Aircraft Systems Engineering

The aim of this module is to equip students with core mathematical skills which will help them better understand other engineering modules. This module presents the mathematical foundations of Functions, which includes function transformation, logarithms and exponential functions, trigonometric and hyperbolic functions.  The more substantial part of this module begins with Limits and Continuity which includes L’Hopital’s rule, followed by Single Variable Calculus.  It covers differentiation and integration of functions of one variable, with various engineering application.

The aim of this module is to introduce to the students to the fundamental principles of mechanics, include kinematics, Newtonian dynamics, work and energy, momentum and rotational motion.

This module provides a basic knowledge in materials and hardware used in the aviation industry.  Students will have the ability to mathematically analyse simple components in static equilibrium (i.e. not in motion) under different modes of loading.  The module consists of lectures where concepts and examples will be presented, and tutorials where students can pose questions from their own study.  In addition, students will also complete various assignments that are intended to strengthen their grasp of knowledge learnt in lectures and tutorials.

This is a first year course which introduces students to some electrical and magnetic components of electrical circuits and devices which are the building blocks for electrical engineering.  Such components include resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, op amps and transformers.  For lab session, students will work in groups to design simple circuits and systems using these components.  In the process, students learn about physical quantities of voltage and currents, circuit principles, power and energy, and operations of the diode, transistors, op amps and transformers.  The knowledge gain in circuit theory will be needed for subsequent modules in electronics, signals, communications and electrical machines.

The module introduces students to topics in electrical engineering including DC motor / generator, transformers, AC generators and motors and servomechanism. It is specially designed for the students to acquire the important knowledge about electrical devices. Students will attend lectures, do experiments and homework in their study.

The contents of this module concentrate on multivariable calculus and basic differential equations.  Mathematics is a foundation for engineering students to study in their specific technical fields. The aim of this module is to provide students with necessary mathematics background which is essential to their further engineering course studies. This course will mainly be conducted by classroom lecturing and group tutoring. Students will need to do the homework assignments after the lectures. The final grade will be a combination of the marks from quizzes, assignments, and the final exam.

The module presents the fundamental knowledge of fluid dynamics, oscillations, waves motion and sound, geometric optics and thermodynamics.  The module also introduces the concepts of heat, work, reversibility, efficiency and property diagrams of pure substance while discussing the 1st law of thermodynamics.  The ideal-gas equation of state is introduced for ideal gases while real gases are described by other polytropic models.  The 2nd law of thermodynamics introduces the efficiency calculation for the heat engine and refrigeration/heat pump cycle, which these thermodynamic cycles can be approximated by an idealised reversible Carnot cycle. The 3rd law of thermodynamics set the stage for the discussion of actual vapour power cycle (Rankine) and actual vapour- compression refrigeration cycle.

The module introduces students to the basic knowledge in electronic fundamentals including semiconductors-diodes, transistors and integrated circuits and printed circuit board.  It is specially designed for the students to acquire the important knowledge about electronic circuits. Students will attend lectures, do experiments and homework in their study.

The aim of this module is to enable students to understand the basic knowledge in digital techniques and electronic instrument systems.  Students acquire essential principles of digital logic systems to study the operation and performance of computer arithmetic circuits, logic circuits, synchronous and asynchronous sequential logic circuits.

This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of materials science and engineering so as to provide an understanding of engineering materials in terms of the factors which dictate their behaviour. Topics includes: Microstructure and structure-property relationships of the main types of engineering materials (metals, ceramics, polymers and composites); Micromechanisms of elastic and plastic deformation; Fracture mechanisms for ductile, brittle, creep and fatigue modes of failure in service; corrosion; Metal forming by casting and wrought processes; Phase equilibria of alloys; microstructural control by thermomechanical processing and application to commercial engineering materials.

Fluid Mechanics covers important fluid concepts that underlies many engineering applications.  Students are introduced to the fundamentals such as the different units that govern fluid mechanics and the different properties often used and discussed in fluids.  After covering the basics, this module aims to equip students with core knowledge of both fluid statics and fluid dynamics.  These will assist their understanding of basic engineering problems and operations that will eventually be applicable in the higher level modules in the advanced trimesters. Students will be taught concepts of pressure in fluid and hydrostatic forces on submerged surfaces.  The principles of flow are learned through the well-known Bernoulli’s equation.  Conservation principles governing the various equations will be derived and explained.
 

This module covers topics on sequences and series, Laplace transforms, Fourier series, Fourier transforms and solutions to partial differential equations. In the topic of sequences and series, both finite and infinite series, the common tests for convergence, solution of recurrence relations is introduced. Power series and Taylor’s series representation of functions is introduced. Integral transforms such as Laplace transform and

Fourier transforms are covered.

This module aims to introduce 3-dimensional visualization and spatial reasoning; Engineering sketching; Basic descriptive geometry; The fundamentals of orthographic projection; Parametric and feature-based solid modelling; Assembly modelling; Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing to students.  Students will be exposing to drawing convention and presentation of 3-dimensional geometry on 2-dimensional media.  Use of CAD software on the computer workstation as the major graphical analysis and design tool.

In heat transfer, three main mechanisms of heat flow will be discussed; conduction, convection and radiation. Conduction introduces the Fourier’s law with emphasis on developing 1D heat transfer in steady state condition for various structures. There are two modes of convection, namely natural and forced convection, where some convection correlations are derived to demonstrate and allow appreciation of its respective empirical convection heat transfer coefficient in real world. Conduction and convection are re-visited again in the heat exchanger topic where design issues and the concept of Log Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD), Number of Transfer Units (NTU) method are introduced. Overall, the module aims to develop appreciation of the importance of thermal systems in sustainable infrastructures.

The course aims to provide the students with fundamental knowledge of aerodynamics. The focus is on incompressible flows; starting with inviscid flows leading to viscous boundary layer flows. The students will be introduced to a number of methods which are routinely used as part of the aircraft design process.

The aim of this module is to introduce to students the flight environment and the aerodynamics of the aircraft.  Basic propulsion characteristics for jet and propeller propelled aircraft will be compared.  Aircraft point-mass equations will be introduced for the analysis of steady cruise and climb performance, range and endurance, turning manoeuver and take-off and landing performance.
 

This module will introduce students to machine elements, fasteners, transmission, bearings, pipes and unions as well as spring and control cables that are used in the current civil aviation industry. The study of element will include the analysis of geometry, the typical loading conditions, materials and how it function as mechanical set. The students will also be exposed to failure analysis as well as non destructive testing techniques - dye penetrant, eddy current, ultrasound, X-ray radiography, thermal imaging that are used by aircraft maintenance engineers in the aviation industry.

The aim of this module is to provide familiarity with important ‘hand methods’ for structural analysis.  To introduce to the students the concepts of shear flow and shear centre and to develop an understanding of the behaviour of structural materials under various loading systems.

Notation and nomenclature; Euler angles; frames of reference; transformations and orthogonality; absolute and relative motion; development of equations of motion for translating, rotating frames of reference in 3D; aerodynamics and propulsive forces and moments; elementary stability and control concepts; qualitative discussion of modes of motion; design and handling qualities inter-relationship.
 

The objective of this module is to introduce the students to knowledge on fuel systems, pneumatic/vacuum, air conditioning and cabin pressurisation and fire protection in aircrafts.  This module also enables students to grasp the fundamentals of aircraft pneumatic distribution, cabin pressure controllers, safety and warning devices.  The module aims to integrate the knowledge for an overall understanding of system lay-out and system tests for all these mechanical and electrical systems in the aircraft.

The aim of this module is to understand the science, purpose and principles of aerospace GNC, CNS/ATM and Radar information systems.  To provide the broad range knowledge of technology required by the aerospace engineer.  Students will acquire knowledge in the advanced signal processes and key equations.

The aim of this module is to train students to independently write scientific/technical reports and essays to effectively communicate scientific/technical findings to a broad community of readers.  Through this module, students will be taught the skills required to communicate complex scientific or technical information into content that a specific audience can easily understand.  This module also aim to provide students with the understanding and practice of the planning and management of technical projects along with an appreciation of business organisation and planning.

The Capstone Project (CP) is a 2-trimester long module that is designed for the students to pursue an in-depth independent study to solve engineering problems, building on their technical knowledge and project design skills acquired in classrooms, before starting their two trimester of IWSP (Integrated Work Study Programme). With a focus on Applied Learning, the students will have to propose an individual technical project or they can choose a proposed technical topic from the lecturers with strong local aerospace industrial relevance. This can be either a study on improving or automation of a maintenance process, design of a component that can be used to enhance machine efficiency and hence resulted in the improvement of existing maintenance procedures. The proposed projects are to be reviewed and approved by the module coordinator and Programme Director.

The CP module also encourages the students to think critically when addressing and solving complex engineering problems, and supports the development of SIT-DNA in our graduates. During the execution of the CP, the students will aim to achieve the desirable objectives in the most effective ways including obtaining resources. In the process, the students can also develop soft skills such as effective communication, project management and planning, oral presentation, and goal setting. Upon completion, the students will present the final outcome of the project to audience consisting of people with and without engineering background.

The objective of this module is to introduce the students to knowledge on dc and ac machinery which are used extensively in aircrafts.  This module also enables students to grasp fundamentals of emergency equipment requirements, lighting (navigation, anti-collision, landing etc.) and aerospace applications of power electronics including drives and actuators. The module aims to integrate the knowledge for an overall understanding of electric power and cabin systems in the aircraft.

This module aims to develop an understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and psychology as well as modern manufacturing technology and work organisation.  It provide a multidisciplinary background in these basic areas, as well as their application to the practical problems in incidents attributable to human factors/error, human performance & limitations, social psychology, factors affecting performance, physical environment, hazards in the workplace and situation awareness in the aerospace environments.

The objective of this module is to introduce the students to knowledge on hydraulic power which is used extensively in aircrafts.  This module also enables students to grasp the fundamentals of aircraft flight controls in terms of primary, trim and active load controls etc.  The module aims to integrate the knowledge for an overall understanding of flight controls and landing gear systems in the aircraft.

This module aims to investigate the propulsive efficiency of the various aircraft propulsion types.  Provide the student with an awareness of the thermodynamics and aerodynamics of the flow in gas turbines.  Provide the student with an awareness of the relative advantages of the various gas turbine configurations.  Introduce a basic procedure for gas turbine compressor and turbine design.  Introduce basic theory and modelling for combustion chambers and afterburners.

This module focuses on C programming fundamentals including arithmetic algorithms, control structures, functions, arrays, pointers, characters, input/output, file processing, and data structures.  Good programming practices, common programming errors and secure programming tips are discussed.  To make this module more relevant to engineers and to make students “tinkering”, microcontroller design is introduced and students are required to complete a mini-project on microcontroller design using C language.  This module aim to provide students with an understanding of the role programming can play in solving engineering problems and to develop students’ competencies in writing C programmes.

This module will introduce students to the Regulatory framework, Certification of products and design, Production Organisations, Airworthiness directive and Certification of maintenance staff.  The module will also provide the overview of the approved maintenance organisation, approval of maintenance training organisation, air operator certificate requirements and extended range twin engine operations (ETOPS).

The module aims to cover the basics and engineering principles applied to basic theory for propeller based propulsion.  The knowledge gained will enable students to know the major constructional features of propeller engines and to understand the important functional relationship of the major engine components, and hence able to appreciate the design and operation of different types of aircraft engines.  The knowledge acquired will also provide the essential foundation for students to understand and assess the performance of aircraft engines, leading to capability to diagnosis of operational conditions and monitoring of engine health, and the criteria for performance improvement, selection and application of gas turbine engines in aircraft design.

This module aims to introduce students to Business structures and Start-up options; Development of a strategic plan; Appraisal of capital investments using capital budgeting; Introduction to debits and credits; Preparation of cash budgets and loan schedules; Preparation and interpretation of financial statements; Accounting for basic transactions, GST and end of period adjustments.  Students will be able to investigate the methods and motivations for earnings management.

The IWSP provides students with experiential learning opportunities to achieve the following objectives:

• Ability to integrate theory and practice, acquire specialist knowledge and develop professional skills through applied learning.
• Appreciate practical constraints within relevant industry contexts through exposure to real-world engineering scenarios to develop skills of adaptability, creativity and innovation, while adding value to the workplace.
• Transit smoothly to the engineering profession based on practical work experience gained by shortening required induction period, which translates to higher productivity and lower training costs to future employers of SIT’s graduates. Relevant work hours and experience acquired may also contribute to professional accreditation/certification requirements if applicable.

The IWSP is an integral part of applied learning as it provides an opportunity for students to integrate what they have learnt in the classroom to what is practised in the real world, and vice-versa.  The extended period of IWSP with students performing real work also provides an opportunity for companies to evaluate the suitability of students as potential employees.  In effect, the IWSP is equivalent to the probation period.  The student will also have ample opportunities to immerse in the industry’s business and culture and decide if this is a good industry to work in.  Besides producing practice-oriented graduates, IWSP will be a key platform that contributes to the inculcation of the SIT-DNA in every student.

The Capstone Project (CP) is a 2-trimester long module that is designed for the students to pursue an in-depth independent study to solve engineering problems, building on their technical knowledge and project design skills acquired in classrooms, before starting their two trimester of IWSP (Integrated Work Study Programme). With a focus on Applied Learning, the students will have to propose an individual technical project or they can choose a proposed technical topic from the lecturers with strong local aerospace industrial relevance. This can be either a study on improving or automation of a maintenance process, design of a component that can be used to enhance machine efficiency and hence resulted in the improvement of existing maintenance procedures. The proposed projects are to be reviewed and approved by the module coordinator and Programme Director.

The CP module also encourages the students to think critically when addressing and solving complex engineering problems, and supports the development of SIT-DNA in our graduates. During the execution of the CP, the students will aim to achieve the desirable objectives in the most effective ways including obtaining resources. In the process, the students can also develop soft skills such as effective communication, project management and planning, oral presentation, and goal setting. Upon completion, the students will present the final outcome of the project to audience consisting of people with and without engineering background.