Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Airport Management (Online)

AVTN 4650-31I

Course: AVTN 4650-31I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Aviation Sciences
CRN: 32690

Course Description

Airport Management includes history, practices and concepts of the field. Topics will include a historical perspective on airport management, determining the need for an airport, getting started with a new airport operation, running the business aspects of a modern airport, principles of airport management, standard airport operating procedures, airport maintenance operations, airport security issues, and airport safety plans. (Fall [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Junior or Senior standing required

Required Texts

Required references:
Young, Seth B., and Wells, Alexander T. (2019). Airport Planning & Management (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 978-1-260-14332-4
There will also be additional refences on various topics throughout the course. These will be supplied by the instructor along with the links to access them.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this course, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the historical foundations and development of airports.
  2. Give examples of different types of airports.
  3. Determine the need for an airport.
  4. Illustrate a plan for establishing a new airport.
  5. Evaluate a plan for operating an airport.
  6. Organize an airport maintenance plan.
  7. Evaluate an airport security plan.
  8. Outline a safety management system for a modern airport.

Course Requirements

Course Activities
22 Discussion Boards | 20% | 220 (10 points each)
5 Written Assignments | 20% | 175 (35 points each)
5 Quizzes | 20% | 175 (35 points each)
1 Research Paper | 20% | 230 (30 points topic, 200 points paper)
Final Exam | 20% | 200
Total | 100% | 1,000 points

Discussion Boards
The twenty-two (22) discussion boards combined are worth 20% of the course grade (10 points each). For each project discussion, each student will share and summarize one (1) unique external resource pertaining to the topics included in the associated learning module. For each quiz discussion, each student will create and post one (1) unique question related to the topic of the associated module with the correct answer and a reliable reference supporting the question and correct answer. See grading rubrics for additional scoring details.

Writing Activities
The five (5) Writing Activities combined are worth 20% of the course grade (35 points each). Each writing activity will require each student to respond to multiple prompts. Each response to each prompt must be a minimum of 175 words and contain at least one (1) cited reference which may include the course text. No particular format is required but good ideas, grammar, and spelling are expected. Note: If you plan to pursue education beyond a bachelor’s degree you will probably be using either the APA or MLA format for your papers. You can use either format here for practice if you choose but it is not required and formatting issues will not be graded. Grading rubric: grammar - 5 points, citations - 5 points, length - 5 points, content - 20 points.

Quizzes
The five (5) quizzes combined are worth 20% of the course grade (35 points each). Each quiz may involve answering a variety of different types of questions which may include: multiple choice, matching, true/false, short essay, and/or short answer questions related to the material covered in the course.

Research Paper
The research paper (1) is worth 20% of the course grade (230 points). There are two (2) graded components of this paper: 1) a proposed topic for the research paper is due by the end of Module 8 (30 points); 2) the research paper submission is due by the end of Module 13 (200 points). The topic of the paper may be on an issue of your choice related to airport management. Note: The paper topic must be approved in advance by the instructor. Please present your proposed topic to the instructor using the course activity Research Paper Topic Approval. The paper (1) must be at least four (4) pages typed (The Title Page and References page are not included in the minimum paper length), no greater than 12 point font, and double spaced with at least two (2) cited references in addition to the course text. Note: If you planning to pursue education beyond a bachelor’s degree you will probably be using either the APA or MLA format for your papers. You can use either format here for practice if you choose but it is not required and formatting issues will not be graded. Grading rubric: topic proposal - 30 points, grammar - 20 points, citations - 20 points, content - 160 points.

Final Exam
The final exam (1) is worth 20% of the course grade (200 points). The final exam will involve answering a variety of different types of questions which may include: multiple choice, matching, true/false, short essay, and/or short answer questions. The final exam will cover material from the entire course.

Course Outline

Module 1

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages xv - 28
  •  Activities:
    • Student and instructor introductions - Introductory Discussion (must complete for commenced attendance)
    • Syllabus review

Module 2

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 29 - 65
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 1
    • Quiz Discussion 1

Module 3

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 65 - 103
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 2
    • Quiz Discussion 2
    • Writing Activity 1

Module 4

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 103 - 140
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 3
    • Quiz Discussion 3
  •  Quiz:
    • Quiz 1

Module 5

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 141 - 174
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 4
    • Quiz Discussion 4
    • Writing Activity 2

Module 6

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 174 - 199
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 5
    • Quiz Discussion 5
  • Quiz:
    • Quiz 2

Module 7

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 201 - 246
  • Activities: 
    • Project Discussion 6
    • Quiz Discussion 6
    • Writing Activity 3

Module 8

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 247 - 279
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 7
    • Quiz Discussion 7
    • Research Paper Topic Approval
  • Quiz:
    • Quiz 3

Module 9

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 283 - 315
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 8
    • Quiz Discussion 8
    • Writing Activity 4

Module 10

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 317 - 347
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 9
    • Quiz Discussion 9
  • Quiz:
    • Quiz 4

Module 11

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 347 - 371
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 10
    • Quiz Discussion 10
    • Writing Activity 5
    • Polish research paper

Module 12

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 373 – 411
  • Activities:
    • Project Discussion 11
    • Quiz Discussion 11
    • Polish research paper
  • Quiz:
    • Quiz 5

Module 13

  • Reading:
    • Course Textbook Pages 413 - 422
  • Activities:
    • Research Paper due

Module 14

  • Final Exam:
    • Complete Final Exam

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Online Course Netiquette and Discussion Expectations
During this course you will have the opportunity to view and comment on several discussion board posts. Making these comments is an integral part of the learning process. You must satisfy the posting requirements with each post made during this course. Each of your posts must exhibit the following characteristics: Respect, Integrity, and Professionalism. Please note that any post that is deemed inappropriate by the instructor WILL BE DELETED.

Late Assignments
Late assignments are strongly discouraged and acceptance of late work will be at the discretion of the instructor.  Late work will only be accepted up to two weeks after the original due date, or the last day of classes, whichever comes first. Late work may be docked as much as 50% of the assignment grade.

Makeup Work
Makeup work will be considered late work and will be subject to the stipulations of the Late Assignments section.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
Any authorized use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this course will be specified in the instructions for each activity. If AI is not addressed in the instructions of an activity, the student will assume that AI is not authorized for that activity. Activity instructions will typically include one of three levels of AI use:

  1. students may use AI;
  2. students may not use AI;
  3. or students must use AI.

The may level of AI use indicates that students may use AI, but are not required to use AI. There may be additional stipulations or conditions specified in activity instructions for students who choose to use AI to complete activities that are specified at the may level. Students are required to use AI for the portions of activities where activity instructions specify that students must use AI. Students must comply with the other requirements in activity instructions for any activity requiring the use of AI. Students are not authorized nor permitted to use AI for activities where the instructions specify that students may not use AI. Any use of AI contrary to this policy or contrary to activity instructions will be considered a violation of academic integrity and potentially plagiarism.

Attendance Policy

Each student must participate in online course activities a minimum of three days each week to be considered active in the course. Each student must participate in course activities in Canvas as necessary to complete course requirements.

Course Fees

An online course fee was assessed at registration. This fee is used to support online course costs.
You were also charged college and department fees when you registered for this course. The college and department fee schedule is available online by following this link:

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.