Undergraduate Program FAQ

How can I find out more about the College of Engineering Undergraduate Program?

Click here for information about the overall College program.

What are the program requirements for an AOSS BSE degree?

The overall goals of the AOSS Undergraduate Program are to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills they need to frame and solve open-ended scientific problems and to prepare them for graduate education in scientific research and/or other professional fields.

The AOSS Undergraduate program has seven types of course requirements that must be fulfilled for you to successfully complete the program (128 total credits).

• There are 55 credit hours required by all programs.
• There are 28 credit hours of core courses required of all AOSS ESSE students.
• There are 45 credit hours of concentration courses required of all AOSS ESSE students in Climate Science, Meteorology or Space Weather.
• Experiential Courses, required of Climate Science and Space Weather students, are "hands-on" courses. While these are generally lab courses, "hands-on" courses in modeling and computer simulation are also acceptable.
• Components Courses, required of Climate Science and Space Weather students, are more focused studies in certain areas of the concentrations.
• Technical Electives are those electives selected by students that must be technical in nature.
• Unrestricted Electives are those selected by students with no restrictions.

How do I enter the AOSS undergraduate program?

All AOSS students must be enrolled in the U-M College of Engineering and then may "declare" AOSS as their academic program sometime during the sophomore year. High school seniors should apply to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students who are enrolled in another two- or four-year college or university, or in another college at the University of Michigan, may apply for transfer admission. Unlike first year students, transfer students apply directly to the College of Engineering for admission.

To declare AOSS as your academic program, please contact one of the Undergraduate Program Advisors.

How do I apply for financial aid?

For information on Financial Aid contact the University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid. The College of Engineering has additional scholarship and loan programs; contact the Engineering Scholarships Office. Work-study programs are frequently available to those that qualify.

How do I visit AOSS?

Personal visits are easily arranged. One way is to make arrangements directly through an Undergraduate Program Advisor. The College also arranges tours of North Campus each weekday afternoon, with an information session and an opportunity to see a Program Advisor.

Where is AOSS located and how do I get to the department?

AOSS is housed in the Space Research Building (SRB), located at the intersection of Beal Avenue and Hayward Street on North Campus.

The easiest route to North Campus is to exit the US-23 Expressway at Plymouth Road, following it west towards Ann Arbor. After about one mile, turn left at the light onto Huron Parkway, and right on Hubbard Road (first light, about one mile). Keep straight at the stop sign and the Space Research Building is on your right in about a quarter of a mile. Visitor Parking is on top of the hill shortly before reaching SRB, on the left side of the road.

Maps

Click here for Maps of North and Central Campus, Ann Arbor and Vicinity. AOSS is located in the Space Research Building on North Campus.

What types of research and employment are available?

Undergraduate students are encouraged to become involved in the extensive research program in the AOSS department. There are several ways to accomplish this:

• Through the University's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), which is open to first and second year undergraduate students. Students are paired with a faculty member, and work on a research project. There are many such partnerships in AOSS.
• As part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, it provides an opportunity to work intensively on a research project in partnership with one of the AOSS faculty. It usually takes place during the summer and features special seminars on a variety of research projects in AOSS. It pays a stipend, sufficient to meet living expenses in Ann Arbor during the summer. It is intended primarily for juniors and seniors. It also accepts applicants from outside the University.
• Direct employment on one of the AOSS research projects. This is usually individually arranged between the student and the faculty member.

In addition, there are several possibilities for summer employment and internships outside the University. Some are with organizations in the Ann Arbor area, the National Weather Service stations often offer internships, as do several US government agencies, including NASA and NOAA.

Where can I find information on the cost to attend?

Information about the costs to attend the University of Michgian are available on the  Office of Registrar web site.