Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Science (Professional), majoring in Space Technology at Swinburne University of Technology combines science, space-sector knowledge, data skills, technology, policy and industry experience. The major focuses on practical challenges connected with NASA’s Artemis programme, the International Space Station and Australia’s Moon to Mars initiative. Students explore areas such as microgravity, space environments, space law, remote sensing and data visualisation.

Key benefits include:

• A 12-month paid professional work-placement opportunity.
• Three professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• Exposure to space-sector challenges involving satellite navigation, space debris and commercial strategy.
• Opportunities to work on projects connected with International Space Station and Moon missions.
• Development of orbital mechanics and space-systems knowledge.
• Space data analysis and visualisation skills.
• Design thinking and innovation skills.
• Research, project-design and science-communication skills.
• Exposure to Indigenous and cultural perspectives.
• Collaboration with industry and researchers through Work Integrated Learning.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme combines Science core units, Space Technology major units, other study/electives and a 12-month professional placement.

Indicative first-year structure published by Swinburne includes:

Semester 1:

• Data Science Principles – COS10022
• Calculus and Applications – MTH10012
• Choose two from:
  • Concepts of Biology – BIO10001
  • Chemistry 1 – CHE10001
  • Energy and Motion – PHY10001

Semester 2:

• Linear Algebra and Applications – MTH10013
• Sustainability Challenges in Science – NPS10003
• Your Career in the Space Sector – AER10001
• One elective

Second-year indicative structure includes:

Semester 1:

• Space and Microgravity Science – AER20001
• Space Policy, Law and the New Space Economy – LAW10027
• Two electives

Semester 2:

• Societal Challenges in Science – NPS20011
• Space Environment, Data, Visualisation and Applications – AER20002
• Two electives.

Space Technology major units in the current Bachelor of Science (Professional) handbook are:

• Your Career in the Space Sector – AER10001 – 12.5 credit points
• Space and Microgravity Science – AER20001 – 12.5 credit points
• Space Policy, Law and the New Space Economy – LAW10027 – 12.5 credit points
• Space Environment, Data, Visualisation and Applications – AER20002 – 12.5 credit points
• Design and Entrepreneurship for the Space Industry – AER20003 – 12.5 credit points
• Space Innovation Research Challenge – AER30001 – 12.5 credit points
• Space Industry Research Project – AER30002 – 25 credit points

The major therefore covers topics including:

• Space science
• Microgravity science
• Space environments
• Space data
• Data visualisation
• Space systems
• Orbital and satellite-related applications
• Space policy
• Space law
• Space entrepreneurship
• Space-industry innovation
• Space research
• Space projects
• Space missions and commercial space activities.

The professional placement consists of:

• Work Experience in Industry A – WEI20001
• Integrated Professional Placement A – Science – NPS20003
• Work Experience in Industry B – WEI20002
• Integrated Professional Placement B – Science – NPS20004

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected major is Space Technology.

The major sits within Swinburne's broader Bachelor of Science (Professional), which currently offers majors including:

• Applied Mathematics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Space Technology.

The Space Technology major itself covers several interdisciplinary areas, particularly:

• Space science
• Microgravity
• Space environment
• Space data and visualisation
• Space technology
• Space policy and law
• Space entrepreneurship
• Space innovation
• Space-industry research

The handbook also identifies a Space Technology Advanced Minor consisting of:

• Design and Entrepreneurship for the Space Industry – AER20003
• Space Innovation Research Challenge – AER30001
• Space Industry Research Project – AER30002.

Programme Highlights

• Bachelor of Science (Professional)
• Space Technology major
• 4 years full-time
• 375 credit points
• Hawthorn campus
• CRICOS 095882G
• 12-month professional work placement
• 100 credit points of placement
• Approximately 1,672–1,976 hours of professional placement
• Three industry-linked projects
• Space and microgravity study
• Space-environment and data-visualisation study
• Space policy and law
• Space entrepreneurship and innovation
• Space-industry research project
• Exposure to real-world challenges connected with NASA's Artemis programme and Australia's Moon to Mars initiative
• Development of orbital mechanics and space-systems knowledge
• Space data analysis and visualisation
• Research and project-design skills
• Science communication and outreach skills.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following career opportunities for graduates of the Space Technology major:

• Satellite systems technician
• Space scientist
• Mission operations officer
• Space data analyst
• Space robotics technician
• Space policy analyst.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this course in Australia normally require a Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements include:

• A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from Swinburne.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable financial-capacity requirements.
• Meeting applicable English-language requirements or an exemption.
• Maintaining Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Complying with Student visa conditions.
• Remaining enrolled and maintaining satisfactory course progress.