675.772.81 - Verification and Validation of Space Systems

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites 

675.600 Systems Engineering for Space and 675.601 Fundamentals of Engineering Space Systems I, or with approval of the instructor. 

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. 

Course Topics

• Mission Concept of Operations
• Mission Requirements Formulation and Development
• Requirements Flowdown
• Requirements Traceability Matrix
• Verification and Validation
• Verification Methods and Events
• Requirements Verification and Close-Out
• Comprehensive Performance Test
• Mission Scenario Development
• Instrument Requirements and V&V
• Model V&V

Course Goals

To identify and describe the requirements process leading to the specification of a space mission and then plan the verification and validation activities needed to satisfy those requirements. To define and develop various products to capture requirements and track verification activities.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Develop mission and spacecraft system requirements and requirements flow-down.
• Describe the role and responsibilities of the requirements and verification role.
• Construct a requirements verification matrix.
• Using the requirements verification matrix, capture requirements and flow-down.
• Review verification methods, tests and test events.
• Define and describe steps for requirements verification close-out.
• Develop an outline of a comprehensive performance test.
• Develop an outline of a mission scenario test.
• Describe the unique challenge for instrument requirements and V&V.

Textbooks

None.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reviewing and preparing for the weekly discussion question (approximately 1 hour per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2–3 hours per week), and assignments (approximately 4-5 hours per week). 

This course will consist of the following basic student requirements: 

Group Projects (50% of Final Grade Calculation) 

Group project are based on a mission or concept selected by the students.  Groups develop requirements, verification and validation deliverables and present their findings. 

• Midterm deliverables: Concept of Operations, Product Breakdown Structure, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 (Spacecraft) Requirements Traceability Matrices 
• Final Deliverables: V&V Plan, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 (Spacecraft) Verification Matrices, Comprehensive Performance Test Plan, Mission Scenario Plan

• Grading

  Overall Project Contribution to Final Grade - 50%

  Midterm Presentation and Deliverables - 20%

  Final Presentation and Deliverables - 20%

  Individual Team Contribution* - 10%

Research Paper & Presentation (20% of Final Grade Calculation) 

A paper (approx. 10 pages) and accompanying presentation (10 minutes/approx. 5 slides) are due at the end of the semester. 

• Topics must be related to requirements and/or verification and validation of space systems and approved by the instructor.

The paper is graded as follows:

• 100–90 = A—Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [rich in content; full of thought, insight, and analysis].
• 89–80 = B—Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].
• 79–70=C—Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].
• <70=F—Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight displayed].

Quizzes (15% of Final Grade Calculation) 

There will be two quizzes during the semester.  One will be available in Module 5 and will cover material in modules 1-5. The second will be available in Module 10 and will cover material in modules 6-10.  You will have one week to complete a quiz and it will be due one week from its release. You may use the course notes to complete the quiz.

The quizzes are evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Each part of question is answered (20%)
2. Writing quality and technical accuracy (30%) (Writing is expected to meet or exceed accepted graduate-level English and scholarship standards. That is, all assignments will be graded on grammar and style as well as content.)
3. Rationale for answer is provided (20%)
4. Examples are included to illustrate rationale (15%) (If a student does not have direct experience related to a particular question, then the student is to provide analogies versus examples.)
5. Outside references are included (15%)

Quizzes are graded as follows:

• 100–90 = A—All parts of question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [rich in content; full of thought, insight, and analysis].
• 89–80 = B—All parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].
• 79–70 = C—Majority of parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace]

Discussion activities on Canvas (15% of Final Grade Calculation)

Students participate in group discussions on topics related to the module learning objectives and instructor provided readings and videos

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. I will post grades one week after assignment due dates. 

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade. 

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. 

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course. 

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

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.