The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is expanding its academic offerings in aerospace and space technology, bringing together engineering and computing programs to prepare students for emerging careers and Louisiana's growing aerospace industry.
The expansion includes a new aerospace engineering concentration within the bachelor's degree program in mechanical engineering and an aerospace and autonomous systems minor in the College of Engineering, both planned for fall 2027. The Ray P. Authement College of Sciences also is adding a space computing systems concentration for computer science majors and a space computing systems minor for students in other majors, both planned for fall 2027.
"Louisiana is entering an exciting new era of opportunity in aerospace, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is committed to helping lead that progress," university President Ramesh Kolluru said. "Our responsibility is not simply to respond to economic growth, but to help drive it. By bringing together our academic strengths, research capabilities and industry partnerships across disciplines, we are preparing students for high-demand careers, strengthening the workforce our state will need and helping create the talent and innovation that will support this industry's continued growth."
The academic expansion comes as Louisiana prepares for growth in its aerospace sector. SpaceX has announced a $100 billion investment to build Starbase Louisiana near Pecan Island, about 60 miles south of campus in Vermilion Parish. The facility is expected to become the world's largest spaceport by launch capacity, capable of supporting thousands of launches annually. Louisiana Economic Development projects the development will create 3,000 direct jobs over the next decade and more than 8,100 indirect jobs, generating more than 11,100 new job opportunities in Acadiana.
"The University has a responsibility to ensure that our academic programs continue to evolve alongside the industries and technologies that are creating new opportunities for our students and our state," interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dianne Olivier said. "These efforts demonstrate how we can build on strengths across disciplines, connect education with research and workforce needs, and give students the specialized knowledge and practical skills they will need to succeed."
Engineering expands aerospace pathways
The College of Engineering's new aerospace engineering concentration will build on the mechanical engineering curriculum with advanced coursework in gas dynamics and propulsion, spacecraft dynamics and control, aerospace structures and design, aircraft dynamics and performance, orbital mechanics and aerospace power systems.
Students will be able to focus technical electives on either thermal-fluids-energy systems or mechanics and control. The aerospace and autonomous systems minor will provide another pathway for engineering students to pursue aerospace-related coursework and develop expertise in emerging technologies.
"The aerospace and autonomous systems minor and the aerospace engineering concentration are part of our broader efforts to continuously align our engineering education with rapidly evolving technologies and workforce needs," College of Engineering Dean Ahmed Khattab said. "We are building on the college's existing strengths to create new academic pathways and opportunities for our students while expanding our capabilities in aerospace education, research and innovation."
The new offerings are part of the College of Engineering's Aerospace Ecosystem Initiative, which connects aerospace education, research and workforce development. The initiative will support multidisciplinary work in areas including autonomous systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, materials, propulsion and thermal systems, with applications for aircraft, spacecraft, autonomous vehicles and other aerospace technologies.
Chemical engineering graduate Troie Acker walks back to her seat during the UL-Lafayette Spring Commencement exercises for the College of Engineering Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Cajundome in Lafayette, La.
STAFF PHOTO BY LESLIE WESTBROOK
Sciences expands computing for space systems
The Ray P. Authement College of Sciences is expanding its curriculum in the School of Computing & Informatics with a new concentration and minor in space computing systems. The programs will prepare students to apply computing expertise to spacecraft, satellites and other space-based systems.
The new concentration and minor will focus on computing and cybersecurity for space applications. Students will learn how to protect satellite commands and communications, build intelligent and resilient software, manage spacecraft computing resources, design radiation-hardened and fault-tolerant systems, and analyze satellite imagery and telemetry.
The programs will build on the School of Computing & Informatics' advanced curriculum in artificial intelligence and machine learning, giving students opportunities to apply those technologies to challenges unique to space-based systems.
"Computing is essential to nearly every aspect of modern space systems, from communications and cybersecurity to artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies," College of Sciences Dean Azmy Ackleh said. "Through this new concentration and minor in space computing, we are giving students opportunities to apply the computing skills they are developing to complex, real-world challenges in space-based systems. Most importantly, we are preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow, both here in Louisiana and across the nation, and equipping them to contribute to the growing space economy."