Scientific Instruments for Space - 675.792

At the heart of every scientific discovery is a set of measurements enabled by precise and verifiable instrumentation. Through lectures, test case scenario, writing assignments, and design projects, this course draws on the history of scientific instrumentation and techniques for measurement using in-situ and remote sensing technologies to foster and inspire future instrumentation engineers to develop new and better space-based instruments facilitating future scientific discoveries. Topics include the physical basis for remote sensing, precise analog measurements, digital processing, spatial data analysis, verification of measurements, instrument life cycle, and science traceability matrices. The course is not intended to provide students with extensive training in a particular type of scientific instrument (e.g. particle, optical, magnetic). Working knowledge of computing package (e.g. coding in Python or Matlab) and completion of a design project are required. Although there are no specific prerequisites for this course, it will be helpful if students have completed courses 675.600 and 675.601 in this program prior to taking this class.