Welcome
I am delighted to welcome you to the Department of Aerospace Engineering's website.
On this site you will find information on the range of courses, both undergraduate and postgraduate, which the Department offers. You will also find information on the research activities of the Department, involving both national and international collaborations with a number of academic institutions, government bodies and industrial partners.
Created by endowment of the Mechan Chair within the University of Glasgow in 1951, we are in the unique position of being the only Department of Aerospace Engineering in Scotland, located in the cultural heart of the city of Glasgow close to areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Our accredited degrees equip students with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career primarily, but not exclusively, within the aerospace sector. Operating in an international context, the Department attracts both home and overseas students into the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
These are delivered by staff with international reputations in their field, within a research environment which provides exciting opportunities for students to participate in leading-edge projects in particular specialisations (e.g. helicopter aeromechanics, space mission analysis and design, avionic systems, computational and experimental aerodynamics, aircraft structures, air traffic management). Consequently, the Department has a high profile in the UK's aerospace industry - our status as a BAE Systems preferred course provider, one of only three in the UK, is testament to this.
Scotland has been at the heart of the aerospace industry since its very beginnings. The first heavier than air flights took place in 1895-6 when Percy Pilcher, an assistant lecturer at Glasgow University, flew his "Bat Glider" at Cardross (the Department continues to honour this achievement with the annual Pilcher Lecture).
Indeed, the Department now exists at a time when Scotland's aerospace industry is thriving, with around 15000 employees associated with 140 aerospace-related companies. Therefore, in addition to our considerable UK wide and international links, we have been developing strong local contacts with international companies located in the “aerospace corridor” between Glasgow and Prestwick (structures, manufacturing, repair and overhaul) and around Edinburgh (avionics). These, and other industrial links, have provided additional opportunities for industrial collaborations in course development and research programmes.
Further information about the Department is available from other pages on this website. Whether you are a prospective undergraduate or postgraduate student, or are searching for staff with specific expertise, I hope you find what you are looking for.
If not, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Undergraduate office
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)141 330 3575/5560
email: a.queen@aero.gla.ac.uk
Head of Department’s office
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)141 330 6173
email: aero-hod@aero.gla.ac.uk
Dr. Marco Vezza
Head of Department