AEROSPCE 730 : Aerospace Systems Design

Engineering

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Systems engineering for aerospace systems design. Current practice and standard methods to reach a preliminary design review stage are taught, encompassing requirements translation, functional analysis, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement (including Mātauranga Māori perspectives). Overview of major aircraft and satellite subsystems (such as structure, propulsion, aerodynamics), initial vehicle sizing, and the impact of the operational environment on these vehicles.

Course Overview

The aim of this Aerospace Masters course is to introduce systems engineering for aerospace systems, including current practice and standard methods. The course is divided into three key modules:
  • Aerospace Systems Engineering (2 Weeks)
  • Aircraft and Atmosphere (5 Weeks)
  • Spacecraft and Space (5 Weeks)
The Aircraft and Atmosphere and Spacecraft and Space modules provide a technical overview of the major components, dynamics and interactions of these aerospace systems. These feed the technical background into Aerospace Systems Engineering topics:
  • Requirements Analysis
  • Functional Analysis and Design
  • Evaluation, Selection and Budgets
  • System Integration and Testing
  • Risk Management
  • Human Factors
Understanding of the Systems Engineering process is assessed via assignments, which draw on the technical knowledge from the Aircraft and Atmosphere and Spacecraft and Space modules. Individual understanding of the technical material is assessed through two tests. There is no exam for this course, being project-based.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Design and communicate a component or process to meet the requirements of an aerospace system. (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
  2. Demonstrate competence in the integration of aerospace science and engineering topics and their application in aerospace vehicle design. (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)
  3. Use and apply the techniques, skills, and engineering tools necessary for aerospace practice. (Capability 2.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  4. Identify , formulate, and solve aerospace problems. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2)
  5. Be able to function effectively in a diverse multi-disciplinary team. (Capability 7.1)
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the environmental and societal impact of aerospace systems, including indigenous perspectives based on Mātauranga Māori. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Projects 60% Group & Individual Coursework
Tests 30% Individual Test
Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Projects
Tests
Quizzes

A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy. Late submission penalties will be applied as stated on Canvas

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect two 90-minute lectures per week, and 7 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation each week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, including lectures and labs, to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The lectures for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

A Talis reading list will be available via Canvas.

Health & Safety

Most activities are based in the lecture theatre environment. Lab visits will be conducted under the supervision of staff associated with the lab and include a safety briefing.
Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Based on the 2023 and 2024 SET Surveys, there are several changes for 2025:
  • Systems Engineering material will be presented in the first two weeks. This will enable Systems Engineering Principles to be covered before the technical content, and reduce the pace of the technical material.
  • A separate project has been created for each of the Aircraft and Spacecraft modules, replacing the large single project. This reduces the scope of individual design projects, provides more mid-semester feedback, and allows students to participate in projects in both fields.

Other Information

This course is currently not open to Domestic BE(Hons) Students.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 27/11/2024 09:32 p.m.