Overview
- Start dateSeptember
- DurationOne year full-time, two-three years part-time
- DeliveryTaught modules 40%, group project 20%, individual research project 40%
- QualificationMSc
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
Suitable for candidates from a broad range of engineering and applied mathematical backgrounds, including aeronautic, automotive, mechanical and electrical engineering, in addition to those with a mathematical and computational sciences training, who wish to both develop and complement their existing skill set in these important areas.
The specialist taught modules are designed to provide you with the knowledge, programming techniques and practical skills necessary to develop and use core CED solution software over a wide range of industrial settings.
Why this course?
Cranfield University is a leader in applied mathematics and computing applications. The CED option benefits from the knowledge and experience gained by the staff through their strong industrial links, particularly our well-established research collaborations with the petrochemical, automotive, aeronautical and financial sectors.
This course produces well-qualified graduates, ready to take on professional roles without additional training on the job. In recent years, key employers have requested a student visit to showcase their graduate roles.
This course is also available on a part-time basis, enabling you to combine studying alongside full-time employment. We are very well located for visiting part-time students from across the UK and Europe.
Informed by industry
This course is directed by an Industrial Advisory Panel who meet twice a year to ensure that it provides generic hands-on skills and up-to-date knowledge adaptable to the wide variety of applications that this field addresses.
A number of members also attend the annual student thesis presentations which take place at the end of July, a month or so before the end of the course. This provides a good opportunity to meet key employers.
The Industry Advisory Panel includes:
- Black & Veatch Ltd,
- Stone Rock Advisors,
- Rolls-Royce,
- Airbus,
- Factset,
- Cambridge Consultants,
- Industrial Vision,
- STFC,
- Excelian,
- SOLV3 Engineering Ltd,
- Red Bull Technology,
- L3 Harris,
- Autonomous Devices,
- Immense,
- The Manufacturing Technology Centre.
Course details
The course consists of 10 core modules, including a group design project and an individual research project. A combination of mathematical, computational and hands-on use of industry-standard CED systems forms the basis of the specialist modules, covering the theory and application of CED-based software for the modelling, analysis and simulation, in diverse fields such as automotive, aeronautical, flow related industries, data fitting and visualisation.
Course delivery
Taught modules 40%, group project 20%, individual research project 40%
Group project
The process of software production is rarely an activity undertaken by an individual developer. In today’s software industry, many different specialists are required to contribute to the creation of software. To ensure a high level of quality in the final product, different roles and responsibilities must be brought together into a single team and therefore clear lines of communication between team members are crucial if the project is to be a success.
The group design project is intended to give you invaluable experience of delivering a project within an industry structured team. The project allows you to develop a range of skills including learning how to establish team member roles and responsibilities, project management, delivering technical presentations and gaining experience of working in teams that include members with a variety of expertise and often with members who are based remotely.
Part-time students are encouraged to participate in a group project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. However, an option of an individual dissertation is available if agreed with the Course Director.
Previous group projects have included:
- Component stress analysis,
- Steel tube joints flow study.
Individual project
The individual research project allows you to delve deeper into an area of specific interest. It is very common for industrial partners to put forward real world problems or areas of development as potential research project topics. For part-time students it is common that their research project is undertaken in collaboration with their place of work.
Previous individual research projects have included:
- Analysis of aircraft control surface,
- Comparative analysis of parallel performance and scalability of incompressible CFD solvers,
- Automated workflow for a car roof-box optimisation,
- Design optimisation of helical gear pair in helicopter transmission systems,
- Design and analysis of an adjustable rear view car spoiler,
- Surfboard modelling using CFD,
- Displacement mapping using splines,
- Aircraft fuel system failure detection.
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
Computational Methods
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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. |
Syllabus |
The module explores numerical integration methods; the numerical solution of differential equations using finite difference approximations including formulation, accuracy and stability; matrices and types of linear systems, direct elimination methods, conditioning and stability of solutions, iterative methods for the solution of linear systems. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Implement and use numerical integration methods. 2. Use appropriate techniques to formulate numerical solutions to differential equations. 3. Evaluate properties of numerical methods for the solution of differential equations. 4. Choose and implement appropriate methods for solving differential equations. 5. Evaluate properties of systems of linear equations. 6. Choose and implement appropriate methods for solving systems of linear equations. 7. Evaluate the behaviour of the numerical methods and the numerical solutions. |
C++ Programming
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Aim |
Object oriented programming (OOP) is the standard programming methodology used in nearly all fields of major software construction today, including engineering and science and C++ is one of the most heavily employed languages. This module aims to answer the question ‘what is OOP’ and to provide the student with the understanding and skills necessary to write well designed and robust OO programs in C++. Students will learn how to write C++ code that solves problems in the field of computational engineering, particularly focusing on techniques for constructing and solving linear systems and differential equations. Hands-on programming sessions and assignment series of exercises form an essential part of the course. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Apply the principles of the object oriented programming methodology - abstraction, encapsulation, inheritance and aggregation - when writing C++ programs. |
Management for Technology
Aim |
The importance of technology leadership in driving the technical aspects of an organisations products, innovation, programmes, operations and strategy is paramount, especially in today’s turbulent commercial environment with its unprecedented pace of technological development. As demand for ever more complex products and services has become the norm, one of the challenges for today’s manager is to deal with uncertainty, to allow technological innovation and change to flourish, whilst also remaining within planned parameters of performance. This module helps to develop your understanding of management processes within an organisational context, so that when you seek employment you are equipped with both the extensive subject/discipline knowledge and the ability to relate it to a management context. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Geometric Modelling and Design
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Solve a range of basic numerical problems in B-spline curve and surface data fitting and modelling. 2. Apply B-spline curve and surface theory and algorithms to the construction of data fitting programs in a CAD modelling setting. 3. Use the mathematical and computational techniques deployed in the creation of 3D geometric modelling software to extend existing implementations. 4. Evaluate a CAD system in terms of the range of free-form modelling operations offered. 5. Use the principles behind solid model representation schemes to judge the capabilities of a solid modeller. |
Computational Engineering Structures
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Aim |
This course covers more advanced aspects of CAE, the aim being to introduce students to key concepts and techniques in the use of CAE application software tools. Use is made of structured computer based workshops which employ industry standard systems for CAD through to Engineering Analysis.
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Syllabus |
• CAE FEA Pre- and Post-Processing, Free mesh and Mapped mesh techniques, • Quality checks on nodes and elements, Finite element and geometry based • boundary conditions, Utilising solids based modelling geometry for downstream • CAE FEA, CAE linear statics analysis using the I-DEAS CAE FEA Simulation • software, Case Studies. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Analyse and evaluate how modern CAE Analysis tools are used. 2. Construct a computational mesh by using free mesh and mapped mesh generation techniques. 3. Generate finite element analysis models by using either geometry from the I-DEAS solid modeller or an external CAD system. 4. Use the I-DEAS Simulation Analysis module to run linear static analysis modules. |
Digital Engineering and Product Design
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Syllabus |
• Some benefits of using solid modelling and the CAE approach, • Different construction methods for 3D geometrical models, • Parametric and variational design, • Production of drafting setup details from 3D geometrical parts, • Modifying parts and features, • Part, Assembly and Surface Modelling workbenches |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Create solid geometrical parts using a variety of fundamental CAD construction techniques including parametric and variational design/. 2. Apply skills necessary to carry out a variety of Solid Modelling tasks. 3. Use drafting tools to generate 2D drawings from 3D geometrical parts. 4. Evaluate a CAE Solid Modelling tool in terms of the range of solid and surface construction techniques offered. 5. Build CAD models of reasonable complexity from a given specification using a combination of part, assembly and surface modelling techniques |
Computational Engineering Fluids
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Syllabus |
• Fundamental equations • The Computational Engineering Process • Fluid Simulation for Computer Graphics • Modelling techniques • Practical sessions |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. An understanding of the Computational Engineering Process. 2. Understand the governing equations for fluid systems and how to solve them computationally. 3. Be able to write code to solve problems and undertake practical problems using commercial software 4. Appreciate the wide range of applications using computational engineering for fluids. |
Visualisation
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Aim |
Computer graphics is a key element in the effective presentation and manipulation of data in engineering software. The aim of this module is to provide an in depth practical understanding of the mathematical and software principles behind 2D and 3D visualisation using the widely used OpenGL (desktop) and WebGL (web based) graphic libraries. Representative GUI based 2D and 3D OpenGL/WebGL applications using both Javascript/HTML5 and the Qt development environment are employed. The module will also cover some of the more advanced rendering techniques including lighting, texturing and other image mapping methods used to enhance visual interpretation of data. An introduction to the implementation and use of Virtual Reality in engineering completes the module. Hands-on exercises and an assignment supplement the learning process. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Computational Optimisation Design
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
• Numerical Solution to Partial Differential Equations: Parabolic, Elliptic, Hyperbolic • Stability Analysis and Truncation Errors, Case Studies |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Understand the mathematical principles of the discretisation methods. 2. Identify problems which are suitable for finite element or finite difference solution. 3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of numerical solution methods. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of stability analysis and numerical errors. |
Teaching team
Cranfield University is a leader in applied mathematics and computing applications, and you will be taught by experienced Cranfield staff including those listed below. Our staff are practitioners as well as tutors, with clients that include: Airbus, Conoco Phillips, Siemens and TATA Motors. Our teaching team works closely with business and has academic and industrial experience. Knowledge gained working with our clients and partners 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 and academia who will relate the theory to current best practice. In recent years, students on the CED option have received lectures from external speakers including: Dr Steve King, Rolls-Royce and Dr Terry Hewit, University of Manchester.
Your career
The Computational Engineering Design option is tailored to equip you with the skills required to pursue a successful career working both in the UK and overseas. This course attracts enquiries from companies in rapidly expanding engineering IT industry sector across the EU and beyond who wish to recruit high-quality graduates.
There is considerable demand for students with expertise in engineering software development and for those who have strong technical programming skills in industry standard languages and tools.
Typically our graduates are employed by software houses and consultancies or by CAD/CAM and other engineering companies in software development roles and industrial research.
A selection of companies that have recruited our graduates include:
- Design Manager, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd,
- Financial Software Developer, Bloomberg,
- Research Engineer, Moodstocks SAS,
- PLM Consultant, PCO Innovation,
- Software Developer, CAE Engineering,
- Computer Science Engineer, Sopra Group,
- IT Archietecture Consultant, Solucom,
- Asset Management Engineering, EON UK,
- Mathematical Software Engineer, Arithmetica Ltd,
- Analyst, Morgan Stanley.
Cranfield gives good teachers, interesting lectures, updated group projects with the best technology available currently, and most importantly the perfect preparation and connection with industry that helps start your professional career.
The reason why I wanted to come to Cranfield is because it's one of the best ranked schools. I really like coding and using computational tools to solve engineering problems. I think the course is really relevant and useful for today's digital era.
How to apply
Online application form. UK students are normally expected to attend an interview and financial support is best discussed at this time. Overseas and EU students may be interviewed by telephone.