Basic sequential computer architectures and operating systems

ASEN 4057 Aerospace Software

Aerospace engineers may go through their entire undergraduate education curriculum and have only a single formal course in computing, which often does not even cover formal programming, much less any details of the underlying processes by which the computing is accomplished. This is true despite an ever-increasing reliance on software by academia and industry for simulation and operational purposes. The purpose of this course is an attempt to fill that void.

Course Learning Goals

There is no required textbook for the course. Instead, reference material will be suggested throughout the course as applicable to the current lecture/assignment topics.

3. Moving Beyond MATLAB
a. Compiled Languages versus Interpreted Languages
b. Basic Sequential Computer Architectures and Operating Systems

4. Introduction to Unix/Linux
a. Bash and Command Line Interface
b. Bash Programming

The course will begin with a cursory overview of computer programming and software design. The course will then proceed with an overview of MATLAB as a tool for software design, reviewing basic concepts as well as exploring advanced programming techniques including debugging, profiling, handle graphics, graphical user interfaces, and numerical integration and optimization. CU-Boulder has a full

Understanding Unix/Linux and its environment is one of the primary goals of the course. The bash shell is the main interface with that environment, providing sophisticated configuration and programming capabilities. Another main goal of this course is to show students the similarities between programming languages and to demonstrate how it is fairly easy to work in any programming language with an understanding of basis programming constructs.

Course Grading

10% Participation (Weekly feedback and self-assessment)
40% Assignments (7 assignments in total)
15% Quizzes (9 quizzes – Quiz #0 and Quiz #8 are survey questions) 20% Midterm (In-class exam & take-home exam)
15% Final Project

Assignments will initially be uploaded to the Canvas course website. After version control is introduced, students will employ Git to turn in assignments. Students should make an effort to turn in assignments that are organized with a professional appearance. Proper documentation and commenting should be used to explain programming and software concepts employed. Late assignments will have a 10% deduction immediately, and an additional 4% deduction will be applied for each hour the assignment is late. No assignments will be accepted 24 hours after the original due date. Students will work individually or in randomly assigned groups for each programming assignment. Collaboration is permitted, even between groups. Students may discuss basic concepts related to the programming assignments, but students are NOT free to copy another student’s assignment (except, of course, if the other student is a group member). Students who are caught copying (or providing his or her assignment to another) will receive an “F” for the course and reported to the Dean’s office for further punitive action.

Quizzes Policy

A final project will replace a final exam and will be assigned toward the end of the semester and due before the Final Week. The final project will consist of improving performance of an existing serial code and parallelization. Students may work in pairs of their own choosing for the final project.

REQUIREMENTS FOR COVID-19

As a matter of public health and safety, all members of the CU Boulder community and all visitors to campus must follow university, department and building requirements and all public health orders in place to reduce the risk of spreading infectious disease. Students who fail to adhere to these requirements will be asked to leave class, and students who do not leave class when asked or who refuse to comply with these requirements will be referred to Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. For more information, see the policy on classroom behavior and the Student Code of Conduct. If you require accommodation because a disability prevents you from fulfilling these safety measures, please follow the steps in the “Accommodation for Disabilities” statement on this syllabus.

academic sanctions from the faculty member. Additional information regarding the Honor Code academic integrity policy can be found on the Honor Code website.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT AND/OR RELATED RETALIATION