Bob C. Crittendon
Bert S. Davenport
Ron D. Delahoussaye
Dean DeMoss
Appointed
1957
1941
1981
1993
1948
1921
1947
1899
1947
1978
1943
1923
1962
1965
1969
1910
1937
1948
1941
1910
1967
1967
1936
1957
1959
1995
1989
1898
1991
1947
1941
1930
1954
1982
1996
1983
1967
1946
1959
1946
1960
1950
1948
1986
1965
Resigned
1958
1956
1984
Present
1951
1949
1948
1900
1948
1980
1965
1928
1974
1966
1978
1916
1940
1967
1943
1916
1973
1970
1949
1960
1967
1996
Present
1914
2000
1983
1944
1933
1971
1998
1997
1988
1968
1950
1961
1948
1962
1952
1961
Present
1966
Name
E. Lee Harrisberger
Karl N. Reid, Jr.
Lawrence L. Hoberock
Appointed
1966
1972
1986
Resigned
1971
1986
Present
Appointed
1929
1966
1987
1978
1946
1963
1961
1996
1990
1938
1930
1969
1920
1917
1959
1986
1956
1981
1970
1962
1979
1992
1990
1970
1974
1980
1954
1996
1965
1996
1966
1955
1966
1961
1966
1991
1995
1947
1965
1978
1964
1965
1923
1948
1962
Resigned
1966
1967
1989
Present
1947
1966
2000
Present
Present
1939
1944
1975
1921
1919
1960
1986
1958
1982
1981
1990
1996
1993
Present
Present
1975
1981
1957
1996
1967
Present
1971
1988
1972
1963
Present
1999
1995
1948
1967
1982
Present
1968
1928
1951
1976
FACULTY
Name
Carroll M. Leonard
John M. Levosky
Steven Y. Liang
David G. Lilley
Edwin C. Lindly
Robert E. Little
Richard L. Lowery
Hongbing Lu
Don A. Lucca
Loddie A. Maciula
Vladimir L. Maleev
Michael M. Mamoun
Mack Martin
Charles G. Martinson
Clarence Murray, Jr.
Amer Nasserharand
William R. Mathews
Georg F. Mauer
Dennis K. McLaughlin
Faye C. McQuiston
Merlin L. Millett
Timothy M. Minahen
Eduardo A. Misawa
Peter M. Moretti
B. N. Murali
J. Murali
Melvin A. Nobles
Brian O’Dell
Ronald R. Osborn
Prabhakar R. Pagilla
Ronald I. Panton
Jerald D. Parker
James R. Partin
Edward C. Pohlmann
C. Eric Price
William R. Qualls
Makaram Raghunandan
Karl W. Reber
Robert E. Reed
Troy D. Reed
Karl N. Reid, Jr.
Mary E. Reynolds
Robert L. Rhoades
Robert E. Roach
Allen M. Rowe, Jr.
Ralph R. Denham
Ronald L. Dougherty
Earl L. Dowty
Peter Dransfield
Delcie R. Durham
William H. Easton
Lynn R. Ebbeson
Richard R. Ellis
Paul H. Evans
John P. Everett
Eric A. Falk
Bruce A. Feiertag
James H. Felgar
Gary B. Ferrell
Gertrude (Hill) Fila
Ladislaus J. Fila
Daniel E. Fisher
Ernest C. Fitch, Jr.
George E. French
Craig R. Friedrich
Charles R. Gerlach
Afshin J. Ghajar
Richard M. Gilmore
James K. Good
Larry D. Goss
Robert R. Graham
M. Clovis Green
Afif S. Halal
Gerald A. Hale
Syed Hamid
Vincent S. Haneman, Jr.
George J. Hanggi
Steven M. Harris
E. Lee Harrisberger
Howard M. Hawks
Donald R. Hawworth
John A. Herrington
Lawrence L. Hoberock
I. T. Hong
Robert R. Irwin
Everett C. Isbell, Jr.
Charles Jablow
J. L. Jones
Byron W. Jones
Milan K. Jovanovic
Bilgin Kaftanoglu
Ranga Komanduri
Harry L. Kent
Walter B. King
Sandford P. Kroeker
Edward J. Kunze
1943
1985
1967
1965
1985
1942
1974
1947
1943
1949
2001
1984
1905
1980
1953
1947
1999
1953
1942
1982
1965
1981
1953
1980
1966
1937
1941
1989
1929
1976
1966
1947
1985
1963
1948
1959
1925
1987
1988
1940
1947
1912
1910
1975
1958
1981
1989
1931
1941
1935
1914
1944
1999
1969
1967
1988
1969
1982
1951
1944
1951
Present
Present
1906
1984
1954
1978
Present
1988
1943
1987
1966
Present
1955
Present
1971
1938
1941
1991
1935
1978
1973
1950
1988
1971
1949
1966
1926
Present
Present
1967
1950
1920
1912
1976
1964
1985
Present
1939
1953
1936
1917
Samit Roy
Glenn L. Rucker
Herbert A. Rundell
Richard P. Sauerhering
Virgil Scarth
Murel E. Schlapback
Alfred E. Schlemmer
Charles J. Schoene
Roger J. Schoeppel
Henry R. Sebesta
Adolph E. Shane
Yahya I. Sharaf-Eldeen
John J. Shelton
Yuh-Cheng Shiau
Stephen R. Sias
James D. Simpson
Charles W. Skinner
Frank H. Smith
Atmaram H. Soni
B. F. Spieth
Jeffrey D. Spitler
Arlo L. Steele
William O. Stephens
Robert L. Swaim
James H. Taylor
Robert Taylor
Bradley E. Thayer
George H. Thomas
Flint O. Thomas
Melvern F. Thomas
William G. Tiedermann
Warren C. Trent
Roger R. Tucker
James W. Turnbow
Lynn D. Tyler
C. Julian Vahlberg
Rollo E. Venn
Curtis Vickery
Robert K. Wattson
Newton P. Whaley, Jr.
John A. Wiebelt
Leroy A. Wilson
George S. Winchell
Anson T. Woods
Gary E. Young
Cline T. Young
Ronald K. Young
Vincent W. Young
Larry D. Zirkle
Glen W. Zumwalt
Y. H. Zurigat
2001
1941
1953
1906
1938
1959
1947
1908
1966
1966
1900
1982
1984
1989
1981
1965
1910
1929
1966
1919
1990
1937
1940
1978
1978
1993
1948
1926
1983
1902
1968
1946
1965
1940
1963
1970
1929
1989
1946
1947
1958
1921
1947
1951
1982
1978
1947
1929
1970
1959
1984
Present
1946
1956
1908
1943
1960
1950
1910
1977
1976
1902
1987
Present
1993
1981
1968
1915
1931
1987
1920
Present
1945
1941
1992
1981
1999
1950
1929
1988
1905
1978
1947
1966
1942
1964
1972
1968
1993
1948
1949
1985
1923
1941
1957
Present
1983
1950
1951
1978
1968
1989
Table 4. Heads and faculty members of the School of Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering, 1898 – present.