The University of South Florida kicked off the fall semester by welcoming the first class of students into its new aerospace engineering major, one of only three undergraduate programs of its kind at a Florida university. The initiative was shaped by input from students and aerospace industry leaders and fills a critical gap in aerospace education in the region.
Housed in USF’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the program offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering. The inaugural cohort is already diving into courses on propulsion, flight stability and control, space exploration and aerodynamics – setting the stage for careers in one of the state’s fastest-growing industries. The program was created as a strategic investment to prepare students for in-demand careers while supporting employers seeking top aerospace talent.
“At USF, we are dedicated to advancing Florida's aerospace legacy by cultivating the next generation of innovators and engineers,” said Rajiv Dubey, chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “With the establishment of the aerospace engineering program, we are poised to lead this mission and shape the future of the industry.”
Florida has emerged as a global hub for aerospace innovation. The state is home to more spaceports and launch pads than any other in the United States, anchored by NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of space launches from Florida nearly tripled.
The space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, and Florida ranks among the nation’s top aerospace exporters, generating more than $9 billion in products and parts in 2022. Nearly 130,000 Floridians work in the aviation and aerospace sectors, supported by major industry players including Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, Airbus, BAE Systems, AEVEX Aerospace and SIMCOM Aviation Training. In Tampa Bay alone, more than 300 aerospace and defense companies are fueling the industry’s growth.
USF’s new program emphasizes experiential learning and industry connections from the very beginning. Undergraduate students will gain early exposure to faculty-led research sponsored by NASA, the Department of Defense and the Space Force, and will have access to advanced laboratories and technology.
“Our program will actively involve undergraduates in cutting-edge research while also preparing them through structured internship and co-op opportunities,” said Ahmad Vaselbehagh, associate professor and director of USF’s aerospace engineering program. “These experiences will allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom, build professional networks and gain valuable insight from industry leaders.”
The USF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is expanding rapidly, adding new faculty members and building a research portfolio exceeding $6 million in annual sponsored funding. USF is home to the first full-scale, manned eVTOL vehicle at a U.S. public university, underscoring its leadership in advanced air mobility and drone technologies.
Faculty experts are leading pioneering projects in bio-inspired aerodynamics, alternative aviation fuels including NASA-funded CLEAN initiatives, advanced aircraft control, hypersonic flight and human factors in aerospace. Students play a central role in these efforts, contributing directly to innovations shaping the industry’s future.
“The launch of USF’s new aerospace engineering major comes at the perfect time,” said Levi Thompson, dean of the College of Engineering. “Florida is a leader in the aerospace industry, home to more than 17,000 aerospace-related companies and the Kennedy Space Center, driving a $19 billion industry. With the U.S. aerospace market soaring, USF has stepped up to prepare the next generation of engineers for this rapidly expanding field.”
Learn more about the USF aerospace engineering programs and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.