Academy engineering ranks among nation’s finest

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Several of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s undergraduate engineering programs rank among the top in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report.

The national news magazine released its America’s Best Colleges 2006 edition Aug. 18.

The rankings are separated by universities that offer graduate education programs, and those which have only undergraduate programs, such as the academy. Overall, the academy’s undergraduate engineering programs rank No. 7 in the nation this year.

Specifically, the academy’s undergraduate aeronautical and astronautical engineering programs have ranked No. 2 for the fifth consecutive year, behind only Embry Riddle University.

“Our graduates take part in real-world research and design which is normally reserved for graduate students in most programs around the nation,” said Col. Neal Barlow, director of the department of aeronautical engineering here.

“We are also fortunate to be well supported by the academy and (Department of Defense) research and development community in maintaining world-class classroom and research facilities,” he said. “Without a doubt, we have the finest facilities of any undergraduate aerospace engineering program in the country and probably the world. Because of these outstanding facilities, in concert with an accomplished faculty, we will continue to set high expectations for our program and our graduates.

“Every graduate of the academy’s aeronautical engineering program takes part in both design and research projects which directly solve problems for our DOD, Air Force and NASA sponsors,” Colonel Barlow said. “Our aero majors are mentored in these efforts by a number of military and civilian professors who have gained world class status.”

High expectations are also the order of the day for the academy’s department of astronautical engineering, where the department mantra is “cadets learn space by doing space.”

“Our cadets design, build, test and fly real operational satellites and sounding rockets,” said Col. Michael DeLorenzo, director of the academy’s department of astronautical engineering.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are compiled by the magazine using a weighted combination of factors. These start with peer assessment by university deans and senior faculty being the most heavily weighted factor, and continue through faculty resources, retention, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance, and end with the alumni giving rate.