MSc Satellite Data for Sustainable Development
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | - |
Program Overview
Why this course?
Our MSc Satellite Data for Sustainable Development is a globally unique Masters degree which embraces the UN Sustainable Development Goals to offer a cross-disciplinary approach to the teaching of satellite applications, space system design, data science and sustainability.
The applied learning activities of the MSc programme is strategically aligned with the goals and interests of the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Sustainable Development, to give students a wider exposure to the global movement that surrounds the 17 UN SDGs.
The course will have a focus on the practical use of satellite data in direct applications to SDGs through the analysis of case studies and engagement, through student projects and invited talks with start-ups and NGOs actively working in the field.
Students will gain an insight into the broad use of satellite data across various industries and will be equipped with the necessary technical skills and critical thinking to understand the challenges we are facing globally and develop innovative solutions, through project-based learning (some of them group-based) and a final individual project.
Program Outline
Course content
You'll take 180 credits made up of 120 credits of taught modules and the 60-credit individual project. The 12-month full-time course spans three semesters as follows:
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) (10 credits)
This practical-based class provides a thorough introduction to the rapidly growing field of Geographical Information Science. The class covers the key theoretical principles but also provides many computer-based exercises using current state-of-the-art Geographical Information Systems (GIS) – namely IDRISI and ArcGIS. The class evaluates how GIS can be used for spatial query and analysis, while at the same time assessing the quality and the effectiveness of the resultant products in terms of their use. Teaching staff: Dr Elsa João
Satellite Data Assimilation & Analysis (10 credits)
This class is designed to provide students with an understanding on available satellite datasets, their characteristics, processing and visualisation methods and tools, descriptive analytics methods. The class is designed to provide theoretical foundations, as well as hands on exercises.
Machine Learning for Satellite Data (10 credits)
This class is designed to provide the students with the theoretical and practical foundations on the applications of machine learning methods to satellite data for prediction, classification, clustering and time series analysis.
Satellite Applications for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (20 credits)
The class introduces the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and will explore in depth multidisciplinary perspective of responding to the challenges of four particular goals, namely: SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities and SGD 13 Climate Action. Through focused study of these four SDGs, students will gain an understanding of the different ways in which various disciplines in Business, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science, can contribute to addressing these challenges.
The second part of the course, that will run in parallel with the first one, is focused on providing students with a practical understanding of the application of satellite data to SDGs and the sustainability of data gathering itself. This articulates in a series of invited lectures from academics from other departments, private practitioners and governmental representatives; and a series of tutorials where notable success stories on the topic will be analysed and discussed in terms of results achieved, impact and technology demonstrated.
Individual project (60 credits)
60 credits, during Summer and Sept Semester
In addition to taught modules, students are expected to conduct an individual research project which may be an industry-themed project or one aligned to engineering research at Strathclyde. Students can also self-propose projects if there is any application of satellite data that they are really interested in exploring further.
The following optional module selections will be provided to students. The selection of these modules has been discussed and agreed with each of the departments in involved in running the modules.
Entrepreneurship/Business/Management
Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Commercialisation (10 credits)
This class aims to provide engineers and scientists with a better understanding of what it takes to create and grow technology-based businesses. Specifically it aims to provide you with:
New Venture Planning (10 credits)
This class is designed to provide a practical introduction to business modelling and understanding how new ventures are developed. The class is multi-disciplinary in nature and integrates within it the main business disciplines. It focuses upon the processes within new businesses but draws comparisons with larger organisations and as such introduces a more entrepreneurial approach to the career patterns of individuals who pursue careers in larger organisations.
The class will not follow the more traditional lecture pattern but will be highly interactive with class participants being involved in individual and group activities which will encourage creative thinking and 'learning by doing' in addressing the real opportunities and challenges that face the first-time entrepreneur.
This class considers the nature of business planning and deals with the business planning process. It is a project-based course in which students, working in small groups, research and develop a business plan for a new venture. Students will select a business idea and develop it into a business model. In the final weeks of the course, each group will showcase a video presentation of their plan and will be questioned by an 'enterprise panel' about aspects of this business model.
Project Management (10 credits)
This module provides students with skills relating to the use of engineering practices in Project Management with particular respect to the effective and efficient use of resources. The syllabus includes an introduction to project management techniques and project control, project networks including critical path analysis, procedural and graphical presentation techniques, an introduction to Contract Law and project budgetary control.
Risk Management (10 credits)
Under Health and Safety legislation, and under the wider European Post-Seveso Directives, it is mandatory for many industries to carry out risk assessments with the aim of showing that risk is As Low As Reasonably Practicable. This module introduces the fundamental techniques of risk analysis and risk-informed decision making. Students will learn the general principles of methods and their place in risk management, as well as the chance to develop skills in applying these methods to variety of engineering examples.
Machine Learning & Data Analysis (10 credits)
Big Data Fundamentals (10 credits)
The aim of this module is to give students:
Machine Learning for Data Analytics (20 credits)
The aim of this class is to equip students with a sound understanding of the principles of machine learning and a range of popular approaches, along with the knowledge of how to apply the techniques. The class will teach the students how to:
Database Development (10 credits)
This module builds on a basic understanding of the relational database approach, covering more complex SQL query design and efficient execution, as well as transactional design using database triggers/stored procedures or by embedding SQL code within other programming environments. Upon completion you will:
Legal, Ethical & Professional Issues (10 Credits)
This module aims to ensure that you're aware of the legal, social, ethical and professional issues commensurate with the practice of Information Systems Engineering.
On completion of the module, you'll be able to:
Database & Web Systems Development (20 credits)
The aims of this class are to help you:
Big Data Tools & Techniques (10 credits)
This module will enhance your understanding of the challenges posed by the advent of Big Data and will introduce you to scalable solutions for data storage and usage.
You can expect to learn about:
Database Fundamentals (10 credits)
This module will provide you with conceptual and practical understanding of data modelling, database design, and database technology. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of key database concepts underpinning big data tools and technologies. After completing the module you'll:
Urban Design
Studio (10 credits)
We generally use Glasgow as a living laboratory for our studio project. Our City is an example of a European metropolis experiencing change and globalisation,. You will learn to develop appropriate strategies for resilient sustainable urban development, encompassing social, political, economic, environmental, architectural, aesthetic and psychological aspects. You'll work on the design of a complex urban area, generally on commission of a real client (local authority, housing association, community group or private developer). In addition you'll work at the interconnected levels of the entire city, the neighbourhood and the individual public space defined by urban architecture.
Studio meets once a week in Semesters 1 and 2 with design development work taking place between sessions. You'll work in multidisciplinary teams of architects, planners, geographers and economists, in the same way you'll do in practice. Work is fast-paced but also in-depth. You'll have considerable responsibility (ie presenting to clients and organising public events), but it is also a lot of fun.
Urban Landscape Design (10 credits)
You'll look at the impact of the urban landscape on human wellbeing and perception and the role of ecological networks as an integral part of urban form.
Sustainability (10 credits)
We'll cover the impact of growth on social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Civil & Environmental (10 credits)
Air Pollution, Climate Change & Human Health (10 credits)
In this class, run by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, you'll gain the knowledge and skills on atmospheric pollution and climate change impacts, ranging from local to global scales. The class includes a focus on the assessment and management of environmental impacts on people through the interface between environmental science and engineering activities that mitigate environmental risks. Learning objectives are assessed through a formative portfolio covering the main syllabus areas. Student interaction is encouraged throughout the class through structured feedback sessions, directed reading, student-led question sessions & directed questions sessions.
Environmental impact assessment (10 credits)
This class provides an introduction to the methods used to predict environmental impacts and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions. The use of EIA as a design tool and how EIA can be used to enhance positive impacts is discussed in detail. The class draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment of individual projects (project EIA), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations. Students are also introduced to key principles of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
Circular Economy & Transformations Towards Sustainability (10 credits)
The class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, introduces circular economy as a systems-based concept in which production is designed to be restorative and resilient, while waste is designed out of the system. Circular economy is thus featured as a reaction to the conventional dispensation of the linear ‘make-use-dispose’ economy, and as a framework for the development and management of a sustainable, ‘waste-as-a-resource’ economic system. The implications of the concept for research, policy and industrial practice are also explored as these relate to innovation and knowledge production; social trends and consumer behaviour; conservation and sustainable use of energy and material resources; climate change and environmental sustainability; and design of business models for green enterprise development and for sustainable growth and employment generation.
Energy Systems
Energy Resources & Policy (10 credits)
Against the background of international commitments on atmospheric emissions, diminishing fossil fuel resources, renewable energy systems deployment and the liberalisation of energy markets, this module examines sustainable options for energy production, supply and consumption. The aim is to give students an understanding of current trends in the energy market, and to enable a critical evaluation of emerging ideas, technologies and policies especially in relation to new and renewable energy supply systems.
Energy Modelling & Monitoring (10 credits)
This module provides an understanding of the theoretical and operational principles underlying simulation modelling of energy supply and demand systems and their environmental impact. The emphasis is on practical computer lab-based modelling exercises. It covers detailed energy system simulation, supply-demand matching, energy management and monitoring.
Renewable Marine Energy Systems (10 credits)
TBC
Spaceflight Mechanics (10 credits)
This class is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of spaceflight mechanics, including both orbit and attitude dynamics. The classic two-body problem is solved then used to investigate various modes of orbit transfer and attitude stabilisation for both spin- and 3-axis stabilised spacecraft. The various elements of the class will be brought together to illustrate the mission analysis and design process.
Spaceflight Systems (10 credits)
This class is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of spaceflight systems. An overview of the complete spacecraft lifecycle from proposal, through delivery and operations is covered, along with the function and purpose of the spacecraft sub-system level components. The various elements of the class are brought together through the production of competitive proposals for a typical spaceflight system development program.
Energy Systems Analysis (10 credits)
This module aims to impart an understanding of the underpinning theoretical principles and practical calculation methods for analysis of energy systems and an appreciation of how these systems are integrated in practical applications. Emphasis is on heat transfer and thermodynamic cycles. The underlying principles and analysis methods are appropriate for both renewable and non-renewable energy systems.
Renewable Marine Energy Systems (10 credits)
This module aims to provide you with:
This module covers:
At the end of this module you'll be able to:
Assessment and feedback are in the form of:
Learning & teaching
You'll select from a combination of specialist and compulsory modules. The specialist modules focus on different technical aspects allowing tailored learning to suit individual needs. The compulsory modules provide the core key skills which are considered necessary for professionals in satellite data science.
To qualify for the MSc, you'll undertake an individual project which allows for the development of your own idea on the application of satellite data to provide an economically viable solution to one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The projects will be supported by academic and, where possible, industry advisors to enable you to complete your projects successfully within the prescribed period.
Assessment
The course is assessed through written exams, groups and individual presentations, group and individual projects and the final individual project.
Careers
High-calibre professionals with satellite applications or data skills are in demand throughout the world.
This course provides the skills to exploit the knowledge gained to meet the global industrial demand for highly-qualified people in the area of satellite applications, data science, and development organisations targeted at the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It's particularly suitable for graduates in the following sectors:
We work closely with the University Careers Service which offers advice and guidance on career planning and looking for and applying for jobs. In addition, they administer and publicise graduate and work experience opportunities.
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in Glasgow
Entry requirements
| Academic requirements |
Normally a first-class or second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in either Engineering, Science, Public Policy, Law, and Business. Other qualifications may also be considered provided there is evidence of capacity for postgraduate study. Programming knowledge is not required to apply for this programme. Students should hold an aptitude for programming and data analytics, as this will serve them well when studying these subjects areas during their programme. |
|---|---|
| English language requirements |
If English is not your first language, please visit our English language requirements page for full details of the requirements in place before making your application. |
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non EU/UK) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde. The Pre-Masters programme provides progression to a number of degree options.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
International students
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