ObjectivesThe term 'Computer Aided Engineering' (CAE) covers the use of computers in all activities from the design through to the manufacture of a product. It is a fast-moving subject of crucial importance to industry. Its main focus of attention is on the generation of computer understandable product descriptions (which have come to replace the traditional engineering drawing) and their applications in a manufacturing environment. Cranfield University’s MSc option in Advanced Engineering Analysis and Design is designed to equip you with the skills required to persue a successful career working in rapidly expanding engineering IT industry sector both in the UK and overseas. Typically, graduates are employed by software houses and consultancies, or by CAD/CAM and other engineering companies in software development roles and industrial research.
Course descriptionAdvanced Engineering Analysis and Design
(Option of MSc in Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering)
Focus on your interests
Following a series of core modules providing grounding in computational and software techniques, you can select optional modules and a research project to tailor the course to your specific interests and career aspirations.
Develop your career
This course is directed by an industrial advisory panel who ensure that it provides generic hands-on skills and up-to-date knowledge adaptable to the wide variety of applications that this field addresses. And with 95% of Cranfield graduates securing relevant employment within six months of graduation, you can sure that your qualification will be valued and respected by employers.
Benefit from our expertise
Cranfield University is a leader in applied mathematics and computing applications. Knowledge gained working with our clients is continually fed back into the teaching programme, to ensure that you benefit from the very latest knowledge and techniques.
Access unique facilities
As a Cranfield student you will have access to our range of outstanding research facilities for research work. These include the Cambridge-Cranfield High Performance Computing Facility and Centre of Grid Computing facilities.
Study full or part-time
This course is also available on a part-time basis, enabling you to combine studying alongside full-time employment. This is enhanced by a three-stage programme from a Postgraduate Certificate to Postgraduate Diploma through to an MSc.
Structure
The Advanced Engineering Analysis and Design option of the MSc in Computational and Software Techniques in engineering course consists of three parts: core modules, specialist modules and individual research thesis.
Core modules
Students begin by following a set of five core modules:
* C Programming
* Management for Technology
* Computational Methods
* Computer Graphics/GUIs
* Object Oriented Programming in C++.
Specialist Modules
The specialist modules are designed to provide students with the programming techniques required to write core CAE software. In this way, students are prepared for the MSc research thesis.
The module options are as follows:
* Curve and Surface Modelling
* CAE Applications
* Finite Element Analysis
* Solid Modelling
* Finite Difference Analysis
* Advanced CAE Applications
* Data Exchange
* Java Programming.
The software, mathematical and computational methods form the basis of the modules Curve and Surface Modelling, Solid Modelling, Finite Element Analysis and Finite Difference Analysis.
These modules cover the application of CAE algorithms for the generation and analysis of product models used to represent the geometry of such complex artefacts as car bodies and aircraft wings.
The material on CAE Applications and CAE Advanced Applications covers the utilisation of CAE software for design, analysis, and data exchange and product data management. We use the industry-standard system I-DEAS extensively for this purpose. The exchange of product data between dissimilar CAE systems is a key topic and we explore the current standards, IGES and STEP in depth in the module Data Exchange.
Research Project
Students then go on to undertake an individual research thesis project, allowing specialisation within an area of particular interest. Recent thesis titles have included:
Some past thesis topics have included:
* Applications of Neural Networks to the Modelling of Multiphase Flow from Oil Wells
* Morphing for Complex Composite Geometry
* B-spline Volume Modelling
* A Graphical User Interface for a Multiphase CFD code
* Rotational Symmetry for Design Evaluation in Assembly-Orientated CAD.
Assessment
The course is assessed through coursework assignments, examination, and individual research project.
Part-time study
This course is also available on a part-time basis for individuals who wish to study whilst remaining in full-time employment. A three-stage programme from a Postgraduate Certificate to Postgraduate Diploma through to a Master of Science enables you to take a flexible approach to your study commitments.
Cranfield is very well located for visiting part-time students from across the UK and Europe and offers a range of library and support facilities to support your studies.
Career opportunities
This course attracts enquiries from companies across the EU and beyond who wish to recruit high quality graduates. There is considerable demand for students with expertise in engineering software development and for those who have strong technical programming skills in industry standard languages and tools. Graduates of the course, in demand by CAD vendors, commercial engineering software developers, automotive, telecommunications, medical and other industries and research organisations, have been particularly successful in finding long-term employment.
Some students may go on to register for PhD degrees, many, on the basis of their MSc research project. Thesis topics are most often supplied by individual companies on in-company problems with a view to employment after graduation - an approach that is being actively encouraged by a growing number of industries.
Below is a list consisting of some of the companies that have taken our graduates:
The course is directed by a Steering Committee that meets twice a year. The committee acts in an advisory role, assessing the content of the course and its relevance to present industrial needs. A number of members also attend the annual student thesis presentations which take place at the end of July, a month or so before the end of the course.
* Prof Chris Thompson, Head, AMAC.
* Dr Peter Grandison, IBM (UK) Ltd.
* Mr Ed Lambourne, Delcam International.
* Prof Frank Wang, Director, Centre for Grid Computing
* Mr Tony Lawrence, Cranfield Computer Centre.
* Mrs Kath Tipping, AMAC, Cranfield.
* Prof Mike Sanderson, DFEI/SME, Cranfield.
* Mr Ray Goult, LMR Systems
* Mr Nigel Sedgwick, Cambridge Algorithmica.
* Mr Peter Sherar, AMAC, Cranfield.
* Dr Derek Turnbull, Advanced Technical Projects Ltd.
* Mr David Harrison, Cray Research (UK) Ltd
* Mr Tim Penhale-Jones, Texas Instruments Ltd
* Mr Paul Mulvanny, QinetiQ
* Dr Richard Burguete, Airbus UK