Aerospace/Aviation Sciences - Rotor-Wing Emphasis (B.S.)

Location(s): Main Campus

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Program Summary

The Department of Aviation Sciences at Southern Utah University offers a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Aerospace/Aviation with emphasis areas in Rotor-Wing (helicopter) Pilot, and Fixed-Wing (airplane) Pilot. These emphasis areas share a common core of general aviation courses (59 credits) but offer distinct lab-related flight training courses (17 credits) leading to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications to operate rotor-wing or fixed-wing aircraft. Students earn FAA certifications/licenses at the Private and Commercial Pilot level. Students earn FAA Ratings in Instrument, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII). Specialized flight labs for the two pilot emphases involve simulators and various aircraft which are housed at the Cedar City Airport. For further information, please visit www.suu.edu/aviation.

Program Information

Students must complete all required AVTN/PILT courses with grades of “C” or better.
Students must satisfy all credit hour requirements in all categories.
In addition to the minimum SUU admission requirements, aviation applicants must also satisfy the following two (2) requirements:
- Each applicant must apply for and receive a First or Second Class FAA medical (done by an FAA authorized examiner, Aviation Medical Examiner); and
- Each applicant must apply for and receive a Student Pilot certificate (a two-step process with a completed online application and an in-person visit to an authorized representative for approval).
Students must complete at least four (4) flight labs at Southern Utah University to qualify for any manned pilot degree offered by Southern Utah University. Tutor labs do not count towards this requirement. Flight instructors working for Southern Utah University may request exemption from this requirement.
Only aviation-related internship credits may be applied toward this degree. The course instructor or Chair of Aviation Sciences will determine if an internship experience is aviation related. Students working toward this degree should register for AVTN 4890 - Professional Aviation Internship for any internship credits the student would like to apply toward this degree. At the discretion of the Chair of Aviation Sciences, internship credits for AVTN 2890 - Aviation Internship and potentially other internship courses at SUU may be applied towards the requirements of this degree. Any allowances will be applied by the appropriate substitution policy and documentation. A maximum of six (6) credit hours of internship credit may be applied toward this degree.

General Education Requirement (30-35 Credits)

See General Education for course options.

Core Course Requirements (12-15 Credits)
Breadth Area Requirements (16-20 Credits)

Please note: All students must complete a minimum of 30 credits between the Core and Breadth Area requirements.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Requirement (12 Credits*)

Bachelor of Science Degree - Math or Science minimum requirement 12 Credits

* Note: A portion of the B.S. requirements may be met by fulfilling the General Education Core and Breadth Areas. Because of this, these credits are typically not counted in the degree total at the bottom of page. Some students majoring in non-science fields may need additional math/science courses to reach the minimum 12 credits. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

Aerospace/Aviation Technology - Rotor-Wing Curriculum (78 Credits)

Required Core Courses (62 Credits)

AVTN 1010 - Air Transportation 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 1040 - Aviation Orientation 1 Credit(s)
AVTN 1100 - Private Pilot Ground School 4 Credit(s)
AVTN 1250 - Instrument Ground School 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 1420 - Aircraft Systems 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 1620 - Flight Management Systems 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 1760 - Aviation Safety 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 1780 - Aviation and Airport Security 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 2050 - Aviation Meteorology 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 2100 - Commercial Ground School 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 3160 - Aviation Law 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 3250 - Aerodynamics 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 3310 - Human Factors and Safety 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 3340 - CFI Ground School 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 3410 - Air Traffic Control 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 3430 - Aeronautical Decision Making - Crew Resource Management 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 3640 - Aeromedical 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 4020 - Aviation Economics 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 4770 - Jet Transportation Systems 3 Credit(s)

Core Electives (6 Credits)

Complete 6 credits from the following:

AVTN 1130 - Unmanned Aerial Systems Basics 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 2890 - Aviation Internship 1-4 Credit(s)
AVTN 3750 - Fixed Base Operations Management 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 3780 - Corporate Flight Department Management 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 4570 - Principles of Leadership in Aviation 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 4650 - Airport Management 3 Credit(s)
AVTN 4890 - Professional Aviation Internship 1-6 Credit(s)
PILT 2445 - RW Mountain Operations Lab 1 Credit(s)
PILT 2455 - RW Utility Operations Lab 1 Credit(s)
PILT 2465 - Night Vision Goggle RW Lab 1 Credit(s)

Rotor-Wing Emphasis Courses (16 Credits)

A minimum of 4 flight labs must be completed at SUU.

PILT 1145 - Solo Pilot RW Lab 3 Credit(s)
PILT 1155 - Private Pilot RW Certification Lab 3 Credit(s)
PILT 2216 - Instrument Commercial RW Lab A2 3 Credit(s)
PILT 2276 - Instrument Commercial RW Lab B2 3 Credit(s)
PILT 3305 - RW Certified Flight Instructor Lab 3 Credit(s)
PILT 3355 - RW CFI Instrument Certification Lab 1 Credit(s)

Free Electives (7-12 Credits)

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 40 upper-division credits (courses numbered 3000-4999). Students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum. Please consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

Total Credits, B.S. Degree: 120

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Aerospace/Aviation program will have an ability to:

Demonstrate an increased recognition and respect for aviation safety between the time they join the program and the time they complete the program.
Accurately discuss aviation industry particulars with industry participants, faculty and staff, and fellow students.
Inform other interested parties of aviation industry particulars which may not be common knowledge to individuals who are not directly involved in the aviation community.
Demonstrate pilot skills and knowledge deemed critical by industry.
Possess desirable attributes of professional pilots.
Show evidence that they have acquired skills or knowledge directly related to piloting aircraft within the first year of participation in the program.
Satisfy the FAA knowledge and skill requirements for Commercial Pilot Certification, Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument, and various endorsements in aircraft type and operation.