Program Overview

EngD Automotive Systems Design

The EngD Automotive Systems Design is a two-year program that focuses on the design of automotive systems.

First Year

During the first year, students will take a variety of courses on systems design, automotive technologies, embedded systems, as well as professional skills. Professional skill courses include working in a team, project management, working agile, scrum, and presentation skills. In addition, students will work on three different projects with a team. Various teachers of the courses are also coaches during the projects.

• Courses on systems design, automotive technologies, and embedded systems
• Professional skill courses, including:
  • Working in a team
  • Project management
  • Working agile
  • Scrum
  • Presentation skills
• Three different projects with a team

Apart from the program-defined courses and projects, students can choose a number of courses that are offered by the 4TU Graduate School, Eindhoven Engine, or online. In addition, students can do mini-projects internally in cooperation with industry.

Second Year

The second year is the graduation phase. During this year, students will work on a challenging and innovative technological design project a real problem that needs to be solved. This project will integrate a number of (sub-)disciplines and is supervised by engineers from industry as well as by university staff.

• Challenging and innovative technological design project
• Integration of multiple (sub-)disciplines
• Supervision by engineers from industry and university staff

Structure

The program is organized in 5 modules that will take place in a two-year period, normally starting around November 1.

Module I

During the first module, students will get a personal assessment, which is meant to help them define their learning goals on their professional skills. The first module includes basic courses in system design, project management, and the chance to update technical knowledge and skills. Also, students will work on a personal Training & Supervision Plan, which provides a guide to actually work on improving design skills, technical knowledge, and professional skills.

• Personal assessment
• Basic courses in system design and project management
• Update of technical knowledge and skills
• Personal Training & Supervision Plan

Module II

In this module, students will get courses on Automotive Sensing and work with a team on a challenging design assignment for the Automotive Technology Lab. In addition, students will learn how to work agile with a team and scrum.

• Courses on Automotive Sensing
• Design assignment for the Automotive Technology Lab
• Agile team work and scrum

Module III

During the third module, students will learn how to model a system architecture, about software architecture, and work with EngD trainees from other programs (Software Technology, Data Science, and Mechatronic System Design) on a challenging design assignment for industry.

• System architecture modeling
• Software architecture
• Collaboration with EngD trainees from other programs
• Design assignment for industry

Module IV

The fourth block is focused on the design of Automotive Systems. Students' knowledge in the field of automotive will be broadened by courses in systems & control and electrification of vehicles. During this block, students will work on a design assignment for the automotive industry with a team of ASD and/or MSD trainees.

• Courses in systems & control and electrification of vehicles
• Design assignment for the automotive industry
• Team work with ASD and/or MSD trainees

Module V

The final module consists of an individual technological design assignment for one industrial company or for a consortium with industrial partners (e.g., EU projects) for a period of twelve months. This project can take place at the location of a company, at the TU/e, or at both locations. In some of the industry projects, the TU/e labs provide the best facilities for the projects.

• Individual technological design assignment
• Industrial company or consortium with industrial partners
• Project duration: twelve months
• Possible locations: company, TU/e, or both

During this period, students will be supervised by both a company and a university supervisor. During such a project, the trainee has to deploy a self-managed process from wishes and needs (can be ill-defined) to concrete results. These projects are usually related to a feasibility study, a proof-of-concept, or first-of-a-kind development. The progress will be evaluated regularly, and the trainee has to write a final report. At the end of this module, the trainee will participate in an official exam hearing. In this exam, the product of the design project, the underlying process, as well as the professional skills will be evaluated. Upon successful completion, the trainee will be rewarded the EngD degree.

• Supervision by company and university supervisors
• Self-managed process from wishes and needs to concrete results
• Evaluation of progress and final report
• Official exam hearing
• Evaluation of design project, process, and professional skills
• EngD degree upon successful completion