Training - Courses

MLBE-O: MATLAB Fundamentals for Aerospace Applications

This three-day course provides a comprehensive introduction to the MATLAB^® technical computing environment for aerospace engineers. The course is intended for beginning users and those looking for a review. No prior programming experience or knowledge of MATLAB is assumed. Themes of data analysis, visualization, modeling, and programming are explored throughout the course, with an emphasis on practical application to aerospace engineering. Topics include:

Working with the MATLAB user interface
Entering commands and creating variables
Analyzing vectors and matrices
Visualizing vector and matrix data
Working with data files
Working with data types
Automating commands with scripts
Writing programs with logic and flow control
Writing functions

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	Detailed course outline

Day 1 of 3
Working with the MATLAB User Interface	Objective: Get an introduction to the main features of the MATLAB integrated design environment and its user interfaces. Get an overview of course themes. Reading data from file Saving and loading variables Plotting data Customizing plots Calculating statistics and best-fit line Exporting graphics for use in other applications
Variables and Expressions	Objective: Enter MATLAB commands, with an emphasis on creating and accessing data in variables. Entering commands Creating variables Getting help Accessing and modifying values in variables Creating character variables
Analysis and Visualization with Vectors	Objective: Perform mathematical and statistical calculations with vectors, and create basic visualizations. See how MATLAB syntax enables calculations on whole data sets with a single command. Calculations with vectors Plotting vectors Basic plot options Annotating plots
Analysis and Visualization with Matrices	Objective: Use matrices as mathematical objects or as collections of (vector) data. Understand the appropriate use of MATLAB syntax to distinguish between these applications. Size and dimensionality Calculations with matrices Statistics with matrix data Plotting multiple columns Reshaping and linear indexing Multidimensional arrays

Day 2 of 3
Automating Commands with Scripts	Objective: Collect MATLAB commands into scripts for ease of reproduction and experimentation. As the complexity of your tasks increases, entering long sequences of commands in the Command Window becomes impractical. The Command History Creating script files Running scripts Cells Publishing scripts
Working with Data Files	Objective: Bring data into MATLAB from formatted files. Because imported data can be of a wide variety of types and formats, emphasis is given to working with cell arrays and date formats. Importing data Mixed data types Cell arrays Numbers, strings, and dates Exporting data
Multiple Vector Plots	Objective: Make more complex vector plots, such as multiple plots, and use color and string manipulation techniques to produce eye-catching visual representations of data. Graphics structure Multiple figures, axes, and plots Plotting equations Using color Customizing plots
Logic and Flow Control	Objective: Use logical operations, variables, and indexing techniques to create flexible code that can make decisions and adapt to different situations. Explore other programming constructs for repeating sections of code, and constructs that allow interaction with the user. Logical operations and variables Logical indexing Programming constructs User interaction Flow control Loops
Matrix and Image Visualization	Objective: Visualize images and matrix data in two or three dimensions. Explore the difference in displaying images and visualizing matrix data using images. Vector and matrix data 3-D matrix visualization 2-D matrix visualization Indexed images and colormaps True color images

Day 3 of 3
Data Analysis	Objective: Perform typical data analysis tasks in MATLAB, including developing and fitting theoretical models to real-life data. This leads naturally to one of the most powerful features of MATLAB: solving linear systems of equations with a single command. Dealing with missing data Correlation Smoothing Spectral analysis and FFTs Regression models Solving linear systems of equations
Writing Functions	Objective: Increase automation by encapsulating modular tasks as user-defined functions. Understand how MATLAB resolves references to files and variables. Creating functions Calling functions Workspaces Subfunctions Path and precedence
Troubleshooting Code and Improving Performance	Objective: Explore MATLAB tools for debugging and measuring code performance. Very few programs work perfectly at the first attempt. Tracking down all possible problems and unintended behaviors of a program takes time and effort. Debugging with the MATLAB Editor Using breakpoints Measuring code performance
Data Types	Objective: Explore data types, focusing on the syntax for creating variables and accessing array elements, and discuss methods for converting among data types. Data types differ in the kind of data they may contain and the way the data is organized. MATLAB data types Integers Structures Function handles Converting types
File I/O	Objective: Explore the low-level data import and export functions in MATLAB that allow precise control over text and binary file I/O. These functions include textscan, which provides precise control of reading text files. Opening and closing files Reading and writing text files Reading and writing binary files

Prerequisites

Undergraduate level mathematics and experience with basic computer operations.

Course Length - 3 days