Course Syllabus

AVG-201 International Aviation Spring Semester 2026

Instructor: Steven Ursell

Email: sursell@nmc.edu
Phone: (231) 499-5575
Contact Hours: M & W 1500-1600, T & Th 1200-1300, other times by arrangement
Classroom: Online Course
Class Times: Flexible but minimum 15 hours reading/quiz/assignment time per week

Required Online Reading Materials

  • ICAO Annual Report 2025
  • IATA Annual Review 2025
  • ICAO Aviation Global Safety Report 2025

Course Description

This course will provide an introduction to international aviation industry. International oversight organizations will be reviewed along with interactions with each other and national regulators. Students will also evaluate country differences with regard to aviation regulations, global aviation safety records and business forecasts. An overview of cultural issues on International Aviation Operations will be covered including specific international flight case studies from current international airline pilots.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify and understand the different organizations that are responsible for oversight of international aviation regulations and how these impact national
  2. Review Global Aviation Accident records and compare how different international organizations oversee aviation safety.
  3. Assess, by researching a self-selected overseas national regulator, the similarities and differences between domestic and international aviation
  4. Review and evaluate major global aviation business financial forecasts and future predictions for pilot demand.
  5. Evaluate, through case studies, the operational challenges/differences a pilot will encounter when flying internationally in comparison to domestic operations.
  6. Evaluate the impact of social, cultural, political, economic and ethical environments on international aviation operations.

This course supports the Communication General Education Outcome, and may be used towards an NMC Global Perspective Endorsement.

Grading

Grading will be made up of a combination of Homework, Quizzes, Stage Exams and a Final Exam. The break down will be as follows:

  • Weekly Quizzes – 20% of final grade
    • Quizzes will be given each week that will be made up of relevant questions from the reading material provided that week
  • Weekly Discussion Question – 20% of final grade
    • One discussion question will be given each week that will be made up from the reading material provided that week
  • Mid Term Exam – 10% of the final grade
    • Mid Term exam will be given which will cover the material covered during the previous weeks.
  • Final Exam – 20% of final grade
  • Research Paper – 30% of final grade Your final grade will be computed as follows:
    1. Quizzes 20%
    2. Discussion Question 20%
    3. Mid Term Exam 10%
    4. Final Exam 20%
    5. Research Paper 30%

Total 100%

Percent Earned

  • 100 to 94% = 4.0
  • 93.99 to 88% = 3.5
  • 87.99 to 82% = 3.0
  • 81.99 to 76% = 2.5
  • 75.99 to 70% = 2.0
  • 69.99 to 64% = 1.5
  • 63.99 to 58% = 1.0
  • Less than 58% failure of the course.

Tie Breakers

At the sole discretion of the instructor, I may raise your grade one level for those who are just below the total point required for the next higher grade. This subjective boost will depend on such factors as participation in weekly discussion questions, amount of effort put forth, attitude, courtesy to the instructor and fellow classmates, and professional conduct.

Important Notes

  • If you miss a quiz, discussion question or exam in a week you will receive a zero for that test.

Grading

Grading Policy on Quizzes, Discussion Questions and Exams

In order to encourage work to be completed on time I am adopting the following grading criteria:

Quizzes and exams are due on Moodle on the day in which it is due. If the homework has been posted to Moodle on or before this due date and time then it will be considered on time, if however it is posted after this time the highest grade you will receive on the homework is 70%. Your grade will be calculated by determining the percentage grade you would receive without the late penalty and then 30% deducted from this grade. You will then have until before the start of the next quiz to submit the quiz or exam. After the start of the next quiz period I will not accept a quiz/exam which is more than one week late and you will receive a zero for the assignment.

Cheating

Not much needs to be said on this subject but here is my policy so that there will be no confusion.

  • First offense– You get a zero on relevant project, test, quiz or
  • Second offense – You will not be able to continue with the course and receive a zero ( fail ) grade for the course.

General Education

Communication: Students will practice effective communication with an awareness of audience and sense of purpose.

Class policies

  1. Inclement Weather Policy
    • When weather conditions appear hazardous, the college may decide to close (or delay opening) or an individual instructor may decide to cancel his or her class(es). Should any of these situations occur Monday through Friday, the information will be communicated to a 24-hour telephone line at (231) 995-1100 and NMC’s homepage (college-wide closures and delays) and Class Cancellations page (instructor-specific cancellations and delays).
    • For weekend class cancellations ONLY, the information is communicated exclusively through your instructor’s voicemail greeting. You should call your instructor’s office phone number for the most up to date information.
  1. Academic Code of Conduct
    • Cheating or plagiarism on written or oral examinations, quizzes, papers, or other academic work is prohibited. Cheating is defined as falsifying data on a report, exam, summary, or paper; the giving or receiving of aid in an examination situation; and/or the use of unauthorized materials as an aid during an examination.
    • Plagiarism consists of offering as one’s own work, the words, ideas, or arguments of another person, without appropriate attribution by quotation, reference, or footnote. Plagiarism occurs both when the words of another are reproduced without acknowledgment, and when the ideas or arguments of another are paraphrased in such a way as to lead the reader to believe that they originated with the writer.
    • If an instructor finds that a student has violated this code, the faculty member may impose course-level sanctions on the student and will report the act of academic dishonesty to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services to record the infraction and to take further action.
    • For the complete description of the Academic Code of Conduct Procedures and Sanctions, please consult the Students Rights and Responsibilities Policy.
  2. Student Attendance Policy
    • It is expected that student’s complete course requirements within the timescale required. If assignments or exams are submitted after the submission date 30% deduction will be made if submitted within 24 hours of the due date. If assignments or exams are completed 24 hours or more after the due date a zero grade will be given.
  3. Student email policy
    • All students are required to use their NMC email account for all communication in this class and college business.
  4. Campus Safety Procedures

Course itinerary

To the extent possible , for each week or class meeting of the semester, identify reading assignments, project due dates, exam/quiz dates, lab topics and other assignment schedules.

Transfer statement

The transfer of NMC courses is determined by the transfer institutions in cooperation with NMC. Learn more about how courses transfer here.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

NMC is dedicated to creating an academic community which promotes intellectual inquiry, encourages vigorous discourse, and respects individual freedom and dignity. Students are integral members of this community and are expected to participate in sustaining its values. Information on NMC student rights and responsibilities is available here.

Academic Assistance

NMC is committed to helping students develop the skills necessary to be successful by creating a supportive learning environment that fosters growth. Find information about NMC's tutoring services here or call (231) 995-1138.

Students with Disabilities Support

Northwestern Michigan College offers a wide range of services for students that have appropriately documented disabilities and/or need accommodations in order to achieve their academic goals. Find information about NMC's support services here or call (231) 995-1929.

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