This course focuses on the planning, management, execution, and communication of aerospace engineering design projects. Students apply systems engineering principles, computer-based analysis tools, statistical methods, manufacturing considerations, safety and reliability analysis, and engineering ethics to support the development of aerospace systems, subsystems, and components.
The course emphasizes the full engineering project lifecycle, from market analysis and requirements definition to functional analysis, technical risk assessment, resource budgeting, manufacturing planning, and final design communication. Students learn to evaluate engineering decisions not only for technical feasibility, but also for cost, reliability, safety, ethical responsibility, and social impact.
Course Topics
Students develop competency in the technical and managerial foundations of aerospace design projects, including:
- Project management and systems engineering
- Market analysis
- Applied systems theory
- Requirements analysis and specification
- Functional and operational analysis
- Technical risk assessment and resource budgets
- Economic factors, cost estimation, and business planning
- Safety, reliability, ethics, and social impact
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students are able to:
- Apply computer-based and statistical analysis methods to the design of aerospace systems, subsystems, and components.
- Explain techniques and tools used to plan, schedule, and execute engineering projects.
- Select appropriate manufacturing, fabrication, and assembly techniques for aerospace design solutions.
- Explain how engineering ethics and social impact influence engineering design decisions.
- Present aerospace design projects using effective written and oral communication techniques.
Capstone Emphasis
The course emphasizes aerospace design as a structured, multidisciplinary engineering process. Students integrate technical analysis, systems thinking, project management, manufacturability, safety, reliability, cost, ethics, and communication to develop and justify engineering design decisions in a professional capstone project environment.