Aerospace Engineering Design Education at West Point

This paper discusses the approach to design education of the West Point Aerospace Engineering program. This approach is characterized by an early introduction and consistent application of design methodology that includes the use of both mechanical engineering design processes and sizing methodologies for aerospace design, a two-semester capstone project that solves real-world engineering problems with the Department of War, an andragogical teaching model, and a progressive and integrated series of project-based learning events throughout the undergraduate program.