Programme Specifications

Space Engineering


1 : Awarding Institution / Body
Aberystwyth University

2a : Teaching Institution / University
Aberystwyth University

2b : Work-based learning (where appropriate)


Information provided by Department of Physics:

N/A


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:


Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:



3a : Programme accredited by
Aberystwyth University

3b : Programme approved by
Aberystwyth University

4 : Final Award
Master of Science

5 : Programme title
Space Engineering

6 : UCAS code
FH57

7 : QAA Subject Benchmark


Information provided by Department of Physics:

Engineering


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:


Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:



8 : Date of publication


Information provided by Department of Physics:

September 2023


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:


Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:



9 : Educational aims of the programme


Information provided by Department of Physics:

The course aims to provide students with a broad and in-depth knowledge of major elements in space engineering. The Space Sector is a growth area as identified, for example, in the Welsh Government’s Space Strategy (Wales: a sustainable space nation https://gov.wales/wales-sustainable-space-nation-html ) and is underpinned by a strong research base. At Aberystwyth, we have a track record of international collaboration in Space Missions to study the Sun, Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn with expertise in modelling, data analysis and instrumentation (optics, robotics).

Specific educational aims of the programme are to:

- provide advanced knowledge and develop skills in the field of space engineering;

- provide knowledge and develop the understanding of students in solar & planetary science, space exploration, computational modelling, data analysis and instrumentation design, testing & calibration;

- develop theoretical and practical skills to address complex problems in space applications;

- develop discipline-related professional and research skills;

- encourage students to analyse results critically and to interpret findings in terms of current knowledge;

- develop skills of students to investigate a discipline-related topic in an individual project;

- encourage effective communication of discipline-related topics through oral and written reports.


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:


Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:



10 : Intended learning outcomes


Information provided by Department of Physics:

Upon successful completion of the scheme students should be able to:

- demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of space engineering and its application to space missions;

- demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of solar and planetary science and its application to space exploration;

- address complex problems in space engineering and its applications, supported by computer-aided packages;

- plan, design and implement a discipline-related individual project;

- critically analyse and interpret results in terms of current knowledge and communicate findings orally and in written reports.


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:


Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:



10.1 : Knowledge and understanding


Information provided by Department of Physics:

A1 Solar and planetary Science.

A2 Design, testing and calibration of space instrumentation.

A3 Application of computer-aided packages in solving complex problems in space engineering.

A4 Application of Machine Learning to the analysis of data sets associated with space engineering.

A5 Planning, designing and implementing a discipline-related extended individual project and interpretation of results in terms of current knowledge.

Learning and Teaching

Lectures, Workshops, Project

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Examinations, Workshop Exercises, Examples, Technical Reports, Formal Reports, Oral Presentation


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:


Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:



10.2 : Skills and other attributes


Information provided by Department of Physics:

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

B1 Advanced knowledge and understanding of: solar and planetary science, space exploration missions, space instrumentation.

B2 Ability to solve complex examples in space related topics.

B3 The use of computer-aided packages to address complex problems in space related topics.

B4 The use of Machine Learning to the analysis of data sets associated with space engineering.B5 Understanding of refereed literature and current knowledge on topics in the discipline of space engineering.

B6 Interpretation of results in a discipline-related task and their discussion in terms of current knowledge.

Learning and Teaching

Lectures, Workshops, Project

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Examinations, Workshop Exercises, Examples, Technical and Formal Written Reports, Oral Presentation

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

C1 Ability to use experimentation and computational methods to space related topics.

C2 Competency in solving examples and workshop exercises on space engineering and its applications to space exploration.

C3 Ability to report on advanced practical workshop tasks in written reports.

C4 Understanding of professional aspects in the discipline.

C5 Presentation of a discipline-related project in oral and written accounts, with results, interpretation and conclusions.

Learning and Teaching

Workshops, Project

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Workshop Exercises, Technical and Formal Written Reports, Oral Presentation


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:


Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:



10.3 : Transferable/Key skills


Information provided by Department of Physics:

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

D1 Use and application of instrumentation and computational methods.

D2 Adaptability and resilience in solving complex problems.

D3 Research skills and ability design and implement work packages to solve problems.

D4 Competency in interpreting and discussing results in terms of current knowledge.

D5 Ability to present and defend work orally and in formal written accounts.

Learning and Teaching

Workshops, Project

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Workshop Exercises, Technical and Formal Written Reports, Oral Presentation


Information provided by Department of Computer Science:


Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:



11 : Program Structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards



MSC Space Engineering [FH57]

Academic Year: 2024/2025 scheme - available from 2022/2023

Duration (studying Full-Time): 1 years

Part 1 Rules

Year 1 Core (80 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
PHM4720

Advanced Planetary Exploration

PHM6420

Advanced Skills in Physics

Semester 2
CSM6420

Machine Learning for Intelligent Systems

PHM7220

Professional and Research Skills

Year 1 Core (60 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 3
PHM5560

MSc Project

Year 1 Options

Semester 1
ABM2820

Quality Engineering and Management

ABM2920

Project Management Tools and Techniques

CSM0120

Programming for Scientists

CSM6120

Fundamentals of Intelligent Systems

PHM2420

Electromagnetic Theory and Microwave Devices

Semester 2
ABM3420

Leading and Managing Project

ABM5220

International Strategy and Operations

CSM6520

Computational Intelligence


12 : Support for students and their learning
Every student is allocated a Personal Tutor. Personal Tutors have an important role within the overall framework for supporting students and their personal development at the University. The role is crucial in helping students to identify where they might find support, how and where to seek advice and how to approach support to maximise their student experience. Further support for students and their learning is provided by Information Services and Student Support and Careers Services.

13 : Entry Requirements
Details of entry requirements for the scheme can be found at http://courses.aber.ac.uk

14 : Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning
All taught study schemes are subject to annual monitoring and periodic review, which provide the University with assurance that schemes are meeting their aims, and also identify areas of good practice and disseminate this information in order to enhance the provision.

15 : Regulation of Assessment
Academic Regulations are published as Appendix 2 of the Academic Quality Handbook: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aqro/handbook/app-2/.

15.1 : External Examiners
External Examiners fulfill an essential part of the University’s Quality Assurance. Annual reports by External Examiners are considered by Faculties and Academic Board at university level.

16 : Indicators of quality and standards
The Department Quality Audit questionnaire serves as a checklist about the current requirements of the University’s Academic Quality Handbook. The periodic Department Reviews provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of quality assurance processes and for the University to assure itself that management of quality and standards which are the responsibility of the University as a whole are being delivered successfully.