Our MSc Race Car Aerodynamics emphasises the fundamentals of aerodynamics and centres on the analysis, modelling and measurement of turbulent flows associated with high performance race cars. It suits graduates or qualified individuals from engineering, scientific and mathematical backgrounds wishing to specialise in aerodynamics for highspeed vehicles.
Compulsory modules: Applications of CFD; Experimental Methods for Aerodynamics; Race Car Aerodynamics; Race Car Design/ GDP; Turbulence: Physics and Modelling; MSc Research Project
Optional modules: two from: Advanced Computational Methods I; Numerical Methods; Advanced Computational Methods II; Automobile Systems; Automotive Propulsion; Design, Search and Optimisation; Flow Control; Systems Reliability; Wing Aerodynamics
The Aerodynamics and Computation programme looks at the fundamentals of aerodynamics as a subject, focusing on numerical methods and the physics and computation of turbulence.
Suitable for those from an engineering, physical sciences or mathematics background who are aiming for advanced specialisation in aerodynamics.
Compulsory modules include: Aerothermodynamics; Advanced Computational Methods I; Applications of CFD; Turbulence: Physics and Modelling; MSc Research Project.
Optional modules: four from: Advanced Computational Methods II, Aeroacoustics; Biological Flow; Design, Search and Optimisation; Experimental Methods for Aerodynamics; Flow Control; Hypersonic and High Temperature Gas Dynamics; Race Car Aerodynamics; Wing Aerodynamics; Numerical Methods
The overall objective of this course is to add value to your first degree and previous relevant experience by developing a focused, integrated and critically aware understanding of underlying theory and current policy and practice in the field of control systems engineering.
The course is control systems focused, with the emphasis on control systems theory together with a range of control applications including industrial control (SCADA), intelligent control, flight control and robotic control. The control systems approach provides continuity in learning throughout the one year of study.
This course has been awarded accredited status by both the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for 2010 to 2014 intake cohorts as meeting the exemplifying academic benchmark for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for students who also hold an accredited BEng Honours degree. Candidates who do not hold an appropriately accredited BEng Honours degree will gain partial exemption for CEng status; these candidates will need to have their first qualification individually assessed if they wish to progress onto CEng registration.
Professional registration and Institution membership will enhance your career in the following ways:
On completion of the course you should have a critical awareness and understanding of current problems in control engineering, techniques applicable to research in the field of control systems and how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the field of control systems. You should also be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments in the absence of complete data, and communicate your conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialists.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, computer workshops and laboratory activities.
Mechanical Lab – This lab is used to understand material behaviour under different loading conditions and contains a tensile test machine and static loading experiments – typical laboratory sessions would include tensile testing of materials and investigation into the bending and buckling behaviour of beams.
Aerodynamics Lab – Contains low speed and supersonic wind tunnels – typical laboratory experiments would include determining the aerodynamic properties of an aerofoil section and influence of wing sweep on the lift and drag characteristics of a tapered wing section.
Composite Material Lab – This lab contains wet lay-up and pre-preg facilities for fabrication of composite material test sections. The facility is particularly utilised for final year project work.
Control & Dynamics Lab – Contains flight simulators (see details below) and programmable control experiments – typical laboratory sessions would include studying the effects of damping and short period oscillation analysis, forced vibration due to rotating imbalance, and understanding the design and performance of proportional and integral controllers.
Flight Simulators
Merlin MP520-T Engineering Simulator
Elite Flight Training System
A wide range of control and automation opportunities in manufacturing and engineering companies, opportunities in the aerospace sector.
There are opportunities to go on to further research study within our CASE control and Intelligent Systems Research Centre.
Research themes in the Centre include:
Demand for aerospace engineering graduates is rising, both in the UK and overseas. In fact, the UK aerospace industry is the second biggest in the world after the USA, and it’s home to some of the world’s leading aerospace companies such as Airbus, Astrium, BAE Systems, GKN and Rolls-Royce.
Taught by expert academics in a leading research environment, this programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in an exciting and challenging sector. You’ll study aerospace structures and structural analysis, along with optional, specialist modules in areas such as aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics, aircraft design, systems and optimisation methods, rotary wing aircraft and propulsion.
Our Aerospace Engineering Industrial Advisory Board is actively engaged in ensuring this course meets the needs of industry and reflects trends in the sector. It also provides industrial talks and seminars and advice and support to our students during their professional projects.
In addition to our advanced CAD facilities for design work, we have the latest industry-standard software for computational fluid dynamics and finite element modelling of material stress analysis, programming and structural and multidisciplinary optimisation.
We are currently seeking accreditation from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Aeronautical Society.
You’ll take a compulsory module in Semester 1 which develops your knowledge of aerospace structures and the theory behind aerospace structural analysis, as well as applying this understanding to real-world problems.
This will inform the rest of your studies, where you’ll select from a wide range of optional modules allowing you to pursue the topics that appeal to your interests or suit your future career plans. You could gain sophisticated knowledge in areas such as aerospace vehicle design, computational methods or materials failure analysis.
Throughout the programme you’ll complete your Professional Project – an independent piece of research on a topic within aerospace engineering that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. In the two taught semesters you’ll review the literature around your topic and plan the project, before completing the design, analysis, computation, experimentation and writing up in the summer months.
Want to find out more about your modules?
Take a look our Aerospace Engineering module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
For more information on typical modules, read Aerospace Engineering MSc in the course catalogue
Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with them through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings.
Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.
You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.
The professional project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.
Typical projects for MSc Aerospace Engineering students could include:
A proportion of projects are formally linked to industry, and can include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.
The aerospace industry is one of the most successful parts of UK engineering and is truly global in nature.
You’ll be able apply the skills you gain from this course to numerous areas of the aerospace industry, such as aerospace fundamental research, airline management and operations, satellite operations, aerospace design and manufacture in both the civil and military environments and Formula 1 racing.
Whether you join an aerospace company in the UK, such as Airbus, BAE Systems or Rolls-Royce or choose to work elsewhere in the world, the foundation provided by the MSc will make sure you are prepared for a rewarding and challenging career.
Links with industry
During this course you will meet employers from organisations operating within this sector through seminars and talks and by attending our careers fair. In previous years there have been talks from colleagues at Airbus, Astrium, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce to provide additional industrial perspectives to the course and career guidance to students.
