Course Syllabus

Aerospace Engineering

 

Instructor:  Randy McAlister

Phone:  682-867-9579                    Email: rmcalis1@aisd.net

 

		9:30– 11:06	11:16-12:47	1:43-3:14	3:19-4:55
A-Day	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
	No classes at CTC	Conference	Aerospace Engineering	Aerospace Engineering	Conference

Course Description:  In Aerospace Engineering (AE) students are introduced to the fundamentals of atmospheric and space flight. As they explore the physics of flight, students bring the concepts to life by designing an airfoil, propulsion system, and rockets. They learn basic orbital mechanics using industry-standard software. They also explore robot systems through projects such as remotely operated vehicles.

 

Classroom Expectations: 

1)      Ready	·         Be seated and prepared to begin work at the start of class ·         Bring required supplies to class daily ·         Keep Engineering Notebook (and assignments) up-to-date ·         Be productive for the duration of the class
2)      Respectful	·           Speak to others in a respectful tone ·           Use equipment and supplies for their designed purpose ·           Follow all suggestions/corrections from authority ·           Maintain the integrity of other’s projects and resources. ·           Maintain an environment/attitude that promotes productivity.
3)      Responsible	·         Return all lab equipment to appropriate storage location ·         Use the computer/internet for assigned task or project ·         Know and follow safety rules and precautions ·         Accept responsibility for your actions

4. Follow directions when given

• When directions are given, do your best to follow them the first time.  If you are confused or have questions, ask.  I would rather have you stop class to clarify than be off task while everyone else is working.

 

5. Pay attention, participate and ask questions

• Engage in what is going on in the classroom.  If you have a question, ask it!  Otherwise, I might not know until the test that you didn’t understand something.  There are no stupid questions, and chances are, if you are wondering about it, someone else in the class is too.  Be proactive about your learning and don’t be afraid to ask for help.  If you feel most comfortable waiting until after class, that is okay too, but do keep communication open between us.

 

6. Preserve a positive learning environment

• Student actions that interfere with teaching or learning in the classroom will NOT be tolerated. 
• Use class time to learn related information.  Please do not spend your time grooming, sleeping, talking, writing notes, playing cards, listening to your iPod, text-messaging friends, or doing work for other classes.
• Minimize classroom interruptions by arriving to class on time and not leaving the classroom during the class.

 

7. Take responsibility for your actions

• If you are confronted about a rule infraction, own up to it.  Don’t deny it, lie about it, or blame someone else.
• Take responsibility for missed assignments.
• All handbook rules will be enforced.  Please read your handbook.  Students that choose to break these rules, choose to have points taken away from their learning readiness grade, and face the possibility of additional consequences.

 

8. Breaks

• We will take breaks as the opportunity arises during lectures. If I run long, or you need to use the bathroom, please ask and go.

 

9. Safety and Lab Policies:

Lab policies and procedures are posted throughout the lab. They are then discussed, reviewed and tested in great detail within each course. This includes (but is not limited to) machine/material/tool use, clean up procedures, behavior, lab dress code, and the safety of the individual students and class. Violation of any of these policies/ procedures will not be tolerated. Any violations will be reported to the office and will result in an immediate and permanent removal from class. All students will be closely supervised in classroom and lab situations. It is extremely important that the parent/guardian emphasize, to their child, the importance of appropriate behavior in all lab situations to support classroom instruction. Approved safety glasses, provided, must be worn in the lab at all times.

Grading Policy:

 

Warm Ups / Exit Tickets / Class Participation:                                                               10%

• There will be a daily warmup exercise upon entering class each day. You will be given ample time to complete this, followed by a brief discussion. In order to leave the class at the end of the day, an exit ticket is required. This will vary from day to day, depending on the nature of the class. Class participation will also be recorded daily. Failing to participate, safety concerns, or other disruptions will result in a lowered participation grade.

Quizzes:                                                                                                                                20%

• Each week there will be a short quiz covering the materials from the previous week. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Labs / Projects:                                                                                                                     30%

• This class is heavily based in projects and group activities. The weight of these mirrors this importance. These will include software projects, design projects, and group activities of all sorts. This category will also include a grade for maintaining an appropriate engineering notebook.  LAB MAKEUP

Tests:                                                                                                                                      40%

• There will be several tests throughout the year, and mastering these will demonstrate your true understanding of the material. Tests may be made up to a 70% (if you failed) up to one week after the exam.  This policy does not apply to final exams.   

 

Make-Up Policy:  Students will have one class day for each day missed plus one additional class day.  The additional class day is to account for the possibility that the student may not have a class scheduled at the CTC the following day after their absence.  Example:  If a student is absent on Monday, he/she will have until Wednesday to get their missing work and then must have it turned in by Friday.

 

Academic Dishonesty: Any work submitted by the student shall be his/her own. Work taken from others shall be deemed as unacceptable. Any doubts will initiate the completion of an alternative assignment or a zero on the required effort, depending on the severity of the infraction.

 

 

 

Required Supplies:  Pen, Pencil, Paper, Notebook, Engineering Notebook, Ruler

Course Overview: 

Computational and Analytical Skills:

• Calculate the weight and balance of an aircraft
• Apply lift and drag equations
• Calculate pressure, density, and altitude interrelationship
• Collect data related to mechanical properties of materials
• Calculate mechanical properties of materials based on test data
• Analyze an issue in which Space Law applies
• Calculate energy needed for an orbital change
• Model and analyze air- and space-based systems
• Calculate rocket engine impulse
• Plan a route from latitude and longitude waypoints
• Simulate air traffic control scenarios
• Calculate alternative vectors for safe operation of aircraft
• Calculate orbital periods
• Calculate gravitational potential, kinetic, and total energy

Aerospace Engineering and Design Experience:

• Collaborate effectively with peers to solve problems using a design process
• Apply an engineering design process to solve a problem
• Design, build, and test an autonomous system
• Create and test a software program to control a system
• Design an airfoil
• Design and simulate loading on an aircraft structure
• Design a simulated turbine engine
• Design and build a mockup of a system to mitigate space junk
• Design, build and test a parachute
• Design a satellite orbit
• Design, build, test, and optimize a glider
• Choose aircraft material
• Simulate satellite data acquisition using a physical model
• Create a terrain map using model satellite data
• Create a program to control a physical model of an automatic pilot controlled aircraft
• Investigate aerospace engineering careers

Tools and Software:

• Aircraft flight simulator software
• Data collection and analysis software – Logger Pro
• Air- and space-based modeling – Systems Tool Kit, STK
• CAD modeling software – Autodesk ® Inventor ®
• Manufacturing and robot design kit – VEX Robotics
• Robot programming language – ROBOTC
• Glider design using AERY software
• GPS hand-held unit
• GPS mapping software

Professional Skills:

• Team collaboration
• Project management
• Problem-solving
• Communication skills
• Presentation skills
• Technical writing

Course Knowledge

Aerospace Engineering:

• Evolution of aerospace engineering
• Alternative applications for aerospace engineering
• Aerospace careers

 

Physics of Flight:

• Aircraft components and control surfaces
• Four forces of flight
• Weight and balance in an aircraft
• Lift and drag
• Airfoil design
• Interrelationship of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and density

 

Propulsion Systems:

• Atmospheric propulsion systems
• Model rocket design and testing
• Space propulsion systems

 

Navigation:

• Historical perspective related to current navigation systems
• Aircraft radio navigation
• Global Positioning System
• Air traffic control system

 

Aerospace Materials:

• Common aerospace materials
• Composite materials
• Mechanical properties of material testing

 

Flight Physiology:

• Human physiology related to flight
• Ergonomic design
• Accident analysis

 

Space:

• Celestial composition
• Space law
• Space junk
• Commercialization of space-related activities
• Keplerian elements
• Orbital patterns and application
• Energy of an orbiting body

 

Remote Systems:

• Application of aerospace engineering concepts beyond aircraft and spacecraft
• Software programming design
• Autonomous vehicles
• Satellite simulation

 

*The syllabus serves as a guide for both the teacher and student; however, during the term, it may become necessary to make additions, deletions, or substitutions.  Adequate notice will be provided to students of any necessary changes.