Engineering Careers & The Aeronautical Engineering Degree
The term 'engineering' is used in many different ways. If you've chosen to explore training in Automotive and/or Aeronautical Engineering, it's likely you're looking for a technical challenge and an exciting career. The aerospace industry in the UK is world-class, and is one of the most diverse and technically advanced industries to be employed in today. Similarly the automotive industry here provides design, development and manufacturing work for around three hundred thousand people.
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. Plus some go on to provide postgraduate-level study as well. (Other colleges and institutions offer training in the subjects as well).
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.
Sandwich courses can also be available on certain training programmes. There are opportunities for some students to get sponsored whilst at university. This also usually means a work placement afterwards. Whatever your circumstances and ambitions, look into as many training alternatives as possible.
Automotive Engineering
Automotive engineering covers everything to do with designing and building cars, motorbikes, trucks and buses. It takes in elements of many other engineering disciplines. Modern vehicle engineers can utilise the latest technologies - for example in relation to electric cars or active suspensions.
Generally speaking, we can separate the automotive engineering processes into three distinct fields. The first stage involves the design or product engineers. They are the people who design and test the components and systems on a vehicle. Development engineers are concerned with the attributes or qualities of the complete vehicle. They liaise with designers with regard to technical specifications and so on. Last of all come the manufacturers, who determine how to put the vehicle together.
Degree courses in automotive engineering are very demanding, but extremely interesting. Amongst other subjects, you will be taught about aerodynamics, performance, emissions and vehicle dynamics. Auto engineers must be fully conversant with safety engineering - so tests are done for example to check resistance to rollover, seat belt and air bag functionality and front and side crash impacts.
Design engineers test individual components, but they must also be tested to prove synchronicity with the vehicle as a whole. So an understanding of development engineering is necessary.
'Trade-offs' come under this function, for example balancing fuel economy with engine performance. Ultimately development engineering must meet the standards dictated by the manufacturer, the government and of course the buying public.
Once the designers and developers are absolutely satisfied that everything is ready, the manufacturing engineers take over. Manufacturing engineering is involved with a wide assortment of tasks related to the planning and engineering of assembly. This work includes project management of tools, machines, people and safety procedures.
Engineering - Aeronautical
Man's desire for flight has led to momentous developments in aircraft technology. Those who study aeronautical engineering should be able to challenge conventional thinking. The aerospace industry needs people who are technical, analytical and lateral, who can also work well with others. (Formula One design engineers use aerospace technology as well, if that appeals to you).
Modern aeroplanes have to undergo many severe conditions in order to safely negotiate the skies. Due to the complexity of flight vehicle development and design, it would be impossible to learn enough about all the technologies involved, so teams of engineers deal in their own specialisations.
Students will use software to learn about design and the layout of essential aeronautical systems. All studies will focus on analytical concepts. Analytics is essentially problem-solving, and deals with things like dynamics and fluid mechanics. In recent years advances in computing mean that simulations can be used to test the behaviour of fluid, which lessens the need for expensive wind tunnel research. (Nevertheless, students will still get plenty of opportunity to experiment with wind tunnels and other physical testing machines).
Both Auto and Aero engineering students will benefit from a good deal of practical application. Both BEng and MEng degree courses will incorporate practical project work to be carried out in teams. Automotive and Aeronautical Engineering training courses may also cover more broad-based subjects and transferable skills. Things like oral communication, leadership skills and teamwork might be on the list.
Aeronautical and automotive engineers are at the forefront of technological advances, and can make a valuable contribution to society. For information about joining a professional body upon completion of your training, refer to the Engineering Council, or SARTOR (the Standards and Routes to Registration).
