Automotive Engineering (MSc) - 2012 entry

Course content

The course is structured around three periods: Semester 1 runs from September to December, Semester 2 from January to May, and the summer period completes the year until the beginning of September.

To qualify for a master's degree you must pass the compulsory modules, one of two alternative-compulsory modules and one optional module, along with the dissertation and research and study methods.

Compulsory modules:

• Advanced Chassis Engineering will give you a thorough understanding of the relevant theoretical and practical considerations associated with optimising vehicle performance. You will learn to apply advanced vehicle dynamic analysis techniques such as the derivative method and learn how to optimise suspension on our four-post rig.
• Performance Vehicle Design is a group research and development project on a topic relevant to vehicle engineering.
• Sustainable Vehicle Engineering presents the concepts of sustainability and applies them to issues facing vehicle engineering and transport, such as the manufacturing processes, carbon foot-printing, materials of construction and choice of powertrain.
• Advanced Engineering Management provides you with an understanding of the management skills and knowledge that are important in engineering industries.

Alternative-compulsory modules (you must pass at least one of these):

• Noise, Vibration and Harshness looks at the analysis, quantification, characterisation and diagnosis of the noise, vibration and harshness of automotive components and assemblies.
• Vehicle Crash Engineering will give you an understanding of material, component and structural behaviour when subjected to medium-to-high-impact events. This includes the design, testing and modelling of motorsport and automotive vehicles with regard to crash worthiness.

Optional modules (you take one of these, unless you take both alternative-compulsory modules above):

• Advanced Vehicle Aerodynamics focuses on the problem of how to design vehicle shapes and aerodynamic packages that enhance the vehicle performance.
• Engineering Reliability and Risk Management covers the principles and techniques for improving the reliability of engineering components and systems, predicting their life and managing technical risk.
• Advanced Materials Engineering and Joining Technology looks at the detailed processing and design of advanced materials for engineering products. The significance of the properties and composition of materials is explored in relation to the selection of joining processes and optimising joint design, for the manufacture of high-performance engineering products and structures.
• CAD/CAM is a master's level module that develops skills in using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing software.
• Advanced Powertrain Engineering provides an understanding of areas such as powertrain system requirements, energy flow in the driveline, engine and powertrain modelling concepts for evaluating the performance of Powertrain systems.
• Advanced Strength of Components is concerned with the prediction of the load-carrying capacity and life of mechanical engineering components by an analysis of factors such as inelastic behaviour, residual stress, stability, cracks, and fatigue and contact loading.

You will also take the following:

• Research and Study Methods underpins work carried out for the dissertation. The module, delivered in a seminar style, will provide you with research skills, planning techniques, progress management and review, and the ability to use ICT support materials. You will be given guidance on the analysis and technical presentation of research material.
• The Dissertation is an individual research and development work on a topic relevant to automotive engineering and related to your chosen course of study. The work may be undertaken in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation.

As courses are reviewed regularly, the choice of modules available may differ from those described above.

Faculty

Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment

Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Course length

Full-time: 1 year (12 months)
Part-time: 2 years

Teaching location

Wheatley Campus

Start date

September 2012

UKPASS code

45439

Entry requirements

You should normally hold a first degree equivalent to at least a British lower second-class bachelor's degree in mechanical, automotive or motorsport engineering or a related discipline. Applicants with relevant professional experience will also be considered.

Scholarships and funding

For general sources of financial support, see:

• funding for students from the UK and EU
• funding for students from outside the EU

Why Oxford is a great place to study Automotive Engineering (MSc)

Oxford is right in the heart of the UK’s automotive and motorsport industry. The BMW Mini is built in Oxford and the area has over 4,000 high performance engineering businesses involved in all aspects of the automotive industry. This close association makes Oxford Brookes one of the best locations to study automotive engineering.

How Brookes supports postgraduate students

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

Departmental research highlights

The emphasis in our research groups is producing high-quality research for the real world. Staff have close links with industry through research projects and consultancies. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 80% of our engineering research output was judged to be of internationally excellent or world-leading quality.