Aston University

Future Vehicle Technologies MSc

This multidisciplinary programme bridges knowledge gaps, enabling new graduates and experienced engineers to lead the modern automotive industry in the production of intelligent, zero and ultra-low emission vehicles.

The course was created to prepare the engineering professionals demanded to lead the transition process to hybrids, pure electric, autonomous and connected vehicles and develop the prospective related technologies.

It aims to provide automotive engineers and recent engineering graduates with multidisciplinary fundamental knowledge, awareness of breakthrough advancements and the necessary skills to attend the requirements of the modern electrified automotive industry.

The skills gaps addressed include a complete understanding of hybrid and electric powertrains, connected vehicles and autonomous driving, design of electric drives, low-carbon engines and fuels, and multiphysics modelling of automotive systems using advanced computational tools.

What You'll Learn

The course is tailored to the needs of the automotive and energy industries, to attain the low carbon technologies that will shape future mobility. The students will access a well-suited programme of unmatched characteristics, featuring an original blend of multidisciplinary content delivered by a large team of specialists in each individual topic.

Modules

The following core (c) and optional (o) modules are offered in the programme, with the corresponding learning outcomes:

Hybrid and Electric Powertrains (c)

Design and optimise electrified powertrains using major concepts in mathematics and powertrain engineering
Recommend the computational approaches and tools that can be used to design modern electrified powertrains and the optimal subsystem integration (e.g. drives, transmission, storage, energy harnessers, etc)
Modify the powertrain design in order to meet the industry standard, user requirements and the environmental regulations
Collaborate with other disciplines related to powertrain design in order to develop solutions usable with wide range of vehicles
Power Electronics and Electric Drives (c)

Demonstrate the core knowledge in power electronics and electric drives within the context of electric vehicles
Recognise future technologies in power electronics and electric drives that lead to vehicle electrification
Judge the available technologies and its suitability for future vehicles with the aid of computational tools
Evaluate the challenges of implementing the new technologies in power electronics and electric drives in future vehicles considering the industry standards and environmental regulations
Vehicle Automation and Connectivity (c)

Demonstrate the general knowledge of communication, machine learning and cybersecurity
Evaluate the state-of-the-art technologies in autonomous vehicle communication and machine learning
Critique the open literature to assess the available technologies and its suitability for future vehicles considering business and end-user needs
Work in a team towards proposing solutions to address the challenges of implementing the new technologies in future vehicles and communicate their idea to a wide audience
New Engines and Alternative Fuels (c)

Distinguish new engine technologies, boosting methods, energy recovery systems and their utilisation in low-emission vehicles
Evaluate the data informed by state-of-the-art research directly related to advanced technologies in engines and fuels
Produce solutions using computational tools to design and integrate different energy recovery systems in low-emission vehicles
Recommend adequate types of renewable fuels for different applications and their implications on the overall engine performance and emission from knowledge exchange in group work
Multiphysics System Design (c)

Evaluate the data informed by a predefined constrained case study, propose a sustainable impactful solution and communicate the proposed solution to a wider audience
Plan independently and select appropriate techniques and methodologies to develop creative solutions to predefined problems in the automotive industry considering business and end-user needs
Originate a design for a vehicle component or subsystem underpinned by engineering principles and utilising engineering computational tools
Work effectively with other disciplines, exchange the knowledge with others and share the best engineering practice
Computational Fluid Dynamics and Applications (o)

Apply commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes to fluid flow calculations encompassing vehicular system evaluation
Discuss the underlying principles of CFD analysis and finite volume methods including meshing and employing solution algorithms for efficient convergence control
Effectively utilise numerical models in flow modelling, e.g. turbulence models and boundary conditions
Plan and execute analysis, optimisation and evaluation of fluid flow using CFD
Finite Element Analysis and Solid Mechanics (o)

Use a commercial software package to perform finite element analysis (FEA) applied to vehicle components and systems
Discuss FEA analysis and results in future vehicle technologies
Describe the principles of FEA
Assess the accuracy of FEA solutions for vehicle parts and mechanisms
Research Methods (c)

Apply creative and strategic thinking, identify a problem relevant to the degree programme and make independent judgments about approaches and solutions, adopt a structured approach to problem solving and project development
Develop awareness of current trends and challenges within chosen field of project gaining in-depth knowledge of science, technology and state of the art and acquiring practical insights through hands-on experimentation and interaction with experts, specialised equipment, and potential users
Create evidence of the research and problem investigation for professional or academic purposes
Carry out independent research, managing time and resources effectively while evaluating project risks
Dissertation (c)

Develop a research hypothesis drawn from comprehensive survey of state-of-the-art technological advances to develop a sustainable solution for an emerging challenge in modern automotive industry
Observe and analyse the data generated to draw applicable recommendations in the field of study
Communicate the research findings to a wide circle of audience from different backgrounds (e.g. engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs)