B. Tech. (Bachelor of Technology) in Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering is one of the primary disciplines of engineering studies that deals with design, development and functioning of the aircrafts and space crafts. This is perhaps the most sought-after area of study for the younger generation as it offers them great opportunities to work in challenging environments and is often touted as a ‘rocket science’.

Aerospace Engineering often overlaps with aeronautical engineering but this specialized area extensively deals with an array of subjects including aerodynamics, structural analysis, material sciences, manufacturing and avionics.

Aerospace engineers design and evaluate the functioning of aircrafts, spacecrafts, missiles and satellites to see if they are aligning with the principles of engineering. Besides that, an aerospace engineer may also get involved with the coordination and guiding the technical personnel towards designing, modifying, fabricating of the aircrafts, missiles, satellites and spacecrafts.

In a Q&A session with Dr Sivakumar Venugopal, Chairperson: Aerospace Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore Campus, we bring all you need about this high-in-demand discipline of engineering.

It would be interesting know the difference between Aerospace Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering. What defines the difference between these two disciplines is the ‘height of the atmosphere.’ Above 100 kilometers is space and below that is atmosphere. All the study related to the design, engineering, analysis of the vehicles in the ‘atmosphere’ is the aeronautical engineering’ and anything above that is ‘aerospace engineering’.

How we train our students to be industry ready and their knowledge in fundamentals plays a pivotal role in shaping their future. Having said that, we should also agree that technology is moving ahead by leaps and bounds and one has to keep up with that. The atmosphere at Amrita in such that, if the faculty wants to include any latest topic in a subject, it wouldn’t take them more than a semester to make the changes. We make perpetual and conscious efforts in keeping up with the pace. In fact, most technological advancements in the world first take place in the field of aerospace and it is a mix of all other major disciplines.

It is true that CGPA is not alone a contributing factor for landing into a plum job. To ensure a holistic outlook, we offer courses in problem solving, critical thinking, programming from the first year itself. For every 4 to 5 years, we make complete change in the curriculum, revisit the subjects and form the program based on the industry requirements.

It all depends on the subjects you like. Aerospace engineering involves applied mathematics and applied physics. If you are relatively good at mathematics, physics and chemistry, this subject would interest you and is never tough.

In India, the openings in field related to Aerospace engineering is with the government organisations like HAL, ISRO. Recently, the Government of India has called for the participation of private industry in the space sector for building rockets, providing launch services and also to be a part of its inter-planetary missions. This is indeed a positive sign and would ensure an accelerated growth in job opportunities. Few private airline companies in country are already active and the openings are growing. The students with post-graduation and research enjoy greater opportunities in India and abroad.

The Corporate Industry Relations office at Amrita offers major help in finding placements for our students. Our students also get placed in IT companies like Infosys, Wipro where they do programming applying engineering principles related to aerospace.

There are a plenty of opportunities available abroad. Many developed countries are eyeing in expanding the horizons into the space and are pumping in money. Space and technology entrepreneurs like Elon Musk has certainly revolutionized on how aerospace engineering is perceived. It is no longer the inaccessible, intimidating sector. In fact, he recently suggested that his company would be building a ‘floating, super heavy-class spaceports for Mars, Moon and a hypersonic travel around the earth.’ Doesn’t that sound exciting?  

Yes! We have at least 10 students from Amrita currently serving and guarding the country. It is indeed a matter of pride for us and it shows that opportunities are open to go and stand by the national security. The students, if interested in joining the defence courses will be given all necessary guidance.

The students should do whatever the heart says. The students need to decide to themselves and as faculty we are always there to help them. Before giving an advice, we talk to them in detail about their plans, interests, commitments etc. A majority of students go for higher studies. At least 30% of them go abroad for specialisation in advanced aerodynamics, advanced structures. Aerospace is a culmination of each and every engineering discipline and the students can study whatever interests them. In fact, our 2013 and 2019 grads formed their own companies in Avionics and composite structures. There are ample opportunities to run their own business empire.

Aerospace engineering labs offer immense learning experience via facilities set up in the areas related to aerodynamics, propulsion, structures and avionics. We have recently set up fixed base simulator and first year students. In the first semester itself, the students get their hands-on the equipment with the help of faculty.

We have aerospace engine, two models of Mig -23 and Kamov Helicopter in working condition. The Indian Navy has given us to for experiments.  

Most students choose their universities based on their interests, bowing down to parental and peer pressure. But, if a student wants to study Aerospace Engineering with a spiritual component, he or she should come to Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. We not only offer academic excellence, but we also teach ethics, morals, spiritual life and integrity. All our staff are totally dedicated to these causes.

And for an engineer to excel – you need passion, sincerity and hard work. All these three factors along with the blessings from the Almighty will make you scale greater heights in career and life. It is all about being at the right place, the right time and doing the right thing.

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is an undisputable leader in the realm of private universities offering the best quality education in India.

It is the 4^th Best Ranked University, among the private universities as ranked by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF Ranking), as issued by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India for the year 2020

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham holds Institute of Eminence tag, issued by the University Grants Commission

It is the No 1 Private University in India, as per The World University Rankings, 2020

It is also ranked No 1 for the International Faculty by the QS World University Rankings for the year 2020

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham stands tall as No 1 among the private universities as per the ranking issued by QS University Rankings, Asia for the year 2020

A complete vegetarian, self-sustainable campus, the faculty and staff believe in nurturing the young minds of India into responsible citizens

The alumni of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham occupy prestigious positions in various government and private organisations in India and across the world

The university boasts 25 plus Centres of Excellence, has 180 plus research collaborations, 65000 citations, 12,000 publications, 100 plus patents and $100 million funding

Every semester around 200 students from Amrita secure admission into prestigious universities abroad.