Automotive Engineering via Study Centres BEng (Hons)

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Develop ideas on how to change the future of motor vehicles, in line with the current environmental challenges the industry faces in today's commercial climate. This course is based at our quality-assured partners around the world.

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Overview

You will study the essential mathematics and engineering science that underpins automotive engineering with an emphasis on the mechanical aspects. Topics that are peculiar to their discipline include the thermodynamics of engines, automotive electrical technology, vehicle drive train and chassis systems.

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to launch a career in the automotive industry or in its supply chain industries.

Please contact your Study Centre for the duration and mode of this course.

Why us?

Sunderland has over 100 years’ experience of teaching engineering

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work, laboratory projects and e-learning. We encourage you to develop independent study skills. You will also have opportunities to present ideas to other students and develop concepts within groups.

As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also on-going assessments for feedback and consolidating your learning. Assessment methods include exams, multiple-choice tests and projects.

Course modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

Electronic and Electrical Principles (20 credits)

Gain a fundamental understanding of concepts related to electronic and electrical engineering. Grow your analytical skills to be able to solve electronic and electrical circuits. Enhance your knowledge of machines and transformers.

Applied Mechanics (20 credits)

Understand the fundamental concepts, laws, and analytical methods for the solution of engineering mechanics problems. Use mechanical technology and evaluate the results of practical mechanics experiments. Utilise different mathematical techniques such as differentiation, integration, solution of simultaneous equations, ordinary differential equations (ODEs), trigonometry, and vectors.

Design, Drawing and Practical Skills (20 credits)

Develop knowledge of the basic principle requirements of the relevant ISO drawing standards as applied to mechanical drafting. Learn about structured design methodologies including computer aided design (CAD), simple machine elements, and dimensional tolerancing. Enhance your knowledge of basic workshop practices and safety in the workshop and laboratory. Gain the ability to interpret and produce engineering drawing that conforms to the relevant British Standards using a CAD programme.

Engineering Mathematics (20 credits)

Develop the mathematical and analytical skills needed to solve engineering problems. Study the foundations of topics such as algebra, trigonometry, Calculus, matrices and differential equations. Gain transferable skills in problem-solving.

Energy Conversion (20 credits)

Enhance your knowledge of fundamental principles, including the safety aspects and requirements, relating to thermodynamics and electrical systems. Gain the ability to apply the laws of thermodynamics to a range of systems and learn how to use the ideal gas laws and steam tables when analysing energy transfers in gases and vapours. Apply the modified Bernoulli’s equation to incompressible one-dimensional fluid flow. Analyse the operation of simple electrical circuits and systems.

Manufacturing and Materials (20 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

Vehicle Chassis Engineering (20 credits)

Develop critical knowledge of the technical attributes of key vehicle components and systems, as well as the forces acting on a vehicle during typical phases of operation. Gain the ability to analyse and discuss the functional characteristics of various mechanical and electrical vehicle systems, while critically evaluating the technical advantages and disadvantages. Learn how to calculate the forces acting on a vehicle during typical phases of operation. Demonstrate your understanding of vehicle and component systems through design.

Computer-Aided Engineering (20 credits)

Develop a critical understanding of finite element analysis and its integration to the design engineering process. Use industry standard and commercially available software to predict the performance and behaviour of a component or system due to external influences. Analyse mathematical models of the behaviour of a component or system due to external influences.

Engineering Mechanics (20 credits)

Enhance your knowledge of the mechanical engineering discipline of applied mechanics. Apply the appropriate mathematical techniques for modelling and analysing engineering problems. Explore a range of specialist areas including machine dynamics and strength of materials.

Thermofluids and Engines (20 credits)

Expand your knowledge of the mechanical engineering disciplines of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. Gain fundamental knowledge by exploring topics such as thermodynamics, air standard cycles, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Engage in essential mathematical techniques including differentiation and integration, solution of simultaneous equations, and ordinary differential equations.

Design Methods and Applications (20 credits)

Explore the creation of solid models of simple components using 3D solid modelling software. Gain an introduction to the three interlinked methodologies of design for manufacture, design for assembly, and process selection. Undertake a redesign project which must be conducted conscious of both the economic challenges and environmental responsibility which the global manufacturing sector is facing. Use case studies to gain insight and understanding into the key aspects of the design for manufacture concept.

Automation for Manufacturing (20 credits)

Delve into the operation and application of a range of both Instrumentation and Automation Systems. Enhance your understanding of the properties of measurement systems and sensors and evaluate their application in selecting an appropriate approach for a given application. Analyse signal conditioning and data capture systems using components such as operational amplifiers, analogue to digital converters and microcontrollers.

Final year (national level 6):

Automotive Design and Materials Selection (20 credits)

Gain an understanding of the practical application of the design process to a real automotive problem. Learn about the materials requirements in the wider engineering context and the interdependency of design, manufacture, economics, and environmental considerations. Explore the essential characteristic properties of groups and sub-groups of materials and how they relate to specific areas of applications. Gain the essential knowledge and techniques in order to synthesise solutions to engineering problems. Make critical comparisons of various methods of materials selection and property evaluation.

Manufacturing Systems Design (20 credits)

Discover a range of tools that can be applied within a manufacturing context to analyse existing performance and aid the development of models and systems which achieve an enhanced level of productivity. Develop your knowledge of modern measurement and control tools.

Automotive Dynamics and Control (20 credits)

Consider aspects of dynamic performance such as vehicle ride, handling, and stability. Gain an overview of developments in emission control and consider conventional internal combustion engine management systems versus the emerging electric and hybrid technologies. Acquire the ability to model vehicle system components using manual and computer-based techniques, as well as the ability to design, construct, critically analyse, and test vehicle control systems.

Professional Engineering Management Techniques (20 credits)

Explore some of the soft skills outlined in the UK-SPEC which are pre-requisites to chartered status. Develop your communication and interpersonal skills alongside the design and development of processes and systems. Discover more about project management, and some of the techniques associated with it.

Project (40 credits)

Facilities

This course is available at partner universities worldwide.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

Please contact the study centre for more information on their specific requirements and equivalent qualifications from outside the UK.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

Please contact the relevant partner for information on fees and finance.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Salaries in engineering can be very attractive and our course is directly relevant to the needs of employers.

Career options

As an Automotive engineer your primary sector would be Automotive engineering, as well as supply chain industries. Your choice of role could be Design Engineer, Manufacturing or Production Engineer and even Project Management.
The quality of your degree would also enable you to utilise your qualification outside of the automotive industry.

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Technology.

Page last updated: 08 March 2024

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