The following is a list of classes typically taken by students in the SSDL. An example of a typical academic program can be found at the following:  Academic Program

Aerospace Engineering Classes

Fall Semester

AE 6210: Advanced Dynamics I - Kinematics of particles and rigid bodies, angular velocity, inertia properties, holonomic and non-holonomic constraints, generalized forces. (Analytical Mechanics Qual)

AE 6353: Orbital Mechanics - AE 6353 is the first in a series of two graduate-level astrodynamics classes offered at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The course content includes historical background and equations of motion, two-body orbital mechanics, orbit determination, orbit prediction, orbital maneuvers, lunar and interplanetary trajectories, orbital rendezvous and space navigation.          (Space Vehicle Design Qual)

AE 6372: Aerospace Systems Engineering - Introduction to aerospace systems engineering. Systems engineering and quality engineering methods and tools. Top-down design decision support processes, computer integrated environments, Integrated Product/Process Development (IPPD).

AE 6373: Advanced Design Methods I - Introduction to modern probabilistic design methods and techniques. Design of experiments, Taguchi methods, response surface equations, robust design, risk and uncertainty, technology assessment and selection. (Design Methods and Processes Qual)

AE 6520: Advanced Flight Dynamics - Reference frames and transformations, general equations of unsteady motion, application to fixed-wing, rotary-wing and space vehicle stability characteristics, flight in turbulent atmosphere. (Analytical Mechanics Qual)

AE 6540: Rocket Propulsion - Analysis and design of rocket engines including liquid, solid, hybrid, and advanced propulsion systems.

AE 6765: Kinetics and Thermodynamics - Thermodynamics of non-reacting and reacting gas mixtures. Introductory quantum theory, statistical thermodynamics, and gas kinetic theory. (Combustion or Gas Dynamics Qual)

AE 4803: Introduction to Reliability, Risk, and System Safety - The Course has two objectives: 1) to provide students with a solid understanding of the concepts and techniques of reliability engineering and risk analysis, and 2) to introduce students to research direction in system safety and accident analysis.

AE 8803: Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle Design Theory and Methods - Architecture design and analysis for manned space exploration including system engineering, configuration design, atmospheric and space performance, rocket performance, system weights, safety/reliability, and life-cycle cost. Applications will be based on NASAs space exploration programs.

EAS 4460: Satellite and Radar Methodology - Interoperation of satellite and radar data for meteorological forecasting based on understanding radiative transfer and the resulting strengths and limitation of imagery.

Spring Semester

AE 6211: Advanced Dynamics II - A continuation of Advanced Dynamics I. Equations of motion, Newtonian frames, consistent linearization, energy and momentum integrals, collisions, mathematical representation of finite rotation.

AE 6322: Space Systems Design - Early design of spacecraft and launch vehicles. Emphasis on preliminary vehicle sizing and performance, effect of new technologies, and disciplinary interactions. (Space Vehicle Design Qual)

AE 6354: Advanced Orbital Mechanics - Advanced concepts in orbital mechanics including orbit determination, orbital perturbations, time of flight, rendezvous, low thrust trajectories, and multi-body problems. This course is only offered in even years, such as 2006.

AE 6374: Advanced Design Methods II - Introduction to modern multidisciplinary design optimization methods and techniques. Numerical optimization with applications, stochastic methods, Genetic Algorithms, multidisciplinary decomposition methods, multi-level optimization strategies. (Design Methods and Processes Qual)

AE 6766: Combustion - Introductory chemical kinetics, detonations and deflagrations, laminar flame propagation in premixed gases, ignition and quenching, laminar diffusion flames and droplet burning, turbulent reacting flows. (Combustion Qual)

AE 8803: Electric Propulsion - This course begins with an overview of electricity and magnetism, atomic physics, and non-equilibrium flows. It provides a solid background of the operating principles, performance characteristics, and design features of state-of-the-art systems from each of the three classes of electric thrusters (electrothermal, electromagnetic, and electrostatic). It allows the student to understand the capabilities and limitations of electric propulsion on current missions as well as the tremendous promise of electric propulsion for future missions.

AE 8803: Atmospheric Entry - A graduate level special topics course focused on planetary atmospheric entry. This course will be offered for the first time in the Spring of 2005. Course topics include mission and vehicle design, flight dynamics, hypersonic aerodynamics and planetary aerothermodynamics. Case studies include past and future mission concepts for robotic and human exploration. his course is only offered in odd years, such as 2005.

AE 8803BIS: Introduction to Space Mission Architecture - Fundamentals of space mission architecture are presented with an emphasis on systems of systems engineering. Introduction to command, control, and communications architecture, including both the ground and space elements, is covered along with launch and orbit considerations, mission operations, and systems level spacecraft analysis and integration. Will use the On-Orbit Servicing Project throughout the course to help demonstrate concepts. The course will include a thorough investigation of a fully functioning instructional nano-satellite (EyasSAT) used to demonstrate six traditional satellite subsystems.

AE 8900: MS Research Project - Students generally choose to complete a research project in place of a master's thesis. Examples of typical SSDL student projects can be found by clicking on the following link. Masters Projects

EAS 4430: Remote Sensing and Data Analysis - Introduction to passive environmental remote sensing of the atmosphere and the Earth laboratory examples of data and image analysis for remote sensing applications.

ECE 4390: Introduction to Radar and Electromagnetic Sensing - Introduces students to radar systems, including pulsed CW, CWFM, and MTI radars. Others techniques for electromagnetic sensing such as radiometry and EM tagging discussed.

CP 6531: Introduction to Remote sensing - Introduces students to the collection and use of satellite imagery and other remote sensing data. (Semester TBD)

EAS 6145: Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean - Provides foundation for understanding the physical principles of remote sensing and its applications to study atmospheric gases, clouds, and ocean surfaces. (Semester TBD)

Summer Semester

AE 6050: High Temperature Gas Dynamics - Defining equations for compressible flows, real gas properties and their effect on the behavior of equilibrium and non-equilibrium flows. (Gas Dynamics Qual)

AE 6362: Safety By Design - This class is only offered during the summer session. This class presents an innovated approach through a better understanding of the conceptual design phase and reliability theory, and how this can effect the overall safety of an engineering system. 

Math Classes

ISYE 6401: Statistical Modeling and Design of Experiments -

ISYE 6650: Probabilistic Models - An introduction to basic stochastic processes such as Poisson and Markov processes and their applications in areas such as inventory, reliability, and queuing. (Fulfills Math Requirement)

ISYE 6739: Statistical Methods - Introduction to basic statistical models, and analytical techniques used in statistical analysis.

MATH 3215:  Introduction to Probability and Statistics - This course is a problem oriented introduction to the basic concepts of probability and statistics, providing a foundation for applications and further study. This course will meet the Georgia Tech aerospace department MATH requirements.

MATH 4305: Linear Algebra - Finite dimensional vector spaces, inner product spaces, least squares, linear transformations, the spectral theorem for normal transformations. Applications to convex sets, positive matrices, difference equations.

MATH 6640: Numerical Methods for PDEs - Introduction to the implementation and analysis of numerical algorithms for the numerical solution of the classic partial differential equations of science and engineering. Must have knowledge of a computer programming language, familiarity with partial differential equations and elements of scientific computing.