Course description
MEng
The UK is home to the most successful national motorsport industry in the world. Much of this industry is concentrated in Oxfordshire, making Oxford Brookes an ideal location to study. The Motorsport Engineering course at MEng level aims to provide an opportunity for you to specialise in areas such as engine technology, chassis performance, racing engineering, management, materials, simulation and data analysis. There are options in advanced materials like carbon fibre and advanced joining techniques.
The course provides an intensive exposure to integrated design, simulation, modelling, analysis, automotive components and production cars. The analysis elements in the module include structural optimisation, dynamics, internal combustion engine thermo-fluid dynamics, vehicle performance, tuning and monitoring. Members of the staff teaching on this course have unrivalled experience and design skills in the motorsport industry.
Teaching is based in our new purpose-designed engineering building on the Wheatley Campus and you will share facilities with the South East Motorsport Academy.
Course content
For students entering with previous undergraduate study or qualifications, the MEng course is structured around two semesters a year over two years. Semester 1 runs from September to December, Semester 2 from January until May. Between the first and second years it is possible to take an elective industrial project during the summer months - subject to availability. The course is completed by May of the final year in time for graduation at the beginning of September. The course is also avaialable in sandwich mode, lasting for three years (full-time).
To qualify for a master's degree you must pass the compulsory modules and the dissertation. Elective modules provide you with the opportunity to broaden your range of skills and interests and to improve your overall average and gain merit or distinction in the award.
Compulsory modules:
* Formula Student Design deals with advanced chassis design subjects and full vehicle characterisation using ISO standard tests. You will achieve a thorough understanding of the relevant theoretical and practical considerations associated with the tyres, ride and handling of a vehicle. You will learn how to perform advanced design analyses on cars. Roll-centre analysis, suspension analysis, half- and full-car analyses, weight transfer and roll-and-ride effects will be modelled. The analyses will be performed using the ADAMs Views dynamics analysis package and you will receive an introduction to the ADAMsCAR package. Brake systems, powertrain systems, engine tuning using in-house dyno and lap time simulation are just some of the various topics included in this module.
* Engineering Simulation and Modelling presents finite element modelling of structures containing composite materials, advanced simulation techniques using ADAMS, and an introduction to MATLAB.
* Advanced Engineering Management provides an understanding of the management skills and knowledge that are important in the motorsport industry. The areas studied are project management, leadership, team building and motivation, employment legislation and health and safety. Although the emphasis is on the motorsport industry, many of these areas will cover knowledge and skills that are highly relevant to the wider automotive industry.
* CAD/CAM is a master’s level module developing skills in using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing software.
* 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.
Optional modules:
* Advanced Materials Engineering and Joining Technology takes further 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.
* Racing Engine Design is a double module with one of the country's foremost experts in engine design, who has held senior technical posts with Cosworth, and various F1 teams.
* Numerical Methods and Applications provides an introduction to the concepts of numerical methods and applications of these methods.
* Industrial Project is an industrially based module in an automotive company, taking on a project with significant responsibility.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching methods vary according to the subject, but typically include lectures and seminars to provide a sound theoretical base, and practical work designed to demonstrate important aspects of theory or systems operation.
The methods of assessment include examinations and coursework reflecting the development of academic content from the more practical aspects to the more conceptual.
