CURRICULUM

The "STAR" IMSP starts in the winter semester of each academic year.

During their studies at the "STAR" IMSP, postgraduate students are required to attend and successfully pass 12 postgraduate courses, as well as to undertake the postgraduate diploma thesis. For the acquisition of the Postgraduate Diploma in STAR, a total of one hundred and twenty (120) credits (ECTS) are required. The twelve (12) classes of the IMSP, structured in three semesters, correspond to ninety (90) credits and diploma thesis in thirty (30) credits.

In the first semester there are 4 compulsory introductory courses, which cover basic knowledge in the whole range of space technology and its applications. In the second semester there are also 4 compulsory courses, structured by specialization. In the third semester, courses of choice are structured by specialization, of which the postgraduate student chooses 4 courses. Finally, the fourth semester is dedicated to postgraduate thesis.

The teaching of the postgraduate courses is done in person and by means of distance learning at the premises of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NTUA). Distance learning is carried out in a conference room provided by the Institutions participating in the "STAR" IMSP. In any case, the teaching of distance learning courses will not exceed the twenty percent (20%) of the offered postgraduate courses. Courses are conducted in English. In case all students are Greek, the lessons can be taught in Greek, while the supporting material of the courses (presentations, teacher notes, laboratory exercises) remains in English. If a course is prevented, it will be replenished. Refresh date and time are posted on the course website.

The postgraduate students of the Program will work on the postgraduate diploma thesis with an emphasis on practical specialization in selected high-quality laboratories of the public or private institution, domestic or foreign, that possess excellence and innovation and are active in space technologies, applications and services. Participation, as far as possible, in research and development projects of the National Space Program, ESA and Horizon Europe programs for space, etc., will be encouraged. Postgraduate students will prepare their diploma thesis at the facilities of the organization they choose. The postgraduate diploma thesis will be written in English.

Within the framework of the IMSP, various actions, workshops and seminars will be organized to promote the activities of the European Space Education Office (ESERO) in primary and secondary education, as well as the activities of the Hellenic Business Incubation Center (BIC) in the development of space applications for the benefit of the citizens. Corresponding actions will support the creation of start-up companies and the two-way transfer of technology (spin-in and spin-out).

In addition, "Career Days" will be organized with the participation of members of the Corallia si-Cluster to directly link the IMCP to the labor market and improve the absorption of its graduates. It is noted that on the basis of the ESA TECHNOLOGY TREE TAXONOMY, completed by all members of the si-Cluster for the years 2015-2017, the "STAR" IMSP covers the 90% of the Greek ecosystem's activities in space technologies, applications and services. In any case, it is possible to extend the Program to provide even greater coverage of the Greek ecosystem.

A. Inserts

In the "STAR" IMSP, holders of a Bachelor's degree provided by greek or foreign university are accepted recognized by DOATAP. The Program is mainly aimed at candidates coming from General Schools of Science and Engineers.

The maximum number of students enrolled in the Postgraduate Program is set at thirty (30). Additionally, they are admitted as supernumerary scholars and members of the categories of EEP, EDIP and ETET according to par.8 of art. 34 of Law 4485/17.

 

B. Duration

The duration of the studies of the IMSP is set in four (4) academic semesters. The maximum permissible time for completing the program is set in six (6) academic semesters, at the request of the student and EDE decision.

A postgraduate student may, on reasoned request and for serious reasons, request the suspension of his / her studies for a period that does not exceed two consecutive semesters. The semesters of student suspension are not counted towards the expected maximum period of normal attendance.

 

C. Domain

The IMSP, entitled "SPACE TECHNOLOGIES, APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES" (Space Technologies, Applications and SeRvices - STAR), grants a Postgraduate Diploma (Master) to the following specializations:

1. Space Technology – SpaceUpstream
2. Space Applications and Services – SpaceDownstream

D. The indicative curriculum for each specialization is as follows (course titles are given in English):

Domain 1: Space Technology – Space Upstream

Α΄ SEMESTER – Common Introductory Semester
	MANDATORY COURSES	ECTS
M801.SP1B	Fundamentals of Space Missions	7,5
M802.SP1B	Fundamentals of Satellite Systems and Subsystems	7,5
M803.SP1B	Physics of the Space Environment	7,5
M804.SP1B	Fundamentals of Space Applications and Services	7,5
	SUM	30

 

B΄ SEMESTER – Space Upstream
	MANDATORY COURSES	ECTS
M805.SP1B	Space System Design	7,5
M806.SP1B	Space Data Systems	7,5
M807.SP1B	Satellite Communications	7,5
M808.SP1B	Space System Assembly, Integration and Testing - Ground Support Equipment	7,5
	SUM	30

 

C΄ SEMESTER – Elective Topics on Space Upstream
	ELECTIVE COURSES (4 TO BE SELECTED)	ECTS
M813.SP1E	Space Software	7,5
M814.SP1E	Management Issues of Space Systems and Missions	7,5
M815.SP1E	Space Automation and Robotics	7,5
M816.SP1E	Space System Avionics	7,5
M817.SP1E	Space Electronics	7,5
M818.SP1E	Space Telecom and Navigation Systems/Subsystems and Technologies	7,5
M819.SP1E	Advanced Optical Communications Systems with Space Applications.	7,5
M820.SP1E	Space System Structures	7,5
M821.SP1E	Space System Dynamics and Control	7,5
M822.SP1E	Space System Propulsion	7,5
M823.SP1E	Selective Topics on Space Upstream	7,5
	SUM	30

 

D΄ SEMESTER – Post Graduate Thesis
	MANDATORY COURSES	ECTS
M830.SP1Β	Εκπόνηση Μεταπτυχιακής Dιπλωματικής Εργασίας	30
	SUM	30

 

Domain 2: Space Applications and Services – Space Downstream

Α΄ SEMESTER – Common Introductory Semester
	MANDATORY COURSES	ECTS
M801.SP2B	Fundamentals of Space Missions	7,5
M802.SP2B	Fundamentals of Satellite Systems and Subsystems	7,5
M803.SP2B	Physics of the Space Environment	7,5
M804.SP2B	Fundamentals of Space Applications and Services	7,5
	SUM	30

 

B΄ SEMESTER – Space Downstream
	MANDATORY COURSES	ECTS
M809.SP2B	Earth Observation Applications and Services	7,5
M810.SP2B	Big Data - Earth Observation	7,5
M811.SP2B	Space Image Processing	7,5
M812.SP2B	Space Missions and Operations Design	7,5
	SUM	30

 

C΄ SEMESTER – Elective Topics on Space Downstream
	ELECTIVE COURSES (4 TO BE SELECTED)	ECTS
M813.SP2E	Space Software	7,5
M814.SP2E	Management Issues of Space Systems and Missions	7,5
M824.SP2E	Semantic Technologies for Earth Observation	7,5
M825.SP2E	Advanced Telecommunication System Applications and Services	7,5
M826.SP2E	Space Data Processing for Space Exploration	7,5
M827.SP2E	Space and Security	7,5
M828.SP2E	Economics and Policy on Space Technologies, Applications and Services	7,5
M829.SP2E	Selective Topics on Space Downstream	7,5
	SUM	30

 

D΄ SEMESTER – Post Graduate Thesis
	MANDATORY COURSES	ECTS
M830.SP2Β	Postgraduate Diploma Thesis	30
	SUM	30

 

 

 

Ε. Indicative course content:

M801.SP1B		Fundamentals of Space Missions Why Space?, Exploring Space, Space Mission Analysis, Space Environment, Orbital Mechanics, Mission and Operation Design, Communication Link Analysis, Launch Vehicles, The Business of Space
M802.SP1B		Fundamentals of Satellite Systems and Subsystems Payload and Spacecraft Design, On-Board Data Systems, Attitude and Orbit Control Systems, Communication Systems, Propulsion Systems, Thermal and Electrical Power Systems, Mechanics of Materials
M803.SP1B		Physics of the Space Environment Charged Particle Motion, Plasma Waves, Geomagnetism, Solar Eruptions, Ring Current and Van Allen Belts, Substorms and Storms, Space Weather Impacts
M804.SP1B		Fundamentals of Space Applications and Services Satellite Remote Sensing for Earth Observation, Satellite Communications, Navigation, Space Exploration, Land, Air and Naval Operations
M805.SP1B		Space System Design Electrical, Electronics, Mechanics, Thermal Control, Sensors, Actuators, Cubesat Simulator Laboratory
M806.SP1B		Space Data Systems On-Board Data System Design, VHDL for Space Design, FPGA, ASICS, Dependability and Safety, Radiation Effects Mitigation, FT IP Core Design
M807.SP1B		Satellite Communications On-Board Signal Processing, Signal Propagation, RF Modelling and Design Tools, RF Measurement, Characterization and Calibration Techniques, RF Devices
M808.SP1B		Space System Assembly, Integration and Testing - Ground Support Equipment
M813.SP1E	Space Software Requirements Definition, Software Architectures, Methods, Tools, Management, Verification and Validation, Transfer, Operations and Maintenance, and Quality
M814.SP1E	Management Issues of Space Systems and Missions Missions and Operations Design, Launch Vehicles, Project Management, PA/QA, Space Market, Space Policy and Law
M815.SP1E	Space Automation and Robotics Systems, Components, Technologies
M816.SP1E	Space System Avionics Embedded Systems Design, HLS, On-Board Software and RTOS, High Performance – Low Power Computing (multi-cores, GPUs)
M817.SP1E	Space Electronics Digital and Mixed-Signal hardware, ASIC, PCB
M818.SP1E	Space Telecom and Navigation Systems/Subsystems and Technologies Systems, Technologies, Tools, Signal Processing, Networks, Protocols and Security
M819.SP1E	Advanced Optical Communications Systems with Space Applications.
M820.SP1E	Space System Structures Materials, Beam Theory, FEM
M821.SP1E	Space System Dynamics and Control AOCS, GNC, Trajectory Design
M822.SP1E	Space System Propulsion
M823.SP1E	Selective Topics onSpace Upstream Το περιεχόμενό του προσαρμόζεται ανάλογα με τον διδάσκοντα. Σκοπό έχει να δώσει την ευκαιρία σε διακεκριμένους επισκέπτες της ημεδαπής ή της αλλοδαπής να διδάξουν σχετικά θέματα στο πεδίο ενδιαφερόντων τους.
M824.SP2E	Semantic Technologies for Earth Observation [Ontologies for Describing ΕΟ Products, Linked Data Technologies for ΕΟ data]
M825.SP2E	Advanced Telecommunication System Applications and Services GNSS, Navigation
M826.SP2E	Space Data Processing for Space Exploration
M827.SP2E	Space and Security
M828.SP2E	Economics and Policy on Space Technologies, Applications and Services
M829.SP2E	Selective Topics onSpace Downstream Το περιεχόμενό του προσαρμόζεται ανάλογα με τον διδάσκοντα. Σκοπό έχει να δώσει την ευκαιρία σε διακεκριμένους επισκέπτες της ημεδαπής ή της αλλοδαπής να διδάξουν σχετικά θέματα στο πεδίο ενδιαφερόντων τους.

EXAMINATIONS AND EVALUATION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

The academic work of each academic year is structured in two semesters of study, winter and spring, each of which includes at least 13 weeks of teaching and three weeks of exams. There are also exams for the winter and spring semester lessons during the September period.

The attendance of the courses / tutorials / workshops is obligatory. If the student's absentee rate exceeds 50% of the total number of courses, the student may be deleted from the IMSP. This issue is dealt with by the SE, which delivers an opinion to the EDE, while the final decision for deletion belongs to EDE.

The assessment of postgraduate students and their performance in the courses they are required to attend within the framework of the IMSP is carried out at the end of each semester by written or oral examinations or by the completion of projects throughout the semester. The way of assessment is determined by the teacher of each course. Scoring is done on scale 1-10. The course grade is submitted to the Secretariat of the IMSP within thirty (30) days of the end of the examination period. Course and projects examination are not allowed after the end of the examination period.

In order to acquire the Master diploma, each postgraduate student is required to attend and successfully pass all of the offered compulsory courses of the IMSP and a sufficient number of elective courses in accordance with the curriculum, as well as to prepare and successfully present the Master's thesis, assembling a total of 120 ETS.

A postgraduate student who has completed the postgraduate thesis and has failed at least twice in the examination of a course so that, as defined in the Postgraduate Studies Regulation, it is considered to have failed to complete the program and is to be deleted, he/she may to be examined by a three-member committee of DEP members of the Affiliated Institutions whose members have the same or similar subject as the subject under study and are designated by the EDE. The committee excludes the teacher of the course (par.6, article 34, law 4485/2017).

In the 4th semester of the Program, a Postgraduate Diploma Thesis is planned. The Coordinating Committee, at the request of the candidate stating the proposed title of the diploma thesis, the proposed supervisor and an attached summary of the proposed work, appoints the supervisor and establishes the three-member committee for approval of the work, one of its members which is also the supervisor (para 4, article 34, law 4485/2017).

The Supervisor of Postgraduate Diploma Thesis should be a DEP member or a researcher of any rank and participate in the IMSP. The second member of the selection board must be a DEP member or a researcher of any grade participating in the IMSP, while the third member may hold a PhD degree specialized in the subject of thesis.

The subject of postgraduate diploma thesis must have research character and be original.

The postgraduate diploma thesis must be written is English.

The instructions for writing and submitting Postgraduate Diploma Thesis (cover, logo, font, minimum-maximum number of words, etc.) can be found on the website of the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications (EKPA): http: //www.di.uoa.gr/Department/thesis.

In order to approve the work, the student has to support her before the selection board in a public presentation, which must be announced on the IMSP website at least one week before the presentation. Grading of diploma thesis (on scale 0-10) is done by the supervisor with the consent of the three-member committee.

Once the Graduate Diploma Thesis has been approved by the Selection Board, its abstract must be posted on the website of the IMSP and the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications. Also, an electronic submission of the Diploma Thesis and any accompanying material of the work to the digital repository "PERGAMOS" is done: https://pergamos.lib.uoa.gr/uoa/, according to the decisions of the Senate of EKPA.