675.600.81 - Systems Engineering for Space

Course Structure

The course is divided into modules which can be accessed using the Modules link in the Canvas course site. You may refer to the Course Outline page in Canvas for specific module release dates. Please refer directly to assignments in Canvas for instructions and due dates of all assignments.

Modules are typically released on Friday evening at midnight and run for 10 days. This provides the flexibility of having 2 weekends to complete each module, with an intervening office hour session each week. Note: This arrangement results in a 3-day overlap of modules.

Course Topics

• Course Introduction & Administration
• Systems Engineering for Space Systems
• The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Team Project Introduction
  
• The Systems Engineering Method
• Systems Engineering Management Tools
• Analysis of Alternatives and Trade Studies
• Risk Management
• Requirements Analysis
• Functional Analysis
• Physical Definition
• Design Verification & Validation
• Integration & Test
• Concept Development Stage
• Engineering Development Stage
• Post Development Stage
• Disposal Stage
• Team Project Completion
• Course and Teammate Evaluations

Course Goals

To identify, describe, and practice the methods and principles of systems engineering as applied to space systems, and then apply that knowledge to develop a space system concept.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Recognize the key attributes of a major system development life cycle and the role of the systems engineer in each stage of the life cycle.
• Apply fundamental methods of analysis and evaluation used in designing space systems and selection of the most appropriate system design.
• Create key system-level engineering products and diagrams used in the analysis and definition of space systems and subsystems and in the preparation of space mission concepts.
• Gain an understanding of the contents of a Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP), Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP), Configuration Management Plan (CMP), and a Risk Management Plan (RMP).
• Synthesize and describe a mission concept as part of a team project.

Textbooks

Kossiakoff, A., Sweet, W. N., Seymour, S., & Biemer, S. M. (2020). Systems Engineering Principles and Practice (3rd ed.). Wiley.

• ISBN-13: 978-1119516668 Hard cover (Also available as an eBook)

• ISBN-10: 1119516668 Hard cover
  

• ISBN-10:
  • 1-881883-15-9 Soft cover
  • 1-881883-16-6 Hard cover
• ISBN-13:
  • 978-1-881883-15-9 Soft cover
  • 978-1-881883-16-6 Hard cover

Other Materials & Online Resources

The following documents are available free online.  Click on the following hyperlinks to gain access:

• NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, Rev 2, 2016 (eBook, PDF, and web page)       
• Expanded Guidance for NASA Systems Engineering Volume 1: Systems Engineering Practices
• Expanded Guidance for NASA Systems Engineering. Volume 2: Crosscutting Topics, Special Topics, and Appendices
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook (4th edition)  
  • - Membership to INCOSE is required – as a member of the JHU community, you can join as a CAB (Corporate Advisor Board) Associate and gain access to many INCOSE products. See note under "eReserves"
• SMC Systems Engineering Handbook, 2nd Edition
• Defense Acquisition Guidebook
  

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7-12 hours to complete including readings, lecture videos, discussion board activity, quizzes, individual or team homework assignments, and the course team project. 

The course includes the following assignments:

Assignments (45% of Final Grade Calculation)
There are Individual Assignments in modules 1-8 and 14, and Team Assignments (Project Interim Deliverables) in modules 7-12.

Quizzes (20% of Final Grade Calculation)
Most modules contain a self-graded quiz based upon lecture material and readings. Refer to individual quizzes in Canvas for due dates and instructions.

Discussions (5% of Final Grade Calculation)
Active participation in discussions is not only an important part of your learning, it will also contribute to the learning of your peers. We each bring a diverse perspective and learn from shared responses. Specific discussion prompts, instructions, and rubrics are located in Canvas.

Team Project (30% of Final Grade Calculation)
Students will be assigned to project teams early in the semester. Beginning in Module 3, teams will collaborate to complete the Team Homework assignments which are interim deliverables in the final project. Feedback will be given and is expected to be incorporated into the final Team Project Report (TPR).

Team peer reviews and project assessments will be solicited several times during the project development; feedback from peers may influence individual project grades.

Late Policy
With the goal of providing flexibility for students with unusual work or personal commitments, each student will be allowed to submit two (2) assignments up to 48 hours late with no late penalty applied. Prior notification to the instructors is not required. If the assignment isn’t submitted within 48 hours of the time it is due, the grade for that assignment will be zero.

After 2 late submissions, all future submissions must be on time or the student will receive a zero. Late policy exceptions may be allowed in certain situations on a case-by-case basis. Students must request pre-approval from the instructors in advance via email.

Grading Policy

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

Course Policies

Please refer to Late Policy above.  A Homework Grading Guidance page is also provided in the "Course Overview" section of the "Course Information" module on Canvas.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.