Introduction to Aerodynamics
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Course Details
Cost
FREE
Upcoming Schedule
- On demand
Course Provider
edX online courses
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Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the
University of California, Berkeley, are just some of the schools that you have
at your fingertips with edX. Through massive open online courses (MOOCs) from
the world's best universities, you can develop your knowledge in literature,
math, history, food and nutrition, and more. These online classes are taught
by highly-regarded experts in the field. If you take a class on computer
science through Harvard, you may be taught by David J. Malan, a senior
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Provider Subject Specialization
Sciences & Technology
Business & Management
Course Description
This aerodynamics course focuses on the study of the flow of air about a body, and the “body” will be an airplane, but many of the concepts explored are relevant to a wide variety of applications from sailboats to automobiles to birds. Learners completing this aerodynamics course will gain a fundamental understanding of concepts and models used to aerodynamically analyze and design subsonic, transonic, and supersonic aircraft.
While the course is an introduction to aerodynamics, it is an advanced subject typically taken as a third or fourth year undergraduate subject in aerospace engineering.
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- 59 reviews
- 57 completed
3 years, 9 months ago
No lyrical odes to the wonders of flight open this rigorous introduction to aerodynamics. Instead it’s an abrupt osedive into the character-building equations. And they keep on coming. Which shouldn’t surprise anyone, because aerodynamics is mostly fluid mechanics and fluid mechanics is bone-breaking math. The course initially tips its hat to aspects of aircraft performance such as vehicle range and cruise analysis, but most of the time is spent on
the more fundamental topics of thermodynamics, flow equations, aerodynamic modeling, shock waves, and boundary layers. The course uses a “flipped classroom” model that dispenses with traditional lectures, instead devoting video instruction time to solving problems. The absence of an organizing lecture sequence may seem dismaying at first, but in fact, the approach works
quite well. The written materials are clear and complete, if terse, and the highly mathematical subject matter really t...
No lyrical odes to the wonders of flight open this rigorous introduction to aerodynamics. Instead it’s an abrupt osedive into the character-building equations. And they keep on coming. Which shouldn’t surprise anyone, because aerodynamics is mostly fluid mechanics and fluid mechanics is bone-breaking math. The course initially tips its hat to aspects of aircraft performance such as vehicle range and cruise analysis, but most of the time is spent on
the more fundamental topics of thermodynamics, flow equations, aerodynamic modeling, shock waves, and boundary layers. The course uses a “flipped classroom” model that dispenses with traditional lectures, instead devoting video instruction time to solving problems. The absence of an organizing lecture sequence may seem dismaying at first, but in fact, the approach works
quite well. The written materials are clear and complete, if terse, and the highly mathematical subject matter really takes on life only in the context of problems anyway. For those looking for elaboration, the standard Anderson
textbook is a useful reference. Each course module includes a series of embedded problems that sharpen comprehension of the written material (with accompanying explanatory videos after you’ve tried them); “sample problems” that are solved in videos and are less “samples” than a key part of the instruction; and several often-challenging “homework” problems that push your
understanding to a higher level, and really function more like quizzes. The dedication of the staff, in particular Prof. Darmofal himself, to this course cannot be overstated, nor can its contribution to students’ success. The material is cumulative, so that if you fall overboard early, you’ll drown in
the equations – and the staff’s energetic responses to student queries tossed many of us a needed life preserver. When you’ve finished, and can take a wider look at what you’ve learned, you’ll be amazed at the size of your toolbox – how much you can predict about the aerodynamic performance of a wing based on the slimmest description, the range of conditions you can model, the way once-
mysterious fluids concepts have become second-nature. If you’re looking for a thorough introduction to the mechanisms (if not the wonders) of flight, sharpen up your math skills – fluency in vector calculus, differential
equations and Fourier operations is a must – and get ready for a rough but rewarding ride.
student
10/10 starsTaking Now
4 years, 10 months ago
Excellent content. However, along with first year physics and mathematics knowledge, one should have proper knowledge of fluid mechanics too. (Had to drop this course earlier due to lack of knowledge of fluid mechanics, now doing the archived course)
Kanishka J
10/10 starsCompleted
5 years, 8 months ago
This is, without a doubt, THE BEST course I have ever taken on Edx so far. Teaching is excellent and I like almost every aspect of this course. If you are planing to take this course, dont think twice, do yourself a big favor and take this course. Highly recomend it to anybody with enough dedication.
Aashique Alid
9/10 starsTaking Now
5 years, 9 months ago
Professor David is excellent is explaining the concepts by problem solving approach.The course content covers almost all the topics in Basic Aerodynamic course. If Some lab component or project added to this courses it will be awesome course besides being already best course i have taken.I hope more courses coming up from Sir David and MIT related to Turbo-machinery and CFD.