At The Forefront of Science

When we talk about Engineers, we can mean many things. Should you fancy yourself as an aeronautical or automotive engineer, you're probably hoping to stretch yourself technically and logically.

Great Britain is renowned for its aeronautical engineering excellence, and its aerospace industry turns over many billions of pounds every year. With regard to the automotive sector Britain also plays a significant role here, with several hundred thousand people being involved in the industry.

Courses Of Repute

Many UK universities offering aero and auto engineering degrees are globally distinguished - you will find more than 30 with BEng and MEng syllabuses listed. Graduates can also follow on and take a PhD or MSc if they wish. (There are of course less academic college courses available around the country).

Most degree courses last from between three and five years, depending on whether the student is working towards BEng or MEng, and whether a year in industry is opted for. Part-time sandwich training is also an option for those who prefer to split their time between studying and working. Engineering students can also look into sponsorship options which are provided by both private industry and the Armed Forces. With so many variables open to you, it's a good idea to really research everything that's on offer.

Automotive Engineering

Every facet of a motorised machine has been developed because of automotive engineering. The automotive engineer's skills are tested right from the initial design concepts. There's a lot to take on board, and new technologies are being developed all the time - often to deal with government environmental standards.

Let's take a look at the engineering stages we go through in the production of a vehicle. First comes design. These engineers have to design all the component parts and systems on a vehicle. The second discipline is covered by development engineers, who engineer all the features of the vehicle. Developers supply designers with various specs they have to comply with. Determining how to make the automobile is the job of the manufacturing engineers.

Degree courses in automotive engineering are very demanding, but extremely interesting. The various elements of your training will ensure you become proficient in core automotive subjects like engine design and vehicle dynamics. One of the most crucial areas of auto engineering is safety engineering. All aspects of a vehicle are stringently tested in both partial and full vehicle crashes and simulations.

As well as performing well by themselves, each component and system has to work in synergy with everything else. And so training must include elements of development engineering. This area also covers trade-offs - such as learning how to achieve performance whilst maintaining fuel economy. Development engineers ultimately have to be sure that everything on the completed vehicle not only meets the manufacturers spec, but is also compliant with the latest regulations.

Once the designers and developers are absolutely satisfied that everything is ready, the manufacturing engineers take over. This is where it all comes together, and so every last detail has to be planned and engineered. Safety procedures have to be applied to every stage of manufacture - from design of equipment and layout of people, to machine and line rates and all automated tasks.

Engineering - Aeronautical

We think of aeronautical engineering as the science of aircraft, but it also embraces space technology and missiles.

Students who train as aeronautical engineers would be preparing themselves for a career in the aerospace industry -a most interesting industry at the forefront of science and technological developments. (Formula One design engineers use aerospace technology as well, if that appeals to you).

All aircraft have to endure severe conditions and stresses, such as changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature, and structural loading on the components. An understanding of technologies such as aerodynamics, materials science, avionics and propulsion is needed, and each are very specialist subjects in their own right.

Students will use software to learn about design and the layout of essential aeronautical systems. All studies will focus on analytical concepts. Examples of analytical subjects are Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Dynamics. Computational fluid dynamics is used to simulate the behaviour of fluid today, which reduces wind-tunnel testing time and expense. (Students though will still carry out wind tunnel tests, and engage in experiments using jet engines).

Practical application is an important element of training to be an engineer. All engineering students will get the chance to contribute to a practical group assignment to create an automobile or flight vehicle. Training courses in these engineering disciplines will also introduce students to other transferable skills. They could include things like communication skills and time management.

Aero and auto engineering degrees not only provide the opportunity to develop technical expertise, they also put graduates into the top sector for employment opportunities. Graduates and Post-graduates can gain professional recognition as Incorporated Engineers or Chartered Engineers.