Undergraduate Program FAQ

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

Information about the overall College program is available at http://www.engin.umich.edu/about/

What are the program requirements for an AOSS B.S.E. degree?

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

• College Required Courses are those required of all CoE undergraduate students
• ESSE Core Courses are those required of all AOSS undergraduate students
• Concentration Courses are those required of students in the Climate Physics, Meteorology or Space Weather Concentrations
• Technical Electives are those electives selected by students that must be technical in nature
• Free Electives are those selected by students with no restrictions

How do I enter the AOSS undergraduate program?

There are two main ways to enter the AOSS program: one is through admission to the College of Engineering freshman program, the other as a transfer student. 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 the AOSS program.

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, phone (734) 647-7115. 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 the 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.

For Maps of North and Central Campus, Ann Arbor and Vicinity

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, for example the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM). Some TV stations offer internships to acquaint students with the work behind the scenes in weather forecasting. The National Weather Service stations often offer internships. Several US government agencies, including NASA and NOAA, also have summer programs for undergraduates.

Where can I find information on the cost to attend?

The Office of Registrar at www.umich.edu/~regoff/tuition/