Automotive Engineering (with Placement) MSc drafted drafted
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
About the course
Reasons to study
This course is specifically aimed at International students, supporting those wishing to gain practical work based experiential learning. Together with studying your chosen course we are offering you the opportunity to secure a placement* for an additional 6 months, making the course 18 months in length. This allows students with limited experience to put into practice the skills and techniques developed throughout the Master’s degree.
The UK automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy worth more than £82 billion turnover and adding £18.6 billion value to the UK economy.*
Automotive engineering is generally at the forefront of development. The concept of a driverless vehicle is now a reality and it is only public confidence and an adequate infrastructure that prevents it being introduced within the public domain. Although an exciting topic, globally it is a highly competitive industry where engineers require a sound understanding of engineering principles.
This advanced course is designed to satisfy the needs of graduate mechanical engineers, or graduates with an appropriate scientific background, who wish to redirect their careers towards automotive engineering and automotive system design. In doing so we focus engineering science competence towards its application within the automotive arena and provide detailed knowledge of the operational needs of a land vehicle.
The main aims of the course are to:
Students studying this course will also be provided with access to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) resources during their studies with us.
*Please see placement section for more details.
Program Outline
Course detail
Modules
Advanced Automotive Chassis Systems
This module will enable you to understand the operating principles of a wide range of automotive chassis systems. The basic elements of a variety of braking, steering, and suspension systems are studied in depth to evaluate their kinematic and dynamic characteristics. Their design features are investigated to establish how they currently satisfy the appropriate automotive regulations. The influence of X-by-wire regarding vehicle development and future legislation is considered with regard to safety, ethical issues and advanced vehicle control. Wheel and tyre design are studied to establish features such as slip characteristics, construction, and deformation during steady state and transient cornering. The normal operating forces at the tyre/road interface are considered to establish the safe operating boundaries of a vehicle. Traditional and modern suspension systems are studied for commercial vehicles, high volume production cars and high performance cars. Comfort and ride characteristics are related to wheel loads and differing road features.
Advanced Static Analysis
This module aims to extend your knowledge of the scientific principles used in more advanced static analysis of mechanical components and systems and to understand the role that mathematical and computer based modelling plays in this type of analysis. The module will allow you to gain experience in the use of commercial analysis software to solve non-linear and thermal structural problems. This experience will be gained on leading commercial software packages through the solution of a number of graded problems.
Advanced Dynamic Analysis
The module uses selected topics to give you an advanced understanding of the theory and analytical tools that can be applied to dynamic mechanical systems. You will develop the ability to develop models and analyse complex systems using commercial software packages and to specify appropriate optimisation and mitigation techniques. The module further provides, through theory and practical examples, the means to quantify and solve realistic problems. Laboratory testing of a practical system will be used to provide data to validate models. Fundamentals of acoustics are covered including sound sources and propagation and mitigation of noise. Measurement techniques form part of the investigative nature of the subject and general empirical methodology. Mathematical analysis packages are used extensively throughout the module.
Professional Development and Research Methods
professional development, you will develop professional skills such as team working, organisation and leadership. You will also get the opportunity to explore a range of research methods and understand how they can be used in your own area of interest. There will be the opportunity to learn about professional registration in Engineering and how you can begin on that journey. You will learn through self directed study of online material supported by interactive seminars and workshops, this will give you ownership of your own learning and help you develop skills for life long learning and continued professional development. The assessment for this module will enable you to put these skills into practice in coursework which challenges your professional development and research skills whilst focussing on broadening your understanding of contemporary challenges in the sector.
Individual Project
The project provides you with the opportunity required within an MSc to undertake a major programme of advanced independent work. Where possible your project is carried out in collaboration with an industrial company and takes place at the company.
Quality Systems and Measurement
This module will build upon your previously acquired understanding of Operations Management, Quality Assurance and Control, together with the statistical techniques employed in probability theory. During the course of this module, you will develop further expertise necessary to implement and operate Quality Systems, Maintenance Regimes and Reliability Trials and support New Product Introductions. You will explore the role of Quality Systems in the introduction of New Products. You will also learn about the importance of ensuring that products are problem-free in their early life to become established on the market.
Modern Vehicle Systems
The module is structured to give you an appreciation of the issues encompassing the move to lower emission road transportation, an understanding of the technical and economic aspects of new vehicle drive-train technologies and the ability to make informed design decisions associated with the integration of more-electric systems for road vehicle traction and control. You will also learn about the major elements that make up a vehicle power-train and consider the interconnection and operational interaction of the components.
Project and Finance Management
This module aims to develop your understanding of the strategic aspects of programme and project management and its role in adding competitive advantage to an organisation. The module enables you to gain a firm grounding in the principles, processes, tools and techniques that underpin programme and project management. It also aids you to develop a systematic understanding of the purposes and uses of financial information, together with the ability to use quantitative skills to improve performance management and decision making within an organisation. Emphasis is placed upon the need for competence in project planning and control. Team-working, communication and risk management skills are developed by means of group activity. Extensive use is made of project management and simulation software.
Advanced Thermofluids
Fluid dynamic forces acting on a fluid handling system affect the performance effectiveness of the system. This module considers an advanced study of fluid flows relevant to industrial fluid handling systems such as vehicles, turbomachines and pipeline systems. Modern vehicles will be studied to highlight the subtle design features being employed to reduce drag, provide deliberate vortices, or create a predictable down-force on the vehicles. The design features related to turbomachines and the pipelines are also discussed in detail. Additionally, the module considers an optimised design for various systems considered including engine cooling systems, in-car air conditioning, turbo-machines and piping systems. We will introduce you to an appropriate commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package and its use for design of an optimised system.
Professional Development and Practice
This module provides you with the opportunity to reflect on your professional practice during your Masters degree by undertaking a period of development through study or by working with a company, research group or within a teaching environment in the UK or overseas. This module encourages you to reflect on your technical, personal and professional development experiences, and to identify your learning from these experiences.
Teaching and Assessment
The course is taught via lectures, tutorials and laboratory practical sessions and demonstrations. Recordings of sessions (e.g. lectures) will be made available through our virtual learning environment, Brightspace. Computational, practical and tutorial work is carried out in one of the school’s well equipped laboratories. Project work is frequently carried out using the same equipment and test rigs that are used for advanced research at the university. You may have the opportunity to carry out individual projects under the supervision of researchers who are recognised in their fields.
We aim to arrange your major project in relation to an existing industrial automotive or general engineering problem, with contact and supervision from a major automotive supplier. If this is not possible we ensure that the project relates to an area of automotive engineering.
Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course. Assessment will include coursework and peer review and reflect the emphasis of the course on the ability to apply knowledge and skills.
Feedback (either written and/or verbal) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on final coursework is available on request after the publication of results
Further information
The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.
Teaching excellence
-
Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2022). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
-
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 20 since 2008 (2022 data).
-
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).
Enhance your career
Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as program quality engineer, mechanical design engineer, research engineer and vehicle durability engineer in organisations including Faurecia, Applied Photonics Ltd, Jaguar Land Rover and Millbrook Proving Ground Ltd.**
* Percentage of graduates from the School of Computing and Engineering who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 19/20, UK domiciled graduates)
** Source: LinkedIn
88.2%*Placements
This course provides you with the chance to undertake a 6 month placement at the end of the taught element. This may be by working in a company, a research group or within a teaching environment. A placement can help you build on the knowledge and skills developed on the course.
The placement is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with work experience are generally much more attractive to employers.
Our Placement Unit will be on hand to support you in finding a suitable placement opportunity. Students will have access to online learning materials to pick up advice on CVs, cover letters, speculative applications, online applications, and interviews. In addition, students will have access to the placement drop-in sessions for one-to-one advice and have a mock interview.
