Mission to Mars Learning Community
AT A GLANCE
Why join?
The Mission to Mars Learning Community at UCCS is geared toward students interested in exploring the field of engineering. It intends to foster a supportive environment for students to navigate the college experience together, build a support network, and make lasting friendships.
During class sessions:
- students will build gliders, explore aerodynamics, wind tunnels, and rockets, and apply experimental principles to analyze problems and develop solutions for the mission.
- students will also discover the human factors inherent in long space missions and learning key aspects necessary for long-term habitation of Mars.
Outside of class:
- students will have plenty of opportunities to engage in social activities and professional development events tailored to enhance their career readiness.
Learning Community Coach:
Each of our learning communities has a Learning Community Coach (LCC) - a student who shares a similar interest (in this case, an interest in engineering), who has successfully navigated their first year at UCCS. LCC's attend the Gateway Program Seminar (GPS) class every week and meet with students individually and in groups outside of class. LCC's help connect students with instructors, resources, and opportunities to get the most out of their college experience.
How do I join?
To join the Mission to Mars Learning Community, email gps@uccs.edu for a permission code to enroll in GPS 1010.011. The Mission to Mars Learning Community is open to any student interested in engineering.
GPS 1010.011 - Mission to Mars
Wednesdays 10:50 AM - 1:30 PM (Aug. 22, 2024 - Nov. 10, 2024)
*Mandatory Gateway Days on August 22nd and 23rd from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days.
Course Description: Plan a mission to Mars! Explore engineering, biology, biomechanics, psychology, and atmospheric and space flight through a mission to Mars.
Meet the Mission to Mars Team
Dr. Julie Albertson
Senior Instructor - College of Engineering and Applied Science
Teaches the GPS 1010.011 course for the Mission to Mars Learning Community.
Phone: 719-255-3814
Email: jalberts@uccs.edu
Office: OCSE A442
Dr. Albertson is a senior instructor in the Department of Mechancial and Aerospace Engineering.
Dr. Peter Gorder
Associate Professor - College of Engineering and Applied Science
Teaches the GPS 1010.011 course for the Mission to Mars Learning Community.
Phone: 719-255-3168
Email: pgorder@uccs.edu
Office: OCSE A439
Dr. Gorder is an Associatte Professor in the Department of Mechancial and Aerospace Engineering.
Samarth Patel
Lecturer
Teaches the GPS 1010.011 course for the Mission to Mars Learning Community.
Phone: 719-424-6097
Email: spatel6@uccs.edu
Office: OCSE A430
Samarth is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He has a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical engineering and a Master's degree in Aerospace Propulsion Technology. He is currently researching diffuse interface methods for complex fluid-fluid interactions. This and his broader interests are in combustion dynamics and developing models for simulation of the detonation waves through a propellant droplet.
Chris Moody
Learning Community Coach
Phone: 719-255-3570
Email: st-lc05@uccs.edu
Office: Main Hall 324
My name is Chris Moody. I am a third-year UCCS Student studying towards a degree in Business Administration and Management with a minor in Economics. I am also a cadet in the AFROTC Program at Detachment 105 in CU Boulder.
Mission to Mars is a fun introductory course that gets students used to what a college lecture class looks like and what they can expect from future classes. We engage in fun projects such as rocket building, a Mars mission simulation, and other enriching activities.