Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Avionics)

Overview

• Study the design, development, manufacture and maintenance of the electronic systems of aeroplanes, helicopters, spacecraft, satellites and uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• Learn in the field with trips to the facilities of industry leaders such as Boeing Australia, ATC, RAAF Base, and Australian Aerospace.
• Specialise in aerodynamics, aircraft control systems, avionics navigation and communications, aircraft and satellite system design.
• Graduate with an internationally recognised qualification.

Details

Aerospace avionics engineering is concerned with design, development, manufacture and maintenance work on the electronic systems of military and civilian aeroplanes, helicopters, spacecraft, satellites and uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs). If you are interested in how things work, space and flight, technology, electronics and aircraft systems, an aerospace avionics career could be for you.

Explore your options

Your engineering degree features a common first year that combines broad foundation principles with a wide range of specialisation choices, giving you flexibility and options before you choose your career specialisation.

Why choose this specialisation?

This course is a unique offering in Australia. You will learn about aerodynamics, aircraft control systems, avionics navigation and communications, and specialise in the design of electronic systems for aircraft and satellite systems using systems engineering methodology. QUT is a major player in national avionics research, and has strong partnerships with government and industry. Students will be involved in research projects such as fixed-wing UAV and rotorcraft, aerospace vision systems, aircraft control systems and autopilot design.

Field trips to Boeing Australia, Air Services Australia, ATC, Royal Australian Air Force Base and Australian Aerospace provide you with a first-hand view of aerospace avionics. You will also interact and engage with engineers and researchers at QUT’s Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation.

Career outcomes

As an aerospace avionics graduate you will be involved in work at the leading edge of technology in an international industry. You may be employed by the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy or by government bodies such as the Defence Research Centre and the Civil Aviation Authority. There are also career opportunities with aerospace companies such as Boeing, Australian Aerospace, Raytheon and aircraft maintenance and aeronautical consulting services. Opportunities outside aerospace also exist in the areas of electronics, communications, process control, instrument manufacture and automotive equipment.

Professional recognition

This course has professional accreditation from Engineers Australia (EA). EA is a signatory to the Washington Accord, which permits graduates to work in various countries across the world. The aerospace avionics course is widely recognised professionally and internationally, giving QUT graduates more career opportunites overseas. This course has close links with local and overseas industries. It is also recognised by many international professional institutions.

Units

Work Integrated Learning unit

Students must complete 60 days approved industrial experience in an engineering environment, including 10 days specialist experience in the avionics industry as part of the Work Integrated Learning unit.

Your course

Year 1

Common first-year units include the foundation of engineering mathematics, basic principles of sustainability, electrical engineering, engineering mechanics, engineering design and engineering materials. These units provide a strong, fundamental overview of the three engineering streams: civil, electrical and mechanical.

Year 2

A solid grounding in the basic terminology and work practices commonly employed in the aerospace industry provide an understanding of air, spacecraft flight control principles and safety aspects of aviation. Exciting wind tunnel tests and understanding of Mach number effects, fundamentals of aircraft performance, estimating range and endurance, take off and landing calculations and light envelopes also feature.

Year 3

Emphasis on the flight control systems of modern aircraft, which is one of the primary subsystems. You are introduced to methods for modelling the dynamic behaviour of aircraft, missiles and spacecraft, and criteria for stability. Systems engineering methodologies and techniques are applied to aerospace engineering projects such as design and operation of a fully autonomous micro air vehicle or rocket.

Year 4

Advanced concepts such as spacecraft guidance and navigation, orbit and altitude determination, dynamics for low earth satellites and also the dynamics of rocket ascent trajectories. Relevant RF and applied electromagnetic aerospace radio radar systems and navigation systems for aircraft are explored. You undertake a one-year project and work integrated learning.

Entry requirements

Minimum academic requirements

Did you complete secondary school in Australia?

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

These scholarships are available for this course:

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