2026-2028 Special Topic Courses

Special topic courses are academic credit-bearing courses in the Cal Poly catalog that provide a generic course vehicle to offer special topics on an "as needed basis." The most common special topic courses, 2270, 2271, 4470, 4471, 5570, 5571, are available to all academic programs, and have the same generic course description. The specific topic title appears in the Class Schedule and on the students' transcripts. Search archived for topics that are no longer offered.

Special Topic Course Descriptions

 

AERO 4470 Aerospace Entrepreneurship (3) Effective Fall 2026

Identification and evaluation of commercial opportunities in the aerospace industry. Methods necessary for rapid iteration and market validation of early-stage prototypes, with emphasis on issues critical to aerospace products and services, including intellectual property, regulatory and security environment, funding sources, and business models. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

AERO 4470 Intro to Robotic Manipulators (2) Effective Fall 2026

Homogeneous transformations of coordinate frames, forward kinematics, inverse kinematics, Jacobian matrix for linear and angular velocity, path and trajectory planning, Newton Euler dynamic equations and Euler Lagrange equations of motion. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Recommended: AERO 320 and AERO 321.

AERO 4470 Optimization Methods for AERO (3) Effective Fall 2026

Aerospace system modeling and problem formulation for algorithmic optimization. Topics include unconstrained and constrained optimization of dynamic systems using numerical techniques, gradient-based methods, evolutionary methods, calculus of variations and optimal control theory. Applications focus on aerospace vehicle design, trajectory optimization, and multidisciplinary systems. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Recommended: AERO 3300 and AERO 3320.

AERO 4470 Plasma Applications in Aerospace (3) Effective Fall 2026

Plasma dynamics and applications of plasmas in aerospace, including plasma propulsion, reentry, plasma actuators, space weather, power generation, semiconductor processing, and plasma medicine. Probe analysis, numerical modeling, and electric propulsion of testing. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Recommended: AERO 3301.

AERO 4471 Experimental Aircraft Fabrication Lab (2) Effective Fall 2026

Immersive team-based approach to experimental aircraft fabrication and construction. Master mechanical and assembly drawings, application of aircraft structures and aerodynamics, sheet metal and electrical fabrication, and the FAA certification process. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

AERO 4471 Intro to Space Robotics Lab (1) Effective Fall 2026

Design and testing of Floating Spacecraft Simulators. Use and implementation of cold gas thrusters, microcontrollers, motors, and actuators. Use of an optical tracking camera array to implement experimental closed loop control. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Recommended: AERO 302 and AERO 321.

AERO 5570/5571 Vehicle Build, Test, and Ops Lab (3) Effective Fall 2026

Space vehicle integration and test requirements and procedures. Qualification and acceptance testing requirements and methods. Test equipment. Launch operations and vehicle integration with launch vehicle. In-orbit operations and maneuvers. Spacecraft tracking, telemetry, and command. Ground systems. Emergency operations. 
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Aerospace Engineering and consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in AERO 5570 and AERO 5571 required. Recommended: AERO 4447 and AERO 4448; or AERO 447, AERO 448, and AERO 449.

AGB 4470 Commodity Markets (3) Effective Fall 2026

Explore the dynamics of commodity markets practical trading strategies using financial derivatives to manage price risks and capitalize on market opportunities. Specific focus on agricultural commodities, energy, metals, interest rates, and foreign currencies. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

AGC 4470 Rodeo I: Production Governance and Strategy (3) Effective Fall 2026

Strategic leadership and organizational systems design for large-scale intercollegiate rodeo production. Emphasis on governance structures, risk and compliance frameworks, financial sustainability, operational infrastructure, and supervision of leadership committees within the Rodeo organization. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Recommended: AG 2212.

AGC 4470 Rodeo II: Executive Operations (3) Effective Fall 2026

Executive leadership and live operational management of a large-scale intercollegiate rodeo. Students assume responsibility for directing production, coordinating stakeholders, managing safety systems, and leading real-time decision-making during full-scale implementation.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Recommended: Advanced Leadership Experience Rodeo Production I. 

CPE 4470/4471 AI in Healthcare and Lab (4) Effective Fall 2026

Topics in artificial intelligence and machine learning for healthcare applications, medical data analysis, deep learning and transfer learning, advanced representation learning for complex healthcare data, explainable AI, robustness and generalization in clinical AI, and practical project-based experiences. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in CPE 4470 and CPE 4471 required. Recommended: Basics of python programming.

CPE 4470/4471 Human-Robot Interaction and Lab (4) Effective Fall 2026

Human perception and modeling, verbal/non-verbal communication, and collaboration techniques. Analysis of user needs, system requirements, and downstream effects of robotic systems. IRB process and human-subjects research techniques. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in CPE 4470 and CPE 4471 required.

CPE 4470/4471 Reinforcement Learning and Lab (4) Effective Fall 2026

Introduction of core reinforcement learning frameworks and methods. Problem definitions, including Markov Decision Processes and reward design. Explore solution approaches such as Q-learning and Monte Carlo tree search. Implementing and analyzing reinforcement learning algorithms. Deployment and integration of common RL algorithms both in simulation and on hardware. 
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in CPE 4470 and CPE 4471 required.

CSC 5570 Computational Geometry (4) Effective Fall 2026

Introductions to algorithms and data structures for computational problems in discrete geometry. Topics include convex hulls, Voronoi diagrams, Delaunay triangulations and planar subdivisions, geometric search and intersection, line arrangements, visibility, motion planning, and geometric approximations.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, satisfactory preparation in computer science, and consent of instructor.

CSC 5870 Large Language Model Post-Training and Retrieval (3) Effective Fall 2026

Design and evaluation of AI systems that combine Large Language Models (LLMs) with retrieval, tools, and structured knowledge (ontologies, knowledge graphs). Topics include deep learning, post-training, retrieval augmented generation, evaluation, and responsible deployment.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, CSC 480, or CSC 4480; and consent of instructor.

EDUC 2270 College Corps: Community Service, Leadership, and Impact (1) Effective Fall 2026

Explore community-based service in Climate Action, Food Insecurity, and K-12 Education for participants in the California College Corps Fellowship Program. Analyze systems and root causes, apply ethical leadership, engage with research and policy, and reflect on personal and collective social impact.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ENGR 2270 MEP STAR Navigating College (1) Effective Fall 2026

Success Through Advising and Relationships (STAR) supports students in the Multicultural Engineering Program navigate college. Introduction to campus resources, develop professional confidence, and build engineering community involvement.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ENGR 2271 Engineering Math Foundations Lab (1) Effective Fall 2026

Laboratory-based exploration of mathematical concepts shared between precalculus and introductory engineering analysis. Topics include algebraic modeling, trigonometric relationships, complex numbers, systems of equations, vectors, and sinusoidal signals, with introductory MATLAB exercises applies to robotics, circuits, and engineering systems.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

GSB 5570 Real Estate Markets (3) Effective Fall 2026

Explores the structure and dynamics of real estate markets, including valuation, investment, development, finance, and policy. Emphasize market cycles, spatial patterns, institutional frameworks, and macroeconomic linkages shaping property values and investment decisions. 
Prerequisite: OCOB graduate standing and consent of instructor.

ME 2271 Introduction to Marine Engineering Support Lab (1) Effective Fall 2026

Supports EPO 1125L: Introduction to Marine Engineering Laboratory through instruction aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear for studying and tracing key systems such as engine jacket water, fuel oil, lubrication, cooling, and starting air.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ME 4470 Designing Products for Repairability (3) Effective Fall 2026

Principles and practices of designing products with repairability as a central design goal. Team project designing products for enhanced disassembly and serviceability.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

NR 4470/4471 Senior Project - Prescribe Fire Management and Lab (4) Effective Fall 2026

Targeted study and application of prescribed fire concepts and practice. Evaluation of benefits and uses of prescribed fire in California. Instruction in steps in prescribed burn planning, including mapping, permitting, unit preparation, monitoring, and burn implementation.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in NR 4470 and NR 4471.

OCN 1195 Scientific Boating (3) Effective Fall 2026

Instruction in small-craft and waterfront operations emphasizing safety, navigation, seamanship, and equipment handling. Completion of Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) requirements and development of practical skills in vessell operations, line handling, and basic deck operations through lecture and hands-on training.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.