AROUND THE WORLD, AND BEYOND
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
AROUND THE WORLD, AND BEYOND If you’re curious about how our world works, want to understand the universe and help humanity explore it, Curtin can advance your journey to a successful and rewarding career in engineering and science – which could see you working almost anywhere.
ENGINEERING FOR SPACE
CURTIN GRADUATE BUILDS ZERO-G ROBOTS FOR NASA
If you see yourself building, designing or driving the next rover on Mars, an engineering degree could help you get there.
For Curtin Mechatronic Engineering graduate and NASA employee, Robert Reid, rollercoaster manoeuvres in a zero gravity aircraft are simply part and parcel of his job. As one of the main engineers on a project developing mobility techniques for robots, Robert hopes to see his work improve how robots land and move around on the surface of comets and asteroids.
Engineers play a vital role in helping astronomers, astronauts and scientists explore and prepare for space. Sputnik, the Apollo Program, the space shuttle, Philae, and the International Space Station were made possible thanks to the work of engineers. From mechanical engineers who design spacecraft landing systems and power systems, to software and computer engineers who create the commands that operate a spacecraft or allow off-world robots to move autonomously, engineering is a versatile profession that opens doors on Earth and beyond. Explore Curtin’s range of engineering courses at curtin.edu/scieng/engineering
So far, Robert and his team have successfully tested two prototypes – nicknamed ‘Hedgehogs’ – aboard NASA’s C-9 aircraft for microgravity research. “The final frontiers in engineering and science are either looking outwards into the solar system or inwards into nanotechnologies,” says Robert. “I’m particularly hopeful to see humanity moving out and colonising the solar system in the near future.” If you can see yourself building robots like Robert’s, visit curtin.edu/scieng/robotics to find out how a Curtin Mechatronic Engineering degree and a PhD could help you get there.
Make tomorrow better.
scieng.curtin.edu.au
FIREBALLS IN THE SKY A Curtin team of engineers and geologists have joined forces with citizen scientists to track down meteorites thanks to a new app: Fireballs in the Sky. With the app you can report your own meteor sightings to Curtin scientists, who help track the trajectories of meteors, and find out where they came from and where they land on Earth. The program recently helped Curtin scientists recover a 1.7 kilogram meteorite in South Australia, estimated to be more than 4.5 billion years old – older than Earth itself! WHY STUDY METEORITES? Most meteorites contain minerals that have been frozen in place for billions of years, while others come from fragments of asteroids, comets and other planets. Studying the internal structure of a meteorite helps scientists find out which kind of asteroid it belongs to, and aids their understanding of how asteroids and planets were formed, giving further insight into the evolution of our solar system. Want to get involved? Visit fireballsinthesky.com.au and download the app for iOS or Android.
INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN ENGINEERING OR PHYSICAL SCIENCE? Curtin offers a wide range of degrees from nine majors in engineering through to physical sciences such as chemistry, physics and geophysics. At Curtin we focus on hands-on learning and encourage you to find more than one way to solve a problem. Curtin has both a national and international reputation for high-quality research and our teaching incorporates the latest research findings from around the world. In the Federal Government’s Excellence in Research Australia evaluation, Curtin was rated above, or well above, world standard for 26 different areas of research. We also received the highest possible rating in the fields of astronomical and space science, physical chemistry, geochemistry, geology, and electrical and electronic engineering. The CWST Leiden Rankings 2015 also placed Curtin fifth in Australia for Physical Sciences and Engineering. This ranking is exclusively focused on scientific performance and is based on the number of Curtin publications that were in the top ten per cent of the most frequently cited publications in the field of Physical Sciences and Engineering. As a Curtin student, you can take your learning beyond the classroom with industry site visits, work experience and internships. By the time you graduate you can have the skills and knowledge to help you take the first step towards a global career. For a full list of our courses visit curtin.edu/scieng
A MAJOR WITH MANY FACES Physics graduates can have some of the most exciting jobs throughout their careers, especially if they choose postgraduate study following a physics degree. You could aspire to unravel the secrets of some of the universe’s strangest phenomena as an astronomer, work to develop quantum technology as a computational physicist or study the atmosphere, climate change and storm cells as a meteorologist. curtin.edu/scieng/physics DID YOU KNOW? Sixty per cent of NASA’s job positions are in professional, engineering and scientific areas. Roles include mechanical, mechatronic, aerospace and computer engineering, computer science, biology and meteorology.
WORLD’S LARGEST RADIO TELESCOPE As an international leader in the field of radio astronomy, Curtin University is playing a major role in preparing Australia for the arrival of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which is set to become the largest and most capable radio telescope ever constructed. The university leads the SKA precursor project, the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), a revolutionary low-frequency radio telescope that is playing a vital role in developing the SKA’s lowfrequency technology. The MWA and SKA will allow astronomers to look further back in time than ever before, to the beginning of the universe and help us understand some of the universe’s strangest phenomena such as black holes and pulsars. curtin.edu/scieng/astronomy
DISCOVER THE RED PLANET MISSIONS TO MARS: FREE PUBLIC LECTURE FROM NASA Wednesday 23 March 2016 Curtin University will host NASA’s Dr Ravi Margasahayam who will speak about past, present and future exploration missions to Mars. He will share his first-hand experience working on missions at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre and highlight the ongoing exploration of the red planet as the search for ancient life, water and habitability continues. The presentation will also cover the design, development and operation of NASA’s Space Launch System program for capturing asteroids and sending humans to Mars.
ABOUT DR RAVI MARGASAHAYAM Dr Ravi Margarsahayam has worked as an engineer with NASA for the past 25 years. Based at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, he is the co-chair of the Ground Safety Review Panel and is responsible for ensuring the safety of the International Space Station and all the cargo and payloads sent to it. Over the course of his NASA career, Dr Margasahayam has worked on many programs including the space shuttle rocket families Atlas, Delta and Titan, and the X-33 prototype for a single-stage-to-orbit rocket plane. He has been involved in creating a new generation of launch vehicles in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, and has helped develop heavy lift launch vehicles capable of carrying large payloads (such as an entire space station) into the Earth’s orbit. Dr Ravi Margasahayam
In 1999, Dr Margasahayam helped send the STARDUST spacecraft to collect comet dust from Comet Wild 2, and in 2009 was involved the Ares 1-X project, a prototype of the Ares I designed to one-day launch a crew to Mars.
FUN FACTS DID YOU KNOW? On Mars, you’d experience
62.5%
less gravity than you’re used to on Earth. Source: mars.nasa.gov
WEIGHTY ISSUES Because Mars has less mass and therefore less gravity, a
70KG PERSON WOULD ONLY WEIGH 26KG ON MARS. Source: mars.nasa.gov
HALF THE SIZE
A LONG YEAR
The diameter of Mars is about half of Earth’s, but because Mars has no oceans, its land area is similar to that of Earth.
w
HOW’S THE AIR? Earth’s atmosphere is over
100 TIMES denser than Mars’.
A YEAR ON MARS IS 687 EARTH DAYS.
For more information FUTURE STUDENTS CENTRE Tel: +61 8 9266 1000 Email: [email protected] Web: futurestudents.curtin.edu.au
LARGEST VOLCANO Mars is home to the largest volcano in the solar system.
Disclaimer and copyright information Information in this publication is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change. In particular, the University reserves the right to change the content and/or method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program. This material does not consist of legal or professional advice. Curtin accepts no responsibility for and makes no representations, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability in any respect of any material in this publication. Except to the extent mandated otherwise by legislation, Curtin University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any reliance which may be placed on this material by any person.
Curtin will not be liable to you or to any other person for any loss or damage (including direct, consequential or economic loss or damage) however caused and whether by negligence or otherwise which may result directly or indirectly from the use of this publication. For important updates to the information in this publication, including the latest course and fee information, please visit international.curtin.edu.au © Curtin University 2016. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968, this material may not be reproduced, stored or transmitted without the permission of the copyright owner. All enquiries must be directed to Curtin University. Published by Curtin University 2016. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J 2079SE
AROUND THE WORLD, AND BEYOND If you’re curious about how our world works, want to understand the universe and help humanity explore it, Curtin can advance your journey to a successful and rewarding career in engineering and science – which could see you working almost anywhere.
ENGINEERING FOR SPACE
CURTIN GRADUATE BUILDS ZERO-G ROBOTS FOR NASA
If you see yourself building, designing or driving the next rover on Mars, an engineering degree could help you get there.
For Curtin Mechatronic Engineering graduate and NASA employee, Robert Reid, rollercoaster manoeuvres in a zero gravity aircraft are simply part and parcel of his job. As one of the main engineers on a project developing mobility techniques for robots, Robert hopes to see his work improve how robots land and move around on the surface of comets and asteroids.
Engineers play a vital role in helping astronomers, astronauts and scientists explore and prepare for space. Sputnik, the Apollo Program, the space shuttle, Philae, and the International Space Station were made possible thanks to the work of engineers. From mechanical engineers who design spacecraft landing systems and power systems, to software and computer engineers who create the commands that operate a spacecraft or allow off-world robots to move autonomously, engineering is a versatile profession that opens doors on Earth and beyond. Explore Curtin’s range of engineering courses at curtin.edu/scieng/engineering
So far, Robert and his team have successfully tested two prototypes – nicknamed ‘Hedgehogs’ – aboard NASA’s C-9 aircraft for microgravity research. “The final frontiers in engineering and science are either looking outwards into the solar system or inwards into nanotechnologies,” says Robert. “I’m particularly hopeful to see humanity moving out and colonising the solar system in the near future.” If you can see yourself building robots like Robert’s, visit curtin.edu/scieng/robotics to find out how a Curtin Mechatronic Engineering degree and a PhD could help you get there.
Make tomorrow better.
scieng.curtin.edu.au
FIREBALLS IN THE SKY A Curtin team of engineers and geologists have joined forces with citizen scientists to track down meteorites thanks to a new app: Fireballs in the Sky. With the app you can report your own meteor sightings to Curtin scientists, who help track the trajectories of meteors, and find out where they came from and where they land on Earth. The program recently helped Curtin scientists recover a 1.7 kilogram meteorite in South Australia, estimated to be more than 4.5 billion years old – older than Earth itself! WHY STUDY METEORITES? Most meteorites contain minerals that have been frozen in place for billions of years, while others come from fragments of asteroids, comets and other planets. Studying the internal structure of a meteorite helps scientists find out which kind of asteroid it belongs to, and aids their understanding of how asteroids and planets were formed, giving further insight into the evolution of our solar system. Want to get involved? Visit fireballsinthesky.com.au and download the app for iOS or Android.
INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN ENGINEERING OR PHYSICAL SCIENCE? Curtin offers a wide range of degrees from nine majors in engineering through to physical sciences such as chemistry, physics and geophysics. At Curtin we focus on hands-on learning and encourage you to find more than one way to solve a problem. Curtin has both a national and international reputation for high-quality research and our teaching incorporates the latest research findings from around the world. In the Federal Government’s Excellence in Research Australia evaluation, Curtin was rated above, or well above, world standard for 26 different areas of research. We also received the highest possible rating in the fields of astronomical and space science, physical chemistry, geochemistry, geology, and electrical and electronic engineering. The CWST Leiden Rankings 2015 also placed Curtin fifth in Australia for Physical Sciences and Engineering. This ranking is exclusively focused on scientific performance and is based on the number of Curtin publications that were in the top ten per cent of the most frequently cited publications in the field of Physical Sciences and Engineering. As a Curtin student, you can take your learning beyond the classroom with industry site visits, work experience and internships. By the time you graduate you can have the skills and knowledge to help you take the first step towards a global career. For a full list of our courses visit curtin.edu/scieng
A MAJOR WITH MANY FACES Physics graduates can have some of the most exciting jobs throughout their careers, especially if they choose postgraduate study following a physics degree. You could aspire to unravel the secrets of some of the universe’s strangest phenomena as an astronomer, work to develop quantum technology as a computational physicist or study the atmosphere, climate change and storm cells as a meteorologist. curtin.edu/scieng/physics DID YOU KNOW? Sixty per cent of NASA’s job positions are in professional, engineering and scientific areas. Roles include mechanical, mechatronic, aerospace and computer engineering, computer science, biology and meteorology.
WORLD’S LARGEST RADIO TELESCOPE As an international leader in the field of radio astronomy, Curtin University is playing a major role in preparing Australia for the arrival of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which is set to become the largest and most capable radio telescope ever constructed. The university leads the SKA precursor project, the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), a revolutionary low-frequency radio telescope that is playing a vital role in developing the SKA’s lowfrequency technology. The MWA and SKA will allow astronomers to look further back in time than ever before, to the beginning of the universe and help us understand some of the universe’s strangest phenomena such as black holes and pulsars. curtin.edu/scieng/astronomy
DISCOVER THE RED PLANET MISSIONS TO MARS: FREE PUBLIC LECTURE FROM NASA Wednesday 23 March 2016 Curtin University will host NASA’s Dr Ravi Margasahayam who will speak about past, present and future exploration missions to Mars. He will share his first-hand experience working on missions at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre and highlight the ongoing exploration of the red planet as the search for ancient life, water and habitability continues. The presentation will also cover the design, development and operation of NASA’s Space Launch System program for capturing asteroids and sending humans to Mars.
ABOUT DR RAVI MARGASAHAYAM Dr Ravi Margarsahayam has worked as an engineer with NASA for the past 25 years. Based at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, he is the co-chair of the Ground Safety Review Panel and is responsible for ensuring the safety of the International Space Station and all the cargo and payloads sent to it. Over the course of his NASA career, Dr Margasahayam has worked on many programs including the space shuttle rocket families Atlas, Delta and Titan, and the X-33 prototype for a single-stage-to-orbit rocket plane. He has been involved in creating a new generation of launch vehicles in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, and has helped develop heavy lift launch vehicles capable of carrying large payloads (such as an entire space station) into the Earth’s orbit. Dr Ravi Margasahayam
In 1999, Dr Margasahayam helped send the STARDUST spacecraft to collect comet dust from Comet Wild 2, and in 2009 was involved the Ares 1-X project, a prototype of the Ares I designed to one-day launch a crew to Mars.
FUN FACTS DID YOU KNOW? On Mars, you’d experience
62.5%
less gravity than you’re used to on Earth. Source: mars.nasa.gov
WEIGHTY ISSUES Because Mars has less mass and therefore less gravity, a
70KG PERSON WOULD ONLY WEIGH 26KG ON MARS. Source: mars.nasa.gov
HALF THE SIZE
A LONG YEAR
The diameter of Mars is about half of Earth’s, but because Mars has no oceans, its land area is similar to that of Earth.
w
HOW’S THE AIR? Earth’s atmosphere is over
100 TIMES denser than Mars’.
A YEAR ON MARS IS 687 EARTH DAYS.
For more information FUTURE STUDENTS CENTRE Tel: +61 8 9266 1000 Email: [email protected] Web: futurestudents.curtin.edu.au
LARGEST VOLCANO Mars is home to the largest volcano in the solar system.
Disclaimer and copyright information Information in this publication is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change. In particular, the University reserves the right to change the content and/or method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program. This material does not consist of legal or professional advice. Curtin accepts no responsibility for and makes no representations, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability in any respect of any material in this publication. Except to the extent mandated otherwise by legislation, Curtin University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any reliance which may be placed on this material by any person.
Curtin will not be liable to you or to any other person for any loss or damage (including direct, consequential or economic loss or damage) however caused and whether by negligence or otherwise which may result directly or indirectly from the use of this publication. For important updates to the information in this publication, including the latest course and fee information, please visit international.curtin.edu.au © Curtin University 2016. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968, this material may not be reproduced, stored or transmitted without the permission of the copyright owner. All enquiries must be directed to Curtin University. Published by Curtin University 2016. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J 2079SE
