Online Engineering Courses - from overseas?

[Osprey2k9]

I work aerospace and satellites for the United States Army and Air Force and I am looking at pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering/Mechanical Engineering a few years down the road but it looks like with me being out here in the conflict zone and this full-time Army gig there is no way I am going to be able to get a traditional sit-down engineering degree before I ETS from the service. I realize that a program recognized by ABET is the way to go, but I'm limited to online coursework and local night classes back in the States.

I found a degree in Space Studies with American Military University and the Air Force Community College and some Software / IT Engineering classes at a few other places but it still won't be the full deal needed for aerospace, any recommendations on which degree is the best bet to become more competitive in this field with certain certificates or whatnot would be truly appreciated.(Even certain class recommendations would be great, the obvious ones in my mind at this point: electrical theory/circuits, AUTOCAD, physics/calculus, material dynamics....)

Thanks for your time.

 

[tygerdawg]

The 1st two years (4 semesters) of classes for any ABET engineering degree are pretty much the same: maths, English, physics, electives, and so on. You should be able to collect those prerequisites from multiple sources along the way. But you must make sure they are from qualified institutions and the credits will be recognized by your eventual school from which you will pursue the final two years of classes and the degree. Take shortcuts and the easy path at your own risk, because you could be wasting your time and money to find out your class credits aren't accepted and you must repeat them.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[GregLocock]

In my experience calculus is the hardest to stay on top of.

So take classes in that, just to stay up to speed.

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[KirbyWan]

I agree with Tygerdawg. Knock the first two years out here and there. Look for a traditional college for the last two years. I believe there is a very good Aerospace program at some college in Colorado Springs. What's it called...Oh yeah the Air Force Acadamy. Low tuition too (If you don't count the contractually obligated 5 years of service.) If you've ever thought of being an officer it may be worth a look.

That said, online degrees are getting more popular and while I've had both good and bad experiences, I feel online courses are here to stay. I would say that for the toughest courses having fellow students and the professor/graduate teaching assistants available in person is a real benefit. It takes an extra level of dedication to do as well in an online course. If you have the drive and determination you can do it.

good luck.

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[KENAT]

Don't go chasing a specific CAD software, if you want to learn something in that area learn generic drafting, some community colleges etc. offer it but I'm not sure about online. It may be you have to use a certain CAD package for the course but concentrate on learning the drafting not the software. Oh, and for the field you mention, AUTOCAD would be one of my last picks if you do insist on specifically learning a CAD package, CATIA is what most of the serious Aerospace folks use with healthy doses of NX, Pro E, Solid Works... For general Mechanical Engineering CAD I'd guess Solid Works was most widespread but there are plenty others used including Inventor or whatever it's called as well as Pro E, Solid Edge...

If you are concerned that you won't be able to afford to go to college effectively full time for a couple of years after you leave the service then you could try and get enough drafting and foundation engineering classes maybe even a relevant Associates and then perhaps work as a drafter/designer/technician while you get your degree.

As mentioned above look at getting the prereqs/first 2 years out of the way if at all possible with distance learning.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[MechEng2005]

I believe there are some ABET accredited online programs. Might be worth looking into.

-- MechEng2005

 

[Osprey2k9]

Thanks all for the responses-

After looking at a couple of online courses, DeVry actually has an electronics engineering course that sends you an O-scope, multimeters, and all sorts of other goodies to try to give you that "in the classroom" feel on the courses. Is a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from DeVry a waste of time, obviously it is nothing compared to a bigtime traditional college, but does it carry any weight at all?

College money after I'm out isn't going to be an issue with the GI Bill, just trying to get my goals lined up before I am out. Thanks

 

[Ron]

Osprey2k9...In my opinion the DeVry program is a technology approach,not an engineering approach. If you want a degree in engineering, no matter what discipline, take coursework that will lead to that. Those courses will not likely transfer when you get to the point of your last two or three years of an ABET accredited engineering program.

I agree with the others....get the core courses out to the way and as Greg says...stay on top of the calculus or it will stay on top of you. Take anything you can get that is from an accredited program and will transfer to an ABET program. There's lots of stuff out there online. Go for it.

 

[ctopher]

A quick Google search turned up:

http://distance.und.edu/engineering/

Chris
SolidWorks 09, CATIA V5
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[DarrellThomasNV]

ABET is the way to go. Get the first two years knocked out staying on top of the calculus and physics, (chemistry if can). Then apply to a a brick and mortar engineering school. You'll appreciate doing it FULL TIME without the other job in the way. With the new post 911 GI bill, you'll be well set to do that.

If you (or anyone else) is looking to do an accredited Masters in Engineering, UF has a great program:

http://www.ufedge.ufl.edu/

I think the M.S. in engineering could be done "distance". The B.S. needs to be in-house while you are learning the fundamentals.

dt