Course description
The principal aim of this course is to provide an extended and enhanced course at MEng level in Automotive Engineering. It is designed for the more able students wishing to achieve high academic and practical standards who also have the potential to rise to senior levels of responsibility in industry. There are modules in advanced materials such as carbon fibre, pioneering joining techniques and cutting-edge computer aided animation.
The course provides an intensive exposure to integrated design, simulation, modelling, analysis, automotive components and production cars. The analysis elements include structural optimisation, dynamics, internal combustion engine thermo-fluid dynamics, vehicle performance, tuning and monitoring. Staff teaching on this course have extensive experience and design skills in the automotive industry.
Teaching is based in our new purpose-designed engineering building on the Wheatley Campus.
Course content
For students entering with previous undergraduate study or qualifications, the course is structured around two semesters a year, over two years. Semester 1 runs from September to December each year, Semester 2 from January until May. Between the first and second years it is possible to take an elective industrial project during the summer months - subject to availability. The course is completed by May of the final year in time for graduation at the beginning of September. The course is also available in sandwich mode, lasting three years (full-time).
To qualify for a master’s degree you must pass the compulsory modules and the dissertation. Elective modules provide you with the opportunity to broaden your range of skills and interests and to improve your overall average and gain merit or distinction in the award.
Compulsory modules:
* Automobile Design Test and Modelling Project deals with advanced chassis design subjects. You will achieve a thorough understanding of the relevant theoretical and practical considerations associated with the tyres, ride and handling of a vehicle. You will learn to perform advanced design analyses on cars. Roll centre analysis, suspension analysis, half and full car analyses, weight transfer and roll and ride effects will be modelled. The analyses will be performed using the ADAMs Views dynamics analysis package and you will receive an introduction to the ADAMsCAR package.
* Engineering Simulation and Modelling presents finite element modelling of structures containing composite materials, advanced simulation techniques using ADAMS, and an introduction to MATLAB.
* Advanced Engineering Management provides an understanding of the management skills and knowledge that are important in the motorsports industry. The areas studied are project management, leadership, team building and motivation, employment legislation and health and safety. Although the emphasis is on the motorsports industry, many of these areas will cover knowledge and skills that are highly relevant to the wider automotive industry.
* CAD/CAM is a master's level module developing skills in using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing software.
* Advanced Strength of Components is concerned with the prediction of the load-carrying capacity and life of mechanical engineering components by an analysis of factors such as inelastic behaviour, residual stress, stability, cracks, and fatigue and contact loading.
Optional modules:
* Advanced Materials Engineering and Joining Technology takes further the detailed processing and design of advanced materials for engineering products. The significance of the properties and composition of materials is explored in relation to the selection of joining processes and optimising joint design, for the manufacture of high performance engineering products and structures.
* Advanced Computer Aided Animation enables you to render and animate 3D complex assemblies using PC based CAD system. The emphasis in this module is on understanding how complex animations are created using studio software.
* Numerical Methods and Applications introduces the concepts of numerical methods and applications of these methods.
* Industrial Project is an industrially based module in an automotive company, taking on a project with significant responsibility.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching methods vary according to the subject, but typically include lectures and seminars to provide a sound theoretical base, and practical work designed to demonstrate important aspects of theory or systems operation. Assessed coursework exercises, essays, presentations and laboratory exercises form the basis for continuous assessment.
The methods of assessment include examination and coursework reflecting the development of academic content from the more practical aspects to the more conceptual.
