Automotive Engineering; Automotive Engineering (Commercial Vehicle Technology); and Automotive Engineering (Motorcycle Technology) MSc

This course is ideal if you would like to develop the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to understand and translate current and emerging automotive technologies into future products. It will provide you with a balanced mixture of the advanced technical competences and transferable skills required by global automotive manufacturers and original equipment suppliers.

The course has been designed to enhance your career prospects and personal development by equipping you with a blend of theoretical, management and practical skills. Pathways specialising in automotive, commercial vehicle and motorcycle engineering are available.

Throughout the course, academic teaching is complemented by visits from industry experts, keeping you up to date with the latest developments.

If you choose to study this course you will:

• develop a critical awareness of the current developments in key automotive technologies, production methods, processes and management techniques;
• study the various test and development techniques employed in automotive engineering, and their application and benefits;
• learn how to apply automotive engineering principles and practical techniques to the solution of problems.

You have the choice of specialising either in automotive, commercial vehicle or motorcycle engineering by taking the relevant elective and field-specific modules. The elective modules will enable you to gain a solid foundation in the specialist area of your choice, building on knowledge and skills gained in the common core modules.

Your MSc project gives you the opportunity to study a real-world problem within the automotive industry.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules

• Advanced Automotive Electronics

• Advanced Automotive Electronics

  This module helps you to develop an understanding of:

  • the technologies and operating principles governing electronic control and embedded systems used in automotive applications; and
  • fault diagnosis and system architecture design.
  
   
• Automotive Stuctures and Body Design

• Automotive Stuctures and Body Design

  In this module you gain a detailed understanding of automotive structures and body design. You thoroughly examine the techniques and visualisation methods used by designers and manufacturers to create different vehicle structures.

  The broad content ensures a detailed understanding of the key manufacturing, safety, environmental and cost issues. You also gain experience of using design tools for specific applications.

  
   
• Individual Research Project (MSc only)

• Individual Research Project (MSc only)

  This module gives you the chance to develop your research, design development and problem solving skills. You build your project management, analytical, experimental and computing skills while solving higher-order engineering problems.

  You study an area of interest in depth, demonstrating your understanding through a variety of means, including

  • a conference paper;
  • an oral presentation; and
  • a substantial dissertation.
  
   
• Integrated CAD/CAM Systems

• Integrated CAD/CAM Systems

  This module develops a fundamental understanding of 3D solid modelling and the core technologies of part modelling and parametric modelling. This will enable you to develop complex geometry, which defines many of today's engineering and product models.

  The module also develops an understanding of:

  • the state-of-the-art engineering philosophies of concurrent engineering, collaborative working and virtual product development; and
  • the role of contemporary engineering computing tools to support these.
  
   
• Vehicle Aerodynamics

• Vehicle Aerodynamics

  This module:

  • provides a comprehensive understanding of vehicle aerodynamics;
  • examines the effects of aerodynamics on vehicle acoustics, thermal management and dynamics;
  • develops your knowledge of experimental techniques used in aerodynamic development; and
  • gives you the chance to gain laboratory experience.
  
   

Elective modules (students on the automotive pathway choose four; students on other pathways choose two)

• Advanced Automotive Engineering

• Advanced Automotive Engineering

  This broad-based module will deepen your knowledge of advanced and developing technologies within powertrain and braking system design. It also examines:

  • the latest direct fuel injection systems for spark and compression ignition applications; and
  • engine simulation and modelling software techniques as a solution for engine design problems.
  
   
• Advanced CAD/CAM Systems

• Advanced CAD/CAM Systems

  This module develops your understanding of the techniques required to extend the capabilities of a 3D solid modelling system by using the embedded application program interface available in many Windows compliant products.

  This enables you to develop an additional functional capability by accessing the modelling kernel within the CAD system and integrating functions across multiple systems (typically databases). This is achieved using Visual Basic as a programming language.

  
   
• Advanced Vehicle Dynamics

• Advanced Vehicle Dynamics

  This module introduces you to the fundamentals of advanced suspension/vehicle dynamic control systems.

  It examines the techniques and methods used to model and simulate vehicle dynamic performance including full vehicle simulations. Topics covered include:

  • adaptive damping and roll control;
  • active and semi-active suspension system technology; and
  • noise and vehicle harshness.
  
   
• Chassis Systems Design

• Chassis Systems Design

  This module introduces the essential aspects of chassis system design. It examines:

  • vehicle ride behaviour;
  • crash compliance;
  • materials;
  • production techniques; and
  • the interaction with steering and suspension mechanisms.

  You also use specialist simulation software to analyse and optimise given chassis system designs.

  
   
• Finance Resource Management and Accounting

• Finance Resource Management and Accounting

  This module examines the role of financial accounting within organisations. It provides an overview of financial accounting systems in business and public sector organisations.

  It also covers:

  • the needs of first level managers for financial information and their role in supplying information;
  • accounting concepts and conventions; and
  • ways of measuring income and valuing assets.
  
   
• Standards and Homologation

• Standards and Homologation

  This module examines the regulatory issues, global and local, relating to vehicles and the automotive industry as a whole and discusses the techniques and methods employed in the testing of vehicles and vehicle sub-systems to certify compliance. The broad content examines vehicle drive cycles, exhaust gas emissions measurement and testing, noise emissions, crash testing, electromagnetic compliance and environmental issues.

  
   
• Total Quality

• Total Quality

  This module introduces students to:

  • the management and improvement of quality in products and processes; and
  • supporting tools and techniques.

  The module has a bias towards statistical methods, but we do not assume any prior knowledge of statistics.

  
   
• Computer Aided Product Design

• Computer Aided Product Design

  In this module you gain practical and theoretical knowledge of the analytical computing tools that extend the functionality of 3D solid modelling systems.

  You also use finite element analysis (FEA) techniques to solve a range of engineering and scientific problems in:

  • solid mechanics;
  • fluid mechanics;
  • thermodynamics and heat transfer; and
  • kinematics and dynamics.

  The module develops your understanding of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) techniques. The focus is on feature recognition and the automated generation of process plans for multi-axes prismatic components. You learn to put the computing tools in the product development process into an industrial context.

  
   

Commercial Vehicle Technology modules (choose two)

• Commercial Vehicle Stuctural Design

• Commercial Vehicle Stuctural Design

  This module develops your understanding of commercial vehicle/trailer design and vehicle dynamics. It introduces you to advanced concepts of vehicle dynamics for rigid, articulated and rigid/draw bar configurations. You examine methods and optimisation techniques for a variety of vehicle/trailer applications.

  You also consider a range of design considerations, including:

  • environmental impact;
  • vehicle operating conditions;
  • material choice;
  • forming and joining;
  • failure analysis; and
  • vehicle load/unload systems.
  
   
• Commercial Vehicle Systems and Dynamics

• Commercial Vehicle Systems and Dynamics

  This module provides you with a detailed knowledge and understanding of commercial vehicle systems and technology. The content examines current and future:

  • steering;
  • suspension;
  • transmission; and
  • powertrain technology.

  It also looks at:

  • emerging technologies;
  • environmental factors;
  • aerodynamics;
  • vehicle safety; and
  • dynamics (ride and handling).
  
   

Motorcycle Technology Engineering modules (choose two)

• Advanced Motorcycle Technology

• Advanced Motorcycle Technology

  This module is designed to provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of Motorcycle Technology. The comprehensive content examines all of the major systems including engine and driveline, electronics, braking and suspension. The module also examines emerging and future technologies, environmental factors and simulation techniques.

  
   
• Motorcyle: Scooter Design and Manufacture

• Motorcyle: Scooter Design and Manufacture

  This module is designed to equip graduates with the necessary knowledge and detailed understanding of motorcycle design. The module examines the techniques, methods and processes employed by designers and manufacturers in the creation of various motorcycle types. Emphasis is directed towards the key areas of design methodology, sub system and material selection, analytical tools and techniques, motorcycle safety and future manufacturing processes.

  
   

Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.

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Studying this course means you'll have opportunities to be involved with organisations outside the university. Our excellent industrial links at the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing have developed over many years and throughout many countries.

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