Aerospace Engineering MSc

About the course

This is an integrated degree programme that brings together the key generic skills of management and research methods with specific modules focusing on aerodynamics and flight mechanics. This approach will help you to develop your critical thinking skills as a future engineering manager, or technical specialist enabling you effectively to analyse technical and or management issues. The programme aims to:

• equip you with the theory and the practice of relevant subjects, technologies and analytical tools to provide solutions for aerospace and related manufacturing problems
• provide a blend of knowledge and application experience through case studies and project work
• focus on the links between analysis and design and the supporting skills of management
• provide education and experience which enhances prospects of professional employment within the industry

You study three core 30-credit modules and chose two 15-credit option modules, plus a major project. The project accounts for one third of your degree.

Why choose this course?

• The School has over 50 years' experience of teaching aerospace, and has established an excellent international reputation in this field;
• We offer extensive lab facilities for aerospace engineering students, including a flight simulator, the latest software packages and windtunnels;
• This MSc combines analysis and design with management skills to produce highly-employable postgraduates.

Study routes

• Part Time, 2 Years
• Full Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

This programme will help you to develop your critical thinking skills as a future engineering manager or technical specialist as it will enable you to effectively analyse technical and management issues. This blend of technical and managerial content is invaluable in job applications as well as helping to fast-track your career in the industry.

Teaching methods

The School has a reputation for innovation in teaching and learning, where nearly all MSc modules are delivered through a combination of traditional face-to-face teaching and backup tutorial's using the University's StudyNet web based facility. StudyNet allows students to access electronic teaching and learning resources, and conduct electronic discussion's with staff and other students. A heavy emphasis is placed on theory and practice, and the School has a policy of using industrial standard software wherever possible. The School also operate an open access laboratory, and computer policy, that will help students complete coursework and assignments, at a scheduled pace and on time.

Work Placement

N/A

Professional Accreditations

Accredited for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Aeroelasticity

  This module introduces students to the dynamic structural analysis of aerospace vehicles, together with static and dynamic aeroelastic phenomena such as divergence, control reversal and flutter. Some typical aerospace vehicle structural dynamic problems are considered, while aeroelastic analysis is introduced through the consideration of the behaviour of a typical aerofoil and a high aspect ratio wing in bending and torsion. Student learning will be supported by assignments making use of simulation packages and aeroelastic analysis software and a finite element analysis package.

• CFD Analysis for Aerospace Applications

  This module develops the student's knowledge of aerospace applications of CFD. It comprehensively reviews the governing flow equations and their area of application. Students will also develop their knowledge of the use of potential flow theory in aerodynamics prediction and use of panel method in aerospace will be investigated. Students will make extensive use of commercial codes to simulate airflows. Methods for multiphase flows and flows flow with conjugate heat transfer will be reviewed. There is also an introduction to subroutines and user functions in commercial codes.

• CFD Techniques

  This module develops the student's knowledge of aerodynamic applications of CFD. It comprehensively reviews the governing equations of fluid flow and their area of application. The major numerical methods of solution are introduced, together with turbulence modelling. Meshing procedures are introduced, including physical measures of adequate meshing, solution adaptive meshing, multi-block and multi-grid methods.

• Control of Mechanical Systems

  This module will extend the students understanding of how to model the dynamic behaviour of mechanical systems using advanced mathematical modelling techniques and appropriate simulation software commonly used in industry. Conventional and modern methods of controller design will be used in order to modify the dynamic performance of electro-mechanical systems. Students will implement their controller designs using laboratory facilities. A particular emphasis will be placed on digital implementation of controllers using microcontrollers.

• FEA & Applications

  This module aims to enable students to: (i) construct computer simulation models for a range of mechanical engineering requirements from industrial complex models to models requiring sophisticated numerical solutions using CAD surface/solid information; (ii) examine the effect of mesh density, domain size, boundary conditions, physical approximation technique, material properties and appropriate numerical schemes on the accuracy of results, using an FEA package; (iii) validate and correlate the results against benchmark solutions or analytical approximations. The students will also consider a range of modelling techniques in solving fundamental problems in mechanical engineering. A part of the module covers the advanced numerical methods within FEA method as well as the governing equations relevant to nonlinear analysis and dynamic analysis. Convergence and monitoring of solutions is considered together with post-processing issues. The students will also consider a wide range of modelling techniques for applications in mechanical engineering, including linear and nonlinear engineering problems.

• Flight Mechanics

  This module develops student knowledge and understanding of aircraft dynamics, stability and control beyond BEng Honours level. Topics covered include compressibility, thrust-offset, and static aeroelastic effects on aircraft static stability and control; quasi-steady asymmetric flight; sideslipping and turning, aircraft dynamics at high incidence; methods for estimating aerodynamic derivatives and an introduction to parameter identification methods. Student learning will be supported by assignments making use of simulation packages and a flight simulator.

• MSc Projects

  The Masters Project is a key integrating feature of the programme. It is designed to challenge and develop critical thinking skills at a post-graduate level. It provides the student with the opportunity to bring together and apply much of what they have learnt both in their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Potential projects are identified with the support of staff across the school covering a wide range of appropriate areas. Some will be based in industry, others based within our own laboratories. Students are supported through the delivery of an initial short course training programme designed to equip them with the necessary project management, research methodology, investigation tools and analysis skills necessary to undertake a Masters level project. They will also be allocated and supported by individual project supervisor. It is expected that the project will require 600 hours of student effort and will result in a worthwhile and practical contribution to the chosen subject area.

• Operations Management

  This module will cover the fundamentals and strategic aspects of operations management and will enable the students to develop their understanding of operational processes, techniques, planning and control systems. Students will examine case studies relating to both manufacturing and service operations to support lectures and guided learning.

• Operations Research

  What makes the difference between a good decision and a bad decision? A 'good' decision is one that uses analytical decision making, and is based on logic and considers all available data and possible alternatives. Engineers and managers are decision makers, thus to achieve their goals, they must understand how decisions are made and know of which decision-making tools to use. To a great extent the success or failure of human resources and management depends on the quality of their decisions. Therefore, this module determines that with the use and implementation of good operations research decision-making tools, then the process of decision making should be made easier.

Optional

• MSc Projects

  The Masters Project is a key integrating feature of the programme. It is designed to challenge and develop critical thinking skills at a post-graduate level. It provides the student with the opportunity to bring together and apply much of what they have learnt both in their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Potential projects are identified with the support of staff across the school covering a wide range of appropriate areas. Some will be based in industry, others based within our own laboratories. Students are supported through the delivery of an initial short course training programme designed to equip them with the necessary project management, research methodology, investigation tools and analysis skills necessary to undertake a Masters level project. They will also be allocated and supported by individual project supervisor. It is expected that the project will require 600 hours of student effort and will result in a worthwhile and practical contribution to the chosen subject area.

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £6,700 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £11,000 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply