AEROSPACE STUDIES (AERO)
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Aerospace Studies
Murray-Herrick LL-4 (MHC), (651) 962-6320
Fiandt (chair), Johnson, Corcoran
The Department of Aerospace Studies at the University of Saint Thomas is the home of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (Air Force ROTC) program. Aerospace Studies is a dynamic discipline designed to give students the opportunity to complete the necessary Air Force ROTC coursework for a minor in Aerospace Studies while concurrently completing the coursework for their chosen degree. This enables participants (called Cadets) to qualify for a commission as a Second Lieutenant in either the United States Air Force or the United States Space Force upon successful completion of their bachelor’s degree requirements. The Air Force ROTC program offers Cadets the opportunity to broaden their perspective, demonstrate responsibility, develop their organizational, followership, and leadership skills, and increase their self-confidence and will ultimately develop them into leaders of character in their respective fields.
While the Aerospace Studies program does not require a student to major in any certain field, Cadets may choose to use their Aerospace Studies credits as elective credits. These courses are offered at the University of St. Thomas, but students at any of the five Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) consortium – St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Augsburg, Hamline, and Macalester –may attend. Through cross-town agreements, students at Bethel University, Century College, Concordia – St. Paul, North Central University, University of Northwestern-St. Paul, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, University of Wisconsin-Stout, as well as Anoka-Ramsey, Inver Hills, Normandale and North Hennepin Community Colleges are also eligible to take Aerospace Studies courses.
The Aerospace Studies curriculum is divided into two phases: the General Military Course (GMC) in the freshman and/or sophomore years, and the Professional Officer Course (POC) during the junior and senior years. Cadets in the GMC do not owe a service commitment until/or unless they activate an Air Force ROTC scholarship. Any Cadet seeking a commission must attend Field Training in the summer between sophomore and junior year to qualify for the POC training. (Field Training is the basic military training for cadets and is held at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.) Once a Cadet is accepted into the POC, s/he will be obligated to serve as an officer for a minimum of four years on active duty after commissioning, depending on the career field to which they are assigned.
Most students complete Air Force ROTC via the four-year program. However, even if a student does not enroll until sophomore year, it is still possible to complete the 100- and 200-level GMC courses concurrently during sophomore year, allowing them to attend Field Training, and therefore be eligible to become a POC and commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation.
For all Cadets, there are three mandatory components of the Aerospace Studies program: successful completion of 22 credits of Aerospace Studies coursework (AERO), Leadership Laboratory, and Physical Training. AERO courses are intended to be taken sequentially however, students may complete the requirements by taking more than one AERO class per term, with the permission of the department chair. Leadership Laboratory involves the study of Air Force and Space Force customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, and career opportunities for Air Force and Space Force junior officers. Physical Training is planned and executed by the cadet wing with guidance and oversight by the Cadre (Active-Duty military members in charge of the Detachment), utilizing a progression of experiences designed to improve fitness and develop teamwork and leadership skills. Cadets will be required to pass physical fitness assessments each semester, which is comprised of aerobic fitness, strength fitness and body composition.
The Air Force offers three- and four-year college scholarships. See “Scholarships not awarded by the university” in the Financial Services section of this catalog.
St. Thomas offers many recipients of an Air Force ROTC scholarship financial assistance, up to a full subsidy (room and board and remaining tuition) on almost every Air Force ROTC scholarship awarded. For information on Air Force scholarships, call the Detachment 410 Recruiting Officer at 651-962-6329. For information on related University of St. Thomas subsidies, contact the University financial aid office.
Students who are seeking a minor in Aerospace Studies but are not seeking an Air Force or Space Force commission, may enroll in the necessary classes below with the permission of the Aerospace Studies department chair. A minor in Aerospace Studies is open to all undergraduate students at the University of St. Thomas who have completed twenty credits in AERO.
Any student or Cadet seeking a minor in Aerospace Studies must be complete one of the following sequences:
Option 1: (20 credits – open to all undergraduate students)
- AERO 111 Heritage and Values I (1 credit)
- AERO 112 Heritage and Values II (1 credit)
- AERO 211 Team and Leadership Fundamentals I (1 credit)
- AERO 212 Team and Leadership Fundamentals II (1 credit)
- AERO 321 Leading People and Effective Communication I (4 credits)
- AERO 322 Leading People and Effective Communication II (4 credits)
- AERO 421 National Security and Leadership Responsibilities I (4 credits)
- AERO 422 National Security and Leadership Responsibilities II (4 credits)
Option 2: (22 credits – AFROTC cadets only)
- AERO 111 Heritage and Values I (1 credit)
- AERO 112 Heritage and Values II (1 credit)
- AERO 200 Leadership Laboratory (0 credits)
- AERO 201 AFROTC Physical Fitness Laboratory (0 credits)
- AERO 211 Team and Leadership Fundamentals I (1 credit)
- AERO 212 Team and Leadership Fundamentals II (1 credit)
- AERO 321 Leading People and Effective Communication I (4 credits)
- AERO 322 Leading People and Effective Communication II (4 credits)
- AERO 421 National Security and Leadership Responsibilities I (4 credits)
- AERO 422 National Security and Leadership Responsibilities II (4 credits)
- AERO 450 Field Training (2 credits)
Aerospace Studies Undergraduate Courses
Course Number | Title | Credits | |
---|---|---|---|
AERO 111 | Heritage and Values | 1 | |
Description of course Heritage and Values : | This course introduces the Air Force, and allows students to examine general aspects of the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Leadership, Air Force benefits, and opportunities for Air Force officers. The course also lays the foundation for becoming an Airman by outlining our heritage and values, and provides a historical perspective such as lessons on war and US military, AF operations, principles of war, and air power. Students will learn about the Air Force way of life and gain knowledge on what it means to be an Airman. | ||
AERO 112 | Heritage and Values II | 1 | |
Description of course Heritage and Values II : | Continuation of AERO 111 Prerequisite: AERO 111 or permission of instructor | ||
AERO 200 | Leadership Lab | 0 | |
Description of course Leadership Lab : | Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets (e.g., students pursuing an officer's commission in the USAF) every fall and spring semester unless excused by the department chair for an authorized period of non-attendance. Leadership Laboratory complements each of the courses listed below by providing cadets with leadership and followership experiences. | ||
AERO 201 | AFROTC Phys Fitness Lab | 0 | |
Description of course AFROTC Phys Fitness Lab : | AFROTC Physical Fitness Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets (e.g., students pursuing an officer's commission in the USAF) every fall and spring semester unless excused by the department chair for an authorized period of non-attendance. AFROTC Physical Fitness Laboratory complements each of the courses listed below by providing cadets with leadership, followership, and teambuilding experiences while teaching them to maintain physical fitness required for military service. AFROTC cadets must attend two sessions per week to pass the course. In order to remain in the program and gain a commission, cadets must pass a physical fitness assessment each term. | ||
AERO 211 | Team & Leadership Fundamentals | 1 | |
Description of course Team & Leadership Fundamentals : | This course provides a fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building. Students are taught from the beginning there are many layers to leadership, including aspects that don’t always jump to mind like listening, understanding themselves, being a good follower, and problem solving efficiently. The students will apply these leadership perspectives when completing team building activities and discussing things like conflict management. Students will demonstrate basic verbal and written communication skills. Prerequisite: AERO 112 or permission of instructor | ||
AERO 212 | Team & Lead Fundamentals II | 1 | |
Description of course Team & Lead Fundamentals II : | Continuation of AERO 211 Prerequisite: AERO 211 or permission of instructor | ||
AERO 243 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||
AERO 269 | Research | 2 OR 4 | |
Description of course Research : | No description is available. | ||
AERO 321 | Lead People & Effective Com I | 4 | |
Description of course Lead People & Effective Com I : | This course builds on the leadership fundamentals taught in AERO 211 and 212. Students will gain a more in-depth understanding of how to effectively lead people, gain experience applying leadership tools, and receive ethics training that will prepare them for becoming an officer and a supervisor. Additionally, students will continue to hone their writing and briefing skills. Prerequisite: AERO 212 | ||
AERO 322 | Lead People & Effective Com II | 4 | |
Description of course Lead People & Effective Com II : | Continuation of AERO 321. Prerequisite: AERO 321 or permission of instructor | ||
AERO 389 | Research | 2 OR 4 | |
Description of course Research : | No description is available. | ||
AERO 393 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||
AERO 421 | Nat Security & Lead Resp I | 4 | |
Description of course Nat Security & Lead Resp I : | This course introduces the basic elements of national security policy and process. Students will learn about air and space operations, the role of the military in society, and current domestic and international issues affecting the military profession. Additionally, students will discuss the responsibility, authority, and functions of an Air Force commander and selected provisions of the military justice system. Prerequisite: AERO 322 or permission of instructor | ||
AERO 422 | Nat Security & Lead Resp II | 4 | |
Description of course Nat Security & Lead Resp II : | Continuation of AERO 421. Prerequisite: AERO 421 | ||
AERO 450 | Field Training | 2 | |
Description of course Field Training : | The Field Training (FT) course is an integral component of the AFROTC curriculum and serves to transition cadets from the General Military Course (GMC) into the Professional Officer Course (POC). It is a unique and transformational experience aimed at evaluating and preparing cadets to succeed and lead at their AFROTC Detachments. This seminal event drives the cycle of AFROTC cadet leadership development by giving purpose and focus to detachment-level cadet operations. The post-FT cadets in the POC, under the guidance of detachment cadre, plan and execute leadership laboratories and training events to prepare, mentor, and train GMC cadets to succeed. Successful completion of Field Training is mandatory for completing the AFROTC program and obtaining a commission in the Air Force. Prerequisite: AERO 212 | ||
AERO 451 | Cadet Training Assistant | 2 | |
Description of course Cadet Training Assistant : | A cadet who previously completed Field Training and who successfully competes to be assigned as a staff member in a 4- or 6-week field Training. Discharges staff responsibilities to meet the objectives described in AERO 450. | ||
AERO 452 | Professional Devel Training | 1 | |
Description of course Professional Devel Training : | The objective of PDT is to provide opportunities to cadets to gain knowledge and appreciation for the human relations and leadership challenge encountered by junior Air Force officers. Further, the program is designed to motivate cadets in their pursuit of an Air Force career. Normally open to junior and senior contracted cadets who have completed Field Training. However, selected AERO 100 cadets may participate in some of the PDT programs. | ||
AERO 476 | Experiential Learning | 1 TO 4 | |
Description of course Experiential Learning : | No description is available. | ||
AERO 491 | Research | 2 OR 4 | |
Description of course Research : | No description is available. | ||
AERO 495 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. |