Message from the Chair

A Message to Future Aerospace Engineers

Welcome to the Department of Aerospace Engineering at San Diego State University.

Thank you for your interest in our department. Whether you are considering undergraduate or graduate studies, I hope you will find here a community that shares your curiosity, values rigorous engineering education, and is committed to helping you develop into an aerospace engineer ready to contribute to the future of our profession.

Aerospace engineering is one of the most exciting and intellectually demanding disciplines. Every major advancement—from the first powered flight to reusable launch vehicles, autonomous aircraft, and the exploration of the Moon and Mars—has been made possible by engineers willing to tackle problems whose solutions did not yet exist.

That is, perhaps, the essence of engineering. Engineering is not the study of what is already known; it is the discipline of solving problems whose solutions do not yet exist.

Universities do not build airplanes or spacecraft. People do. Our responsibility is to educate those people.

That education begins with a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, and engineering science. Technologies will evolve throughout your career, but the ability to think critically, understand first principles, and approach unfamiliar problems with confidence will remain your greatest professional asset. We believe students should learn not only how engineering methods work, but also why they work. A deep understanding of fundamentals is what enables engineers to innovate as technologies evolve.

Research and education are inseparable within our department. Research enriches teaching, and teaching continually inspires new ideas. Students become active participants in the process of discovery by working alongside faculty in laboratories, contributing to research projects, participating in design-build-test experiences, and tackling real engineering challenges. We encourage students to engage in research early in their academic careers because discovery is one of the most effective ways to learn engineering.

Our location in San Diego provides opportunities that few places can offer. Surrounded by a vibrant aerospace community, our students benefit from internships, collaborative research, and close interaction with aerospace companies, government laboratories, and innovative startups. These experiences complement the education they receive in the classroom and help prepare them for successful professional careers.

Equally important is the environment in which our students learn. We offer the breadth of a comprehensive aerospace engineering program while maintaining a department where students are known as individuals. Faculty know their students, challenge them academically, mentor them professionally, and celebrate their success. We believe that this close interaction is one of the defining strengths of an engineering education and an essential part of developing future leaders in aerospace.

The aerospace profession is entering a remarkable period of innovation. Sustainable aviation, advanced air mobility, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and space exploration are reshaping our field and creating opportunities that were unimaginable only a generation ago. The engineers who will lead these advances will not simply apply existing knowledge—they will expand it.

Our success is measured not by the number of students who enroll, but by the engineers our students become.

If you choose SDSU, you will join a community that values intellectual curiosity, rigorous thinking, integrity, collaboration, and personal mentorship. Here, your education extends beyond the classroom. You will be challenged to think independently, encouraged to ask difficult questions, and supported by faculty who are invested in your growth as an engineer and as a person.

I invite you to explore our department, meet our faculty and students, and discover whether SDSU is the place where your own journey in aerospace engineering should begin.

I look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Luciano Demasi
Professor and Chair
Department of Aerospace Engineering
San Diego State University

Luciano Demasi is Professor and Chair of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at San Diego State University. His research focuses on aeroelasticity, unsteady aerodynamics, composite structures, and computational methods for aerospace engineering. As Associate Fellow of AIAA, he is committed to advancing aerospace research while educating the next generation of engineers.