Department of Aviation

It is our intent to have our students start flying as soon as possible. There are many factors that enter into when they will or can start flying. Our primary concern is that they will succeed when they do start flying. The student will start flying at the same time they are attending the Private Pilot ground school. We have staff and classrooms that can accommodate approximately 200 students, keeping the class size to about 30 in a class. We have about 350 new students each fall, some of these choose not to fly their first semester wanting to acclimate to college life and some will not meet the Aviation Department's requirements, Grade Point Average or ACT or SAT test scores. If a student wants to and meets the requirements they will not have to wait more than one semester. We do our best to balance the distribution of the students from one semester to another keeping the flight costs down with fewer airplanes as opposed to having a large bubble of students and then having aircraft sitting on the ramp the next semester.

The cost of training in each course is based on several factors. It is our intent to provide each student every opportunity to complete a course of training during one semester. A student's ability, illness, personal considerations, weather, finances and their own motivation are only a few of the factors. The costs listed in this website are based on the average cost of completion for each course of training. Please go to this website

for a complete listing of course average costs.

The Aviation Department uses Crewlink to register for flight courses. Crewlink will verify that any prerequisites have been met and that your Grade Point Average meets the minimum prescribed by the Aviation Department (2.5 out of a 4.0 scale). The flight lab schedule is based upon the effective utilization of aircraft and staff to maintain a balanced flight schedule. A balanced flight schedule aids in keeping flight costs as low as possible. Therefore, flight lab registration for the spring semester will be limited to flight labs that are available. Meaning, when registering for a flight lab, students must register for a flight lab that fits into their class and work schedule. Based upon what flight labs are available at the time of registration, students may need to make changes to their class and/or work schedules to ensure they are available for the flight lab they register for. You may access Crewlink Here.

A college education is a sound investment in your child's future. Whether they choose medicine, law, accounting, aviation or teaching it is expensive. Very few parents today can pay for their child's education. Financial assistance (financial aid) is almost a must. There are several federally subsidized programs available to assist your child in obtaining a college education. In addition to the federal programs there are a number of commercial sources available to cover those unmet needs. Please go to this website

to view information regarding the aviation program needs and financial aid available. UND offers a variety of scholarships and these may be found at this website.

Yes, the Aviation Department gives away approximately $300,000 a year in training and monetary awards to deserving students. These scholarships are given (based on donor wishes) based on scholarship, financial need, leadership and service to the Aviation Department. There is an online application process early in the spring semester with the individual awards given in April.

The University of North Dakota's Department of Aviation bases its flight education philosophy on a four-year university degree. Consequently, students who have obtained flight certificates/ratings, with or without college credit, may not have satisfied the academic and flight requirements contained within the aviation major that they are pursuing at the University of North Dakota. All aviation courses subject to being transferred to UND, flight or non-flight, are reviewed by the Aviation Department for transferability. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a review process of transfer courses. For questions about the transferability of courses, please contact the Aviation Department, Student Services, at 1-800-258-1525 or write to: Student Services John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences P.O. Box 9007, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9007. Students may e-mail UND Aerospace at: flyund@aero.und.edu. Please refer to: Student Services

for more information on departmental and transfer policies.

At the present time there is not a limit to the number of students admitted to the Aviation program or flight training.

The typical class size is approximately 30 students.

The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences provides all of the flight training. The aircraft belong to the JDOSAS and the instructors are employees of the JDOSAS. All the aircraft are maintained by a maintenance department and employees which are all part of the JDOSAS.

Information of tuition and fees can be found at the Business Office

Aviation Department flight costs and fees can be found at Student Services

Requirements for in-state tuition may be found at the NDUS Policies

website.

Air Traffic Controllers are required to hold a second class medical. This is not required for admission but is strongly recommended especially if there is a family history of any disqualifying conditions list on the FAA's website. The medical certificate for Air Traffic Controller's will be issued during the FAA hiring process. To find an aviation medical examiner nearest you, visit the FAA's AME locator.

Students wishing to enroll in a flight course are required to have at least a third class medical prior to beginning their flight training at the University of North Dakota.

One of the unique features about choosing UND and its Aviation program is the students learn to fly in four seasons and many different weather environments. This training helps them prepare for their professional careers.

We believe that the training offered in any of the Aviation Department's degree programs demonstrate a higher standard than the typical degree programs offered by UND and demonstrates to the aviation industry that the Aviation Department is committed to providing only the most qualified applicants for positions in the aviation industry.

Our flight courses/classes are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and attendance in each class session is a requirement. Missing class is also not economical. You pay tuition for the course and if a class session is missed it must be made up. These make up sessions are conducted by your flight instructor and you will be charged the current flight instructor rate.

Aviation 101 - Survey of Flight may be taken in the Airport Management degree program.

The ATC and Airport Management degree programs both involve pilots and airplanes and you will have a better understanding of the Air Traffic and Airport environments with a background in flight. Typically the flight requirement is not waived; we feel that it is an essential component of the degree program.

Due to the intensity of each flight lesson we do not allow passengers during flight lessons. There is an opportunity during Parent's weekend each spring to carry passengers on a flight. The requirements to carry passengers are posted throughout the facilities and require that the pilot attend a briefing prior to carrying passengers.

Each semester the flight progress is monitored and changes may be made to the template based on unusual circumstances.

Your flying needs to be completed prior to the end of the semester you are enrolled in Aviation 102.

Students planning to begin flight training at UND are required to hold a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate. You will need your medical certificate before you can enroll in a flight class, such as Aviation 102.

Aviation medical examiners (AME's) are designated by the FAA to issue these certificates, following completion of an application and a physical examination. While we have AME's at UND, they can be found in most U.S. cities and in major cities abroad. For names and addresses of AME's go to this website.

There are several reasons for which you could be denied a medical certificate even if you feel you are in good health. These reasons have to do with medical and/or legal problems you have had, and should be evaluated before beginning your education for an aviation-related career. If any of these problems need to be processed to obtain your certificate, delays are common. Therefore, we advise you to obtain a FAA medical certificate before coming to UND. You are required to possess a medical certificate to enroll in the flight laboratories, so get your medical certificate early to avoid delays. We recommend that you apply 4 months prior to beginning your flight class.

There are three classes of medical certificates, aptly named first, second, and third class. First class certificates are required for pilots exercising privileges of an airline transport rating. Second class medical certificates are needed for performing commercial operations, and third class medical certificates are adequate for initial training purposes. We recommend you obtain a second class medical certificate initially to begin your flight training. There are several reasons for this recommendation:

They are less expensive than first class medical certificates ($40-70 versus $80-400 for a first class medical certificate)
For those of you under the age of 35, the requirements are identical
It requires a higher standard for vision requirements than a third class medical certificate.

Although a third class certificate is adequate for flight training, the visual requirements are not as stringent as the first and second class certificates. Whatever class of medical certificate you have we prefer your vision to be corrected 20/20 with lenses or uncorrected, while operating UND aircraft.

No, a third class medical certificate is adequate to begin training.

Certain medical conditions and behavior problems can result in denial of your medical certificate. If you have significant medical and/or legal problems, you should have copies of medical and/or court records for your examiner. You should be aware that drug and alcohol convictions (yes, paying a fine is a conviction) and security violations (fake identification cards) are considered serious problems by government and the aerospace industry. Medical and behavior standards of professional pilot and air traffic controllers are among the highest in our society. Mistakes, poor judgment, and other "indiscretions of youth" can have lasting consequences related to your career. Prevention (through responsible behavior) is the key.

Consulting with an AME prior to your appointment will help you identify issues that could deny your medical, or help you realize that a condition you are worrying about will not be a problem. You can also look at the FAA's website

By clicking on the medical area, you can find further information that an Aviation Medical Examiner would consider or need. For example, you can click on eyes to find how eye problems would be managed.

While flying at UND, you will be part of our drug and alcohol misuse prevention program. As in the aerospace industry, our goal is to use education and deterrence to maintain a safe training environment. The program is designed similar to mandatory drug and alcohol testing conducted in air carriers and air traffic control centers. Our program reflects our commitment to the aviation industry's demand for a "no tolerance" environment and our regard for safety standards.

Drug and alcohol testing will be done for several reasons. Tests can be ordered as an initial screening, directed at an individual based on their behavior, speech, odor or other characteristics, or be done as a result of an accident or incident. All students participating in flight labs are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Positive tests will not only impact your flight status, but can severely impact your eligibility for a medical certificate. A complete description of the drug and alcohol policy at the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is distributed to all students in the flight courses.

Possession or use of alcohol by a minor that results in a minor in possession (MIP) or minor in consumption (MIC) is a violation of UND’s Code of Student Life. These violations will result in a FLIGHT HOLD equal to the probationary period imposed by the University. For first time offenders this flight hold period of time is six months. Further violations could result in permanent revocation of all UND flight privileges

All students apply for admission to UND and are then admitted into one of the pre-aviation majors such as Pre-commercial aviation or Pre- Air traffic control. After the student has earned a minimum of 24 credits and has a minimum GPA of 2.5 they can formally apply to the department for admission to an Aviation degree program. To apply for one of the degree programs offered by the Aviation Department the student should visit with Student Services and request a change of major. This request would be from one of the Pre- degree programs to a degree program.

You should plan on attending the Getting Started program offered by the University. Please go to these websites for details of this exciting introduction to the University.

Requirements for in-state tuition may be found at the NDSU Policies

website.

No, the University policy states that ALL transfer work will come into the UND transcript. Failure to do so is a falsification of your academic record.

Generally yes, however if it is a specialized course (ie: Avit) then it should be taken at UND, the final 30 credits must be in residence. You can most likely take any 100-200 level general education course at a local institution (ie: College Algebra, Microeconomics, etc.)

The University of North Dakota's Department of Aviation bases its flight education philosophy on a four-year university degree. Consequently, students who have obtained flight certificates/ratings, with or without college credit, may not have satisfied the academic and flight requirements contained within the aviation major that they are pursuing at the University of North Dakota. All aviation courses subject to being transferred to UND, flight or non-flight, are reviewed by the Aviation Department for transferability. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a review process of transfer courses. For questions about the transferability of courses, please contact the Aviation Department, Student Services, at 1-800-258-1525 or write to: Student Services John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences P.O. Box 9007, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9007. Students may e-mail UND Aerospace at: flyund@aero.und.edu. Please refer to: Student Services

for more information on departmental and transfer policies.

No, you must complete the classes necessary to obtain a Bachelor's degree at UND.

No, the University policy states that ALL transfer work will come into the UND transcript. Failure to do so is a falsification of your academic record.

Generally yes, however if it is a specialized course (ie: Avit) then it should be taken at UND, the final 30 credits must be in residence. You can most likely take any 100-200 level general education course at a local institution (ie: College Algebra, Microeconomics, etc.)

You can go to Student Services on the 2nd floor of Odegard Hall and request an advisor or change an advisor.

You should meet with your advisor at least once a semester preferably prior to registering for classes. You should make the contact with your advisor to arrange an appointment. You may call them or e-mail them with your request. The main office on the 2nd floor of Odegard Hall posts the advisors, their office phone numbers, their e-mail addresses and their office hours.

During the last year there has been a significant increase in the demand for Air Traffic Control and Commercial Aviation graduates. With the major airlines downsizing to smaller and more efficient airplanes, a greater demand for corporate pilots and an increase in the number of fractional owner operations it has created a need for pilots that has not been seen since the late 80s. With the upcoming emergence of Very Light Jets and Personal Jets there will be an increased demand for professional pilots.

The CTI program is a cooperative program developed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the participating collegiate aviation program to provide a program of study which will provide accelerated hiring and reduced training by the FAA prior to placement in an Air Traffic Control position.

No, you must complete the classes necessary to obtain a Bachelor's degree at UND.

First time college students will usually take four years to complete their degree program.

We prepare you for the basic ATC environment and then you perform to the best of your ability.

Fees for the AT-CTI program can be found at Student Services.

Requirements for in-state tuition may be found at the NDUS Policies

website.

While UND has no restrictions on the age of a student, the FAA will not hire anyone as an air traffic controller who has reached his/her 31st birthday. The amount of course work you need to complete the program will determine how much time you need. Students should plan to have at least one year after graduation before reaching age 31.

We believe that the training offered in any of the Aviation Department's degree programs demonstrate a higher standard than the typical degree programs offered by UND and demonstrates to the aviation industry that the Aviation Department is committed to providing only the most qualified applicants for positions in the aviation industry.

Goals: ES serves as a common foundation for the education of all UND graduates. As such, students who complete the ES program are expected to:

Be able to use a variety of thinking and reasoning skills, apply these skills as appropriate in various situations, and move among them depending on purpose.
Be able to write and speak in civic, academic, and professional settings with a sense of purpose and audience.
Be able to access and evaluate information for effective, efficient, and ethical use in a variety of contexts.
Be able to demonstrate understanding of social-cultural diversity and use that understanding to address issues, solve problems, and shape civic, personal, and professional behavior.

With the exception of the ES capstone course (see below), all ES course are expected to intentionally address one of these program goals. Timeline: The ES requirements will apply to all incoming freshmen starting with the Fall 2008 semester. The requirements will apply to all transfer students starting with the Fall 2009 semester. Distribution Requirements: Courses in the current GE program are divided into four distribution areas: Math/Science/Technology, Art and Humanities, Social Sciences and Communication. These areas are mandated by the ND SBHE (but are not defined by that mandate). The ES program retains these distribution categories and definitions of each have been established by faculty groups during the Fall 2007 semester. Requirements are:

Dist. Area Credits Required
Math/Science/Tech 9 (at least one 4-credit lab science)
Art and Humanities 9 (at least one each 3-credit Fine Art and Humanities courses)
Social Sciences 9 Communication 9 (6 credits of ENGL 110 & ENGL120/125 plus 3 credits of oral communication)

Special Emphasis Requirements: When selecting courses to satisfy the distribution requirements, students must also take care to satisfy the following special emphasis requirements (analogous to the 'World Cultures' GE requirement):

One course must be designated as a quantitative reasoning course (Q)
One course must be designated as a US diversity course (U)
One course must be designated as a global diversity course (G)
One course must be designated as an advanced communication course (A)

Faculty groups are currently at work finalizing specific guidelines for these overlay definitions. ES Capstone Requirement: In addition to the 36 credits of distribution requirements, all UND students must take an Essential Studies capstone course in their senior year. The only limitations on these courses are that they be open to seniors only and that they integrate two ES program goals. ES capstones are not required to be departmental capstones. The ES capstones are intended to increase the overall effectiveness of the ES program by revisiting ES program goals that many students will see primarily in their first two years. This requirement will apply to all UND graduates, including those that transfer with their lower division (distribution) requirements complete. ES Course Validation: During the transition from the GE program to the ES program, currently validated GE courses will be 'grandfathered' into the distribution areas of the ES program. The General Education Requirements Committee (GERC) has already contacted all Departmental chairs to verify the placement of each course. GERC will be contacting departments early in the Spring 2008 semester regarding classification of special emphasis courses. Full validation paperwork (i.e. assessment and reflection, etc.) will not be required during the transition but will be expected during the next scheduled revalidation cycle for ES courses.

No, the University policy states that ALL transfer work will come into the UND transcript. Failure to do so is a falsification of your academic record.

Generally yes, however if it is a specialized course (ie: Avit) then it should be taken at UND, the final 30 credits must be in residence. You can most likely take any 100-200 level general education course at a local institution (ie: College Algebra, Microeconomics, etc.)

The ATC and Airport Management degree programs both involve pilots and airplanes and you will have a better understanding of the Air Traffic and Airport environments with a background in flight. Typically the flight requirement is not waived; we feel that it is an essential component of the degree program.

Each semester the flight progress is monitored and changes may be made to the template based on unusual circumstances.

You should meet with your advisor at least once a semester preferably prior to registering for classes. You should make the contact with your advisor to arrange an appointment. You may call them or e-mail them with your request. The main office on the 2nd floor of Odegard Hall posts the advisors, their office phone numbers, their e-mail addresses and their office hours.

There are three classes of medical certificates, aptly named first, second, and third class. First class certificates are required for pilots exercising privileges of an airline transport rating. Second class medical certificates are needed for performing commercial operations, and third class medical certificates are adequate for initial training purposes. We recommend you obtain a second class medical certificate initially to begin your flight training. There are several reasons for this recommendation:

They are less expensive than first class medical certificates ($40-70 versus $80-400 for a first class medical certificate)
For those of you under the age of 35, the requirements are identical
It requires a higher standard for vision requirements than a third class medical certificate.

Although a third class certificate is adequate for flight training, the visual requirements are not as stringent as the first and second class certificates. Whatever class of medical certificate you have we prefer your vision to be corrected 20/20 with lenses or uncorrected, while operating UND aircraft.

No, a third class medical certificate is adequate to begin training.

Certain medical conditions and behavior problems can result in denial of your medical certificate. If you have significant medical and/or legal problems, you should have copies of medical and/or court records for your examiner. You should be aware that drug and alcohol convictions (yes, paying a fine is a conviction) and security violations (fake identification cards) are considered serious problems by government and the aerospace industry. Medical and behavior standards of professional pilot and air traffic controllers are among the highest in our society. Mistakes, poor judgment, and other "indiscretions of youth" can have lasting consequences related to your career. Prevention (through responsible behavior) is the key.

Consulting with an AME prior to your appointment will help you identify issues that could deny your medical, or help you realize that a condition you are worrying about will not be a problem. You can also look at the FAA's website

By clicking on the medical area, you can find further information that an Aviation Medical Examiner would consider or need. For example, you can click on eyes to find how eye problems would be managed.

While flying at UND, you will be part of our drug and alcohol misuse prevention program. As in the aerospace industry, our goal is to use education and deterrence to maintain a safe training environment. The program is designed similar to mandatory drug and alcohol testing conducted in air carriers and air traffic control centers. Our program reflects our commitment to the aviation industry's demand for a "no tolerance" environment and our regard for safety standards.

Drug and alcohol testing will be done for several reasons. Tests can be ordered as an initial screening, directed at an individual based on their behavior, speech, odor or other characteristics, or be done as a result of an accident or incident. All students participating in flight labs are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Positive tests will not only impact your flight status, but can severely impact your eligibility for a medical certificate. A complete description of the drug and alcohol policy at the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is distributed to all students in the flight courses.

We currently have approximately 70 students working on a B.S. degree, 18 seeking a M.S., and 5 enrolled in the Ph.D. program.

Currently there are 12 faculty who are involved in teaching and/or research: two primarily have teaching responsibilities, two are in a research faculty classification, and the other have a combined responsibility for teaching and research. A total of 10 individuals are graduate faculty.

The typical number of students joining the undergraduate program as freshmen or transfers is in the range of 20-25, while new graduate student numbers are around 6-10. Students may start in either Fall or Spring semester.

The average length of program for undergraduates is 4-4 ½ years.

Yes, there are a number of opportunities, both during the academic year and in the summer, for undergraduates to participate in research being conducted by our faculty. Please go to the Research page on this web site to see where our faculty have research interests.

There are a number of educational/experiential opportunities outside of regularly scheduled class times. For example, upper division students may work as teaching assistants for the Meteorology I course (“if you want to learn something, teach it”). Student at all levels can participate in a student-run weather broadcast called Weather Update. This show runs Monday – Friday and is broadcast on local cable TV and also posted on the Department web site. Another area of activity is the North Dakota Chapter of the American Meteorological Society. This is a student-run organization that offers a wide range of activities and leadership opportunities.

The graduate degrees within our department are the M.S. in Atmospheric Sciences and the Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences. There is also a degree offered with the Computer Science Department titled Ph.D. in Scientific Computer with Atmospheric Sciences Applications.

Admission requirements are found in the link for Prospective Students.

An applicant does not have to have an undergraduate degree in Atmospheric Sciences or Meteorology. Each application is reviewed with regard to undergraduate coursework to see if any key subject areas have not been completed. Depending on qualifications, applicants needing preliminary/fundamental coursework may be admitted as “Qualified” status until this work is completed. More details may be found at the Graduate School web site.

The typical length of study for completion is 2 years for the M.S. and 5 years for the Ph.D.

Nearly all of our students are currently being supported by a Graduate Assistantship, either in teaching (GTA) or research (GRA). Additionally, the assistantships are accompanied by a full tuition waiver. For current open positions, go to Graduate Assistantships.

Admission requirements for international students are provided at the Graduate School web site here.

Each year approximately $300,000 in UND Aviation scholarships and training awards are granted to students enrolled at UND majoring in aviation. Scholarship applications will be available for enrolled aviation students in early February, are due by mid-March and awarded in April. Awards are based on academic merit, leadership, flight achievement, and other attributes as specified by the sponsor. Students are therefore encouraged to pick up applications when spring semester begins. Two significant scholarship programs are available for all students (including freshmen and transfer students) majoring in professional flight. The Odegard Scholarship program, provided by the James Ray Foundation which is part of the spring scholarship program, and the Clay Lacy Professional Pilot Scholarship in conjunction with the EAA Aviation Foundation, are awards based on academic merit, "a passion for flying", and service. The application process for this scholarship happens in the fall and is applied for through student services. Second, The Odegard Scholarship program, provided by the James Ray Foundation are administered by the Aviation Department and awarded in the spring. For additional information about the Aviation Department Scholarships, contact the Odegard School Office Department of Aviation at (701)777-2834 or (800)258-1525 extension 2834. The Aviation Department is constantly looking for new scholarship donors to assist the students pursuing their educational goals.

Yes, the Aviation Department gives away approximately $300,000 a year in training and monetary awards to deserving students. These scholarships are given (based on donor wishes) based on scholarship, financial need, leadership and service to the Aviation Department. There is an online application process early in the spring semester with the individual awards given in April.

An internship is an invaluable educational experiential learning opportunity that will give you a "look and see" of the industry and a particular job segment. It lets you decide if this is an area of interest, or not; and it does not obligate you to a particular company. Internships are usually 1-4 credits and it is graded, so there will be a component of work, besides the internship. Co-op credit is one or more credits of pass/fail (S/U) and there is not an expectation of student work outside the experience.

The cost of training in each course is based on several factors. It is our intent to provide each student every opportunity to complete a course of training during one semester. A student's ability, illness, personal considerations, weather, finances and their own motivation are only a few of the factors. The costs listed in this website are based on the average cost of completion for each course of training. Please go to this website

for a complete listing of course average costs.

The courses you should take depend on several considerations, your year in college, your major field of study, any outside interests such as student organizations and part-time employment. You should try and balance your course work between General Education Requirements/Essential Studies and your major. Sequential courses such as Language 101 and Language 102 should be taken in the Fall and Spring to avoid gaps in your learning. Prerequisites for courses will also have a bearing on when classes should be taken. Several Aviation courses have prerequisites. The Aviation Department recommends that you make an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to plan your upcoming course work.

Do you consider yourself to be sharp, energetic, well-rounded person with the drive and tenacity to make your own way in life? If so, then Air Force ROTC is for you, but you've got to be willing to give it everything you've got. Air Force ROTC is just like any other college course - it has its own admissions requirement and since we offer a wealth of real-world leadership experiences and the opportunity to earn a commission. As an Air Force officer, you'll need to meet some additional requirements as you progress from the General Military Course to the Professional Officer Course POC - ROTC course for juniors and seniors. Scholarship applicants and recipients must also meet requirements specific to the scholarship that they are applying for. Feel free to give us a call or send us an email if you have questions concerning admissions. You can also contact a Regional Director of Admissions for your area. You may also use this website

to get more information. Army, Navy and Marine Corp ROTC programs are also available.