Summary

• School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems

• Duration
• Full Time: 3 years
  

• Fees
• Full Time: €3,290 per year
  International Students: €9,250 International GDL

Overview

The BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering course is aimed at creating successful, highly employable graduates with the intellectual, technical and personal qualities to implement new technologies creatively as professional engineers. This course is structured so that its themes have a direct relevance to industry's current and expected future needs.

Key Facts

• The BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as satisfying academic requirements towards Chartered Engineer status (CEng).
• The UK remains one of Europe's principal automotive centres for design, development and manufacturing capability. To remain competitive in this global market place, there is constant demand for graduate automotive engineers.
• This course combines a study of design, drivetrain, vehicle body and engineering systems together with complementary studies in modelling and simulation, business and professional studies.
• The application of industry-standard computing systems for analysis and design is central to the course curriculum in areas such as suspension and body design.
• This course is firmly focused on the application of practical knowledge appropriate to the automotive industries, and is structured so that its themes have a direct relevance to industry's current and expected future needs.

Course Outline

Course Structure

The course aims to provide a stimulating environment in which the students' interest in automotive engineering is fostered by a modern and flexible teaching and learning strategy. The curriculum satisfies the requirements of UK SPEC and its delivery is characterised by the application of industrial-standard modelling and simulation systems for analysis and design.

The course structure provides a general mechanical engineering foundation with specific themes in suspension and body engineering and drivetrain systems. It aims to provide you with an understanding of the broad nature of automotive engineering through a themed approach encompassing stress analysis, drivetrain systems, suspension and body engineering, and control, design and business, together with techniques to analyse, specify and design automotive engineering systems.

An understanding of legal, ethical and environmental factors associated with automotive engineering is coupled with a range of transferable and marketable skills and knowledge leading to a variety of employment opportunities within the automotive and associated industries. Teaching and learning techniques place emphasis on active and participative education, leading to a qualification that satisfies accreditation requirements of relevant professional bodies and provides an opportunity to acquire skills for lifelong learning.

Modules

Year 1 Engineering Design and Practice -30 Credits Applied Mechanics -30 Credits Mathematical Analysis-30 Credits Material Science-15 Credits Applied Thermodynamics-15 Credits

Year 2 Suspension and Chassis Design-30 Credits Mechanics of Solids-30 Credits Engine and Drivetrain Systems-30 Credits Numerical Analysis-15 Credits Management in Engineering Innovation-15 Credits

Year 3 Individual Project-30 Credits Structural Analysis-30 Credits Body Engineering-30 Credits Dynamics and Control-15 Credits Advanced Project Management-15 Credits

Modules Description

Mathematical Analysis

• Application of mathematics to the solution of practical problems.
• Use of mathematics to communicate effectively.
• Introduction to the basic mathematical techniques required to solve practical engineering problems.

Applied Mechanics

• Study and experimental skills, data analysis, experimental applications.
• Dynamics: Newton's laws, circular motion, free, damped and forced vibrations.
• Statics: Stresses in beams and shafts, principal stresses, experimental stress analysis techniques.

Engineering Design And Practice

• Drawing skills and techniques in design, design process, assembly drawings, CAD modelling.
• Engineering applications, basic analysis of AC and DC circuits, instrumentation, sensor types and their use.
• The module will also cover study skills, report writing and presentation techniques.

Materials Science

• Material testing, structure of metals, failure of materials, structure and properties of ceramics, structure and properties of polymers, structure and properties of composites, material and selection.

Applied Thermodynamics

• Introduces a basic understanding of engineering thermodynamics, including thermodynamic properties and processes, the fundamental laws of thermodynamics, standard engine and turbine cycles and modes of heat transfer.

Management In Engineering Innovation

• Provides an understanding of market-led innovation, planning, management and strategy development in an engineering enterprise; pursuing wealth creation in a changing competitive environment, along with the knowledge required to devise and implement necessary changes in the business when required.

Mechanics Of Solids

• Stresses in beams, principal stresses, torsion of non-circular shafts, thick and thin-walled pressure vessels, vibration of beams, whirling of shafts.
• Plastic deformation of materials, impact loading, fatigue failure of materials, creep and fracture mechanics.

Numerical Analysis

• Advanced application of mathematics to the solution of practical problems. Further use of mathematics in effective communication.
• Further mathematical techniques required in the solution of practical engineering problems.

Suspension And Chassis Design

• Vehicle motion control using suspension mechanisms.
• Vehicle body structures, using standard body types and basic mechanics.
• Vehicle electronics for body and suspension systems.

Engine And Drivetrain Systems

• Engines, mechanics, thermodynamics, fuels, combustion, emissions, control.
• Clutches, design, calculations.
• Gearboxes, functions, analysis, calculations, control.
• New approaches, future trends, environmental issues.

Dynamics And Control

• Free and forced vibration of multi-mass/spring/damper models, theoretical analysis and computer simulation of mechanisms and control design problems.

Structural Analysis

• Finite element analysis (FEA): development of models, analysis of results, quality assurance, 2/3D problems. Stress analysis: axisymmetric components, strain energy methods, struts, residual stresses, re-design case studies.

Body Engineering

• Development of detailed empirical and physical models of vehicle body structural systems.
• Conceptual assembly design and manufacturing of vehicle body structures.

Vehicle Electronics And Control

• Automotive instrumentation, and signal conditioning, ignition systems, anti-lock brakes and power steering, engine control management, speed and position control, electric motors and control.

Individual Project

• A variety of project topics are offered, enabling you to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in an area of interest relevant to your course title.
• Activities include generating a proposal, researching text and electronic sources, creating and implementing solutions, and an artefact if applicable, analysing results and reporting on outcomes.

Assessments

A range of assessment methods is used throughout the course including continuous assessment, in-class tests, examinations, laboratory exercises and project work. Using these methods, your all-round ability will be appraised providing you with the best opportunity to excel.

Placements

Students are encouraged to further enhance their career prospects by including an industrial placement in their course. This takes place after the second year of study and extends the course duration to four years.

As well as providing the workplace experience sought by many employers, a placement provides an invaluable opportunity for students to further develop their practical expertise, earn money and try out a potential career path. The Faculty's placements team supports students throughout the placement process.

After your studies

Further Studies

The University has a range of either taught (MSc) or research (MPhil and PhD) postgraduate programmes. Details can be found on the postgraduate section of the website.

Employment Opportunities

The course produces graduates who have the intellectual, technical and personal qualities necessary to implement new technologies creatively in the solution of automotive engineering problems. Typical roles include:

• Development engineer for vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers and specialist high-performance race vehicle producers
• Design and performance engineer
• Research associate
• Automotive marketing