Undergraduate courses offered by the Faculty
Bachelor of Space Science (SBSS) – Melbourne (Bundoora)
This degree is being phased out. No new enrolments will be permitted from 2008.
From 2008, students who wish to undertake a ‘specialisation’ in Space Science may do so under the Bachelor of Science (SBS) degree program.
This course provides students with an understanding of basic principles in areas of space science, including astronomy, relevant to industries using space technology and prepares them for admission to higher degrees in space science and other areas of physical science and mathematics. Students are educated in a broad range of space sciences that includes astronomy, remote sensing, GPS techniques, space weather, and the geospace environment. The course includes basic mathematics and physics, and students can take options from a wide range of subjects including computer science and electronics.
Course structure
The course requires three years of full-time study or the equivalent part-time enrolment. Subjects having a total work value of 360 credit points must be completed, including subjects with a total value of at least 120 credit points in each of the three years. Core subjects make up 75, 105 and 70 credit points at first, second and third year levels respectively.
First year (120 credit points)
Core subjects (75 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Calculus and Number Systems | MAT1CNS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Principles of Physics A | PHY1SCA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Astronomy and Space: The Infinite Frontier | PHY1AST | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Calculus and Linear Algebra | MAT1CLA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Principles of Physics B | PHY1SCB | 15 |
Electives (45 credit points)
Students may choose first year subjects offered by the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering to the value of 45 credit points. Subjects may be chosen from other faculties provided they total no more than 30 credit points.
Second year (120 credit points)
Core subjects (105 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Modern Physics | PHY2MOD | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Optics | PHY2OPT | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Electromagnetism and Modern Materials | PHY2EMM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Vector Calculus | MAT2VCA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Linear Algebra | MAT2LAL | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Mechanics | MAT2MEC | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Space Science Instruments | PHY2SPI | 15 |
Electives (15 credit points)
The remaining 15 credit points may be chosen from any second year level subjects offered by any department, subject to meeting the prerequisites for those subjects.
Third year (120 credit points)
Core subjects (70 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Atomic and Nuclear Physics | PHY3ANP | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Physics of Quantum Matter | PHY3PQM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Electromagnetic Theory and Plasma Physics | PHY3EPP | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Thermal and Statistical Physics | PHY3TSP | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Remote Sensing | PHY3REM | 10 |
Electives (50 credit points)
Students choose third year subjects offered by the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering or by other faculties.
Honours
Honours degree students are selected based on their performance in the final year of the pass degree. To be eligible, students must obtain a minimum average of 60% across their third year subjects and obtain at least 65% in relevant third year subjects comprising at least 60 credit points. Students enrol in the physics honours program and undertake a space physics project.
For a full description of subjects, including the subject name, subject code, credit points, campus/location, subject coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites and readings, students should access the Subject Database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.