Course Outline for Physics 27
Introduction to Unmanned Flight & Rocket Science

Effective: Spring 2018
SLO Rev: 10/27/2016
Catalog Description:

PHYS 27 - Introduction to Unmanned Flight & Rocket Science

3.00 Units

This course introduces students to the physics behind, as well as the creation and operation of, unmanned flight vehicles such as rockets, balloons and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), which collect inflight atmospheric data that are later analysed and presented.
Prerequisite: MTH 1 and CSCI 7 and Corequisite: PHYS 4B.
1902.00 - Physics, General
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Laboratory 1.00 54.00 0.00 54.00
Total 3.00 90.00 72.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. build a working circuit board that accurately collects atmospheric data during flight of the unmanned vehicle;
  2. construct a working unmanned vehicle that will ascend and land with the circuit board undamaged;
  3. analyze the acquired in flight data;
  4. report or present the analysed data in a university appropriate format.
Course Content:
Lecture Content:
1. Intro to circuits
2. Intro to Arduino or other programmable microcontroller
3. Graphing and statistics
4. Rocket basics
5. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle basics
6. Data analysis
7. Data reporting or presentation
Lab Content:
1. Soldering
2. Programming the microcontroller
3. Calibrating the sensors
4. Building rockets
5. Building drones
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Field Trips
  2. Research project
  3. Hands-on Activities
  4. Laboratory
  5. Written assignments
  6. Textbook reading assignments
  7. Simulations
  8. Class and group discussions
  9. Large and small group presentation
  10. Lectures
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Gather data in unmanned flight tests.
  2. Build the payload and unmanned flight vehicle.
  3. Analyze acquired data and present in a report that is commensurate with university level lab reports.
  4. Research the physics of unmanned flight. Calculate the escape velocity of gasses from rocket engines necessary to reach specific heights carrying various payloads.
  1. Assigned activities
  2. Class Participation
  3. Group Projects
  4. Exams/Tests
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Build a working circuit board that accurately collects atmospheric data during flight of the unmanned vehicle.
  2. Construct a working unmanned vehicle that will ascend and land with the circuit board undamaged.
  3. Analyze the acquired in flight data.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Westerfield, Mike (2014). Make Rockets: Down to earth rocket science (1st). Maker Media.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Introduction to the Physics and Operation of unmanned flight vehicles, including rockets, balloons, and aerial vehicles (drones).
Prerequisite: MTH 1 and CSCI 7 and Corequisite: PHYS 4B.
Discipline:
Physics/Astronomy*, Engineering*, or