The John D. Odegard

SCHOOL OF AEROSPACE SCIENCES

Richard Nelson, Interim Dean

MISSION AND HISTORY

The principal mission of the School of Aerospace Sciences is to preserve, create, and disseminate knowledge and to demonstrate the principled use of knowledge for and about aerospace, atmospheric sciences, and computer science. In consort with other units of the University of North Dakota, it is committed to providing a comprehensive, high quality, relevant education for students preparing for careers in these fields.

Always at the forefront of technology, the School has earned national acclaim for its achievements in collegiate aviation education and atmospheric research. In just a few years, the School has received a steady stream of multi-million dollar research contracts and attracted students from every state and at least a dozen foreign countries.

The aviation program was founded in 1968 as an academic department within the College of Business and Public Administration. It offered the nation’s first four-year degree that combined an undergraduate business degree with an in-depth aviation education and professional flight training. Since then, new degree options and research programs have emerged at a rapid pace. In 1982, the Department of Aviation became the Center for Aerospace Sciences, now a degree-granting college within the University.

In 1992, the Center’s aviation degree programs became the first in the nationally accredited programs recognized by the Council on Aviation Accreditation. In 1998, the Center was renamed the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, in honor of its founder and first Dean, John D. Odegard.

SCOPE

The college is comprised of four academic departments and five major research and support organizations. The Department of Aviation offers undergraduate degrees in aerospace fields including flight, air traffic control, aviation business and management, and aviation education. With its roots in research, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences undergraduate program offers students unique opportunities to participate in funded research using the department’s Digital Doppler radar, a customized Cessna Citation II research jet, and in operational forecasting enterprises. The graduate program within the Department of Space Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to space exploration, research, and development. The Department uses extra-terrestrial resources in its study of the broad area of activities beyond earth’s atmosphere. In addition to presenting the current and future technology needs, the program examines the social, political, economic, and legal issues of this new human experience. Computers are transforming almost every industry, especially the aerospace industry. To meet this challenge, the Department of Computer Science became a part of the Center in 1982 offering undergraduate and Master’s degrees.

To facilitate its unique mix of activities, the School has formed five major support organizations. The Scientific Computing Center supports the high performance computing needs of the college for research, academic, and administrative functions, operating a variety of mainframe and mini-computers, and a Cray supercomputer. Working in consort, the Center’s Atmospheric Sciences Department, Space Studies Department, and Scientific Computing Center engage in multi-disciplinary research as the Earth System Science Institute. It’s purpose is to better understand the earth’s complex environment and generate practical tools for agriculture generated from this research. The college’s Regional Weather Information Center houses a world class forecasting and weather analysis center for agricultural, aviation, transportation, education, research, and broadcast use. It utilizes a 24-hours-a-day vanguard approach to data gathering, storage, and analysis. The School for Aerospace Sciences is the home of a unique multimedia production facility called the AeroSpace Network. It supports distance learning activities via satellite and internet, develops state-of-the art multimedia classroom presentation tools for faculty, and develops computer-based instructional materials to aid student learning. UND Flight Operations, located at the Grand Forks International Airport, supports the flight training component of the School’s aviation programs operating a fleet of more than 100 aircraft and simulators.

FACILITIES

The state-of-the-art aerospace facilities, built largely with grants from the Federal Aviation Administration, are located on the western edge of campus. The five-building complex houses some of the finest classrooms and specialized laboratories available on any college campus today. Among its many features are advanced flight simulators, cockpit procedure trainers, a high altitude chamber for aerospace physiology training, a unique air traffic control simulation lab, weather forecasting facilities with satellite downlink, sophisticated computing labs, and the Arthur C. Anderson Atmospherium — a computerized planetarium and multi-media instructional theater.

The School’s computer facilities have developed into one of the most advanced technical and scientific computer systems in the nation. It has achieved a national reputation for the processing and analysis of digital radar data and cloud physics data collected during research flights. Fully integrated systems, with advanced networking, provide a wide range of computer support activities for academic, research, government, and industry programs. The facilities are linked by fiber optics to 20,000 square feet of space dedicated to computer studies.

The School operates a modern flight training facility with a fleet of approximately 100 aircraft including reciprocating and turbine powered airplanes and helicopters. Aviation students fly tens of thousands of flight hours each year as an integrated part of their undergraduate aviation degrees. A five-story office building with deli/cafeteria and seven hangars are among the expansive airport facilities. A 90-foot FAA Air Traffic Control Tower and an FAA Automated Flight Service Station are located within a short walking distance. A high-speed fiber optic link provides access to the School’s digital computer systems for dispatching, billing, student records, and weather data. A shuttle bus is available to transport students to and from the campus and flight operations.

ADMISSION

To be eligible for admission to programs within the School of Aerospace Sciences, a student must have completed at least twenty-four hours of credit and must have earned a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50.

DEGREES AND REQUIREMENTS

FOR GRADUATION

The Degree of Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics or Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences is conferred by the School of Aerospace Sciences upon a student who successfully fulfills the following requirements. A student must:

1. Complete the University’s General Education Requirements (see pages 27-30)

2. Earn a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.50 in all courses taken. (Note: transfer students must not only earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50, but must also earn a minimum GPA of 2.50 for studies completed at the University of North Dakota).

3. Complete the curriculum for the major as outlined in the departmental listings (see pages 65-71), and

4. Make formal application to the Registrar for the degree sought within four weeks of the beginning of the semester the student expects to graduate.

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences offers both a major and a minor. The curriculum for each can be founder under the appropriate departmental listings.

The Department of Aviation, working with the College of Business and Public Administration, also offers the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration with majors in Aviation Management or Airport Management. The curriculum for each of these programs is outlined under the specific departmental listings on page .

The Department of Computer Science, in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences, awards the degree of Bachelor of Science with major in Computer Science as well as the degree of Bachelor of Arts with major in computer science. The curriculum for each of these programs is outlined under Computer Science. A minor in Computer Science may also be completed.

The Department of Space Studies offers an undergraduate program leading to a minor in space studies. This program introduces students to the variety of space related projects and issues that will affect their careers and lifestyles in the coming decades. At other universities, it is rare to find courses at the undergraduate level dealing with such topics as space mission design, life support systems, space commercialization, and space law.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Cooperative Education. The School encourages its students to gain practical on-the-job experience in their chosen field prior to graduation. Cooperative Education experiences allow students to secure salaried, career-related work experiences under the supervision of both a sponsoring employer and the appropriate academic department, while at the same time receiving academic credit.

Weather Modification Pilot Training. This one-of-a-kind cooperative education is supported by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Classes are offered in ground and air cloud seeding technology taught by nationally respected cloud physicists and meteorologists. Students selected to participate as weather modification pilots for the program must have a Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument and multi-engine ratings.

Scholarships. An extensive scholarship program is available to recognize and reward high achievers in aviation, atmospheric science, and computer science. These scholarships are donated by numerous private individuals and companies who support the School’s tradition of excellence.

Youth Programs. Special aviation programs are offered to young people during the summer months. The Epoch Pilot Program, available to high school juniors, makes it possible to earn a Private Pilot Certificate for college credit during the University’s summer session. The Aerospace Camp offers a ten-day summer program to introduce the excitement and challenge of aerospace to 8th, 9th, and 10th graders. Also, in conjunction with the FAA, the School sponsors a 4-day Aviation Career Education Academy for North Dakota high school students.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Alpha Eta Rho. The Delta Chapter of Alpha Eta Rho, an international aviation fraternity, stresses closer ties between students and the industry through education. The group annually sponsors Parents’ Day, an opportunity for parents to experience the excitement of aviation education.

American Meteorological Society. The Lake Agassiz Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society seeks to promote advancement and understanding of meteorology.

Association for Computing Machinery. As the student branch of the National Association for Computing Machinery, this organization sponsors such events as computer programming contests, computer demonstrations, and tutorial programs.

Aviation Safety Association. Organized in 1998, this aviation student group is interested in supporting and educating students in all of the areas related to aviation safety.

Flying Team. The UND Flying Team has won the National Championship title of the National Collegiate Flying Association ten times. Students compete in regional and national events oriented to increasing piloting skill, knowledge, and safety.

Military Pilots Association. This student aviation organization is for those students who desire to make military aviation a career, or who have an interest in military aviation.

Organization of Minority Aviation Professionals. This organization encourages minority students in their efforts to pursue careers within the aerospace industry. It supports the school’s efforts to recruit and retain minority students and faculty.

Student Air Traffic Control Association. Students interested in Air Traffic Control get involved with this organization to have a voice in the policies and procedures affecting their program, and to provide a forum for hiring information and job opportunities.

Student Aviation Advisory Council. This six-member student advisory council is elected by their peers to act as a liaison between students and aviation faculty and administration.

Student Aviation Management Association. Founded in 1975, this organization became the first student chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives. It sponsors professional development activities and hosts an annual aviation seminar.

Women with Wings. A student organization for women pilots, the group provides opportunities for women students to learn more about their chosen profession and participate in a variety of aviation-related activities.

Wilderness Pilots Association. Floatplane enthusiasts have a group to promote air safety as it relates to flying into remote areas. Activities include fly-ins, field trips, a wilderness survival program, and first aid courses.

SERVICE

Service to the University, the community and the aerospace industry is a vital part of the School’s mission. This commitment is typified by such activities as hosting aerospace education workshops, and safety meetings, conducting management seminars, and sponsoring pilot/

instructor refresher courses.

During times of severe weather, atmospheric sciences faculty and their student assistants staff the School’s Severe Weather Analysis Center around-the-clock to provide timely weather information to the general public. This work, conducted in cooperation with city emergency crews, is provided on a volunteer basis