KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

BSC. AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

FIRST YEAR – FIRST SEMESTER 2009-2010 ACADEMIC YEAR

1. CE 155 – ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Humans and Nature. Introductory ecology. Electromagnetic Spectrum. Ozone and

global warming. Natural resources. Population. Concepts of environmental: Noise, air,
land and water pollution. Impact of engineering projects on the environment and
control measures. Environmental Laws and regulations in Ghana.

2. ENGL 157 – COMMUNICATION SKILLS 1

An introduction to parts of speech: nouns and pronouns, verbs, voice and tense,
adjectives and adverbs, conjugations, prepositions and interjections. Concord, the
article, direct and indirect speech, the sentence, punctuation and paragraphing.

3. ME 157 – INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Introduction to computers. Windows and Word processing. Spreadsheets.

Electronic mail and Internet facilities. Computer hardware and software. Basic
programming language

4. ME 195 – ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY 1

Introductory lectures on industrial safety and hygiene. Metrology: standard systems

and uses of conventional measuringinstruments. Familiarization tour of mechanical
engineering laboratories. Equipment identification in the laboratories. Electrical
wiring systems. Domestic and industrial set ups. Foundation, cement/sandstone
mixes, steel reinforcement concrete foundations and columns. Land surveying,
parallelism, use of theodolite for machine installation. Bench work: filing, marking
out, tool grinding. Machine tools: drilling and shaping. Writing of simple
technical reports

5. EE 151 – APPLIED ELECTRICITY

Network Theorems: Kirchoff’s Laws, superposition, Thevenin’s, Norton’s and

Reciprocity theorems, Delta-star and star-delta transformations. Alternating Voltage
and Current: Average and r.m.s values, harmonics, phasor representation of
sinusoidal quantities, addition and subtraction of sinusoidal quantities. A.C.
 Circuits: Active, reactive and apparent power, power factor, reactive and active loads
and sources, solving single phase circuits using j operator and the concept of apparent
power, solving 3-phase balanced and unbalanced loads.

6. MATH 151 – MATHEMATICS 1

Algebra: The set R of real numbers, Relation of order in R, Principle of Mathematical

Induction, Complex numbers; Analysis: Functions: Odd, Even and Periodic functions
Hyperbola functions and their graphs; Co-ordinate geometry: Conic sections in
rectangular co-ordinates, parabola, ellipse and hyperbola; Parametric equations:
Plane polar co-ordinates, polar curves;

Differentiation: Rolle’s theorem and the mean-value theorems, Taylor’s theorem,

Repeated Differentiation, Applications for Differentiation, Indeterminate form; Vector
algebra and its application.

7. ME 161 – BASIC MECHANICS

Introduce the fundamental laws of mechanics. Newton’s laws of motion, force

systems and characteristics of forces, moments, vector representation of forces,
concept of friction, equilibrium of rigid bodies, structural analysis, basis dynamics of
particles, basic dynamics of rigid bodies, simple harmonic motion

FIRST YEAR – SECOND SEMESTER 2009-2010 ACADEMIC YEAR

8. AERO 198 – FIRST YEAR AEROSPACE PROJECT

9. ENGL 158 – COMMUNICATION SKILLS II

Communication process, skills in communication, channels of communication in an

organization, preparation of official documents such as letters, memos, reports,
minutes and proposals. Oral presentation skills. Formal speech making. Conducting
interviews and meetings.

10. ME 158 – ENGINEERING GRAPHICS

11. ME 266 – THERMODYNAMICS I

Energy, heat and work. First and second law of thermodynamics and corollaries.
Application to liquids, vapors and gases. Property tables. Flow and non-flow
processes. Analysis of ideal vapor and gas power cycles.
12. EE 152 – BASIC ELECTRONICS

Nature of atom, the vacuum valves, (diode, triode, tetrode pentode) Basic concepts of
semiconductors charge carriers, effective mass, mobility, conductivity, life time and
recombination, continuity equations, flow-equations, Hall effects, PN junctions,
choke; rectification and filtration. Bipolar transistors, its characteristics, CB, CC, CE
configurations the transistor and a switching device (ac – dc load lines) Small signal
amplifiers.

13. MATH 152 – MATHEMATICS II

Algebra: Matrix Algebra: Determinants and their properties, Applications to systems

of linear equations, Homogeneous systems, Eigen values and Eigen vectors; Analysis:
Series: Convergence of series of real numbers, Tests of convergence, Series of
functions and power series convergence of power series;

Integration: The Definite Integral; Definition: The Riemann Sum; Techniques of

integration including advanced methods of substitution, partial fractions, by parts and
reduction formulae, Applications; Improper Integrals; Convergence; Partial
Differentiation, total derivations.

14. ME 196 – ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY II

Study of hand tools, fitting tools, and power tools. Machine building exercises. Lathe
work and milling machine work: exercises to involve working drawings and use of
metrology instruments. Welding: gas and electric arc welding exercises. Sheet
metal work: bending and rolling exercises. Writing of simple technical reports

SECOND YEAR – FIRST SEMESTER 2010 – 2011 ACADEMIC YEAR

15. ECON 151 – INTRODUCTORY ECONOMICS

The nature and scope of economics. Consumer choice. Determination of prices.

Different market conditions. Production theory, and theory of distribution.

16. ENGL 263 – LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

Literature as poetry: What is a poem, and its characteristics? Differences between a

poem and a song. The figure of speech and the literary device. Practical Appreciation.
Texts to be
studied: selected African and English poems. Literature as Drama: What is a play, and
its
 characteristics? Drama as Theatre. Shakespeare. The Modern Play. Texts to be
studied: One Shakespeare play and one Modern African Play.

17. ME 251 – FLUID MECHANICS I

Characteristics/Properties of Fluid: Properties of fluid (Density, mass density,

viscosity), Thermodynamic properties (compressibility, surface
tension and capillarity).

Fluid Statics: Pressure variation in a fluid at rest; Absolute, gauge, atmospheric and
vacuum; Pressures, Measurement of pressure: Manometers, mechanical Gauges;
Hydrostatic forces on submerged surfaces; Buoyancy and flotation; Fluids in rigid
body motion

Introduction to Dimensional Analysis, Secondary or derived quantities, Dimensional

homogeneity, Methods of dimensional analysis: Buckingham's pie theorem, method
of selecting repeating variables, procedure for solving problems by Buckingham's
pie theorem

18. ME 365 – THERMODYNAMICS II

Thermodynamic analysis of engineering systems for the production of power and

transfer of heat. Vapor power plant components and cycles. Refrigeration cycles.
Reciprocating expanders and compressors. Gas turbines and jet propulsion. Mixtures
of perfect gases and psychrometrics. Reactive mixtures. Combustion

19. EE 251 – ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING MACHINES

Principles of Electromagnetic Conversion. Basic Transducers. Single and Double

Excitation. Transformers. DC Machines. Introduction to Polyphase Induction
Machines.

20. MATH 251 – MATHEMATICS III

Analysis III: (Pre-requisites: - Algebra I and II, Analysis II) Differentiation under the
integral sign; Multiple integrals; line; surface; volume integrals; Triple scale and vector
products; differentiation of vectors; Vector fields; Differential equations: (Pre-
requisites: Analysis II) Ordinary Differential equations; First order differential
equations; Second order linear differential equations; Systems of linear equations
with constant coefficients; Laplace transforms.
21. ME 255 – STRENGTH OF MATERIALS I

Simple stress and strain within elastic limit. Thermal stress. Tensile bending and
shear bending of beams. Torsion of circular shafts. Torsional stress and strain.
Strength of solid and hollow shafts. Theories of failure. Compound stress-strain
system (Mohr's stress and strain circles). Fatigue failure.

SECOND YEAR – SECOND SEMESTER 2010 – 2011 ACADEMIC YEAR

22. AERO 272 – BASIC AVIONICS

23. AERO 280 – AEROSPACE INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP I

General Aircraft Safety Precautions. General Avionics Safety Precautions. Workshop

Safety. History of Aviation/Introduction to fixed Wing & Rotary Wing Aircrafts.
Introduction to Aircraft Powerplants, Piston Engines and Gas Turbine Engines. Basic
Avionics (Introduction to Aircraft Electrics, Instruments, Radio and Navigation). Basic
Avionics (Identification and brief Functions of Major Aircraft Electric Equipment).
Basic Airframe Structural Repairs, Landing Gears and Devices. Basic Measuring
Techniques (Multimeters, Oscilloscopes & Signal Generators). Workshop Practice
(Precision Instruments, Marking Out, and Filing)

24. MATH 252 – MATHEMATICS IV

Analysis IV: (Pre-requisites: – Algebra I and II, Analysis II) Differentiation of implicit
functions; Extrema; Gamma and beta functions; Functions of complex variables;
Conformal mapping; Contour integration;

Differential equations II: (Pre-requisites: - Differential equations I) Solutions in series

Fourier series; Classification of second order linear partial differential equations and
reduction to canonical forms; Solutions of simple boundary problems by separation of
variables.

25. ME 262 – THEORY OF MACHINES I

Rotary balancing. Mechanisms: Definitions and terminology, velocities using

analytical methods, instantaneous centre method and relative velocity method;
acceleration in mechanisms. Transmission of rotational motion: Gear trains
(including epicyclic trains), belt, rope and chain drives. Free and forced vibrations of
one-degree-of-freedom systems with and without viscous damping. Introduction to
torsional vibration

26. AERO 274 – SECOND YEAR AEROSPACE PROJECT

27. ENGL 264 – LITERATURE IN ENGLISH II

Literature as Narrative. Traditional (19th Century) Narrative. Contemporary narrative.

The African Novel. Text to be studied: One African Novel and one English Novel

28. ME 258 – COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND MODELLING

29. ME 282 – MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MATERIALS I

THIRD YEAR – FIRST SEMESTER 2011-2012 ACADEMIC YEAR

30. AERO 361 – AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AND ENGINEERING

31. AERO 395 – AEROSPACE ENGINEERING LAB I

32. ME 363 – AUTOMATIC CONTROL I

Concept of an engineering system. Open-loop and closed-loop systems.

Mathematical techniques: Laplace transforms, transfer functions. Block diagram
representation of control systems. Signal flow diagrams. Control system
components. Time response of control systems. Introduction to system stability:
Routh's criterion. Introduction to system simulation: electromechanical analogies
and analogue computers

33. MUS 159 – INTRODUCTION TO SOUND ENGINEERING

Students will be introduced to the uses of analogue and digital recording devices,
special signal processing and digital and analogue mixing. (Prerequisite: student must
be computer literate)

34. AERO 363 – AERODYNAMICS I

35. MATH 353 – STATISTICS

36. ME 391 – INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

Productivity improvement techniques. Demand forecasting. Inventory management.

Facility layout. Materials handling, Maintenance management. Total Quality
Management. Human factors in engineering: A series of topics including machine
systems, work conditions and ergonomics. Industrial Psychology: Motivation,
performance analysis and measurement.
 THIRD YEAR – SECOND SEMESTER 2011-2012 ACADEMIC YEAR
37. AERO 362 – AIR VEHICLE STABILITY AND CONTROL I

38. AERO 368 – AIR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE

39. AERO 396 – AEROSPACE ENGINEERING LAB II

40. ME 366 – HEAT TRANSFER

Fundamentals of conduction, convection and radiation heat transfer. Applications to

design of heat exchangers including solar collectors.

41. AERO 364 – PROPULSION

42. AERO 380 – AEROSPACE INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP II

Aircraft Fuel System (Fuel System Components, Water Checks, Fueling and Defueling
Procedures), Aircraft Lubrication System, Introduction to hydraulic and Electro-
Hydraulic Systems, Introduction to Pneumatic Systems (Servicing and charging),
Engine Starting System, Fire Detection and Extinguishing Systems, Sheet Metal Work
(Riveting Practice), Avionics Laboratory Practice (Soldering Techniques), Pre Flight,
Turn Round, and After Flight Servicing (Electrics, Instruments, & Radio/Navigation),
Joining Procedure ( Gas and Arc Welding Practices), Workshop Practice (Introduction
to Lathe Machine and Machining)

43. MATH 351 – NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

FOURTH YEAR – FIRST SEMESTER 2012-2013 ACADEMIC YEAR

44. AERO 477 – AERODYNAMICS

45. AERO 497 – PROJECT I

46. AERO 451 – AEROSPACE ELECTRONICS

47. AERO 491 – AVIATION BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

48. ME 473 – CAD/CAM

The design process and role of CAD. Techniques for geometric modelling. Principles of
computer graphics. Finite element modeling. Design databases. Standards for
computer-aided design. Artificial intelligence and Expert systems.

49. AERO 461 – AEROSPACE STRUCTURES AND MATERIALS

FOURTH YEAR – SECOND SEMESTER 2012-2013 ACADEMIC YEAR

50. AERO 452 – AEROSPACE SAFETY AND AIR SECURITY

51. AERO 478 – AEROSPACE VEHICLE DESIGN

52. AERO 498 – PROJECT II

53. AERO 456 – APPLIED METEOROLOGY

54. AERO 480 – AEROSPACE INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP III

Aircraft Maintenance Practice, Securing Devices and Methods, Aircraft Publications

and Documentation (Logistics and Standards), Simple Electronic Circuit Building
&Troubleshooting, Aircraft Electrical Systems (Power Generation, Distribution,
Consumption), Flying Instruments (Pitot/Static Systems), Aircraft Propeller Systems,
Introduction to K8G Flight Simulator and Simulator Practice, Hydraulic /Pneumatic
Circuit Building Practice

55. ME 492 – MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Entrepreneurship and free enterprise. Business planning. Product and service

concepts for new ventures. Marketing and new venture development. Organizing and
financing new ventures. Current trends in commerce (internet commerce, e-
commerce, etc). Business Law/ Law of contract.