Over the past few years, we have witnessed the rapid development of the space industry, generated mainly by many private companies and increased competition. This led to the availability of new possibilities for accessing and using outer space, which also supported the development of the aerospace sector in Bulgaria. The latter is also partly a result of Bulgaria joining the European Space Agency (ESA) as a Cooperating state. Due to the growth of the aerospace sector, many companies and government institutions are interested in it and are already looking to hire personnel trained in the field of aerospace engineering and communications. Still, the number of such young specialists is small and not sufficient for the development of companies in this field and for the emergence of new businesses. This is one of the main reasons for the creation in 2012 of the master’s program „Aerospace Engineering and Communications“ (ASEC) at the Faculty of Physics of Sofia University „St. Kliment Ohridski“ – to prepare such specialists in the aerospace field with master’s education who previously had bachelor’s training in other fields. The master’s education allows this to happen relatively fast (up to 2 years) compared to 4-year bachelor’s studies. Therefore, the program is designed with a broad enough profile that includes a unique combination of aerospace engineering and satellite communications to attract suitably educated undergraduates to enter this promising field.
The program is open to Bulgarian/EU citizens as well as to citizens of countries outside the EU. The working language during the studies is English and English language Level B2 is required. It is necessary that the average grade from the diploma of the previous form of higher education and the grade from the state exam (or thesis defense) of the candidates be at least „Good“ or equivalent. The program accepts applications from students with a bachelor’s degree in physics, mathematics, engineering, and other technical and natural sciences bachelor studies close to the program’s subject like electrical engineering, computer sciences, communication and information technologies, space engineering, space science, aviation technology, etc. The minimum undergraduate coursework must include at least 180 hours in basic undergraduate mathematics courses and at least 200 hours in basic undergraduate physics and electrical engineering courses. Applicants with deficiencies in their undergraduate curriculum may be accepted or conditionally accepted into the program at the discretion of the Head of the Program. Students, who are accepted on a conditional basis may be required to take additional classes to address coursework deficiencies.
Mandatory interview is conducted with all applicants. The applicants must contact the supervisor of the programm and schedule an interview before or during the application process.
The candidates for government subsidized education must pass an entrance exam in the field. The topics for the entrance exam and previous exams can be found HERE.
The candidates for payed education are not required to pass an exam, but still required to conduct an interview.
Candidates having 3-year bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply under certain conditions.
For more information about the application and acceptance procedure, contact the supervisor of the program: Assoc. Prof. Stanimir Kolev, PhD, e-mail: skolev@phys.uni-sofia.bg, asec@phys.uni-sofia.bg.
Description of the educational content
The master’s program „Aerospace Engineering and Communications“ (ASEC) was launched in the academic year 2012/13 and has already accumulated considerable experience in training in the field. In 2021 the program went through a major update following the successful completion of the educational project “SpaceEdu4BG” which was supported and peer-reviewed by the European Space Agency through the PECS program. ASEC takes place in the Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, which is the faculty with the highest rank in the international university rankings, among all higher education institutions in Bulgaria. The research activity in the faculty is at а high level and represents a solid basis for training and development in space technologies. Over the years, many motivated and capable students have been trained, some of whom have already achieved successful career in the space field.
As part of their studies, graduates of ASEC acquire knowledge in the fields of aerospace engineering and wireless and satellite communications, covering the main activities of the modern space industry. In aerospace engineering, knowledge is acquired in the field of space physics, space weather and its influence on space and ground infrastructure, space methods of research and analysis, materials with aerospace applications, aerodynamics, orbital dynamics, space mission design and analysis, small spacecraft design and manufacture, spacecraft thrusters, navigation, telemetry, satellite power systems, etc.
The curriculum of the Aerospace Engineering and Communications program contains a wide variety of student learning opportunities with emphasis on practices. The structure of the program includes 8 compulsory disciplines, covering the basic knowledge in the field, as well as numerous elective disciplines, course projects, practices and internships. In the first semester, only compulsory courses are studied, which should give the foundation for better understanding of the subsequent courses. In the second semester, 2 compulsory and at least 3 elective subjects are studied. In the third semester there is 1 compulsory course, and all others are elective, which allows the students to choose the disciplines that fit their informed interest the best. An important part of the training is the course projects in the first three semesters, building solid practical skills through independent work in designing satellite mission segments and subsystems. The goal of the course projects is to give the students the opportunity to research areas that are relevant to current trends in aerospace technology solutions. All course project topics are proposed by the students, approved by the responsible educator and could serve as preparatory work for the final master thesis. The master thesis is prepared in the fourth semester. Also, in the last fourth semester there is mandatory practice in aerospace engineering and communications, which includes internships in space related companies or practice in research and development laboratories. The number of specialized elective courses is 20 in total, but students have the opportunity to also choose a course from the wide variety of courses of other master’s programs in the Faculty of Physics.
The ASEC program is full-time study, the period is 2 years or 4 semesters and total of 120 ECTS credits. It includes 945 teaching hours with total of 74 ECTS credits. The training includes practical training or internship (15 ECTS credits) and course projects (16 ECTS credits) and thesis defense (15 ECTS credits). The well-chosen teaching team consists of academics and professionals from the aerospace industry and has extensive experience in the field.
Graduates of the „Aerospace Engineering and Communications“ program are prepared for practical work in the design, integration, assembly and maintenance of small aerospace devices and their communication equipment. In addition, they have both a general and a specific knowledge of the main applications of these devices, as well as the ability to propose and develop new applications.
Graduates of the master’s program receive solid knowledge and can work in companies and institutions in fields related to the integration and maintenance of small satellites and unmanned aerial systems, design and production of parts and subsystems for satellites, processing of satellite data and images, satellite navigation and telemetry (GPS systems), satellite communications, wireless and wired networks, electronics and information technology. They can continue their education as PhD students and apply for teaching positions.
The principles underlying the Master’s program „Aerospace Engineering and Communications“, namely: interdisciplinarity, practical-oriented training, training with the help of a mixed team of university professors and well-prepared business specialists, compliance with the specific requirements of the growing aerospace and communication sector at any moment, and the wide-profile admission, provide serious prospects for the realization of the graduates of the ASEC master’s program in Bulgaria and abroad.
They can be employed as specialists in various companies, state enterprises, agencies, etc., in positions related to the design, creation, maintenance, operation and applications of systems, devices and standards in the field of aero and space engineering, wireless communications, communication networks, satellite communication systems, optical networks and systems, etc. They may work as communication network and data transmission specialists in telecommunications companies or other businesses. They can work as managers in various companies and state institutions related to aerospace, communication, and information technologies. They can work as researchers or teachers in scientific institutes and universities.
The ASEC master’s program is in active collaboration with industry partners like EnduroSat, BulgariaSat, Sfera Technologies, RaySat Bulgaria (Gilat), Fluid Codes, and others, who provide feedback for the state-of-art in space technologies.
The program is actively supported by the EnduroSat company – a world leading satellite manufacturer and space service provider satellite and space service provider. Several professionals from EnduroSat participate in the training activities of the program. Moreover, some of the student’s practices take place in the high-tech test and assembly laboratories of EnduroSat.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at skolev@phys.uni-sofia.bg, asec@phys.uni-sofia.bg.
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