Overview
- Start dateSeptember
- DurationFull-time: MSc - one year; Part-time: MSc - up to three years; Full-time PgCert - one year; Part-time PgCert - two years; Full-time PgDip - one year, Part-time PgDip - two years
- DeliveryTaught modules: 40%, group project: 20%, individual research project: 40%
- QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
This course is suitable for those with backgrounds in mathematics, physics, computer science or an engineering discipline. We also welcome applicants with relevant industrial experience such as qualified engineers working with computational methods wishing to extend their knowledge. The part-time option is suitable for qualified engineers looking to extend their knowledge and incorporate CFD into their skill set.
Why this course?
With its blend of skills-based and subject-specific material, this course aims to provide students with generic practical skills and cutting-edge knowledge adaptable to the wide variety of applications in the field of aerospace computational engineering. By undertaking this MSc, you will enhance your skills through a detailed introduction to the state-of-the-art computational methods and their applications for digital age aerospace engineering applications.
The course provides a unique opportunity for cross-disciplinary education and knowledge transfer in the computational engineering of fluid and solid mechanics for aerospace industrial applications. Focusing on fully integrated digital design for aerospace applications, you will be able to understand and implement numerical methods on various computing platforms for aerospace applications. As a graduate, you will meet the demand of an evolving workplace that requires highly qualified engineers possessing core software engineering skills together with competency in mathematical analysis techniques.
Sharing modules with the MSc in Computational Fluid Dynamics and the MSc in Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering, this course gives you the opportunity to interact with students from other disciplines.
Informed by industry
Our strategic links with industry ensure that all of the materials taught on the course are relevant, timely and meet the needs of organisations competing within the computational analysis sector. This industry-led education makes Cranfield graduates some of the most desirable for companies to recruit. Our industrial partners support this course by providing internships, acting as visiting lectures and delivering industrial seminars.
Course details
The taught modules are delivered from October to April via a combination of structured lectures, and computer-based labs. Many of the lectures are given in conjunction with some form of programming; you will be given time and practical assistance to develop your software skills.
Students on the part-time programme complete all of the compulsory modules based on a flexible schedule that will be agreed with the Course Director.
Course delivery
Taught modules: 40%, group project: 20%, individual research project: 40%
Group project
The group project is related to a wide range of aerospace applications, including a unique digital wind tunnel development. Projects are available for a) full-aircraft simulations and development of advanced turbulence models, b) structural analysis, c) fluid-structure interaction, d) coupling these aforementioned computational methods including an integrated digital design, e) advanced visualisation techniques, and f) the next generation of computational methods relevant to the aerospace industry.
Individual project
The taught element of the course finishes in May. From May to September you will work full-time on your individual research project. The research project gives you the opportunity to produce a detailed piece of work either in close collaboration with industry, or on a particular topic which you are passionate about.
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
C++ Programming
Aim |
An introduction to the Python language is also provided. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Computational Methods
Aim |
The module aims to provide an understanding of a variety of computational methods for integration, solution of differential equations and solution of linear systems of equations. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Numerical Modelling for Compressible Flows
Aim |
To introduce basic concepts in the discretisation and numerical solution of the hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations describing the flow of compressible fluids. |
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Syllabus |
• Conservation Laws. • Non-linearities and shock formation. • WENO schemes. • MUSCL schemes Introduction to the Riemann problem. • Lax-Wendroff scheme. • Introduction to Godunov's method. • Flux vector splitting methods. • Approximate Riemann solvers. • Explicit and implicit time-stepping schemes. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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CAD & Airframe Design
Aim |
Each computational investigation requires a CAD model from which numerical analyses can be performed. This is true for both CFD and FEA simulations, both of which students are exposed to during their studies on this MSc. This module combines elements of CAD with an introduction to aerospace structures, focusing in particular on different components on the aircraft, as well as manufacturing philosophies which in turn inform the creation of parts (and CAD models). You will learn how to build up various components of an aircraft using CATIA as the CAD software and will be capable of designing components themselves, based on drawings and technical documents, which they can then use to study numerically the behaviour of the component. |
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Syllabus |
• Create drawings of a solid model using Catia. • Create surface models using Catia. • Create assemblies of different models in Catia. • Create parametric models in Catia that can be updated through an external Excel sheet. • Create FEA simulations of 2D shell and 3D solid parts in Catia. • Perform optimisation of 2D and 3D geometries in Catia based on FEA results. • Differentiate between fail-safe, safe-life and damage-tolerant design philosophies. • Understand the constraints imposed by additional reserve factors on the structural components (limit and ultimate load factors). • Understand the influence of fatigue on the life expectancy of a structure. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Computational Aerodynamics
Aim |
Aerodynamics is of fundamental interest in computational aerospace science and engineering. It is taught as a standard undergraduate course on aerospace engineering courses. However, its complexity necessitates to approximate key aerodynamic coefficients through correlations and simplified theories; this is where this course comes into play. Computational Aerodynamics does not rely on simplified theories but does employ Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to solve the governing equations of fluid dynamics to replace these approximate theories and correlation-based tools, such as panel methods, lifting-line theory, potential flow-based methods, etc. This allows to provide estimates for efficiency factors (such as the Oswald efficiency factor) rather than relying on correlations, improved lift and drag values beyond the linear regime and these better predicted values can directly be used in flight mechanics models to calculate static and dynamic stability modes. Aerodynamics for aerospace applications have further special modelling requirements which will be investigated and taught as part of this course. These include overset grid techniques to capture mesh motion of complex moving parts (e.g. flaps) and sliding mesh / frame motion to capture rotating objects (such as rotors, props, etc.). Additionally, practical high-performance computing (HPC) aspects will be taught in the practical session of this module to provide students with the tools to run simulations on HPC systems. |
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Syllabus |
• Review of key fluid mechanic and thermodynamic concepts. • Review of key non-dimensional numbers. • Calculate lift and drag polars and extracting different type of drags from simulations. • Simulate viscous flow around aerodynamic bodies, including an extension to separated boundary layer flows. • Extract key aerodynamic figures such as minimum drag and maximum lift over drag speed. • Calculate centre of pressure and aerodynamic centre on aerofoils / wings / horizontal stabiliser and rudder and use extracted moments for static stability analysis. • Perform CFD simulations for aerodynamic devices such as wings, aerofoil sections, flaps, etc. and use appropriate modelling strategy to capture the flow around these. • Use shock-capturing schemes to resolve shock-waves for compressible flows, such as Riemann solvers. • Apply mesh motion to simulate rotating domains (propellers, rotors, etc.). • Automate the CFD calculation through scripting. • Run automated CFD simulation on an HPC cluster environment. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Modelling Approaches for Aerospace Applications
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Computational Engineering Structures
Aim |
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Syllabus |
• Introduction to Finite Element Methods (FEM) and applicability to different situations. • Introduction to the Direct Stiffness (Displacement) Method. • Development of Truss, Bar Element Equations in 2D and 3D. • Development of Beam and Frame Element Equations (2D and 3D). • Development of the Plane Stress element Equations (Constant and Linear Strain). • Accuracy considerations: higher order elements, Isoparametric elements. • The role of numerical integration and methods used in FE. • Practical Considerations in Modelling; Interpreting Results. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Validation and Verification for Aerospace Applications
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Teaching team
You will be taught by experienced academic staff from Cranfield University. Our staff are active researchers as well as tutors, with clients that include AWE, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Jaguar Land Rover, BAE Systems, MBDA, MoD and SEA. Our teaching team work closely with business and have academic and industrial experience. Knowledge gained working with our clients is continually fed back into the teaching programme, to ensure that you benefit from the very latest knowledge and techniques affecting industry. The course also includes visiting lecturers from industry who will relate the theory to current best practice. Among these is Professor Guy Boy from Centrale Superlec.
The Course Director for this programme is Professor Karl Jenkins.
Your career
The MSc in Aerospace Computational Engineering is designed to equip you with the skills required to pursue a successful career in computational aerospace design and engineering, both in the UK and globally.
Our courses attract enquiries from companies in the rapidly expanding aerospace computational and digital engineering industrial sector across the world who wish to recruit high quality graduates who have strong technical programming skills, and can assess and evaluate the results of digital/numerical simulations. They are in demand by CAD vendors, commercial engineering software developers, aerospace and computational science-related industrial sectors and research organisations, and have been particularly successful in finding employment.
Graduates of this course have gone into roles including:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Business Engineer
- CFD Application Engineer
- Computational Modelling Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Data Science Specialist
- Flight Operations Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Pilot Officer
- Research and Development Project Manager
- Software Development Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Technical Project Leader
- Test & Reliability Engineer
Companies that employ our graduates include:
- Airbus
- Capgemini Engineering
- Dassault Aviation
- easyJet
- Safran Engineering Services
- Thales
- Volvo Group
- Yodel
Some of our graduates go onto PhD degrees. Project topics are most often supplied by industrial companies offering unsolved engineering problems and purely academic-related research projects in the field of computational engineering are also available. Our graduates are highly employable after graduation in the wide range of industrial sector including R&D departments as well as academia. Our approach to a research degree is being actively sought by a growing number of industries and academic research institutions keen to expand their impact and innovation.
Cranfield’s Career Service is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. Support continues after graduation and as a Cranfield alumnus, you have free life-long access to a range of career resources to help you continue your education and enhance your career.
Part-time route
We welcome students looking to enhance their career prospects whilst continuing in full-time employment. The part-time study option that we offer is designed to provide a manageable balance that allows you to continue employment with minimal disruption whilst also benefiting from the full breadth of learning opportunities and facilities available to all students. The University is very well located for visiting part-time students from all over the world and offers a range of library and support facilities to support your studies.
As a part-time student you will be required to attend teaching on campus in one-week blocks, for a total of 8 blocks over the 3 year period that you are with us. Teaching blocks are typically run during the period from October to March, followed by independent study and project work where contact with your supervisors and cohort can take place in person or online.
We believe that this setup allows you to personally and professionally manage your time between work, study and family commitments, whilst also working towards achieving a Master's degree.
How to apply
Click on the ‘Apply now’ button below to start your online application.
See our Application guide for information on our application process and entry requirements.