K-State Salina Pre-College Course Offerings

Skills and techniques essential to understanding aircraft material properties and fabrication techniques. Emphasizes knowledge and practical experiences involving: shop safety, organization and human factors associated with shop practices, basic aircraft structural materials and hardware familiarization, fluid lines and fittings, hand tool selection and use, and aviation-specific dimensional inspection tools and techniques, aircraft hardware identification and applications, cleaning and corrosion control, aircraft metal selection an applications, welding techniques and procedures and aircraft material inspection fundamentals.

A review of the role and organizational structure of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as it relates to the certification and continued airworthiness of aircraft and its operation in general, business, and commercial aviation environments. Emphasis on the privileges and limitations of certificated personnel who maintain aircraft systems in the context of the FAA regulations. Includes practical applications of aircraft weight and balance, effective completion of maintenance record entries, accurate use of graphs and charts to determine critical performance values, and the servicing, staring, ground operations, and security of aircraft. Students demonstrate the ability to read, comprehend, and apply information contained in FAA and manufacturers’ aircraft maintenance specifications, data sheets, manuals, publications, and related Federal Aviation Regulations, Airworthiness Directives, and Advisory material.

Includes laboratory activities involving student flight of aircraft.

A basic concept of DC/AC circuits, with basic laws relating to the following: measuring voltage, current, resistance, continuity and leakage; relationship of voltage, current and resistance in electrical circuits; reading and interpretation of electrical circuit diagrams; electrical devices and inspection and servicing of batteries. Introduction to digital numbering systems and digital logic functions.

Students learn how to read, understand, and interpret aircraft drawings commonly found in the aviation maintenance industry. Recognition and identification of drawing lines and symbols, and the meaning of these is covered.

This is a study of basic physics as required by aircraft technicians and defined by FAR 147. Use and understand the principles of simple machines, sound, fluid, and heat dynamics, basic aerodynamics, aircraft structures, and theory of flight.
Corequisite: MATH 100.

A study of aircraft metal primary structures and materials commonly used in the design and construction of airframes including fuselages, wings, and control surfaces. Students gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience associated with the structural properties of materials used in the manufacturing process as well as the methods used to fabricate and repair those structures. Students practice structural metal repairs according to FAA approved data and manufacturer’s recommended procedures. Skills in aluminum sheet metal fabrication and repairs are stressed.
Prerequisite: AVM 101 or MET 121.

An in-depth study in small and large air vehicle environmental and fire detection and extinguishing systems. Emphasis on cabin pressurization and temperature climate control, supplemental oxygen, airframe and propulsion fire detection and extinguishing systems, crew visibility enhancement, and air toxicity detection. Students gain extensive practical experiences related to system design, operation, inspection, maintenance methodology, and fault analysis for both airframe and powerplant systems using manufacturer’s technical instructions

A study of the design and application of compressible and incompressible fluid power systems used in both simple and complex aircraft flight control, auxiliary, emergency, and landing gear systems. Emphasis on landing gear and deceleration systems to include components, structures, operation, and fault analysis of shock struts, position and warning, single and multiple disk brakes, anti-skid, wheel assemblies, retraction and extension systems and methods of emergency landing gear extension. Topics include landing gear door operation and sequencing. Students practice inspection, servicing, repair and troubleshooting of key fluid power and landing gear systems necessary to ensure continued airworthiness of these systems.

A review and advanced study of DC/AC circuits, and laws relating to circuit analysis and a detailed study of measuring instruments applied to aircraft. Study of relays, switches, alternators, and other devices encountered in circuit analysis, troubleshooting, and repair. Theory of operation and fault isolation on solid-state devices in aircraft circuitry. Inspection of aircraft electrical systems, including wire inspections and the types of repairs allowed using appropriate technical manuals. A study of battery, magneto high and low tension ignition systems, including turbine igniters. Also a study of powerplant starting ad charging systems and related components. Emphasis on effective fault diagnostics, repair, and timing of aircraft ignition systems. Prerequisite: ECET 100 or AVM 111.

A detailed study of aircraft propulsion drive systems that convert engine power to thrust necessary for sustained flight. Drive systems include propellers, unducted fans (open rotor), and rotor-blades found on small, medium, and large fixed, and rotary-wing aircraft. Emphasis on fixed and controllable-pitch propellers applications as well as rotor- blades, and rotor-hubs assemblies found on helicopters. Topics include theory of operation, dynamic and static balancing, vibration analysis, design characteristics, materials, and maintenance practices. Students practice inspection, servicing, balance, maintenance and repair of propeller and rotor systems.

This course examines the history of aviation and a look at the future. Students discuss the attributes of an aviation professional, careers, career planning, and pilot certification. Students consider historical events and their relationship to current aviation aspects. The interdependency and synergy in the development of military aircraft, the space program, as well as the growth of commercial and general aviation is discussed. Students use the Internet for various research projects concerning the past, present, and future of aviation.

Basic aviation-related meteorology concepts through the study of atmospheric elements and how they generally affect the weather: introduction to the subject, water in the atmosphere, variables which cause local weather changes, specific aviation-associated hazards, understanding meteorological reports and forecasts, meteorological techniques used in predicting weather patterns.

This course discusses general aviation airport ground operations, particularly from the mechanic, pilot, and ramp worker perspective. Focus will be on increasing awareness of airport operations. Attention will be given to improving airport safety by creating an enhanced awareness of rules, policies, procedures, and potential hazards that affect all individuals working in and around the airport ground operations environment. Some topics included are: aircraft marshalling procedures, airfield security issues, ground vehicle operations, and security and accident/incident response reporting.

An introductory biology course with emphasis on understanding processes and linkages within and between different levels in the hierarchy of life. Specific areas covered include the scientific method, evolution, ecology, biological molecules, structure/function of cells, genetics, energy flow, biodiversity, and plant/animal biology.

This course surveys the objectives, decisions, and activities within a business organization. Topics include a study of management responsibilities and controls, organizational structures, and marketing activities.

Study of business topics such as alternative forms of business organizations; typical business practices; legal instruments such as notes, bonds, and stocks; and financial statements and analysis. The main objective is to develop the ability to provide information to stockholders, creditors, and others who are outside an organization.

This course outlines the use of internal accounting data by managers in directing the affairs of business and non-business organizations. Prerequisite: BUS 251.

Principles, laws, and theories of chemistry; important metallic and nonmetallic substances. An optional laboratory course, CHM 111, is available for an additional credit hour. Prerequisite: at least one year of high school algebra.

A laboratory course to supplement the material of CHM 110. Prerequisite: CHM 110 or concurrent enrollment.

The use and application of popular software application packages. Topics include word processors, electronic spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation software. Students are required to complete assignments on the computer, some of which are completed outside of class.

Introduces basic photographic techniques and computer assisted image manipulation. Topics include: basic camera functions, basic digital image processing, visualization and design skills and digital manipulation techniques needed in today’s market place. Students have opportunities to create portfolio pieces.

Principles and practice of message preparation, audience analysis, presentational skills, and speech criticism permitting greater practice in oral presentation.

A general introduction to the humanities, focusing on what they are and the basic importance. Painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, drama, music, dance, film, and photography will be explored. Emphasis will be on participation, involvement, guest speakers, tours, and appreciation.

Fundamental concepts of computer science and computational thinking. Topics include the use of abstraction, problem analysis, data representation, algorithms and programming. Students learn to use creative processes to develop computational artifacts. Student activities are designed to appeal to a broad audience, including those underrepresented in computing.

This course explores the frontier of narrative innovation and uncovers the unique qualities and capabilities of immersive technologies such as virtual, augmented, and mixed reality in crafting captivating stories. Students will explore theoretical and practical dimensions of designing immersive narratives, learning how to leverage sensory engagement and spatial storytelling techniques to create compelling virtual environments. Students will have a well-rounded understanding of the principles underlying interactive and immersive storytelling and will be equipped with the skills to create profound and engaging narratives within these revolutionary digital landscapes.

Skills and techniques essential to understanding aircraft material properties and fabrication techniques. Emphasizes knowledge and practical experiences involving: shop safety, organization and human factors associated with shop practices, basic aircraft structural materials and hardware familiarization, fluid lines and fittings, hand tool selection and use, and aviation-specific dimensional inspection tools and techniques, aircraft hardware identification and applications, cleaning and corrosion control, aircraft metal selection an applications, welding techniques and procedures and aircraft material inspection fundamentals.

Students learn how to use the design thinking process to solve problems creatively, collaboratively and empathetically. Additionally, the course equips students with the knowledge of the processes and techniques used to solve problems and innovate in the workplace.

An introduction to properties and design principles of relational databases. Topics include database terms, E-R Modeling, relational table design and normalization, the relational algebra, Structured Query Language, and the database life cycle. Laboratory work includes the design and implementation of a database.

In this course, students will learn to create visually rich interactive experiences. It is a course in programming graphics and media, but it is also a course on the relationship between ideas and code. Students will explore topics in math and physics by building programs that simulate and visualize processes in the natural world. Assignments will include major programming projects, such as building a virtual world inhabited by digital characters that display observable behaviors.

The syntax and semantics of a modern programming language. Topics include expressions, control statements, objects, classes, methods, event handling, arrays, inheritance, and polymorphism. Students are expected to apply the computational thinking and creative processes learned in CMST 103 to the development of computer programs. Prerequisite: CYBR 103.

An introduction to computer systems with an emphasis on the internal workings of computer and network hardware. Hardware topics include data representation in binary, digital logic and the Von-Neumann architecture. Network topics include local-area and wide-area networks, topology, protocols and transmission media. Student activities include proper hardware configurations for various applications.

A survey course designed to provide an overview of basic direct and alternating current circuits and an introduction to linear and digital electronics. Laboratory exercises reinforce circuit theory and provide skills in the use of common electronic instruments.

An introductory course in basic circuit theory emphasizing the analysis of passive circuit networks containing resistance, capacitance, and inductance operating in direct current conditions. Topics include equivalent circuits, network theorems, capacitance, RC-circuit response, inductance, RL-circuit response, and computer simulation. Prerequisite: ECET 100.

An introductory course in electronic devices. Topics include PN-junction theory, diodes, transistors, transistor biasing, transistor modeling, operational amplifiers, voltage regulators, and field-effect transistors (FET). Prerequisite: MATH 100. Corequisite: ECET 101 and MATH 150.

Study of basic logic elements including gates, flip-flops, counters, and registers. Includes Boolean algebra, logic reduction methods, and digital logic applications. Emphasis on computer simulation and PLD implementation of logic circuits. Corequisite: ECET 100.

Basic facts, principles, and problems of economics; determination of the level of output, employment, and the price level; the monetary and banking system; problems and policies of economic instability, inflation, and growth; principles of economic development; other economics systems.

Basic facts, principles, and problems of economics including study of the determination of prices; the determination of wages, rent, interest, and profit; theory of the firm; monopoly and government regulation; international economic relations.

Introduction to expressive and informative writing. Frequent discussions, workshops, and conferences. Offers extensive practice in the process of writing: getting ideas, drafting, analyzing drafts, revising, and editing.

Introduction to writing persuasively. As with ENGL 100, uses discussion, workshops, and conferences, and emphasizes the writing process. Prerequisite: ENGL 100.

Study of fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction.

The earth’s physical, structural, and dynamic features; the most common minerals and rocks; processes affecting the earth. vvvvv

Laboratory investigation of rocks and minerals; use of geologic and topographic maps; understanding of stream and groundwater processes and landforms. Prerequisite or co-requisite: GEOL 100 or GEOL 125.

Discussion of geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and floods, with particular emphasis on their causes, effects, and significance as hazards.

Fundamental concepts of algebra; algebraic equations and inequalities; functions and graphs; zeros of polynomial functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; systems of equations and inequalities.

Trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions; trigonometric identities and equations; applications involving right triangles and applications illustrating the laws of sines and cosines. Prerequisite: C or better in MATH 100; or two years of high school algebra and a Mathematics ACT score of 25 or higher; or two years of high school algebra and a Mathematics Algebra Placement Exam score of 40 or higher; or two years of high school algebra and a Mathematics Calculus Placement Exam score of 9 or higher.

Introduction to calculus and linear algebra concepts that are particularly useful to the study of economics and business administration with special emphasis on working problems. Prerequisite: C or better in MATH 100; or two years of high school algebra and a Mathematics ACT score of 26 or higher; or two years of high school algebra and a Mathematics Algebra Placement Exam score of 40 or higher.

Analytic geometry, differential and integral calculus of algebraic and trigonometric functions. Prerequisite: B or better in MATH 100 and C or better in MATH 150; or three years of college preparatory mathematics including trigonometry and a Mathematics ACT score of 28 or higher; or a Mathematics Calculus Placement Exam score of 21 or higher

Continuation of MATH 220 to include transcendental functions, techniques of integration, and infinite series. Prerequisite: C or better in MATH 220; or a Mathematics Calculus Placement Exam score of 40 or higher.

Introduction to applications in sketching and 2D computer-aided design applied to geometric development and engineering communication. Techniques are applied to produce finished drawings and schematics to National and international standards. Theory and applications of orthographic and auxiliary projection and pictorial drawing. Standards for symbols, section views, and dimensioning included.

Professional practices in the development and application of 3D part and assembly modeling for design and manufacturing. Preparation of 3D model for manufacturing data or production drawing. Development of tolerances versus cost, fit tolerances, and introductory geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) specifications. Application of handbook data and spreadsheet computation to design detail development.

Introduction to contemporary manufacturing processes and practices, including precision measurement and inspection, machining, forming, casting, and welding processes. Recitation and laboratory experience in manufacturing practices, including metrology and basic setup and operation of manufacturing equipment. Observation of applications in local industry.

Study and practice of basic CNC programming and machining operations.

A study of forces and their effects on the bodies upon which they act. Corequisite: PHYS 113

A general survey of the various components and systems in automated manufacturing, including material handling, electropneumatic control, programmable logic control, robotics, tooling, inspection and quality control, CNC, and other production processes. Prerequisite: ECET 100.

A broad view of materials used in industry, including structures of materials, how they react to stress and temperature, how the polyphase structures form, and how they are controlled to produce optimum properties. Students will examine through study and laboratory experimentation ferrous and nonferrous metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics.

Calculations of material strength and deformation are complemented with principles and practice of mechanical testing including instrumentation and measurement in the areas of loads, stresses, deformations, thermal stresses, and other quantities. Prerequisite: MET 211.

Study, design, analysis, operation, maintenance, and applications of hydraulic and pneumatic power systems and components. Prerequisite: MATH 150.

Introduction to application and selection of machine elements to design mechanical systems. Covers primary machine elements such as shafts and shaft components, screws and fasteners, welded joints, springs, bearings, gears, clutches and brakes. Corequisite: MET 245

Rapid progress has been made in the development of autonomous systems. Terrestrial robotics, interplanetary systems, planetary robotics, uncrewed aerial systems, remote sensing platforms, and autonomous automobiles have all made great advances. These technologies have been enhanced by advances in artificial intelligence (AI). A non-programming perspective, this course will survey the current state‐of‐the‐art perspective on artificial intelligence technologies used in autonomous systems. We start by presenting both ML-based and AI‐based architectures that form the basis of perception, path planning, cognitive arbitration, and motion control.

A basic development of the principles of mechanics, heat, fluids, oscillations, waves and sound. Emphasis is on conceptual development and numerical problem solving. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or one and one-half units of high school algebra and one unit high school trigonometry.

The continued treatment of the fundamentals of electricity and magnetism, light and optics, atomic and nuclear physics. These concepts are used to understand D.C. and A.C. circuits, motors, and generators. Emphasis is placed on conceptual development and problem solving. Prerequisite: PHYS 113.

This course provides an introduction to the field of aviation safety with an emphasis on promoting a safety culture. Various safety programs and their relevance in the field of aviation are discussed. Students will examine numerous accident reports and discuss safety issues facing the aviation industry today.

An introductory survey of the general content areas of psychology, including methods, data and principles.

Development, structure, and functioning of human groups; social and cultural patterns; and the principal social processes.

An introduction to the profession of social work and the various fields of social service by observing, experiencing, and analyzing social work and its place in society. An opportunity for the student to test social work as a possible career choice.

Course develops basic skill components for the helping professions. Students learn fundamentals of interpersonal communication.

A project-oriented first course in probability and statistics with emphasis on computer analysis of data. Examples selected primarily from social sciences, natural sciences, education and popular culture. Descriptive statistics, probability, sampling, tests of hypothesis and confidence intervals for means and proportions, design and analysis of simple comparative studies, chi-square test for association, correlation and linear regression.

This course helps prepare students to become an FAA-Certified UAS Pilot. This course covers all knowledge topics important for a commercial UAS pilot. Once complete, the student takes the FAA’s Remote Pilot in Command knowledge test.

Basic through advanced flight training on multi-rotor unmanned aircraft. This course establishes the foundation of manual flight, basic automation and features. Proficiency is built through standardized maneuvers to meet practical test standards. Corequisite: UAS 114.

Introduction to the history of UAS and survey of current UAS platforms, terminology, challenges to airspace integration and operational theory.

Introduction to aviation safety, with an emphasis on best practices for safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems. Topics include safety/risk assessments, human factors, crew resource management, aeronautical decision-making, risk management, and safety assurance. Prerequisite: UAS 270.

Students are introduced to basic theory, history, and practical applications of remote sensing technology, with an emphasis on high spatial resolution multispectral aerial imagery collected using UAS. Other topics include geographic information systems, aerial image interpretation, sensor resolution, orthomosaicing, georegistration, vegetation indices, and image classification.

This course provides students with the knowledge and skill necessary to repair and maintain both fixed- and rotary- wing aircraft during field operations and to ensure continued airworthiness throughout the service life of the aircraft. Instruction emphasizes safe practices, provide an introduction to basic shop tools and machinery used in maintaining sUAS, and develop fundamental skills in platform fabrication and the troubleshooting/repair of the circuits, subsystems and components typically found on sUAS aircraft.

This course focuses on the construction of a multi-rotor UAS. This includes gaining an understanding of individual components within the system and integrating the components into a fully functional system. Students will also test and tune the UAS once assembled.