Department of Aerospace Studies

A S 1000. Leadership Laboratory.

This course is a mandatory three-hour structured leadership laboratory completed concurrently with Aerospace Studies coursework. Air Force ROTC cadets engage in progressive command and staff experiences designed to develop leadership, communication, and organizational skills within a military context. Activities for this course include planning, coordinating, and evaluating unit operations. Emphasis is placed on leadership application, teamwork, and decision-making. The laboratory is repeatable for credit as students engage in increasingly complex leadership responsibilities across multiple semesters. Additionally, students will participate in two one-hour mandatory physical fitness training sessions per week as part of Leadership Laboratory requirements.

A S 1110. The Air Force Today I.

This course provides an introduction to the Air Force and Space Force. The course allows students to examine general aspects of the Department of the Air Force (DAF), leadership fundamentals, service benefits, and opportunities for officers. The course also lays the foundation for becoming an Airman or Guardian by outlining our heritage and values. This course provides a historical perspective as a foundational course, such as lessons on war and the US military, DAF operations, principles of war, and airpower. This course provides students with a knowledge-level understanding of the employment of airpower and spacepower from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. Students will develop a basic understanding of the employment of airpower from an institutional and historical perspective, military procedures, and policies. The students learn the military way of life and gain knowledge of what it means to be an Airman. Corequisite: A S 1000 with a grade of "PR" or better.

A S 1120. The Air Force Today II.

This course introduces students to foundational aspects of flight, Air Force communication practices, and the organizational functions of Air Force installations. The course examines how the Air Force and Space Force operate within joint military environments and how they coordinate with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Students study these topics as institutional and procedural frameworks and analyze aviation fundamentals, communication formats, and joint operations through structured academic activities. Emphasis is placed on understanding roles, terminology, and processes that shape Air Force operations within broader defense contexts. This course supports continued study in Aerospace Studies by providing essential foundational knowledge. Corequisite: A S 1000 with a grade of "PR" or better.

A S 2110. The Development of Air Power I.

This course surveys the early development of air and space power from pre‑flight concepts through World War I, the inter-war years, and World War II, emphasizing the technological, strategic, and institutional factors that shaped early aerospace innovation. Students examine major milestones in aviation history, the evolution of airpower doctrine, and the broader contexts that influenced emerging aerospace capabilities. Through readings and historical analysis, students develop foundational understanding of technological progression, doctrinal shifts, and the early development of air and space power. Co‑requisite: AS 1000 for Active Cadets. Corequisite: A S 1000 with a grade of "PR" or better.

A S 2120. The Development of Air Power II.

This course surveys the early development of air and space power from pre‑flight concepts through World War II. Students examine major technological advances, evolving airpower ideas, and the strategic and institutional contexts that shaped early aerospace innovation. Emphasis is placed on studying these developments historically rather than as prescriptive models, allowing students to analyze how conflicts, research priorities, and organizational needs influenced changes in aviation and space‑related capabilities. The course provides essential historical background for further study in Aerospace Studies. Co‑requisite: AS 1000 for Active Cadets. Corequisite: A S 1000 with a grade of "PR" or better.

A S 3311. Leadership and Management I.

This course introduces students to foundational leadership frameworks used within the Air Force and examines how leaders apply these concepts in professional settings. Students analyze case studies involving leadership, management processes, discipline, and ethical decision‑making to understand how these issues function in organizational contexts. Leadership scenarios allow for evaluation of multiple approaches to communication and problem‑solving. Students also practice structured writing, briefing, and analytical communication skills relevant to Air Force professional standards. Co‑requisite: AS 1000 for Active Cadets. Prerequisite: A S 1110 and A S 1120 and A S 2110 and A S 2120 all with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisite: A S 1000 with a grade of "CR" or better.

A S 3312. Leadership and Management II.

This course examines advanced leadership frameworks used within the Air Force and analyzes how leaders apply these concepts in organizational settings. Students study case‑based scenarios involving leadership, management processes, discipline, and ethical decision‑making to understand how these issues function in professional environments. Emphasis is placed on evaluating leadership situations analytically allowing students to compare approaches to communication, performance, and organizational challenges. Students also develop communication skills relevant to Air Force professional standards through structured writing, briefing, and analytical tasks. Prerequisite: A S 1110 and A S 1120 and A S 2110 and A S 2120 all with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisite: A S 1000 with a grade of "PR" or better.

A S 4311. National Security Forces in Contemporary American Society I.

This course is the first-half of a two-semester sequence of courses. This three-semester hour course is designed to acquaint future Air Force officers with regional operations, the military justice system, personnel performance and evaluation procedures, administrative processes and other professional activities necessary to be a successful officer in the United States Air Force and Space Force. Although designed to fulfill part of the academic requirements for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training (AFROTC) Professional Officer Course (POC), the subject matter is suitable to all undergraduates at the junior or senior levels. Prerequisite: A S 1110 and A S 1120 and A S 2110 and A S 2120 all with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisite: A S 1000 with a grade of "CR" or better.

A S 4312. National Security Forces in Contemporary American Society II.

This course is the second-half of a two-semester sequence of courses. This three-semester hour course is designed to acquaint future Air Force officers with regional operations, the military justice system, personnel performance and evaluation procedures, administrative processes and other professional activities necessary to be a successful officer in the United States Air Force and Space Force. Although designed to fulfill part of the academic requirements for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training (AFROTC) Professional Officer Course (POC), the subject matter is suitable to all undergraduates at the junior or senior levels. Prerequisite: A S 1110 and A S 1120 and A S 2110 and A S 2120 all with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisite: A S 1000 with a grade of "CR" or better.