Aerospace
Senior Design
University of South Carolina
Established 1801
About the Course
AESP 428 is the capstone design course taken by seniors in the Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, which is an undergraduate engineering program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina. It is the culminating design course where students apply skills learned throughout their undergraduate studies. Students complete a challenge relevant to the aerospace field by planning, designing, building, and live-testing their projects over the course of their final semester.
Throughout the course, students engage in project management and execution, gaining hands-on experience in implementing their engineering skillsets to define and work toward their project objectives. They explore computer-based analysis techniques, hone manufacturing and assembly skills through practical exercises, and apply statistical methods to turn a concept into a prototype. The class encourages students to instill and create a culture of critical self and team reflection, safety and reliability in their designs, and to evaluate the ethical considerations and social impact of engineering decisions, owning the responsibilities for their designs. Written and oral communication skills are evaluated through a series of technical reports, design reviews presentations and a culminating design showcase, providing ample opportunities to convey ideas and findings in professional contexts. This interdisciplinary, multifaceted approach equips students with a comprehensive skill set, priming them for success in their engineering careers.
Aerospace Senior Design is currently offered in the spring semester only (Jan 1st through May 1st) of each year.
To view the full Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program, click here
To view the course syllabus, click here
About the Instructor
Dr. Wout De Backer, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of South Carolina
January 2022 - Present
Dr. Wout De Backer is an Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Engineering program at the University of South Carolina and serves as the lead for aerospace senior design.
He developed the course from the ground up and continues to refine it, resulting in consistently strong student outcomes throughout sustained program and class enrollment growth. His teaching integrates aircraft and space system design with lifecycle-driven functional and requirements analysis, while incorporating considerations of safety, certification standards, advanced manufacturing, composites, and hands-on prototyping with tight timelines. This approach ensures that student teams operate in an environment that reflects modern aerospace engineering practice.
The senior design program emphasizes industry-relevant, sponsor-supported projects with practical deliverables, formal design reviews, and structured team collaborations. Student teams routinely deliver competition-level and conference-quality work, including flying aircraft, UAV systems, and model rockets, demonstrating both technical breadth and hands-on execution. Dr. De Backer brings direct experience from federally funded programs and industry collaborations into the course, ensuring that teams operate within realistic engineering constraints and deliver to industry expectations.
In addition to senior design, Dr. De Backer teaches Aerospace Systems and Aircraft Design, supporting an integrated design curriculum. He is an active member of AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics), VFS (Vertical Flight Society), the Royal Aeronautical Society, SAMPE (Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering), EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), and NAR (National Association of Rocketry) and serves as faculty advisor to multiple student organizations, including AIAA, the USC Rocketry Club, and the USC Flight Club. He holds both BS and MS degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology, with a focus on aircraft design and composite structures.
Contact Dr. De Backer at wdbacker@cec.sc.edu