Overview
- Start dateOctober
- DurationOne year full-time
- DeliveryTaught component (40%), Group project (20%), Individual research project (40%)
- QualificationMSc
- Study typeFull-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
The Automotive Mechatronics MSc is a recently established course, developed to respond to the clear demand in the sector for graduates with advanced skills and education in this specialised field. The significant increase in the application of mechatronics has created an industry need for this Masters degree. This course is designed for students with a solid engineering, mathematics or applied science undergraduate degree, who want to strive for a skill set which combines electrical, mechanical, digital control systems and physical system modelling.
Why this course?
We have extensive strategic links with the automotive industry and key players in the forefront of automotive research and development. This high level of engagement with industry through short courses, consultancy and research makes our graduates some of the most desirable in the UK and abroad for companies to recruit.
We are well located for visiting students from all over the world, and offers a range of library and support facilities to support your studies.
Informed by Industry
The Automotive Mechatronics MSc is directed by an Industrial Advisory Panel comprising senior engineers from the automotive sector. This maintains course relevancy and ensures that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge required by leading employers. You will have the opportunity to meet this panel and present your individual research project to them at an annual event held in July. Panel members include:
- Mr Rod J Calvert OBE (Chair), Automotive Management Consultant
- Mr Steve Miles, Blacksmiths
- Mr Clive Crewe, AVL
- Mr Peter Stoker, Millbrook Proving Ground Ltd
- Mr Stefan Strahnz, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One
- Mr Chris Haines, Millbrook Proving Ground Ltd
- Mr Paul McCarthy, JCB Power Systems
- Mr Steve Swift, Polestar Automotive UK Ltd
- Mr Doug Cross, Leadfoot Limited Balance Batteries
- Mr Stephen Henson, Barclays UK Retail and Business Bank
- Dr Leon Rosario, Ricardo Global Automotive Group
- Mr David Hudson, Tata Motors European Technology Centre
- Professor Iain Bomphray, Lightweight Manufacturing Centre, NMIS, Williams Advanced Engineering
- Mr Keith Benjamin, Jaguar Land Rover
- Mr Tobias Knichel, Punch Flybrid Limited
- Dr Charlie Wartnaby, Applus IDIADA
Course details
The Automotive Mechatronics MSc is made up of nine taught compulsory modules, which are generally delivered from October to March. During the first term, you will take modules in core automotive subjects, such as vehicle dynamics, design, vehicle performance, powertrain technology and vehicle structures.
In the second term, you will undertake a bespoke programme of study geared towards a greater understanding of physical systems, advanced control system design and rapid prototyping.
Course delivery
Taught component (40%), Group project (20%), Individual research project (40%)
Group project
You will undertake a substantial group project between October and March, which focuses on designing and optimising a particular vehicle system/assembly. This is designed to prepare you for the project-based working environment within the majority of the automotive industry.
Presentations are arranged to the Industrial Advisory Panel members (consisting of practising automotive engineers and managers), academic staff and fellow students, to market the product and demonstrate technical expertise. These presentations give you the opportunity to develop your presentation skills and effectively handle questions about complex issues in a professional manner.
The Automotive Mechatronics MSc Group Design Project presentations will be held on 8th March 2018. If you would like to attend please contact SASAutocourses@cranfield.ac.uk
Individual project
After having gained an excellent understanding of methods and applications, you will work full-time (May to September) on an individual research project. This research project will allow you to delve deeper into an area of specific interest, taking the theory from the taught modules and joining it with practical experience. A list of suggested topics is provided, and includes projects proposed by staff and industry sponsors, associated with current research projects.
It is clear that the modern design engineer cannot be divorced from the commercial world. In order to provide practice in this matter, a poster presentation and written report will be required from all students, and the research findings presented to the academic staff as well as the Industrial Advisory Panel members.
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.
Automotive Mechatronics Induction
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will:
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Automotive Control and Simulation
Aim |
• To equip you with the skills needed to understand, design and assess single-variable feedback control algorithms using classical control techniques for use in automotive systems. |
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Syllabus |
The module will provide knowledge in advanced control design tools and techniques and advance analytical methods in designing multivariable controllers with applications in the automotive engineering area. The theory of the multivariable controls will be introduced and then their use will be illustrated and developed by example applications. The theory and applications will be interleaved with selected associated topics (listed below) as appropriate through the module. |
Intended learning outcomes |
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Vehicle Dynamics
Aim |
• To introduce students to road vehicle ride and handling, from requirements to analytical modelling and practical viewpoints. • To link understanding of vehicle dynamics, ride and handling to the practical implications for suspension and steering system design. |
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Syllabus |
The module will provide knowledge in vehicle dynamics ride and handling from subjective and objective requirements to analytical methods in developing passive ride and handling models. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Vehicle Powertrain and Performance
Aim |
This module aims to: |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Mechatronics Modelling for Vehicle Systems
Aim |
• To introduce you to modelling techniques, from basic methodology to graphical modelling and practical viewpoints. • To illustrate the role of first principle and data-driven modelling. |
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Syllabus |
Course content includes: |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Compare and criticise the different analogies that can be made between all system dynamics. |
Advanced Control and Optimisation
Aim |
• To introduce students to the tools and methodology associated with multivariable control design techniques. • To provide students with practical experience in designing and simulating advanced modern controllers within the context of multi-domain automotive systems. |
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Syllabus |
The module will provide knowledge in advanced control design tools and techniques and advance analytical methods in designing multivariable controllers with applications in the automotive engineering area. The theory of the multivariable controls will be introduced and then their use will be illustrated and developed by example applications. The theory and applications will be interleaved with selected associated topics (listed below) as appropriate through the module. The material will be addressed theoretically and practically: all lecture-based teaching will be supported by practical exercises using MATLAB and Simulink. Prior to the start of the module, you are expected to have reached a high standard of expertise in advanced classical control and the use of MATLAB and Simulink for control system design. As a guideline, you should have met the intended learning outcomes for the module ‘Automotive Control and Simulation’ before commencing this course. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: |
Vehicle Control Applications
Aim |
The aim of this module is to cover a range of applications of Control Theory and Artificial Intelligence techniques in different components of a modern vehicle including engines, electric motors, energy storage, steering, chassis, suspensions, advanced driver-assistance systems, etc. |
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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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Embedded Vehicle Control Systems
Aim |
Within the context of modern automotive control system, the aim of this module is for you to critically evaluate the different technologies and methods required for the efficient vehicle implementation, validation and verification of the automotive mechatronic system. |
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Syllabus |
Course content includes: • A review of modern automotive control hardware requirements and architectures. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 2. Design and implement a digital controller. 3. Evaluate the effect of sampling times, communication delays and quantization errors in a feedback loop. 4. Construct efficient Matlab code for data coding/decoding and control algorithm implementation. 5. Appraise the purpose of the ISO26262 functional safety standard and the AUTOSAR standardized automotive software design. |
Vehicle Electrification and Hybridisation
Aim |
The aim of this module is to empower the students with the capability to analysis, synthesis, and evaluate various technologies and integration challenges associated with the electric and hybrid vehicles. The module is structured to provide an in-depth knowledge and expertise for design and development of the main systems, components, architectures of the Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. The module includes case-studies of commercially available Hybrid and Electric vehicles and current research projects. |
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Syllabus |
Course content includes:
• Introduction to Hybrid and Electric Vehicles systems and powertrain architectures. • Introduction to Electric Motors, Power Electronics and Electric Drives, and Motor Control. • High voltage electrical architectures and the integration of power electronics systems • Automotive energy storage systems: o Batteries, ultracapacitors, flywheels and hydraulic accumulators o System design, integration and energy management • The integration of electrical machines and their electric drive systems o Technology options o System design and sizing • The mechanical integration of the hybrid propulsion system including the use of split-path transmissions • Energy Management and supervisory control for CO2 reduction, fuel saving, vehicle performance and driveability • The role of energy recovery systems including regenerative brake strategies and vehicle integration challenges • Modelling, simulation and analysis of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles and its sub-systems, using model based approach, including Mil, SiL, and HiL • Recent Electric and Hybrid vehicle technologies case studies |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: |
Teaching team
The course director for this programme is Dr Efstathios Velenis.
Accreditation
The Automotive Mechatronics MSc is accredited by:
- The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
I believe Cranfield was the best choice for me because Automotive Mechatronics it is the future of the automotive industry. We work in different principles like electrified vehicles, autonomous vehicles and lots more that cover all automotive aspects. I have really enjoyed all of the modules, and am looking forward to writing my thesis – it’s really important that Cranfield provides a company-based thesis for our future.
Cranfield’s industry links are very useful because we have the ability to network staff in different companies, inside the automotive industry. Through this networking, we can use this knowledge to go further.
The industry links and the amount of external people that have come to the university to teach us for specific topics of the applied study. For example, we had someone come in for vehicle dynamics – just to cover tyre dynamics. Then we had other people just covering suspension, and people from specific fields which was very, very interesting – and how we apply it at laboratories in the assignments that we do.
Your career
This course will take you on to an excellent career as a qualified engineer of the highest standard in the field of Automotive Mechatronics, capable of contributing significantly to the increased demand for experts in the field of vehicle electrification. The broad application of automotive mechatronics opens a wide range of career opportunities within the automotive sector.
Expected careers paths for graduates who have successfully completed the MSc in Automotive Mechatronics include further research or employment within internationally leading vehicle manufacturers and engineering consultancies and tier 1 suppliers to the automotive industry.
How to apply
Applications need to be made online.
Once you have set up an account you will be able to create, save and amend your application form before submitting it.