Automotive Engineering (Hons)

Studying our Automotive Engineering BEng (Hons) course will equip you with in-depth knowledge and skills in the combined areas of engineering design, vehicle development and new technologies. Upon starting the course, you will discover the Fundamentals of Engineering where you will develop an understanding of scientific principles in maths, physics and chemistry in relation to engineering while also being introduced to an engineering lab environment. Moreover, you will examine materials and their properties in our Engineering Structure, Materials and Analysis unit. This will enable you to select the right materials for a particular design that meets engineering requirements. Using your knowledge from this unit, you will relate it to our unit in Engineering Design and Manufacture where you will develop the skills to use relevant software for engineering design. Another relevant area of study involves the function of vehicles within engineering. This is where our unit in Vehicle Dynamics and Chassis Technology will introduce you to the components of an automobile, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.

Similarly, you will explore the role of vehicle communications and how those systems work in our Vehicle Electronics and Control unit. You will also get the opportunity to produce preliminary designs for an entire power system or subsystem in our Vehicle Powertrain Technology unit that examines various vehicle powertrain technology such as the electric powertrain. In other areas of study, you will be provided with in-depth theory on the principles, design and performance for automotive systems such as those used in racing cars or electric vehicles in our Automotive Systems and Design unit. This theory is closely linked to our Fluid Dynamics, Thermofluids and Modelling unit where you will grasp an understanding of thermodynamic processes, thermofluid systems and the principles of fluid and flows. This can also be applied to our Mechanics and Heat Transfer unit where you will develop skills for the design and application of heat transfer systems. Among other core topics, our Engineering Mathematics unit will help you establish mathematical knowledge and concepts.

Using case studies, you will perform mathematical calculations to solve real-world problems within the field of engineering. Additionally, as a student in the field of computer science you will also be given an Introduction to Software Development where you will learn the fundamentals on how to develop software using teamwork, identify, analyse and model problems, test programs and distinguish between forms of programming and modelling. Finally, you will complete an Undergraduate Project in an area of interest that is relevant to your field of study. You will decide on your proposal topic based on current or emerging technologies with help from our Research Methodologies and Project Management unit. By conducting market research and analysing academic publications, you will be able to choose from a range of ideas relevant to your career aspirations. Some possible areas for research include Computer Science, Electronic Engineering and Computer Games Development.