Advanced Vehicle Engineering MEng (Hons)

Modules

• Engineering mathematics and modelling
  This module consolidates the mathematical skills that underpin the BEng and MEng Engineering degrees. It is specifically designed to cater for wide differences in mathematical backgrounds, as well as to prepare you for the Advanced Engineering Mathematics and Modelling module taken in the second year.
• Introduction to vehicle engineering
  This module introduces vehicle engineering, giving you a broad introduction to the properties and limitations of engineering materials, fundamental concepts of engineering mechanics, particularly statics. The module emphasises the relationship between theory and real engineering systems. This involves a set of appropriate practical laboratory experiments.
• Thermofluids and dynamics
  This module provides an introduction to the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and dynamics in order to be able to analyse simple engineering systems and processes. The module emphasises the relationship between theory and practice, and involves a set of appropriate practical laboratory experiments.
• Introduction to electrical electronic engineering
  You'll be introduced to fundamentals of both electrical and electronic engineering. Starting with basic circuit elements, Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Law the first half of the module introduces basic and more advanced circuit analysis techniques such as Node Voltage and Mesh Current methods. Progressing onto Source Transformation techniques and the basics of semiconductors (Diodes, BJTs and Op-Amps). Then the Electrical part covers DC responses of RC, RL and RLC circuits& finally AC sinusoidal circuit theory and power systems and threephase circuits.
• Design and practice
  This module covers core study skills subjects for engineering students, and includes design activities, team work, creative problem solving, project management, sustainable development principles, personal development planning, report writing communication, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), employability and transferable skills. It is also a work-based module for part-time students, utilising the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to provide supporting teaching material and assessments.
• Engineering computing
  This is an introductory unit, which addresses the engineering formation as well as programming knowledge and skills. You'll develop an understanding of the role and importance of software and computers in Engineering.

• Advanced engineering mathematics and modelling
  This module covers undergraduate advanced engineering mathematics to enable you to consider and model a variety of relevant problems in Advanced Vehicle Engineering.
• Vehicle design and virtual engineering
  This module investigates vehicle engineering design using the latest CAD/CAM industry standard software and LSBU’s own Virtual Engineering suite. You'll be able to appropriately select and then apply established design theory alongside product development and prototyping techniques to effect comprehensive solutions to vehicle engineering problems, utilising a project based learning approach. You'll make extensive use of the engineering workshops and associated facilities.
• Solid mechanics and FEA
  This module provides new concepts in the deformation of materials under different loading conditions and extends the application of fundamental principles of solid mechanics to more advanced systems, building on knowledge gained through Level 4 Introduction to Vehicle Engineering. The module also provides basic concepts and the principles of the finite element analysis (FEA) techniques and the application of FEA in structural and stress analysis.
• Dynamics and control
  This module builds on the platform established at level 4. The module covers dynamics and classical control theory. You'll extend your treatment of dynamics from point masses to rigid bodies and cover a wider scope of application of the principles of mechanics. You'll apply a variety of mathematical techniques to the study of dynamics and feedback problems. You'll also study various methods of classical control theory such as Bode, Nyquist and Root Locus.
• Thermofluids and sustainable energy
  This module provides a second study of heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics exploring more theory to allow industrial level analysis of processes. The scope includes an appreciation of fuels/combustion, power-producing cycles, internal combustion engines, gas-turbines, refrigeration systems, internal/external fluid flows, aerodynamics and further heat transfer.
• Vehicle machine drives, mechatronics, and data-acquisition
  This module provides the fundamental theory and calculations behind essential elements of mechanical and mechatronics design e.g. mechanical drives, transmission systems, electrical actuation systems, sensors, microcontrollers, and data-acquisition. You'll learn from the laboratory experiments about the hardware components and subsystems used in advanced vehicle engineering.

• Vehicle structures, sustainable manufacturing and material technologies
  This module covers vehicle structures, manufacturing systems, sustainability life-cycle analysis, and future material technologies for advanced vehicle manufacture. This module provides an advanced study on stress analysis including elasticity theory, inelastic deformations, fracture of materials and their application to vehicle structures.
• Vehicle dynamics and system modelling
  This module introduces you to advanced dynamical systems theory. This involves mathematical modelling of engineering systems using both Newtonian and Lagrangian approaches. The module includes investigative work into vehicle dynamics systems using computer software and laboratory experiments.
• Vehicle powertrain, sustainability and 1D-CFD
  The module evaluates a variety of existing and future low-carbon powertrains including IC engines using multiple fuels, electric motors, batteries, fuel-cells and alternative power sources. Power transmission systems for each powertrain are considered, energy recovery systems, together with sustainability and infrastructure requirements for wide-scale use / adoption. Analysis of energy systems will include appreciation of environmental impact, and you'll develop the ability to critically appraise alternative power-producing devices to meet current and future energy needs. This module also develops the study of fluid-mechanics governing equations applied to computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and performance of various types of pumps and turbines. You'll undertake simulation of a fluid system using 1D-CFD code.
• Innovation and enterprise
  This module aims to equip you with methods and processes to recognise opportunities and to plan on harnessing commercially viable benefits that may exist from exploiting those opportunities in a sustainable fashion. This might be a product or a service (such as consultancy or contract management). The application of project management principles will help to define the critical path of a proposed business and how the many processes involved (planning, market research, market placement, finance, operations, human resources etc.) are interlinked throughout the initial planning exercise and how they can change over time.
• MEng group project
  As part of a group you'll design, make and test either a low-emission urban concept vehicle, or high-performance vehicle, facilitated through project based learning and learning by practice. At the end of the project, you are required to present a dissertation, which forms a major element of the assessment. The dissertation tests your ability to integrate information from various sources, to conduct an in-depth investigation, to critically analyse results and information obtained and to propose solutions. The other element of the assessment includes an oral presentation. The Group Project carries 40 credits and is a major part of MEng program.

Optional placement year

• Technical research and professional skills
  This module teaches how to search for and gather relevant technical information, how to extract the essence from a piece of technical literature, how to carry out a critical review of a research paper, how to write a feasibility report, how to give presentations and put your thoughts across effectively, and how to manage a project in terms of time and progress in a group project environment. These are designed to enhance the technical and analytical background that is necessary for Master's level.
• Electromechanical systems and manufacturing technology
  This module develops your knowledge and understanding of a broad range of conventional and advanced manufacturing technologies. These are explored in the context of globalization, concurrent engineering and related manufacturing strategies relevant to audiences involved in engineering management. Topics include Automation, Industrial Control Systems, Numerical Control, Industrial Robotics, Discrete Control – PLC and PC Systems, Manufacturing Technology, Manufacturing strategies, Additive manufacturing, Concurrent Engineering, Virtual Engineering with Immersive technologies, Quality tools and philosophies, Quality control.
• MEng individual project
  The individual major project requires you to plan, execute, review and report upon a major piece of technical work directly related to Advanced Vehicle Engineering. This module differentiates from others on the course taken due to the high degree of autonomous study expected. This flexibility should be seen as an opportunity to explore new areas of interest and to acquire new and often unexpected skills. The work undertaken within the project will require you to develop your own methodologies in advance of presenting solutions to the studied problem.
• Advanced vehicle dynamics, NVH, structures and crash-safety
  This module develops advanced concepts of dynamics, Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) of vehicles, further analysis of vehicle structures using finite elements and consideration of plastic-deformation applied to crash-safety of vehicle structures.
• Advanced powertrain systems, vehicle performance, and 3D-CFD
  This module further develops analysis of powertrain systems, integrated into vehicle performance analysis through numerical modelling. Performance prediction of power-producing devices will use techniques ranging from simple models, through to consideration of various numerical simulation techniques including further work with 1D computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and 3D CFD for complicated internal flows. Experimental techniques for measurement of performance of power-producing devices and fluid mechanic systems will be covered in both theory and practice.

Modules are assessed through formal written examinations, phase tests, formative and summative assignments. Ability to apply and integrate knowledge is assessed by larger scale project work as well as group assignments (where appropriate) and logbooks.