675.792.81 - Scientific Instruments for Space

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Introduction to Measurement and Instrumentation
• Scientific Space Instruments Survey
• Instrument Development and Pathway to Flight
• Instrument Specification and Architecture
• What is an Instrument Engineer?
• Measurement Uncertainty and Errors
• Instrument Electrical Considerations
• Instrument Mechanical Considerations
• Instrument Software Considerations
• The Spacecraft/Payload Host Interface
• Instrument Testing and Calibration
• Instrument Operations
• Science Data Handling and Publication
  

Course Goals

After working for nearly two decades on space scientific instrumentation, the content covered in this course is what i believe every successful engineer/applied physics should know should they choose the instrumentation career path. This course covers the cradle to grave lifecycle of a scientific instrument.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Synthesize and critically analyze scientific publications/literature of space-based scientific measurements.
• Design instruments by applying theoretical and practical skills relevant to techniques in scientific measurements.
• Compare different measurement techniques found in instrumentation within the space industry.
• Defend a space-based instrument design’s reliability, verifiability, accuracy, and survivability.
• Identify the impact of technological developments and environmental limitations of scientific instruments.
• Apply the lifecycle of instrument development from cradle-to-grave.

Textbooks

Morris, Alan, and Langari, Reza (2021). Measurement and Instrumentation: Theory and Application (3rd ed).  Elsevier Inc. Academic Press.

• This textbook is available electronically through the Sheridan Library and readings for each week will be posted as eReserves available from the link on the course menu.
• Additional readings to scientific articles and websites are also provided on a module-by-module basis. They are provided as direct links or eReserves.

Required Software

Microsoft Office Suite
MATLAB (or Python)

Student Coursework Requirements

There are 7 components to your final course grade:

• Self-check quizzes (module-by-module) - 10%
• Discussions - 15%
• Weekly Assignments - 25%
• Individual Design Project (Modules 3-8 - Preliminary Deliverables) - 10%
• Individual Design Project (Module 8 - Final Report) - 15%
• Group Design Project (Modules 9-12 - Preliminary Deliverables) - 10%
• Group Design Project (Module 12 - Final Report) - 15%

Grading criteria/rubrics are provided for all activities and assignments within the course site. Project overviews are provided from the Home Page.

Grading Policy

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

Score Range	Letter Grade
100-97	= A+
96-93	= A
92-90	= A−
89-87	= B+
86-83	= B
82-80	= B−
79-77	= C+
76-73	= C
72-70	= C−
69-67	= D+
66-63	= D
<63	= F

Course Policies

This is an online asynchronous course; students are expected to self-pace themselves through the course content. The current module and a few following modules will always be available for those students who needs the flexibility to get ahead (for pre-planned trips or conflicts). Please make arrangement early for any special accommodation prior to the due date of the module or project. Late individual assignment may be accepted (with a 10% deduction). Late group assignment will not be accepted.

Student Generative AI (GenAI) Use

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained the ability to write fluently in a very short amount of time, and Large Language Models (LLMs) can now produce acceptable written products in almost every domain, including at this course level. Students should learn how to use this powerful new tool, and most can expect to use AI throughout their professional careers. However, over-reliance on AI can hinder learners’ ability to form and evaluate arguments, learn new ideas, articulate their thoughts, develop professional vocabulary, conduct effective research, and create novel syntheses of ideas.

I encourage the use of AI for information gathering and topic research. However, I strongly recommend that your assignments and projects be based on your own cognitive work so that you gain the greatest value from this course. Whenever you submit content that was generated by AI or by a website that generates content, you must clearly mark or cite it, such as AI-generated mechanical concept drawings for your project.

This course includes two projects, with content submitted across multiple modules. Although AI may be able to generate content for an individual component of a project, it often struggles to develop an entire cohesive instrument concept. Students will be graded on individual submissions; however, cohesiveness will also be evaluated in the final submission. Please note that when students submit projects in which most of the content is AI-generated, it is usually obvious and detectable.

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. 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. Our courses are designed with a proactive approach to accessibility to minimize the need for disability disclosure and accommodation requests, but we recognize that you may need additional support. 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 EP Student Disability Services at 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 Student Conduct Code website.

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.