Aerospace Science and Technology (MAST)

Overview

Graduates of this Aerospace Science and Technology (MAST) master’s degree at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia will have been trained in an interdisciplinary area of knowledge that includes the study of theoretical and practical groundwork, techniques, methods and processes, and will be skilled at promoting, defining and managing innovative research projects.

Professional opportunities

Graduates from this master’s degree will be experts qualified to work in:

• University departments, institutes or research centres in order to produce a doctoral thesis.

• R&D departments in industry in the aerospace field or similar. 

Competencies

Generic competencies

Generic competencies are the skills that graduates acquire regardless of the specific course or field of study. The generic competencies established by the UPC are capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainability and social commitment, knowledge of a foreign language (preferably English), teamwork and proper use of information resources.

Specific competencies

• On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and experimental tools used in different areas within the aerospace field.

• Use scientific programming techniques and basic and advanced numerical methods competently.

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the most relevant physical aspects of aerospace systems.

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the different types of materials used in the construction of aerospace vehicles.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the tools, devices and systems that enable the analogue or digital conditioning of signals.

• Demonstrate an up-to-date awareness of the main characteristics of international aerospace research.

• Demonstrate broad knowledge of R&D&I activities in the companies in the sector in this region.

• Define the context and the variables that affect research projects.

• Approach research problems consistently and with good scientific working methods.

• Show initiative and originality in considering new approaches to an open problem and in considering new problems.

• Produce a doctoral thesis.

• Understand the dynamic of the artificial satellites orbiting the Earth and have a detailed and objective vision of the capacities of very low-mass satellites.

• Calculate interplanetary trajectories.

• Understand the concepts of analysis and design of controllers for uncertain systems.

• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the basic structure of the data bus of artificial satellites and the atmospheric phenomena that most affect aerial operations.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the differences in behaviour of materials on a macro- and a nanoscale and identify the specific characteristics of nanoscale processes for the conceptual design of sensors, materials and support systems for life in space.

• Understand the characteristics of platforms for obtaining microgravity and the behaviour of different physical systems in microgravity.

• Design an experiment to carry out in parabolic flight.

• Understand the operation of UAVs and the rigorous formulation of measurement algorithms and how to guarantee their quality.

• Design and implement automatic measuring systems and show knowledge of the tools, devices and systems that enable the conditioning of analogue and digital signals.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the systems that support human life on inter-planetary missions and the main elements of the design of a life support system.

• Design electronic on-board equipment in which microtechnologies play an important role.

• Categorise satellite communication systems and demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of DVB-S, DVB-S2 and DVB-RCS systems.