Program

  • We offer an undergraduate-level program and a graduate-level scholarship for students focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
  • A unique academic program where students complete their frosh and sophomore years by taking courses at local Foothill College.  During their junior and senior years, students take online classes from the world’s top global universities and from our faculty.

These courses are for personal enhancement only. While there may be some overlap in these courses with regular college courses, they are not credit worthy nor accepted as substitutes for any other courses.

The following illustrate the variety of courses available at global universities that WIT students may select as they build their study program based on their areas of interest:

Columbia University

University of Edinburgh

ETH Zurich

Harvard University

Johns Hopkins University

MIT

NPTEL

University of Pennsylvania 

Robotics: Computational Motion

Princeton University

Stanford University

UC Berkeley

UCL (University College London)

  • Entrepreneurial projects will include developing designs, processes and devices to advance autonomous air traffic control systems.
  • Students create their own STEM majors through the open curriculum program around their areas of interest and career goals and work closely with advisors to develop, advance, and monitor progress toward their educational and career goals. 

  • Students meet with our Academic Adviser and design a plan for their course of study.  Regular meetings with their Academic Adviser will assess progress and make sure students are on track to complete their study goals.​

PROGRAMS

Our program operates on the quarter system. We offer the following programs:

Environmental Studies 

Environmental Studies  Our students will conduct research and use tools for achieving sustainable and resilient watersheds and water resources. This research and related projects will

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STEM Enhancement

STEM Enhancement  We will enhance the curriculum of the community colleges with supplementary courses taught by our faculty. This will allow students to progress to

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Media Studies

Media Studies Quiet on the set! Camera’s rolling! Ready ~ Action! Develop an idea. Write. Produce. Direct. Shoot. Edit. Design. Follow your passion for creating

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Aviation and Space Studies

Aviation and Space Studies ✤ General Aviation ✤ Autonomous Aviation  Air Traffic Control Pilotless Commercial Aviation ✤ Aeronautics & Astronautics Space-based lasers Astronautics  Meteoritics, Laser

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate, students are required to complete 219 quarter units.  

Year

Quarter Units

1

Foothill

IGETC

45

WIT

WIT Supplement

9

2

Foothill

IGETC

45

WIT

WIT Supplement

12

3

Select your university

Major

45

WIT

WIT Supplement

12

4

Select your university

Major

45

WIT

WIT Supplement

6

TOTAL Quarter Units

219

ITGEC = Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum

COURSES & OBJECTIVES

For course details and requirements for General Education classes and majors, consult the Foothill College online catalog.

Objectives of the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department

Our objectives are the mastery of an entry-level knowledge of real-time, safety-critical systems in multiple disciplines, with and without human interventions. Core disciplines include autonomy, software, communications, networks, controls, and human-machine, human-software interaction, simulations, policy, economics and organizational behavior. This also will include an introduction to the engineering of air and space vehicles, their propulsion systems and their subsystems.

  • Objective for the General Aviation Program

Our students will be introduced to aviation as the first step on the ladder toward autonomous aviation. Our students will learn to confidently fly a private aircraft, such as a Cessna 159 or 172, after completing 40 hours of flying. The Stanford Flying Club at the Palo Alto Airport will provide this service. 

  • Objectives for the Autonomous Aviation Program

Our graduates will combine critical thinking with the foundational skills to excel in autonomous aviation.  The program provides an overview of the process of developing flight control for control and management of manned and unmanned aircraft, using both the rigorous engineering approach for traditional flight controls as well as analytical approaches for the autonomous guidance functions.

  • Objectives for the Astronautics Program

Our objectives are for students to demonstrate a basic ability to apply mathematics, science, and engineering knowledge to understand and solve complex interdisciplinary problems as well as a broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context. This includes the areas of aircraft and spacecraft engineering, space exploration, air- and space-based telecommunication industries, autonomous systems, robotics, commercial space transportation, teaching, research, military service, and related fields.

Objectives for the Sustainable Food Program

The objectives of the Department are to learn and deploy projects of the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental. These objectives include providing safe and nutritious food for all; providing decent incomes and wages for farmers and those working across the ecosystem; and conserving natural resources for the benefit of current and future populations. This Department will launch in 2022 following our acquisition of a significant agriculture land holding. 

how courses are taught

  • Teaching methods will consist of lectures (50-minutes), classes (1 to 2 hours), laboratory (1-2 hours), field trips may be offered.  
  • Students are expected to study for at least two hours for every hour of teaching time for further reading, research, revision and assignments.   Projects will be outside of this time.
  • Independent research will allow student to conduct research on particular areas of interest. 
  • Internships will allow students to explore career options and develop relationships with local individuals and companies.

Facilities

  • WIT headquarters and classrooms are located at 135 University Avenue, Palo Alto.
  • Cubberley Community Center, Palo Alto, for Media Studies.
  • The Palo Alto Airport for Aviation and Space Studies.

Prerequisites to Graduate

  • Design study program upon registration with Academic Adviser.
  • Choose program of study based on personal interests.
  • Complete General Education requirements. 
  • Select major specialization.
  • Complete 219 quarter units of coursework.
  • Complete an individual project.